Former EA CEO Calls Devs Not Obsessed With Microtransactions "F**ing Idiots"

As much as we’d prefer them not to, in-game microtransactions are becoming increasingly common - and they might not be as unpopular as we originally thought. Diablo Immortal somehow convinced players into spending a whopping $24 million during its first two weeks of release.

Just this week, BMW unveiled a series of in-car microtransactions. If you want heated seats, you’re going to have to subscribe for £15 a month. Given that we’re in a cost of living crisis, it’s fair to say that we could do without these extra costs but it looks like they’re here to stay. One former EA CEO has called game developers who aren’t utilising microtransactions “f***ing idiots”.

Revealed at the Xbox and Bethesda showcase, take a look at the latest trailer for Diablo 4.

Former EA CEO John Riccitiello recently spoke to PocketGamer.Biz about monetisation in gaming. Riccitiello claimed that whilst developers who are avoiding in-game monetisation are some of the “most beautiful and pure, brilliant people,” they are also “some of the biggest f***ing idiots.”

Riccitiello is now the CEO of Unity Technologies who are set to merge with ironSource, an app economy software firm. This essentially signals that Unity are looking to expand and improve their in-game monetisation softwares.

Speaking about those who are pushing back about in-game transactions, Riccitiello said, “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 f****** idiots.”

He continued on, “It used to be the case that developers would throw their game over the wall to the publicist and sales force with literally no interaction beforehand. [...] But this industry divides people between those who still hold to that philosophy and those who massively embrace how to figure out what makes a successful product.”

Riccitiello has since tweeted about the interview. He said, “Clickbait. Out of full context. Deeply sorry if what I said offended any game dev. Absolutely love the people that make games.” I mean, the quote is right there my dude.