Kotick and Gordon's Take on Industry Leadership: A Critical View of Riccitiello

Bobby Kotick has shared his views on leadership within the gaming sector, particularly regarding the reputation of various CEOs. Notably, his own tenure as the head of Activision wasn't marked by widespread affection from fans or industry peers. Amid various controversies, which included the involvement of workers and unions calling for his departure, Kotick has now pointed toward another figure in the industry who he believes holds a less favorable position.

In a conversation on the Grit podcast, alongside Bing Gordon, the ex-chief creative officer at EA, Kotick expressed that they considered John Riccitiello, previously CEO of both EA and Unity, to be the least effective leader in the video game business. Their belief was so strong that Activision took steps to ensure Riccitiello remained in charge of EA, as they perceived someone like Gordon as a more formidable competitor.

Kotick mentioned their concerns about the possibility of Gordon taking the helm at EA. He indicated that they would have even gone to great lengths to keep Riccitiello in his role, illustrating the depth of their opinion that he represented a lesser challenge in terms of competition.

Through this exchange, it's evident that both Kotick and Riccitiello have garnered criticism during their extensive careers in the gaming world, suggesting that neither is generally viewed in a positive light by the community at large.