Bobby Kotick Labels John Riccitiello as Gaming's Worst CEO

In a candid interview on the Grit podcast, former Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick took a sharp jab at John Riccitiello, the ex-CEO of Electronic Arts (EA), labeling him as "the worst CEO in video games." Kotick made these remarks in conversation with former EA chief creative officer Bing Gordon, who suggested that Riccitiello's leadership style contributed to his own exit from the company. Despite acknowledging EA's superior business model in some respects, Kotick humorously stated that they "would have paid for Riccitiello to stay a CEO forever," emphasizing his disdain.

Riccitiello, who served as EA's CEO from 2007 to 2013, left amid financial struggles and significant layoffs. His tenure included a controversial proposal to shareholders suggesting that players of the Battlefield series might pay a dollar for each gun reload. Following his departure from EA, Riccitiello took the helm at Unity Technologies in 2014. His time there was also tumultuous, culminating in his exit in 2023 after a major backlash over proposed install fees. Riccitiello's leadership at Unity was further marked by controversial comments, such as calling developers who resist microtransactions "the biggest f*cking idiots."

Kotick, who oversaw Activision Blizzard during its monumental $68.7 billion acquisition by Microsoft in 2023, also revealed that EA had made multiple attempts to acquire his company. He admitted to having merger discussions with EA on several occasions, noting that he believed EA's business was "more stable" and in some ways superior to Activision Blizzard's.

Despite Kotick's financial success at Activision Blizzard, his leadership was not without controversy. The company faced numerous allegations of sexism and a toxic work environment, culminating in employee walkouts and a lawsuit from California’s Department of Fair Employment and Housing in July 2021. The lawsuit alleged a "frat boy" culture and retaliation. In December 2023, a $54 million settlement was reached, but the California Civil Rights Department found no evidence of systemic sexual harassment or improper handling by the board, including Kotick.

During the same interview, Kotick also critiqued Universal's 2016 adaptation of Activision Blizzard's Warcraft, bluntly describing it as "one of the worst movies I've ever seen."