Unity’s Recent Challenges and Leadership Changes
Unity has encountered significant difficulties in recent years, largely attributed to the actions of its former CEO, John Riccitiello. His controversial remark labeling developers as “fucking idiots” proved to be an unwise choice, particularly given that the company’s success hinges on its relationship with developers. However, the situation escalated with Unity’s proposal to implement a runtime fee, which would have imposed charges on game creators each time their games were launched. The backlash was immediate and intense, prompting Unity to retract its plans and leading to Riccitiello’s departure. This has now placed the responsibility on new CEO Matt Bromberg to restore the company’s reputation and regain the trust of developers.
Bromberg’s Vision for Unity Moving Forward
In his recent media appearances, Bromberg has articulated a clear message about the importance of collaboration with customers. He stated, “you can’t have a business where we’re [fighting our] customers. That’s insane.” During an interview with The Verge, he shared his skepticism regarding the metaverse, reflecting on his experiences as a game developer. He expressed doubt about the sustainability of metaverse platforms, recalling how many of these attempts resembled outdated games from 15 years ago, leading him to question their viability as consumer experiences.
Distinguishing the Metaverse from Live Service Platforms
Bromberg makes a clear distinction between the metaverse as envisioned by figures like Mark Zuckerberg and the popular live service platforms such as Roblox and Fortnite, which some incorrectly categorize as metaverses. He pointed out that these platforms, which boast millions of active players, represent a significant aspect of the gaming industry today, with a large majority of gamers engaging with experiences they have been playing for years. A recent talk at the Game Developers Conference estimated that a staggering 92% of PC gamers are focused on games older than two years. Bromberg emphasized the challenge of encouraging players to explore new titles without conflating the struggles of the metaverse with the enduring appeal of established live service games.
The Future of AR and New Gaming Devices
Bromberg also addressed the technological components associated with the metaverse, such as headsets and hand controllers, expressing his candid opinions about the current state of these devices. He believes that augmented reality (AR) glasses will eventually achieve a design that appeals to consumers. “Put aside the idiocy of some of the metaverse stuff,” he remarked, highlighting that the future will likely hinge on widespread consumer acceptance of new devices. Bromberg is a firm believer in AR technology, predicting that within a few years, AR glasses will become commonplace. He envisions a future where seamless interactions enabled by AI and voice technology will transform how people access information, making reliance on smartphones seem outdated.
Concerns About Technological Mediation
While Bromberg’s perspective on hardware developments is compelling, it’s important to consider the philosophical implications of a world increasingly mediated by technology. The idea of engaging with our surroundings through a constant technological interface raises questions about the desirability of such a lifestyle. Although technology has many benefits, the prospect of having our entire experience filtered through devices may not be as attractive to everyone.
