1. Bobby Kotick (Ex-Activision Blizzard)
- CEO tenure: 1991-2023
- Base salary: $875,000
- Total compensation: $375m
Robert “Bobby” Kotick has led Activision since 1991, overseeing its transformation into a global gaming giant with franchises like Call of Duty and World of Warcraft.
Despite the company’s success, Kotick’s earnings have raised eyebrows for being excessively high relative to the company’s overall performance, especially when compared to the wages of its typical employees.
In 2020, he earned a significant portion of his $155 million compensation by meeting long-term goals, including doubling Activision’s market capitalization.
Activision Blizzard earned $8.09 billion in 2020 but Kotick’s compensation seems excessively high. A typical employee at the studio receives only 0.3% of what Kotick takes home in a year.
Despite his successes, Kotick has faced significant criticism publicly, following allegations of sexual misconduct and mishandling workplace harassment issues. Following an internal investigation, Kotick was removed from the board of directors on December 29, 2023.
Although he was no longer a part of Activision Blizzard, as part of his contract, Kotick received a final severance package worth $375m.
2. Robert Antokol (Playtika)
- CEO since 2010
- Base salary: $17,000
- Total compensation: $48m
Robert Antokol co-founded Playtika in 2010 with Uri Shahak, the son of former Israeli Chief of Staff Amnon Lipkin-Shahak. Playtika is an Israeli company that focuses on creating and publishing mobile games like Slotomania and World Series of Poker.
In May 2011, the Caesars Entertainment Corporation acquired the company, but Antokol remained CEO and Playtika continued operating independently within Caesars. In July 2016, Playtika was acquired by a Chinese consortium for $4.4b, further fueling its growth.
Antokol’s compensation package is predominantly performance-based, and based on Playtika’s financial success. In 2023, his total compensation was approximately $48.99 million, with only $17,146 from his base salary, but approximately $47.78 million from performance bonuses.
His management style emphasizes strategic growth and aggressive monetization, which has surely contributed to Playtika’s success and market expansion.
3. Strauss Zelnick (Take-Two Interactive)
- CEO since 2007
- Base salary: $250,000
- Total compensation: $42m
Strauss Zelnick has been CEO of Take-Two Interactive since 2007, overseeing its growth into the major gaming powerhouse it is today. The company owns two major publishing labels, Rockstar Games and 2K, and operates many internal development studios.
Take-Two’s portfolio includes renowned franchises launched under Zelnick like BioShock, Borderlands, Grand Theft Auto, and Red Dead. The publisher is the second-largest publicly traded game company in the Americas and Europe, with a market cap of approximately $23 billion.
In 2023, Zelnick’s total compensation was $42m, primarily driven by substantial stock awards and performance bonuses. He is well-known for his intense fitness routine, which he credits for his high energy and productivity levels.
Zelnick has also helped to lead Take-Two through various growth phases. His strategic vision has been crucial in maintaining Take-Two’s competitive edge in the gaming industry for nearly two decades.
4. John Riccitiello (Ex-Unity)
- CEO tenure: 2014-2023
- Base salary: $380,000
- Total compensation: $27m
John Riccitiello joined Unity Technologies as CEO in 2014 and is a seasoned executive with a background at Electronic Arts. Unity is a leading platform for game development, offering tools for creating 2D and 3D games across various platforms including mobile, desktop, VR, and AR.
Unity’s engine powers a significant portion of the gaming industry, with more than 60% of top-grossing VR experiences on Steam and nearly 30% of the top 1,000 PC games are made with Unity.
Riccitiello’s leadership has seen Unity’s substantial growth and its successful transition to a publicly traded company in 2020. Last year, his total compensation was $27.1m, with a significant portion stemming from stock awards and bonuses. In October 2023 however, he was replaced by Jim Whitehurst.
Riccitiello has expanded Unity’s reach beyond gaming into sectors such as automotive, architecture, and film. Their real-time 3D technology is employed for creating digital twins, advanced simulations, and immersive experiences in these fields. Notably, companies like Volvo and Toyota use Unity’s technology in the automotive industry.
5. Andrew Paradise (Skillz)
- CEO since 2012
- Base salary: $525,000
- Total compensation: $26m
Andrew Paradise founded Skillz in 2012 and has led the company as CEO since its inception. Skillz is a mobile esports platform where players can compete for cash prizes in different games. It differentiates itself from other gaming companies by prioritizing competitive gameplay and offering real money rewards.
Under Paradise’s leadership, Skillz has grown rapidly, becoming a significant player in the mobile gaming market with popular titles like Solitaire Cube, 21 Blitz, and Blackout Bingo.
In 2023, Paradise’s total compensation was $26.4m. His pay is largely driven by equity awards, with $25.88m coming from stock options, and a relatively modest base salary of $525,000.
The CEO is know for his commitment to maintaining a high level of personal investment in the company. In April 2023, he purchased 1.5m shares of Skillz stock with his own money, demonstrating his confidence in the company’s future and boosting his personal equity stake.
6. Andrew Wilson (Electronic Arts)
- CEO since 2013
- Base salary: $1.3m
- Total compensation: $25m
Andrew Wilson joined EA in 2000 and became CEO in 2013. Under his leadership, EA has continued to dominate with popular franchises like FIFA, Madden NFL, and The Sims. In 2023, Wilson’s total compensation was $25.6m, driven by a base salary of $1.3m, substantial stock awards, and other financial incentives.
Wilson started his career at EA in Asia and Europe before joining EA Sports as an Executive Producer for the FIFA franchise. This role helped him gain recognition and paved the way for his eventual promotion to CEO. An interesting fact about Wilson is his passion for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, where he holds a brown belt.
