Game engine publisher Unity announced a new pricing model for the use of the Unity engine, but backtracked following heavy criticism. Now, the resignation of Unity CEO John Riccitiello has been announced.
In brief:
- John Riccitiello resigns as CEO of Unity Technologies and also leaves the company’s board.
- This move follows the heavily controversial and partially retracted changes to Unity’s pricing policy.
- James Whitehurst will succeed him as interim CEO.
- Whitehurst is the former CEO of Red Hat, a subsidiary of IBM that sells open-source software solutions for businesses.
What were the changes in Unity’s pricing? Game developers using the Unity engine were to pay an additional fee per installation of their game starting January 1, 2024. This has upset not only game manufacturers but also users. Many developers announced plans to delete their games from platforms like Steam by the end of the year.
After strong backlash from developers and users, Unity apologized and backtracked. Among other things, the Unity Personal Plan, which is used by many smaller studios, will remain free, and there will be various pricing plans available.
Who is John Riccitiello? John Riccitiello was CEO of Unity Technologies from 2014 until October 9, 2023. Previously, he served in the same position at gaming giant Electronic Arts from 2007 to 2013, where he led operations as COO since 1999.
In the gaming scene, Riccitiello is known for his controversial statements. Here’s a selection:
- In 2011, a leaked audio revealed that he wanted to charge Battlefield players for reloading.
- He also advocated for variable pricing for AAA games and used mobile games as a comparison.
- In 2022, Riccitiello made headlines again when he referred to developers as idiots in an interview about monetization.
What’s next for Unity? Riccitiello will continue to advise Unity to ensure a smooth transition, the company stated. While the search for a new CEO is ongoing, James Whitehurst is taking over as interim CEO. Whitehurst was previously CEO of Red Hat, an IBM subsidiary that offers and develops open-source solutions for businesses.
What do you think about the resignation? An overdue step or rather unnecessary? We are looking forward to your comments.
