EA’s Riccitiello “didn’t know anything about games”

Electronic Arts’ Chief Executive Officer John Riccitiello’s announcing his departure from the game publisher has been met with some interesting media coverage, and some former colleagues are reportedly dishing the dirt on Riccitiello.

“Riccitiello lost money every single year he was at EA while I was there, (and probably every other year he was there too). He just didn’t know anything about games, or rather, interactive entertainment in general,” said one ex-EA exec, who wanted to remain anonymous. “He’s much more obnoxious than impressive,” added the exec.

The Board has appointed Larry Probst as Executive Chairman for the transition period while the Board conducts a search for a permanent CEO.

“EA hasn’t done much of anything of interest in 10-15 years, as proven by the unstaunched bleeding out of equity over that entire time period. It’s sad really, that company used to kick ass. Riccitiello was the single largest reason it stopped. Maybe it will heal, but I don’t think so.”

In contrast to the negative views, there were some positive comments regarding the former CEO.

“Obviously there were some big bets that did not pan out, but I think that history will give John credit for turning the battleship in important new directions when other companies (THQ being the most apparent) changed course towards digital too late and too gently and ran aground,” said Don Daglow, a producer at EA from 1983 to 1987.