Examine individual changes

'{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2015}} {{Infobox person | name = Cliff Bleszinski | image = CliffyB at GDC 2016 (25846174186) (cropped).jpg | caption = Bleszinski presenting at the 2016 [[Game Developers Conference]] | birth_name = | 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=April 8, 2010 |publisher=[[Kotaku]] |accessdate=October 3, 2012 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120917112315/http://kotaku.com/5512240/why-we-call-him-dude-huge |archivedate=September 17, 2012 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> | birth_date = {{Birth year and age|1975}}<ref name="newyorker">{{cite web |url=http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2008/11/03/the-grammar-of-fun |title=The Grammar of Fun|work=[[The New Yorker]] |publisher=[[Condé Nast]] |date=November 3, 2008 |accessdate=December 24, 2014 |authorlink=Tom Bissell |first=Tom |last=Bissell |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141224113522/http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2008/11/03/the-grammar-of-fun |archivedate=December 24, 2014 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> | birth_place = [[Boston]], [[Massachusetts]], U.S.<ref name="newyorker"/> | residence = [[Raleigh, North Carolina]], U.S.<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=July 22, 2014 |accessdate=July 28, 2014 |first=John |last=Gaudiosi |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140727050427/http://www.mensjournal.com/travel/collection/from-gears-to-beers-a-video-game-mogul-opens-a-restaurant-20140722 |archivedate=July 27, 2014 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> | occupation = [[Video game design|Game designer]] | spouse = {{marriage|Lauren Bleszinski|2012}}<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/210733/With_new_perspective_on_life_and_games_Cliff_Bleszinski_plots_next_move.php |title=With new perspective on life and games, Cliff Bleszinski plots next move |last=Alexander |first=Leigh |date=February 18, 2014 |website=[[Gamasutra]] |access-date=July 13, 2017 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170628092802/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/210733/With_new_perspective_on_life_and_games_Cliff_Bleszinski_plots_next_move.php |archivedate=June 28, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> | website = }} '''Cliff Bleszinski''' ({{IPAc-en|b|l|ə|ˈ|z|ɪ|n|s|k|i}}; born 1975), popularly known as '''CliffyB''',<ref name="newyorker"/> is an American video game designer. Former design director for the game development company [[Epic Games]] and the co-founder of [[Boss Key Productions]], he is known for his role in the development of the ''[[Unreal (video game series)|Unreal]]'' and ''[[Gears of War]]'' series.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/2455153/interview-legendary-designer-cliff-bleszinksi-discusses-the-future-of-free-to-play-shooters.html |title=Interview: Legendary designer Cliff Bleszinski discusses the future of free-to-play shooters |work=[[PC World]] |publisher=[[International Data Group]] |date=July 21, 2014 |accessdate=October 9, 2014 |first=John |last=Gaudiosi |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141015153252/http://www.pcworld.com/article/2455153/interview-legendary-designer-cliff-bleszinksi-discusses-the-future-of-free-to-play-shooters.html |archivedate=October 15, 2014 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> ==Career== His first game was ''[[The Palace of Deceit]]'',<ref name="develop">{{Cite web |url=http://www.develop-online.net/interview/faq-cliff-bleszinski/0117275 |title=FAQ: Cliff Bleszinski |last=Freeman |first=Will |date=December 5, 2011 |website=[[Develop (magazine)|Develop]] |access-date=July 21, 2017}}</ref> an adventure title he started at the age of 15.<ref name="rollingstone">{{Cite web |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/glixel/interviews/cliff-bleszinski-on-lawbreakers-and-feeling-like-a-disney-princess-w483666 |title=Cliff Bleszinski on 'Lawbreakers', 'Overwatch' and Feeling Like a Disney Princess |last=Suellentrop |first=Chris |date=May 22, 2017 |website=[[Rolling Stone]] |access-date=July 21, 2017 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729174217/http://www.rollingstone.com/glixel/interviews/cliff-bleszinski-on-lawbreakers-and-feeling-like-a-disney-princess-w483666 |archivedate=July 29, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref name="transcript">{{Cite web |url=http://amatranscripts.com/ama/cliff_bleszinski_2012-09-14.html |title=Cliff Blezinski Reddit AMA (transcript) |date=September 14, 2012 |access-date=July 21, 2017 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160205175228/http://amatranscripts.com/ama/cliff_bleszinski_2012-09-14.html |archivedate=February 5, 2016 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Programmed in [[Visual Basic]], its second version came out when he was 16.<ref name="transcript"/> ===Epic Games (1992–2012)=== Bleszinski got his start at [[Epic Games]] in 1992, after submitting his next game, ''Dare to Dream'', to the company's CEO, [[Tim Sweeney (game developer)|Tim Sweeney]].