Peter Moore, former Xbox, Sega, and EA executive, announced his return to the video game industry in a public post on Twitter. The announcement received a positive response from well-wishers, fans, as well as personalities from the industry. The reception may be positive but Peter Moore certainly holds a checkered past in video games.
Back for Moore?
Hardly the biggest news of the day, but I’m delighted to announce that I’ve joined the incredibly-talented team at @unity3d as SVP and GM of Sports & Live Entertainment. Delighted to be reunited with so many industry friends as we work on some really cool stuff. More to come…
— Peter Moore (@PeterMooreLFC) January 20, 2021
Moore entered video games as the President of Sega of America during the Dreamcast generation. He moved onto Microsoft in early 2000 close to the beginning of the Xbox line of home consoles. Finally, in 2007, Moore left Microsoft to work for Electronic arts as the head of the sports division. He then left the world of video games to work as the CEO of the sports team Liverpool F.C. His return to the video games industry could mean good or bad for Unity.
The microtransaction issue
Peter Moore famously backed the case for microtransactions in video games. In a 2012 interview, then EA COO Peter Moore confidently stated his belief that every game will have microtransactions built-in despite the game itself being a free title.
“I think, ultimately, those microtransactions will be in every game, but the game itself or the access to the game will be free.”
This keeps in line with EA’s well-documented penchant for stacking microtransaction systems in nearly every game they produce. Naturally, Peter Moore, as a high-ranking executive and businessman of the developer, shares this controversial view. Moore obviously believed this notion with all of his heart, even going so far as to claim that microtransactions will lead to industry growth and the creation of new gamers.
It’s been several years since Moore’s time with EA but there’s no telling if he’s grown out of this belief. This is potentially the biggest potential threat to Unity and any game that utilizes its engine. Hopefully, there is no way microtransactions will make their way into game engine technology, but hey, stranger things have happened.
A shaky past
Many criticized Moore’s tenure with Sega back in the day. He even shared an encounter he had in a Chicago airport with a disgruntled security agent that chastised him for “giving away Shenmue to Xbox.” Regardless of any bad opinions regarding him, Moore found a home in Microsoft in 2003.
Moore entered the Microsoft Xbox team as they looked towards combatting Sony’s PlayStation 2 and Nintendo’s GameCube. He infamously got tattoos featuring Halo 2 and Grand Theft Auto IV. He was viewed as an eccentric executive but that was all time compared to his stint with Electronic Arts.
Peter Moore was responsible for Command & Conquer: Generals 2 changing focus from a single-player game, like in the past, to a free-to-play multiplayer game rife with microtransactions. Generals 2 was transformed into a microtransaction trap following Moore’s vision.
It’s difficult to hold optimism for his return to video games given his past. However, Moore has the opportunity to turn public opinion depending on his next moves. Hopefully, he helps Unity to change the industry for the good.
Follow Us
Subscribe