Unity CEO John Riccitiello Steps Down Amid Controversy Over Pricing Model
John Riccitiello, the long-standing CEO of Unity Technologies, has abruptly resigned, sending ripples through the gaming developer community. This sudden exit comes on the heels of a controversial pricing model change initiated last month that sparked outrage among software developers dependent on Unity’s tools.
Unity, well-known for its foundational software in video games, traditionally imposed an annual licensing fee on developers. The contentious shift involved additional charges per download of a game, effectively scaling costs as games gained traction. Riccitiello, one of the change's main advocates, has left the role after nine years without citing a reason for his departure.
While the developer community, including creators of hits like Among Us and Slay the Spire, vocalized strong criticism of the new fee structure, Unity partially retracted the changes. The backlash even led to threats against the company, forcing them to involve federal law enforcement and evacuate two offices.
James Whitehurst, a tech industry veteran with stints at IBM, Red Hat, and Delta Air Lines, steps in as interim CEO as Unity searches for a full-time replacement. Despite the internal shake-up and financial model misfire, Unity maintains its Q3 revenue growth projections, even though the company is not yet profitable.
Riccitiello is no newcomer to industry disputes. He's had a nearly two-decade history with Electronic Arts, including a CEO term, where he gained a reputation for contentious money-making schemes. His past comments about developers not monetizing their games sufficiently also faced backlash. The recent changes to Unity’s financial structure, and his sudden exit, suggest that controversies continue to follow him, casting shadows on his tenure and Unity's future course.
Source: Unity