The lights are on
Epic Games designer Cliff Bleszinski announced he left the studio after over 20 years. Bleszinski offered no reason for his departure, only that he is looking for a break. Producer Rod Fergusson and People Can Fly creative director Adrian Chmielarz also left Epic in August.
Cliff Bleszinski began his career working on such titles as Jazz Jackrabbit and the Unreal Tournament series. He later help create the popular Gears of War franchise in 2006 and was most recently working on Gears of War: Judgment, which is being developed primarily by People Can Fly.
“In 20 wonderful years with Epic, Cliff Bleszinski has grown into a true design luminary, and his contributions to the ‘Unreal’ and ‘Gears’ series have helped shape the game industry into what it is today," Epic Games CEO and Founder Tim Sweeney said in a statement.
"Cliff leaves Epic with our gratitude for his many contributions, and our wishes for continued success in the next chapter of his life!”
Below is Bleszinski's full statement on his departure:
I’ve been doing this since I was a teenager, and outside of my sabbatical last year, I have been going non-stop. I literally grew up in this business, as Mike likes to say. And now that I’m grown up, it’s time for a much needed break.I will miss the projects, the playtests, the debates, and most importantly, the people. Epic only hires the best of the best, and it has been a joy working with each and every one of you on a daily basis, whether you were hired weeks ago or decades ago. I have been fortunate enough to collaborate with a variety of disciplines, from code to art to marketing and PR – it’s been one big, rewarding learning experience.
I’m confident that each project that is being built, whether at Epic, Chair, PCF, or Impossible will be top notch and will please gamers and critics alike.
[Source: Epic Games]
Only for a break? Well, hopefully he goes on to do more cool stuff after.
Wow. Cliff was really smart. Enjoy the break, man!
Good luck!
This is actually very surprising news to me. I've been watching and admiring Cliffy for a long time, namely since the Gears of War days. It is sad to see him depart. It is also understandable, though, seeing how stressed he looked at the unvailing of the original Gears at E3 '06. Hopefully his break is only a break and he doesn't take too long to resurface, either with Epic or maybe even his own studio. The video game industry needs minds like his that continue to challenge creative game design.
Wow, I didn't expect this. He's one of my favorite personalities in gaming, so he's going to be missed during this 'break'. Maybe now he can separate himself from Gears and go on to make other awesome things.
I'm surprise. He's one of my favorite designer at Epic games.
he reminds me of Messi
WHAT!!!!! I'm shocked. I hope he enjoys his break.
MY GOSH
Cliffy B will be missed. He deserves the break and a job wherever he wants one.
I feel like I should have some sort of sad response to this... but there are a number of things he's said that I generally haven't agreed with, so while I wish him the best, I wonder if this might actually be for the better.
*Grabs flameshield*
WTF!!!! That was not at all expected :/
CLIFFY B WHY!!!!!! This industry needs you!