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Rockstar’s Leslie Benzies Departs Studio After An Extended Sabbatical
One of Rockstar’s most prominent leaders has left the company. Leslie Benzies, who was inducted into the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences Hall of Fame in 2014 along with Rockstar founders Dan and Sam Houser, has departed after 17 years.
Benzies joined Rockstar North in 1999 when it was still DMA Design. While there, he went on to become producer beginning with Grand Theft Auto III.
He was later promoted to lead the studio, which he did through the developer’s most recent release, Grand Theft Auto V. He also had a hand in Red Dead Redemption and the Manhunt games.
Prior to his departure, Benzies was on extended sabbatical. He temporarily stepped away from the studio in September 2014 before deciding not to return.
Kotaku, which first reported the news and received confirmation from Rockstar, indicates that Aaron Garbut, art director on Grand Theft Auto V, and Rob Nelson, art director on Max Payne 3, are now leading Rockstar North in Scotland.
[Source: Kotaku]
Our Take
Leslie Benzies, while not a household name, has been instrumental in the development of the Grand Theft Auto Series for more than 15 years. His departure, while not catastrophic, is a significant change at one of the most storied studios in the industry.
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