Cliff Bleszinski departs Epic

Sean VanGorder

Well, didn't see this coming. Wonder what he's doing next.

http://epicgames.com/community/2012/10/cliff-bleszinski-departs-epic/

metalliandy

Sean VanGorder wrote: »

Well, didn't see this coming. Wonder what he's doing next.

http://epicgames.com/community/2012/10/cliff-bleszinski-departs-epic/

Yea, I didn't see that coming either. I'm sure Epic will be fine, but they have lost 2 of their top guys in as many months.

d1ver

No shit...
To think, though, it wasn't that unexpected. I hope he doesn't quit the industry but starts up his own place instead. Would've been fun.)

Irreal

Oh man, it's just like when Elvis died.

skylebones

Wonder how long until the announcement of his new mobile/social/casual startup.

Really I have no idea. Surprised he's going, and wish him the best of luck.

biofrost

I about spit up my drink when I saw this. Really out of nowhere.

I wish him the best of luck though.

Mark Dygert

He always seemed like the type that was going to strike out on his own at some point and when he didn't, I gave up thinking he would, so its a bit of a shock that hes leaving. It will be interesting to see what he does next.

flaagan

Probably figures that since there's a lull in what Epic's up to it's the best time. Really, any other time would likely have burned a few bridges.

R3D

I... wow, yeah didnt see this one coming

PogoP

OMG WHAT ARE WE GONNA DO NOW!!!!

King Mango

I'm one step closer to a Firefly game...

Hazardous

Mark Dygert wrote: »

He always seemed like the type that was going to strike out on his own at some point and when he didn't, I gave up thinking he would, so its a bit of a shock that hes leaving. It will be interesting to see what he does next.

Totally agree man, I always thought he was a small indy developer at heart.

[Deleted User]

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MainManiac

....

Ace-Angel

frell wrote: »

....

I don't get it, Epic is developing new IP's and have funded an extra studio from former 38 peeps, and Cliffy is most likely be going in his own way, startup his company, get picked up some other people, etc.

I'm failing to see the 'crash' in this piece of news.

ScoobyDoofus

Hope he finds continued success in whatever his new endeavors are!
Like him or not, his designs helped to provide me with hours of entertainment and years of employment for friends and industry colleagues. Can't wait to see whats next!

JasonLavoie

I say good for him, I can't wait to see what he does next / see what new studio he sets up

I really like Cliff's views on how to approach game development, and more importantly, the ways he would like to change it (hopefully) for the better.

Zepic

I bet he'll be back in a year to a year and half with a 25% increase in salary. He just wants to spend some of his millions and relax. I don't blame the guy, I'd do the same if I were in his shoes.

Paradan

my money is on him joining valve to get their new engine goin.
btw, Im like completely broke, so its really not much money.

AbKI

Guessing he probably wants to do more designing, the PR and marketing stuff he was doing must have taken up some time.

Shogun3d

Definitely didn't see this coming, wow.

imijatov

About time he gave someone else a chance! Hmph. In all seriousness, I know he was a vast asset to Epic and contributed tons over the years. Such a lucky chap to start working there so young. Goes to show how important (and impactful) it can be to collaborate early on with a startup.

ebagg

Curious to see what he goes on to do, and how this impacts Epic in the long term.

Alberto Rdrgz

if he starts his own company.... i'll apply. shit. i have a man crush! (no im just playing... or am i...)

erroldynamic

Nooooooooooo!!!!

Haha, interested to see what his next venture will be.

Mrskullface

he's probably going to just do this all day...

SouthpawSid

wowza^^

Jedi

Not to be Negative Ned but it seems like a lot of polycounters have him in a high regard. The reality is that he had a huge team of people working for him yet he got cred for being the face of the game in interviews and such. Its not like he solo invented something or the like. And IMO gears 2 and 3 are almost exactly the same as gears 1.

Wesley

I don't think anyone is holding him in high-regard because they think he single handedly created an entire videogame...

Anyway, pretty crazy.

skylebones

Jedi wrote: »

Not to be Negative Ned but it seems like a lot of polycounters have him in a high regard. The reality is that he had a huge team of people working for him yet he got cred for being the face of the game in interviews and such. Its not like he solo invented something or the like. And IMO gears 2 and 3 are almost exactly the same as gears 1.

This is the reason I think he's been good for the industry. I really don't know what impact he's had on actual design, engine, tech, etc. But he's been a face for an industry that is faceless. From the outside looking in the games industry appears to be this assembly line kicking out whatever the big corporate publishers decree is worthy. I'd much rather a guy like Cliff accept an award for a game than Hugh Jackman because he contributed his likeness.

Avanthera

Mrskullface wrote: »

he's probably going to just do this all day..

