Unity CTO Steve Collins Resigns After Six Months

Steve Collins, who assumed the role of Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Unity, the prominent game engine developer, is stepping down after a brief six-month tenure, TechCrunch reports. A Unity representative confirmed the departure, marking a significant shift within the company’s leadership.

Collins joined Unity in late 2023, bringing a wealth of experience from his previous role as CTO of King, the mobile gaming giant behind the globally popular Candy Crush franchise. His arrival was initially viewed as a strategic move to bolster Unity’s technological direction.

According to Unity, Collins’ decision to leave was personal. “We can confirm that Steve Collins has decided to leave Unity for personal reasons,” stated a company representative. “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.”

This leadership change occurs after a tumultuous period for Unity. The company faced considerable backlash in the fall of 2023 following the announcement of controversial changes to its pricing model. These changes sparked outrage among game developers, leading to significant revisions and ultimately, the resignation of then-CEO John Riccitiello. Further compounding the challenges, Unity laid off 25% of its workforce (approximately 1,800 employees) in early 2024 as part of a company reset.

While Unity has attempted to move past these events, distrust remains within parts of the game development community. The sudden departure of Collins, regardless of the specific reasons, has the potential to further destabilize the company.

The timing of Collins’ departure raises questions, though there’s no direct evidence linking it to Unity’s past difficulties. The rapid executive turnover introduces uncertainty during a critical period for the company as it seeks to regain the trust of developers and solidify its market position.