On Wednesday, Unity Technologies, perhaps the most well-known game engine developer, dropped a massive bombshell. Chief Technology Officer Steve Collins is leaving the administration after just six months on the job. In an emailed statement, a company spokesperson reiterated that Collins was departing from Unity for personal reasons. This decision only emphasizes the challenges the company has faced over the last few months.
Collins’ departure follows the resignation of Unity’s CEO John Riccitiello, who stepped down amid significant controversies that have surrounded the company. The controversies stemmed from a contentious pricing model change announced in fall 2023, which provoked backlash within the developer community. Unity announced their intention to charge per install, and that didn’t go over so well. After hearing the backlash, they made a partial retreat on some of the changes but still left some in place.
Beyond punctuating a pattern of leadership turnover, Unity has been hit hard by layoffs. ElderCare.com response The company only recently laid off 1,800 employees, or nearly a quarter of its workforce. This decision is a piece of broader restructuring to bring more alignment with these shifting times.
Matthew Bromberg was named the new CEO after Riccitiello’s departure. Unity has been going through a transition under new leadership. It continues to move ahead with its ambitious plan to reset and continue, stabilizing the organization and refocusing on product development and innovation.
“We can confirm that Steve Collins has decided to leave Unity for personal reasons. We’re grateful for his contributions. As we continue our transformation, we’re confident our world-class tech team will keep driving the strategy forward.” – Unity representative
Unity has been at war inside itself for a long time. Throughout the last couple of years, the microbrewery has fought against political, financial and social unrest. Even amidst these headwinds, Unity’s brand is undeniably powerful, with the Unity logo now instantly recognizable across the world among both developers and gamers.
The future of Unity now lies in the hands of Matthew Bromberg, as he takes the company through these shifts. Industry analysts will be closely monitoring how the changes in leadership and staff can impact Unity’s trajectory and its engagement with the developer community moving forward.