John Riccitiello, EA CEO, resigning March 30th

[CeeKay]

http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2013/03/18/ea-ceo-john-riccitiello-is-resigning-heres-his-farewell-letter/

Mr. Riccitiell added, ”In offering my resignation, my goal is to allow the talented leaders at EA a clean start on FY14.”

I wonder how much the SimCity debacle played into this; was it the last straw after The Old Republic didn't become the great hit they expected it to be?

[TiLT]

This is very interesting. By letting their CEO go, they are sending a signal that they are displeased with how the company has handled recent events. Hopefully this means changes in how EA does things, but that may be too optimistic.

[Lee]

From what I have read it has nothing to do with SimCity. The are coming in at the low end of guidance, stock holders are going to be angry, so this is the preemptive strike.

[EngineNo9]

It's too bad, as I thought when Riccitello came on board they had a really good re-focus on doing the opposite of Activision (ie: more original IP instead of flooding the market and burning out franchises), but it really hasn't paid off financially for them.

[Greg Wak]

As has been pointed out elsewhere, he presided over Warhammer online, SWTOR, and the fact that Origin on line has not made a dent in Valve. 3 pretty big failures.

[Turtle]

Which CEO put Dead Space 1 and Mirror's Edge in development? By that, I don't mean who was there when they were released, but when they were put and approved for full development.

[The Grue]

This is very interesting. By letting their CEO go, they are sending a signal that they are displeased with how the company has handled recent events. Hopefully this means changes in how EA does things, but that may be too optimistic.

I am pretty sure you are being too optimistic.  The problem here is that John wasn't making EA enough money.  They need someone else in there to get even more and since EA has gotten to be one of the most exploitative companies out there with regards to milking the gamer, I am pretty sure they're going to think that John wasn't being exploitative enough and will need to turn the volume up to 11, so to speak.  I think it's just going to get worse from here.

[Bullwinkle]

This is very interesting. By letting their CEO go, they are sending a signal that they are displeased with how the company has handled recent events. Hopefully this means changes in how EA does things, but that may be too optimistic.

I am pretty sure you are being too optimistic.  The problem here is that John wasn't making EA enough money.  They need someone else in there to get even more and since EA has gotten to be one of the most exploitative companies out there with regards to milking the gamer, I am pretty sure they're going to think that John wasn't being exploitative enough and will need to turn the volume up to 11, so to speak.  I think it's just going to get worse from here.

That sounds about right to me.

[Roguetad]

The new CEO needs to immediately rescinded any remote work and flexible work policies.  That will turn things around quickly.  It's proven.     

[Isgrimnur]

"It is known."

[Teggy]

The new CEO needs to immediately rescinded any remote work and flexible work policies.  That will turn things around quickly.  It's proven.     

It should be a pregnant woman who takes no maternity leave. In fact she births the baby at her desk, cuts the cord with a letter opener and just keeps on working.

[Arnir]

I think he didn't really resign.  I think someone built a job closer to his house and he is just going there now instead.

[metallicorphan]

Pope Francis I ‏@PopeFrancisOne
It figures I'd accept a gig days before the EA CEO job opened up. I could have been the "Guy who makes Battlefield!" Think of the prestige!

 

[Isgrimnur]

I think he didn't really resign.  I think someone built a job closer to his house and he is just going there now instead.

 

[Ridah]

People have been talking about this for a year now. EA couldn't hit its financial targets and this is the result.

[kronovan]

This is very interesting. By letting their CEO go, they are sending a signal that they are displeased with how the company has handled recent events. Hopefully this means changes in how EA does things, but that may be too optimistic.

I am pretty sure you are being too optimistic.  The problem here is that John wasn't making EA enough money.  They need someone else in there to get even more and since EA has gotten to be one of the most exploitative companies out there with regards to milking the gamer, I am pretty sure they're going to think that John wasn't being exploitative enough and will need to turn the volume up to 11, so to speak.  I think it's just going to get worse from here.

That sounds about right to me.

Except that I'd wager that Peter Moore (ex MS Interactive Entertainment VP and ex President of Sega America) becomes their next CEO. My thinking is partly due to his promotion within the company 18 months ago:

"On 4 August 2011, Moore was promoted from EA Sports President to the role of Chief Operating Officer in a structure reshuffle."

As to Riccitiello leaving, good riddance. I can tell you that he was nothing but a complete douche to EA Canada while Moore wasn't. Is Moore more qualified than Riccitello for the job and possibly someone who could turn the companies fortunes around  - hell yes IMO. To the best of my knowledge EA doesn't manufacture any hardware gaming products, so Moore could find some success there as a CEO.  

[Bullwinkle]

This is very interesting. By letting their CEO go, they are sending a signal that they are displeased with how the company has handled recent events. Hopefully this means changes in how EA does things, but that may be too optimistic.

I am pretty sure you are being too optimistic.  The problem here is that John wasn't making EA enough money.  They need someone else in there to get even more and since EA has gotten to be one of the most exploitative companies out there with regards to milking the gamer, I am pretty sure they're going to think that John wasn't being exploitative enough and will need to turn the volume up to 11, so to speak.  I think it's just going to get worse from here.

That sounds about right to me.

Except that I'd wager that Peter Moore (ex MS Interactive Entertainment VP and ex President of Sega America) becomes their next CEO. My thinking is partly due to his promotion within the company 18 months ago:

"On 4 August 2011, Moore was promoted from EA Sports President to the role of Chief Operating Officer in a structure reshuffle."

As to Riccitiello leaving, good riddance. I can tell you that he was nothing but a complete douche to EA Canada while Moore wasn't. Is Moore more qualified than Riccitello for the job and possibly someone who could turn the companies fortunes around  - hell yes IMO. To the best of my knowledge EA doesn't manufacture any hardware gaming products, so Moore could find some success there as a CEO. 

Moore seems to have his head on straight, but he'll still have to answer to the folks who want their payday.  If he's seen as too much of an idea man, mavericking his way around and doing what he wants, it might keep him from the spot, no matter how successful he may be.  OTOH, he's not immune to wanting to make money himself.