Gaming company CEO says sorry for calling developers “f***ing idiots”; read the apology letter

Gaming company Unity CEO John Riccitiello has apologized for calling some game developers “some of the biggest fucking idiots” during an interview. Recently, Unity, the popular game development engine, announced its merger with software maker ironSource. The Israel-based ironSource helps mobile developers monetise their apps.
Riccitiello (formerly the CEO of EA) and Unity SVP Marc Whitten were being interviewed by Pocket Gamer about the news. During the interaction, Riccitiello was asked about how some developers push back on implementing monetisation earlier in a game’s development. To this, Unity CEO replied, ” Ferrari and some of the other high-end car manufacturers still use clay and carving knives. It’s a very small portion of the gaming industry that works that way, and some of these people are my favourite people in the world to fight with – they’re the most beautiful and pure, brilliant people. They’re also some of the biggest fucking idiots….” The statement didn’t go well with developers and led to some severe criticism. This made Riccitiello apologise just a day after the interview was published. “Clickbait. Out of full context. Deeply sorry if what I said offended any game dev. Absolutely love the people that make games. Creative, hard work. #Unity,” tweeted Riccitiello. This was followed by an apology letter next day, “To our friends in the #unity community, I owe you this—”
Here’s the apology letter posted by Riccitiello on his Twitter handle:
I want to talk about both what I said in the interview, and my follow up tweet. I’m going to start with an apology. My word choice was crude. I am sorry. I am listening and I will do better.
What i can do, perhaps, is provide more on what i was thinking when i did the interview. What i would have said if i had taken greater care.
First — I have great respect for game developers. The work they do is amazing. The creativity can be incredible whether on a AAA console, mobile or indie game, designed to be played by millions. Or a creative project, a game made just for the sheer joy of it.
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Second — one thing i have seen is that most game devs work incredibly hard and want people to play their game. To enjoy it. And, when appropriate for players to engage deeply. For the game devs i have worked most closely with there is often anxiety about whether players will love the game and appreciate all the work and love that went into making it.
Third — Sometimes all a game developer wants is to have a handful of friends enjoy the game. Art for art sake and art for friends. Others want player $ to buy the game or game items so they can make a living. Both of these motivations are noble.
Fourth — What i was trying to say, and clearly failed at saying, is that there are better ways for game developers to get an early read on what players think of their game. To learn from their feedback. And, if the developer wants, to adjust the game based on this feedback. It’s a choice to listen and act or just to listen. Again, both are very valid choices.
If i had been smarter in choosing my words i would have said just this… we are working to provide developers with tools so they can better understand what their players think, and it is up to them to act or not, based on this feedback.
Anyway, that’s it. Lots of words. And a sentence that i wish i had never said.