Examine individual changes

'{{Infobox person | name = Clifford Bleszinski | image = CliffyB.jpg | caption = Bleszinski at the [[Gears of War 2]] launch event in [[Universal City Walk]] Los Angeles in 2008 | birth_name = Clifford Michael Bleszinski | other_names = CliffyB, Dude Huge<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kotaku.com/5512240/why-we-call-him-dude-huge|title=Why We Call Him Dude Huge|last=Ashcraft|first=Brian|date=8 April 2010|publisher=Kotaku|accessdate=3 October 2012}}</ref> | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1975|02|12}} | birth_place = [[North Andover, Massachusetts]], [[United States|USA]] | occupation = [[Game designer]] | Spouse = Lauren Bleszinski | website = }} '''Clifford Michael Bleszinski''' (born February 12, 1975), popularly known as '''CliffyB''', is a video game designer, and former design director for the game development company [[Epic Games]]. He is most famous for his role in the development of the [[Unreal (series)|''Unreal'' franchise]], especially 1999's ''[[Unreal Tournament]]'', and the ''[[Gears of War]]'' franchise. He cites [[Shigeru Miyamoto]] as his biggest influence.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.giantbomb.com/cliff-bleszinski/72-9856/|title=Cliff Bleszinski|publisher=Giant Bomb}}</ref> ==Career== His first commercial game was made at age 17: an independently developed point-and-click adventure game called The Palace of Deceit: Dragon's Plight. Bleszinski created the game while he was a student at Bonita High School in La Verne, California, and released it in 1991 via his own company, Game Syndicate Productions. He also sent a copy of the game to [[Tim Sweeney (game developer)|Tim Sweeney]], the founder of [[Epic Games]] (then known as Epic MegaGames). Sweeney was impressed with the game and brought Bleszinski on board at Epic. ===Epic Games=== After being brought aboard, his next game was ''[[Dare to Dream]]'', a point-and-click adventure, released in 1993. One of Epic's first multi-person projects brought Bleszinski's talents to bear on 1994's [[Jazz Jackrabbit (1994 video game)|Jazz Jackrabbit]] and then 1998's [[Jazz Jackrabbit 2]]. He would help develop many of the spin off games such as Jazz Jackrabbit: Holiday Hare. It was with his involvement in designing the first-person shooter ''[[Unreal]]'', though, that Bleszinski began the work for which he is best known today.{{Citation needed|date=April 2014}} Unreal grew out of an idea by fellow Epic designer James Schmalz.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalextremes.com/games/unreal|title=Digital Extremes - Unreal|accessdate=2014-07-28}}</ref> Bleszinski felt that it was crucial to Epic that Unreal be a success.{{Citation needed|date=April 2014}} From the concept in late 1994 to release in May 1998, Epic threw all of its talent and money at Unreal, and it paid off: the result was a successful first-person shooter.{{Citation needed|date=April 2014}} In addition to his work on ''[[Unreal Tournament]]'' and ''[[Unreal Tournament 2004]]'', Bleszinski served as lead designer on the Xbox 360 shooter ''[[Gears of War]]''. The game's sequel, ''[[Gears of War 2]]'' was released in November 2008 for the Xbox 360. Bleszinki's last game for the company was ''[[Gears of War 3]]''. ===Departure from Epic=== Cliff announced his departure from Epic Games on October 3, 2012. He has worked in Epic Games for 20 years and decided to chart the next stage of his career, giving the reason that he had been making games since he was a teenager and that it was time for a break.<ref>{{cite web|title=Cliff Bleszinski out at Epic Games|url=http://uk.gamespot.com/news/cliff-bleszinski-out-at-epic-games-6397630|publisher=Gamespot|accessdate=8 October 2012}}</ref><ref>[http://epicgames.com/community/2012/10/cliff-bleszinski-departs-epic/ Cliff Bleszinski Departs Epic | Epic Games Community]. Epicgames.com (2012-10-03). Retrieved on 2012-11-21.</ref> On July 29, 2013, Bleszinski published a post on his blog, pleading for [[Phil Fish]] to continue as a video game developer. He ended his post with the remark, "Come back, Phil. We miss you already. Maybe I’ll be right behind you, returning with Adamantium skin."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dudehugespeaks.tumblr.com/post/56805389679/dynamite-fishing-an-open-letter-to-phil-fish |title=Clifford Unchained - Dynamite Fishing: An Open Letter to Phil Fish |publisher=Dudehugespeaks.tumblr.com |date=2013-07-29 |accessdate=2014-02-11}}</ref> ===After Epic=== On June 30, 2014, Cliff stated on [[Twitter]] that he would be making video games again, stating, "I'm officially coming out of retirement to make video games again."