Riccitiello and EA: Don't Ask Me, Ask These Guys

So what does it mean that John Riccitiello is back in charge of Electronic Arts, less than three years after leaving the company? I'll be the first to admit that I have no idea. I just wrote up the story and left it at that.

But this doesn't mean the news isn't important. And quite frankly, when I realized I didn't have an opinion on a story that Next-Gen headlined in ALL CAPS, I had gosh darned well better get one. So I figured I'd do some reading.

Mercury News' Mike Antonucci says:

I believe it’s still, in this day and age, invaluable for an organization to have leadership that exemplifies integrity. That strikes me as Riccitiello’s ultimate value to EA. You can have someone brilliant running a company, but not believe the individual is a quality person. I think Riccitiello represents quality in that basic sense. And that’s indispensable.

Newsweek's N'Gai Croal speaks to both men, and Riccitiello explains the timing:

It would have been challenging for any new CEO going into one of the most challenging transitions in the history of this industry. Every one of the major publishers has been challenged through this. Larry did all of the right stuff leading it through, and I'm frankly thankful that he did so. It's exactly the right call.

And Next-Gen quotes a Lazard Capital Markets analyst who calls the move a "positive":

While it is too early to judge what impact there will be on the company (and the executive ranks) as a result of the appointment, we believe Mr. Riccitiello is well respected within the company and the industry.

So in contrast to the typical executive shakeup, this is being received as a good thing -- one of EA's best coming home to head the whole show. With more competition for EA than ever (and them still playing catch-up with Wii and DS), we'll see what impact Riccitiello has on the outsider's view of the company.