John Riccitiello, CEO of Unity, the corporate whose 3D recreation engine had not too long ago seen backlash from builders over proposed price buildings, will retire as CEO, president, and board chairman on the firm, based on a press launch issued late on a Monday afternoon, one many observe as a vacation.
Riccitiello “will proceed to advise Unity to make sure a clean transition,” the corporate said, because it seeks to discover a everlasting CEO. James M. Whitehurst, a former Red Hat and IBM govt, will function interim CEO, whereas Roelof Botha, lead impartial director of the Unity board, is now chairman.
“It’s been a privilege to lead Unity for nearly a decade and serve our employees, customers, developers and partners, all of whom have been instrumental to the Company’s growth,” Riccitiello stated. “I look forward to supporting Unity through this transition and following the Company’s future success.”
The timing of Riccitiello’s retirement is definitely intriguing, given Unity’s current historical past. After saying a per-install price that many builders felt would endanger their livelihoods, Unity made main adjustments and has despatched different executives on one thing of an apology tour. Riccitiello beforehand served as CEO at Electronic Arts, the place his resignation got here quickly after a launch that appeared to observe quickly after SimCity’s technically (if not financially) disastrous launch, although Riccitiello himself cited monetary outcomes.