Bobby Kotick Declares Former EA Boss John Riccitiello 'Worst CEO in Video Games'

Former Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick launched a scathing attack on his ex-EA counterpart, John Riccitiello, labeling him "the worst CEO in video games" during a recent podcast appearance on Grit. Kotick, speaking alongside former EA chief creative officer Bing Gordon, acknowledged EA's superior business model compared to Activision's, yet paradoxically stated a preference for Riccitiello's continued leadership. He clarified this seemingly contradictory statement by expressing concern that Gordon might have taken the helm at EA, prompting the surprising declaration regarding Riccitiello.

Riccitiello's departure from EA in 2013 followed a period of financial downturn and significant layoffs. His tenure, which began in 2007, was punctuated by controversial decisions, including a suggestion to shareholders that Battlefield players pay per reload. His subsequent leadership at Unity Technologies (2014-2023) also faced considerable turbulence, culminating in his exit amidst a controversy over proposed and subsequently retracted installation fees. His public apology to developers for disparaging those who resisted microtransactions further cemented his reputation for unconventional management styles.

Kotick, who oversaw Activision Blizzard's record-breaking $68.7 billion acquisition by Microsoft in 2023, revealed EA's multiple attempts to acquire Activision Blizzard. He admitted EA possessed a more stable and, in many respects, superior business structure.

While Kotick's leadership at Activision Blizzard yielded significant financial success, his tenure was also marked by considerable controversy. Allegations of sexism, a toxic work environment, and mishandling of serious misconduct claims led to employee walkouts and a lawsuit from California's Department of Fair Employment and Housing (now the Civil Rights Department). A subsequent $54 million settlement concluded in December 2023, with the California Civil Rights Department stating that no court or independent investigation substantiated claims of widespread sexual harassment or improper board conduct regarding workplace misconduct.

In the same interview, Kotick also offered a critical assessment of Universal's 2016 Warcraft adaptation, deeming it "one of the worst movies I've ever seen."