GAHAHAHAHAA!

flaagan

Random thought... has he ever checked out Polycount or interacted with any of our mods or our Fearless Leader? Has anyone from PC that's worked with him ever mentioned the site to him?

oXYnary

Jedi wrote: »

Its not like he solo invented something or the like..

Jazz Jackrabbit

Jedi

oXYnary wrote: »

Jazz Jackrabbit

Looks like sonic the hedgehog to me. And 3 years after sonic was released :poly122:

flaagan

Jedi wrote: »

Looks like sonic the hedgehog to me. And 3 years after sonic was released :poly122:

Yeah. No.

Jedi

flaagan wrote: »

Yeah. No.

It looks similar and plays almost exactly like Sonic 1/2 is what Im trying to say. Sonic came out in 91. Jazz in almost in 94 but on pc. I never played it but I looked at some videos now and the similarities are uncanny.

Justin Meisse

as a whole, I've seen more hate than love for Cliff - maybe it's all the nerds who are upset that "bro's" exist in the game industry. I work with a guy who's biceps are practically as big as my thighs, just accept that it's not the hunch backed nerd paradise you've dreamed of in the game industry.

err, Jazz is nothing like Sonic, I'd compare it more to Duke Nukem (original not fps)

Gav

Wait, shit, you're on to something here...Halo looks exactly like Metroid just with dudes!, FIFA 13 looks exactly like Pong just with a lot more paddles...and 30 years later, GTA is just like Frogger but with the roles reversed, Starcraft looks an awful lot like chess but with a lot more pieces...what the fuck man, I feel like I've been lied to.

ae.

Gav wrote: »

Wait, shit, you're on to something here...Halo looks exactly like Metroid just with dudes!, FIFA 13 looks exactly like Pong just with a lot more paddles...and 30 years later, GTA is just like Frogger but with the roles reversed, Starcraft looks an awful lot like chess but with a lot more pieces...what the fuck man, I feel like I've been lied to.

trololololol :poly124:

Joseph Silverman

flaagan wrote: »

Random thought... has he ever checked out Polycount or interacted with any of our mods or our Fearless Leader? Has anyone from PC that's worked with him ever mentioned the site to him?

Could he be quitting to...

JOIN THE STAFF OF POLYCOUNT!?

let's get this rumor rolling: the next polycount competition is cliffyb themed items for dota2.

Sean VanGorder

Joseph Silverman wrote: »

Could he be quitting to...

JOIN THE STAFF OF POLYCOUNT!?

let's get this rumor rolling: the next polycount competition is cliffyb themed items for dota2.

We wanted to get Cliffy but adam didn't want to lose his spot as prettiest admin.

Jesse Moody

Sean VanGorder wrote: »

We wanted to get Cliffy but adam didn't want to lose his spot as prettiest admin.

I don't think Polycount could handle two guys with egos that big....

Just kidding... I don't know anything about Cliff or his ego. Wish him the best...

Torch

Jesse Moody wrote: »

Just kidding... I don't know anything about Cliff or his ego. Wish him the best...

I do, its Epic

Zocky

Mrskullface wrote: »

he's probably going to just do this all day...

You mean he will color his hair in blonde, dress like that girl and pose in front of photographers all day? :P

j/k

Ace-Angel

Justin Meisse wrote: »

as a whole, I've seen more hate than love for Cliff - maybe it's all the nerds who are upset that "bro's" exist in the game industry. I work with a guy who's biceps are practically as big as my thighs, just accept that it's not the hunch backed nerd paradise you've dreamed of in the game industry.

As someone who doesn't 'love' CB but at the same time doesn't really care for him (lets call it a shade of grey), the reason people 'hate' him most of the time is for bandwagon reasons (Oh, look he is popular, lets hate the bastard!)

People like me on the other hand don't really love him because he kept on either blaming other peeps when something goes wrong (BulletStorm wasn't as hot as people claimed it to be, so he blames everyone else for not having taste), blames piracy when a game doesn't sell on PC (GoW came out a full year later on PC, with GFWL, at 60 bucks and actually EXPIRED 6 months later, not to mention the bug of crashing silently is still existent), and lastly, his attitude of 'Haters gonna hate' while all fine and dandy just rubs some people the wrong way when he goes out of his way in wearing a T-Shirt that says "Trolls love me", a paradox at it's finest. So he doesn't care that people hate him and doesn't want to feed their delusions, but also acknowledges them and tries to fuel them?

He's not a bad guy, it's just that he complains or makes comments about stuff that he shouldn't be doing without some research, I mean you don't see me going around knocking the sailors cock out of his mouth everytime something goes wrong, why is the 'face' of Epic studios blaming me for not buying his mediocre game on PC as an act of 'loss and no-passion'?

Also forgot to mention, it also doesn't help that most 'game news sites' only report on what CB says in form of drama, so that could add up to the views one of have.