<ref name="newyorker"/><ref name="gamasutra">{{Cite web |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/132426/from_the_past_to_the_future_tim_.php?page=8 |title=From The Past To The Future: Tim Sweeney Talks (page 8) |last=Edwards |first=Benj |date=May 25, 2009 |website=[[Gamasutra]] |access-date=July 21, 2017 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729181845/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/132426/from_the_past_to_the_future_tim_.php?page=8 |archivedate=July 29, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Though ''Dare to Dream'' did not achieve the success Epic had hoped,<ref name="gamasutra"/> it led Bleszinski to work on ''[[Jazz Jackrabbit (1994 video game)|Jazz Jackrabbit]]'', a platformer co-developed by [[demoscene]] coder [[Arjan Brussee]].<ref name="gamasutra"/><ref name="jazz">{{Cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2009/01/09/and-all-that-jazz |title=...And All That Jazz |last=Fahs |first=Travis |date=January 9, 2009 |website=[[IGN]] |access-date=August 23, 2017 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170824053910/http://www.ign.com/articles/2009/01/09/and-all-that-jazz |archivedate=August 24, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The title, which came out in 1994, became Epic's biggest selling game at the time, earning him enough money to get his first apartment and car.<ref name="gamasutra"/><ref name="ctrl">{{Cite web |url=http://ctrl500.com/game-design/the-summer-that-launched-my-career/ |title=The Summer That Launched My Career |last=Bleszinski |first=Cliff |website=Control500 |access-date=July 21, 2017 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170706082841/http://ctrl500.com/game-design/the-summer-that-launched-my-career/ |archivedate=July 6, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> It was also around this time that he began working with Sweeney and [[James Schmalz]] on what would become ''[[Unreal (1998 video game)|Unreal]]'',<ref name="unreal">{{Cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/features/makeunreal/ |title=Blinded By Reality: The True Story Behind the Creation of Unreal |last=Keighley |first=Geoffrey |website=[[GameSpot]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010519154729/http://www.gamespot.com/features/makeunreal/ |archive-date=May 19, 2001 |dead-url=yes |access-date=July 22, 2017}}</ref> which received a sequel, ''[[Unreal Tournament]]'',<ref name="ut">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/131569/postmortem_epic_games_unreal_.php?print=1 |title=Postmortem: Epic Games' Unreal Tournament |website=[[Gamasutra]] |publisher=[[UBM plc]] |date=June 9, 2000 |access-date=October 11, 2016 |first=Brandon |last=Reinhart |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161017014133/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/131569/postmortem_epic_games_unreal_.php?print=1 |archivedate=October 17, 2016 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> and expanded into a series of games. [[File:Cliff Bleszinski 2 (cropped).jpg|thumb|240px|Bleszinski at the ''[[Gears of War (video game)|Gears of War]]'' event at the [[Hollywood Forever Cemetery]], 2006]] In addition to his work on the ''[[Unreal (video game series)|Unreal]]'' series, Bleszinski served as creative consultant on ''[[Rune (video game)|Rune]]'',<ref name="pcgamer">{{Cite magazine |author=PC Gamer |title=Meet The Next Game Gods |url=https://archive.org/stream/UneditedPCGamer_marktrade/PC_Gamer_078u#page/n0/mode/2up |magazine=[[PC Gamer]] |publisher=[[Future plc]] |volume=7 |issue=November 2000 |pages=1, 70 & 84}}</ref> and as lead designer on the first three installments of the ''[[Gears of War]]'' franchise, which has sold over 22 million copies and earned over one billion in revenue as of January 2014.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://news.xbox.com/2014/01/27/games-microsoft-studios-gears-of-war/ |title=Microsoft Studios acquires rights to Gears of War franchise |authors=Xbox Wire Staff |date=January 27, 2014 |website=Xbox Wire |access-date=September 6, 2017 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906182248/https://news.xbox.com/2014/01/27/games-microsoft-studios-gears-of-war/ |archivedate=September 6, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> ''Gears'' evolved out of the development of what was going to be a game called ''Unreal Warfare''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/104058/PostGDC_Cliff_Bleszinski_Says_Iteration_Won_Gears_of_War.php|title=Post-GDC: Cliff Bleszinski Says Iteration Won Gears of War|publisher=[[Gamasutra]]|date=March 12, 2007|accessdate=April 21, 2016|first=Jason|last=Dobson|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160126205616/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/104058/PostGDC_Cliff_Bleszinski_Says_Iteration_Won_Gears_of_War.php|archivedate=January 26, 2016|df=mdy-all}}</ref> As Bleszinski explained in a speech at [[Game Developers Conference|GDC]] 2007 entitled "Designing Gears of War: Iteration Wins," the game started out as another first-person shooter in the ''Unreal'' universe.