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Cliff ‘CliffyB’ Bleszinski leaves Epic: “it’s time for a much needed break”

Epic Games

Since Epic’s Games were MegaGames, from Jazz Jackrabbit to Fortnite – via a number of Gears of Wars and Unreal Tournaments – the seminal shooter company has been synonymous with Cliff ‘CliffyB’ Bleszinski. For 20 years, he’s been the industry figurehead in leather pants, as comfortable talking Gears with Jimmy Fallon as directing design at the studio. Now though, CliffyB is moving on.

Said Bleszinski in a note to colleagues: “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 [Capps, Epic president] 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.”

Epic CEO and technical director Tim Sweeney said: “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!”

Epic vice president Mark Rein added, “Cliff has been my friend and business associate for the past 20 years and, while it is sad to see him move on from Epic, I know that everyone here has benefited greatly from his passion for gaming and the depth of his expertise and experience.”

What will you miss most about CliffyB, reader?