Unity appoints former EA and Zynga executive as its new CEO

Unity has appointed former Electronic Arts and Zynga executive Matthew Bromberg as its new CEO.

Effective May 15, Bromberg will replace interim CEO Jim Whitehurst, the former IBM president who assumed the role when John Riccitiello stepped down last October, and who has now been appointed executive chair of Unity’s board.

Bromberg previously served as group general manager of BioWare, before taking global responsibility for EA’s mobile business during a four-year spell with the company that ended in July 2016.

He left to serve as chief operating officer of leading mobile game developer and publisher Zynga, where he worked until 2022.

“I am thrilled to join Unity as it embraces its next chapter,” he said. “I look forward to working with Jim, the Board, and the incredible people of Unity to provide the best integrated platform for creators to bring great games and experiences to their audiences globally while also helping accelerate the Company’s revenue growth and profitability.”

Former EA boss Riccitiello’s departure from Unity came weeks after the company sparked a backlash from the development community by announcing controversial monetisation plans for its popular game development engine, which it partially walked back following the outcry.

Unity announced it January that it planned to lay off approximately 1,800 employees, or around 25% of its workforce, during the first quarter of 2024.

The company will release its first quarter 2024 financial results on May 9.