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/therealcliffyb/status/483650607211765761 |title=Twitter / therealcliffyb: I&#39;m officially coming out of &hellip; |publisher=twitter.com |date=2014-06-30 |accessdate=2014-06-30}}</ref> In July 2014, Cliff announced a [[free-to-play]], PC-focused arena shooter called ''[[BlueStreak (video game)|BlueStreak]]'' created by [[Boss Key Productions]], his new studio.<ref name="ign">{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/07/08/gears-of-war-designer-cliff-bleszinski-announces-f2p-shooter-bluestreak|title=Gear of War Designer Cliff Bleszinski announces F2P shooter BlueStreak|publisher=[[IGN]]|date=8 July 2014|accessdate=2014-07-28|first=Evan|last=Campbell}}</ref> In 2014, Bleszinski opened a bar in [[Raleigh, North Carolina]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.polygon.com/2014/7/27/5941689/cliff-bleszinski-raleigh-bar-the-station|title=Cliff Bar: Gears of War creator opens watering hole|last=Good|first=Owen S.|date=27 July 2014|work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]|publisher=[[Vox Media]]|accessdate=27 July 2014}}</ref><ref name="men's journal">{{cite web|url=http://www.mensjournal.com/travel/collection/from-gears-to-beers-a-video-game-mogul-opens-a-restaurant-20140722|title=From Gears to Beers: A Video Game Mogul Opens a Restaurant|publisher=[[Men's Journal]]|date=22 July 2014|accessdate=2014-07-28|first=John|last=Gaudiosi}}</ref> and plans to open another establishment in the city in 2015.<ref name="gamespot">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/gears-of-war-creator-opened-a-beautiful-bar-in-nor/1100-6421350/|title=Gears of War Creator Opened a Beautiful Bar in North Carolina, Has Plans for Another|publisher=[[GameSpot]]|date=28 July 2014|accessdate=2014-07-29|first=Eddie|last=Makuch}}</ref> ==Personal life== One of his brothers is Tyler Bleszinski, a sports [[wikt:Blogger|blogger]] who founded [[Athletics Nation]] and [[Vox Media]]. He is married to Lauren Bleszinski (née Berggren), who is a blogger. The nickname "CliffyB" was given to him derogatorily by "some jock kid" when he was a shy teenager; he then took it and developed a tougher persona around it.<ref>[http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2008/11/03/081103fa_fact_bissell?currentPage=all The Grammar of Fun]. ''New Yorker'' (2008-11-03). Retrieved on 2012-11-21.</ref> In 2008, he expressed a desire to retire the CliffyB moniker, saying it's "time to grow up a bit".<ref>[http://multiplayerblog.mtv.com/2008/05/21/cliff-bleszinski-done-with-the-cliffyb/ Blog post on MTV Multiplayer]. Multiplayerblog.mtv.com (2008-05-21). Retrieved on 2012-11-21.</ref> Bleszinski is an [[Atheism|atheist]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/therealcliffyb/status/347503051403309056 |title=Twitter / therealcliffyb: And I'm not Jewish. I'm an Atheist |publisher=Twitter.com |date=2013-06-19 |accessdate=2014-02-11}}</ref> ==Credits== ===Video games=== * ''The Palace of Deceit: the Dragon's Plight'' (1992), Game Syndicate Productions<ref name=mobygames/> * ''[[Dare to Dream]] Volume One: In a Darkened Room'' (1993), Epic MegaGames, Inc.<ref name=mobygames/> * ''[[Jazz Jackrabbit (1994 video game)|Jazz Jackrabbit]]'' (1994), Epic MegaGames, Inc.<ref name=mobygames/> * ''Jazz Jackrabbit CD-ROM'' (1994), Epic MegaGames, Inc.<ref name=mobygames/> * ''Jazz Jackrabbit: Holiday Hare 1994'' (1994), Epic MegaGames, Inc.<ref name=mobygames/> * ''[[Tyrian (video game)|Tyrian]]'' (1995), Epic MegaGames, Inc.<ref name=mobygames/> * ''Jazz Jackrabbit: Holiday Hare 1995'' (1995), Epic MegaGames, Inc.<ref name=mobygames/> * ''[[Unreal]]'' (1998), GT Interactive Software Corp.<ref name=mobygames/> * ''[[Jazz Jackrabbit 2]]'' (1998), Gathering, Project Two Interactive BV<ref name=mobygames/> * ''[[Unreal Tournament]]'' (1999), GT Interactive Software Corp.<ref name=mobygames/> * ''[[Tyrian (video game)#Tyrian 2000 (3.0)|Tyrian 2000]]'' (1999), XSIV Games<ref name=mobygames/> * ''[[Jazz Jackrabbit 2: The Secret Files]]'' (1999), Gathering, Project Two Interactive BV<ref name=mobygames/> * ''Unreal Tournament (Game of the Year Edition)'' (2000), Infogrames, Inc.<ref name=mobygames/> * ''[[Unreal Tournament 2003]]'' (2002), Infogrames, Inc.<ref name=mobygames/> * ''[[Unreal Championship]]'' (2002), Infogrames, Inc.<ref name=mobygames/> * ''[[Jazz Jackrabbit]]'' (2002), Jaleco Entertainment, Inc.<ref name=mobygames/> * ''[[Devastation (video game)|Devastation]]'' (2003), HD Interactive B.V.