Life after Epic: Getting to know Cliff Bleszinski

You might hate Cliff Bleszinski for his beautiful Barbie-doll wife and his hot-rod Lamborghini that costs more than most people’s annual salaries. But you’ve probably spent more than a few hours of your life totally lost in games like Unreal Tournament and Gears of War — games that he helped create.

But right this instant, Bleszinski isn’t creating anything. He recently left Epic Games, his employer for the last two decades — yes, he started there when he was 17 — back in October 2012. No doubt, he’s up to something (more on that in part two of our exclusive interview tomorrow — we didn’t cut much, don’t worry). But for now, he’s content to talk to GamesBeat about his past career and persona, what went right and wrong with Gears of War, and kids these days.

[Lifeequals42]

Good stuff, Shoe.

[IAMERROR]

I'd tap dat, just sayin

[JeffGrubb]

Is this the first big Cliff interview since he left Epic?

[SybaRat]

I hate Cliff Bleszinski for his beautiful Barbie-doll Lamborghini and his hot-rod wife that costs more than most people’s annual salaries. Wait, what?

[Sadie2100]

He drives a Barbie car?

[darkronin229]

Does that make him "Ken"?

[JeffGrubb]

I see what you did there.

[wita]

Awesome! Love the responses to these questions.

[Good_Guy_Jamal]

Never understood the hate for this guy.

[clearelite]

It's possible that some of the MS hate was misdirected at him. Among other things i'm sure.

[Allsystemgamer]

He made a very successful franchise (gears) so it's natural he will get hate. Te guy makes good games, he's a great guy, appreciates other deelopers and would invite them to epic. He's a great dev just like Jaffe.

[Septic]

Exactly. I like the guy. He's honest and clearly has a passion for what he does. Also, he's very good at what he does. Respect to him for what he has achieved. Also, his wife had her own Counter Strike server? Where can I find a fit wife who plays games?!

[pixelsword]

He should team up with David Jaffe and a couple of other powerhouses out there.

[BanBrother]

With the mouths on those two it would be like Clash Of The Titans lol. They are both hilarious and I respect them.

[Alos88]

He seems like a nice enough guy, but I've never liked his fanboyism. Don't want to develop for PS3? Fine, but why trash talk it? What good does that do? You're a big name in the industry, have a little restraint.

[starchild]

Quit being so butt-hurt. I love the PS3 too, but I don't worship it like some of you people.

Cliff Bleszinski didn't really even say much against the PS3. You guys just took his words and twisted them and took to being ultra sensitive about it.

He seems like a smart guy who is an asset to this industry.

[Alos88]

He's an asset to the industry to be sure, but that doesn't mean I have to like him.
And I don't worship the PS3, nice assumption there.

[Allsystemgamer]

He's never bashed ps3. He's just familiar with PC style architecture which is what the 360 is. The ps3 is a very different dev style and to start on ps3 can be difficult. THTS why Sony is switching back next gen. To help devs make better games.

[deantak]

Nice job Shoe.

[MYSTERIO360]

Time for him to join sony

[onyoursistersback]

I though he was gay? Didn't know he has a wife...
And I would expect him to drive a Toyota Pries

[Old McGroin]

I like him. That's why I'm going to kill him last.

[yippiechicken]

That made me chuckle.
Thanks. :)

[black911]

Make A Open world Spawn Game. Based off the Comic Book. With A Arkham city Infamous Vibe to it. Would be EPIC.