In a recent discussion, former Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick expressed his candid views on ex-EA CEO John Riccitiello, labeling him as the “worst CEO in video games.” This revelation came during a joint appearance with former EA Chief Creative Officer Bing Gordon. Kotick recounted the competitive landscape during Riccitiello’s tenure, noting how Activision’s Call of Duty franchise eclipsed EA’s Battlefield series in popularity.
Kotick reflected on concerns Activision had regarding the potential leadership of Gordon at EA. “Our fear was always that Bing was going to run EA. We would have paid for Riccitiello to stay a CEO forever… like we thought he was the worst CEO in video games,” Kotick remarked.
The dialogue then shifted to the history of merger discussions between the two gaming giants, with Kotick revealing that Activision was approached by EA multiple times for acquisition talks. “EA tried to buy us a bunch of times. We had merger conversations,” Kotick stated, underscoring the perceived strength of EA’s business during that period.
Additionally, the interview unveiled missed opportunities, as Gordon mentioned EA’s decision to pass on acquiring franchises such as Guitar Hero, Call of Duty, and Blizzard—assets that Activision later acquired. Kotick also shared his perspective on the Warcraft film project, describing it as one of the worst movies he’s seen and critiquing Blizzard’s focus on its production.
As the gaming industry continues to evolve, the historical dynamics between these major players remain a compelling narrative.