Despite the company doing well financially, Wilson’s high earnings have caused controversy, especially with the recent layoffs at EA. In early 2023, EA laid off approximately 800 employees, followed by an additional 670 in February 2024. These decisions have sparked criticism, particularly as Wilson and other executives continued to receive compensation in the tens of millions.
Wilson has also emphasized the potential of generative AI to enhance EA’s efficiency, suggesting that up to 60% of operations could be automated in future. The emphasis on AI matches his vision for the company, which aims to stay ahead in the gaming industry through innovation.
7. Frank Gibeau (Zynga)
- CEO since 2016
- Base salary: $1m
- Total compensation: $12m
Frank Gibeau became CEO of Zynga in 2016 after a long career at Electronic Arts, serving as the executive vice president of EA Mobile for over 20 years. Thanks to his leadership, Zynga has rebounded, with successful acquisitions and the launch of games like CSR Racing 2 and Empires & Puzzles.
Gibeau has overseen Zynga’s transformation—part of which happened in January 2022, when Zynga was acquired by Take-Two Interactive in a cash and stock transaction valued at approximately $12.7b. This milestone marked a major step in the company’s growth and greatly boosted the company’s market cap.
In the years before, Gibeau strategically acquired studios like Peak Games and Gram Games, which brought in popular titles like Toon Blast and Merge Dragons. Under his guidance, Zynga has solidified its market presence by partnering with major brands like Game of Thrones, Harry Potter, and Star Wars.
In 2023, the CEO’s total compensation was approximately $12m with a base salary of $1m, and the rest from bonuses and stock awards.
8. Min-Liang Tan (Razer)
- CEO since 2005
- Base salary: unknown
- Total compensation: $10m
Min-Liang Tan co-founded Razer in 2005 alongside American gamer Robert Krakoff and has served as its CEO since. Razer has become a top brand in gaming hardware with its high-quality peripherals and laptops. The company’s emphasis on design and performance helped them become popular worldwide.
Razer went public in 2017, raising $721 million in its IPO and making Tan one of Singapore’s youngest self-made billionaires. As of 2023, Razer’s estimated market valuation is around $45b, contributing to Tan’s personal net worth of over $1.3b.
In 2023, Tan’s estimated total compensation was $10.4m. This figure includes his base salary and additional earnings from bonuses and stock options. Tan is known for his hands-on leadership style and his ability to foresee market trends, such as expanding Razer’s offerings into new areas like the Razer Phone.
9. Taek-Jin Kim (NCSoft)
- CEO since 1997
- Base salary: $1.1m
- Total compensation: $7m
Taek-Jin Kim, Korea’s 32nd richest man, founded NCsoft in 1997. The company is renowned for its MMORPGs, including Lineage and Guild Wars. Under Kim’s leadership, NCsoft has become a major force in online gaming, especially in South Korea. His long-term vision and commitment to the company have been key factors in its success over nearly three decades.
In 2023, Kim’s total compensation was approximately $7.2m with a base salary of $1.1m. Kim was the highest-paid executive in Korea in the first half of 2021, highlighting his significant influence and success not only in the industry, but the entire country.
Gaming CEOs with modest salaries
Not all CEOs in the gaming industry draw exorbitant salaries. In fact, some even prioritize the well-being of their employees and the long-term health of their companies over personal gain.
Shuntaro Furukawa (Nintendo)
Shuntaro Furukawa, who became the President of Nintendo in 2018, is known for his modest compensation compared to other industry leaders. He even halved his salary to prevent layoffs. In 2021, Furukawa’s total compensation was reported to be around $2.4 million.
While still a significant sum, it pales in comparison to the multi-million dollar packages seen elsewhere in the industry. Furukawa’s leadership is a commitment to fostering innovation and stability at Nintendo, and—oh yeah—making some of the most iconic games ever made. Furukawa rarely appears in public.
Hidetaka Miyazaki (FromSoftware)
Another gaming CEO with a modest salary is Hidetaka Miyazaki, is the visionary behind the popular Dark Souls series and Elden Ring. Miyazaki’s compensation is not publicly disclosed, but it’s well-known that FromSoftware operates on a different scale compared to gaming giants like Activision.
The studio is loyal to their employees and fosters growth from within. Miyazaki leads FromSoftware with a passion for making innovative games and supporting his team’s creativity, not for personal profit.
Why do gaming CEOs earn so much?
Gaming CEOs like Robert Kotick might earn hundreds of millions per year, but Activision Blizzard doesn’t deposit that entire amount into his bank account annually.
These industry leaders achieve their high earnings through a combination of income stream—from base salaries, to performance bonuses, and stock options. Often, these packages are tied to the company’s financial success, motivating CEOs to drive profitability and growth.
With gaming CEOs earning enormous salaries, it’s worth exploring why they command such high compensation. These executives are not only responsible for steering their companies through highly competitive and rapidly changing markets, but also for making pivotal decisions that impact the financial health and direction of the company. A gaming CEO’s pay is often based on their ability to attract investors, increase revenue, and stay ahead in the market.
High CEO pay is also justified by the level of risk and accountability they carry. Eexecutives are the face of their companies and bear the brunt of public and shareholder scrutiny. They make high-stakes decisions that can either make or break the company’s future.
CEOs like John Riccitiello from Unity Technologies navigated the complexities of going public and entering new industries by carefully planning and managing risks. The catch? Had their IPO not gone well, CEO John would have faced the consequences.
