Bobby Kotick Slams John Riccitiello as 'Worst Video Game CEO'

Bobby Kotick, the former CEO of Activision Blizzard, did not mince words when discussing his industry rival, John Riccitiello, on the podcast Grit. Alongside former EA chief creative officer Bing Gordon, Kotick labeled Riccitiello as "the worst CEO in video games." Despite acknowledging that Electronic Arts (EA) was, in many ways, a better and more stable business than Activision Blizzard, Kotick humorously remarked that they "would have paid for Riccitiello to stay a CEO forever," highlighting his belief in Riccitiello's detrimental leadership.

Riccitiello, who served as CEO of EA from 2007 to 2013, left the company amid poor financial performance and significant layoffs. His tenure was marked by controversial proposals, such as suggesting that Battlefield players pay a dollar each time they reloaded their guns. After leaving EA, Riccitiello took the helm at Unity Technologies in 2014, only to step down in 2023 following a major backlash over proposed install fees. His time at Unity was also fraught with controversy, including a public apology for his harsh comments on microtransactions.

Kotick, who oversaw the historic $68.7 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft in 2023, also revealed that EA had made multiple attempts to acquire his company. "We had merger conversations a bunch of times," Kotick noted, acknowledging the stability and strength of EA's business model.

While Kotick's tenure at Activision Blizzard was financially successful, it was also marred by significant controversy. Employees raised concerns about sexism and a toxic work environment, culminating in walkouts over Kotick's handling of serious misconduct allegations. In response, Activision Blizzard stated that independent reviews found no substantiation for claims of systemic sexual harassment or improper handling by the board, including Kotick. The California Civil Rights Department's lawsuit against Activision Blizzard in 2021, alleging a "frat boy" culture, was settled in December 2023 for $54 million, with the department concluding that no systemic sexual harassment was substantiated.

In the same interview, Kotick also critiqued Universal's 2016 adaptation of Warcraft, calling it "one of the worst movies I've ever seen," adding another layer to his candid reflections on his career and the industry.