Pricing Changes Bring Unity CEO to Resign

According to an announcement of Unity on Monday, John Riccitiello is resigning from his position as CEO, and Whitehurst, former CEO of Red Hat, will take over as Unity’s interim CEO. In September, Unity introduced a pricing adjustment that drew criticism from developers who depend on the company’s technology for game development.

Riccitiello, who has led Unity for nine years, is retiring in the wake of this controversial pricing change and will also step down as chairman and board member.

James Whitehurst, previously the CEO of Red Hat, will serve as Unity’s interim CEO. Roelof Botha, the lead independent director of Unity’s board and from Sequoia Capital, will assume the role of company chairman. Unity plans to begin the search for a permanent CEO, and Riccitiello will provide guidance during the transition.

In September, Unity’s pricing alteration irked many developers who rely on the company’s technology for video game creation. A group of game developers publicly protested the change, expressing concerns that it could negatively impact both small and large game developers and that it was implemented without industry consultation. Unity later adjusted its policy to address developer concerns, acknowledging the confusion and discontent it had caused.

Unity went public in 2020 and was initially valued at $17 billion after its first day of trading. Its market capitalization now stands at just over $11 billion, following a decline in its stock price alongside a broader downturn in the tech sector in 2022.

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