Cliff Bleszinski Leaves Epic

It's a sad realization that all good things must eventually come to an end; a fact we all learned last night as the internet was shaken when Epic Games all-star design director Cliff Bleszinski announced he was leaving the company after a solid twenty year run.

Cliff has stated that he is officially departing for a much needed break from the hustle and bustle of the video game industry.

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. -Cliff Bleszinski

Epic Founder and Chief President Tim Sweeney has spoke out about Cliff's departure, stating '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. Cliff leaves Epic with our gratitude for his many contributions, and our wishes for continued success in the next chapter of his life!'

Cliff was and still remains one of the most respected designers in the industry and has been the creative mind behind a variety of popular video game series from Jazz Jackrabbit to the bloody Gears of War games. It's anyone's guess where he'll go now but we at Egotastic! wish Mr. Bleszinski the best in his future endeavors and sincerely look forward to whatever comes next.