<ref name=mobygames/> * ''[[Unreal Tournament 2004]]'' (2004), Atari, Inc.<ref name=mobygames/> * ''[[Unreal Championship 2: The Liandri Conflict]]'' (2005), Midway Home Entertainment, Inc.<ref name=mobygames/> * ''[[Brothers in Arms: Road to Hill 30]]'' (2005), Ubisoft, Inc.<ref name=mobygames/> * ''[[Gears of War]]'' (2006), Microsoft Game Studios<ref name=mobygames/> * ''[[Unreal Tournament III]]'' (2007), Midway Home Entertainment, Inc.<ref name=mobygames/> * ''[[Gears of War 2]]'' (2008), Microsoft Game Studios<ref name=mobygames/> * ''[[Shadow Complex]]'' (2009), Microsoft Game Studios<ref name=mobygames/> * ''[[Fat Princess]]'' (2009), Sony Computer Entertainment America, Inc.<ref name=mobygames/> * ''[[Lost Planet 2]]'' (2010), CE Europe Ltd.<ref name=mobygames>{{cite web|url=http://www.mobygames.com/developer/sheet/view/developerId,1298/ |title=Mobygames Developer BIO |publisher=mobygames.com |date= |accessdate=2011-02-07}}</ref> * ''[[Bulletstorm]]'' (2011), Electronic Arts * ''[[Gears of War 3]]'' (2011), Microsoft Game Studios<ref name=mobygames/> * ''[[Superhot]]'' (2015), Blue Brick (co-designer of an arena stage)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.polygon.com/2014/7/11/5888359/superhot-cliff-bleszinski-next-game-level-poland|title=Cliff Bleszinski's next game level is being made in Poland right now|last=Hall|first=Charlie|date=11 July 2014|work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]|publisher=[[Vox Media]]|accessdate=15 July 2014}}</ref> * ''[[BlueStreak (video game)|BlueStreak]]'' (working title) (2015), Boss Key Productions<ref name="ign">{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/07/08/gears-of-war-designer-cliff-bleszinski-announces-f2p-shooter-bluestreak|title=Gear of War Designer Cliff Bleszinski announces F2P shooter BlueStreak|publisher=[[IGN]]|date=8 July 2014|first=Evan|last=Campbell|accessdate=2014-07-27}}</ref> ===Filmography=== *''[[Stay Alive]]'' (2006) ([[consultant]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://videogames.typepad.com/inside_video_games/2006/09/stay_alive_hits.html|title="Stay Alive" Hits DVD|publisher=videogames.typepad|date=26 September 2006|accessdate=2014-08-03|author=jgaudiosi}}</ref> *Various ''[[Mega64]]'' skits<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9q8oxkhnvI |title=WARREN SPECTOR TRIBUTE with Cliff Bleszinski |publisher=YouTube |accessdate=2012-08-08}}</ref> *''[[Jake and Amir]]'', episode "The Hot Date" (2011) (played himself) *"Sonic for Hire" (''Gears of War'' episode; played himself) (2013)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=XUGlNOPG38c#t=96 |title=Sonic For Hire - Gears of War |publisher=YouTube |accessdate=2013-01-05}}</ref> *''[[Starbomb (album)|Starbomb]]'', "I Choose You TO DIE!!" (2014)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.destructoid.com/cliffy-b-chooses-you-to-die-in-this-pokemon-rap-272441.phtml|title=Cliffy B chooses you to die in this Pokemon rap|publisher=[[Destructoid]]|first=Brett|last=Makedonski|date=2014-03-25|accessdate=2014-03-26}}</ref> ==References== {{Reflist|35em}} ==External links== *{{wayback|url=http://www.cliffyb.com/blog/|title=Personal website|date=20110708164746}} *{{moby developer|id=1298|name=Cliff Bleszinski's profile}} *[http://cliffyb.1up.com/ Page On 1UP.com] *[http://xbox360.gamespy.com/xbox-360/gears-of-war/771718p1.html Everything You Wanted to Know About Gears of War...] Article about Bleszinski's GDC2007 presentation "Designing Gears of War: Iteration Wins" *[http://stationraleigh.com/ Bar website] *[http://www.gamespot.com/downloads/6175466 GameSpot Video Interview with CliffyB] *[http://videogames.yahoo.com/events/plugged-in/gears-of-war-3-debuts-on-late-night-with-jimmy-fallon/1396527 Gears of War 3 debuts on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon] *[http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/zvrzf/i_am_cliff_bleszinski_design_director_at_epic/ Cliff Bleszinski Reddit Questionnaire] (September 14, 2012) {{Epic}} {{Persondata |NAME=Bleszinski, Cliff |ALTERNATIVE NAMES=Bleszinski, Clifford Michael |SHORT DESCRIPTION=American video game designer |DATE OF BIRTH=February 12, 1975 |PLACE OF BIRTH=[[North Andover, Massachusetts]], United States |DATE OF DEATH= |PLACE OF DEATH= }} {{DEFAULTSORT:Bleszinski, Cliff}} [[Category:1975 births]] [[Category:American atheists]] [[Category:American video game designers]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:People in the video game industry]] [[Category:People from North Andover, Massachusetts]] [[Category:American people of Polish descent]] [[Category:Unreal (series)]]'