- Reaction score
- 1,710
Following weeks of controversy, partial walkbacks, and apologies surrounding a new fee-based business structure for the Unity engine, game developers and financial markets have responded overwhelmingly positively to the recent news of Unity CEO John Riccitiello's sudden retirement. But that departure may not be enough to restore trust for many developers who have already moved on to other engines.
"Long, long overdue," Gloomwood developer Dillon Rogers wrote, summing up joyful reactions to Riccitiello's departure from across the game development community.
Necrosoft Games' Brandon Sheffield (Demonschool), who was one of the most outspoken critics of Unity's initial install-fee plans, wrote on social media that he "truly did not think [Riccitiello's departure] would happen." The CEO's apparent ouster "is the main thing Unity needed to do to start rebuilding trust, so... it's a start," Sheffield continued.
Sheffield wasn't alone in his surprise and optimism over the move. Indie developer Alex Rose (Super Rude Bear Resurrection) said Riccitiello leaving was a "step in the right direction" that could help turn the company around. "If Unity can hire a really well trusted CEO and make serious positive moves in the next few months they might be able to undo part of the damage they've created," he wrote.
"As the head of a studio developing for well over a decade in Unity, this is the first, most critical step for Unity in rebuilding the trust [Riccitiello] and others set fire to," League of Geeks (Armello) Studio Director Trent Kusters wrote on social media. "Shout out to every developer who was working hard in the background and on main to ensure this happened."
arstechnica.com
"Long, long overdue," Gloomwood developer Dillon Rogers wrote, summing up joyful reactions to Riccitiello's departure from across the game development community.
Necrosoft Games' Brandon Sheffield (Demonschool), who was one of the most outspoken critics of Unity's initial install-fee plans, wrote on social media that he "truly did not think [Riccitiello's departure] would happen." The CEO's apparent ouster "is the main thing Unity needed to do to start rebuilding trust, so... it's a start," Sheffield continued.
Sheffield wasn't alone in his surprise and optimism over the move. Indie developer Alex Rose (Super Rude Bear Resurrection) said Riccitiello leaving was a "step in the right direction" that could help turn the company around. "If Unity can hire a really well trusted CEO and make serious positive moves in the next few months they might be able to undo part of the damage they've created," he wrote.
"As the head of a studio developing for well over a decade in Unity, this is the first, most critical step for Unity in rebuilding the trust [Riccitiello] and others set fire to," League of Geeks (Armello) Studio Director Trent Kusters wrote on social media. "Shout out to every developer who was working hard in the background and on main to ensure this happened."
Game devs express joy over “long overdue” retirement of Unity CEO Riccitiello
But some devs urge caution while other Unity board members are still in place.
