Epic Games designer Cliff Bleszinski announced that he left the studio after twenty years. Bleszinski said that he was looking for a break. 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.
“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.
GS: POST’S COMENTS