<ref name="warfare">{{Cite web |url=http://xbox360.gamespy.com/xbox-360/gears-of-war/771718p1.html |title=Everything You Wanted to Know About Gears of War... |last=McGarvey |first=Sterling |date=March 8, 2007 |website=[[GameSpy]] |access-date=September 6, 2017 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304111708/http://xbox360.gamespy.com/xbox-360/gears-of-war/771718p1.html |archivedate=March 4, 2016 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Over time, however, influenced by the cover mechanic in Namco's 2003 game ''[[Kill Switch (video game)|Kill Switch]]'' and the third-person ''[[Resident Evil 4]]'', ''Unreal Warfare'' became the game known as ''Gears of War''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/gdc-07-cliffy-b-disassembles-gears-mentions-sequel/1100-6167213/ |title=GDC 07: Cliffy B disassembles Gears, mentions sequel |last=Thorsen |first=Tor |date=March 12, 2007 |website=[[GameSpot]] |access-date=September 6, 2017 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140321235519/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/gdc-07-cliffy-b-disassembles-gears-mentions-sequel/1100-6167213/ |archivedate=March 21, 2014 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> After 20 years with the company, Cliff announced his departure from Epic Games on October 3, 2012, saying he had been making video games since he was a teen and wanted to take a break.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://epicgames.com/community/2012/10/cliff-bleszinski-departs-epic/ |title=Cliff Bleszinski Departs Epic |publisher=[[Epic Games]] |website=Epic Games Community |date=October 3, 2012 |accessdate=November 21, 2012 |author=Epic Games|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121004030613/http://epicgames.com/community/2012/10/cliff-bleszinski-departs-epic/|archivedate=October 4, 2012|deadurl=yes}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/cliff-bleszinski-out-at-epic-games/1100-6397630/ |title=Cliff Bleszinski out at Epic Games |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |date=October 3, 2012 |accessdate=October 8, 2012 |first=Eddie |last=Makuch |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131226201725/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/cliff-bleszinski-out-at-epic-games/1100-6397630/ |archivedate=December 26, 2013 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> According to a 2015 interview, his original intention was to retire permanently. "It was a combination of gamers feeling jaded, as well as working with some very talented people who were also very jaded," Bleszinski told [[Destructoid]]. "I could pitch the most amazing idea to anybody back when I was at Epic toward the end, and they'd be like 'I don't buy it,'" he further added.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.destructoid.com/cliff-bleszinski-says-he-retired-because-everyone-was-too-jaded-308782.phtml |title=Cliff Bleszinski says he retired because everyone was too jaded |last=Makedonski |first=Brett |date=September 1, 2015 |website=[[Destructoid]] |access-date=July 1, 2017 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817080953/https://www.destructoid.com/cliff-bleszinski-says-he-retired-because-everyone-was-too-jaded-308782.phtml |archivedate=August 17, 2016 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> ===Boss Key Productions (2014–present)=== On June 30, 2014, Cliff announced on Twitter that he was "coming out of retirement to make video games again" and would be unveiling his next project in the next week.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-06-30-cliff-bleszinski-says-hes-coming-out-of-retirement |title=Cliff Bleszinski says he's "coming out of retirement" |last=Matulef |first=Jeffrey |date=June 30, 2014 |website=[[Eurogamer]] |access-date=July 1, 2017 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170802123719/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-06-30-cliff-bleszinski-says-hes-coming-out-of-retirement |archivedate=August 2, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The new game, a [[free-to-play]], PC-focused arena shooter code-named ''BlueStreak'', would be published by [[Nexon]] and developed by his new studio, [[Boss Key Productions]], which he co-founded with Brussee the same year.<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=July 8, 2014 |accessdate=July 28, 2014 |first=Evan |last=Campbell |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140727162834/http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/07/08/gears-of-war-designer-cliff-bleszinski-announces-f2p-shooter-bluestreak |archivedate=July 27, 2014 |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref name="polygon">{{cite web|url=http://www.polygon.com/2014/7/4/5871047/cliff-bleszinski-boss-key-productions|title=Cliff Bleszinski creates Boss Key game studio with Guerrilla Games co-founder|work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]|publisher=[[Vox Media]]|date=July 4, 2014|accessdate=July 31, 2014|first=Alexa Ray|last=Corriea|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808041419/http://www.polygon.com/2014/7/4/5871047/cliff-bleszinski-boss-key-productions|archivedate=August 8, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref> A year later, Bleszinski revealed that the arena shooter would be called ''[[LawBreakers]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2015/8/26/9208067/cliff-bleszinski-new-game-lawbreakers |title=LawBreakers is the next game from Gears designer Cliff Bleszinski |last=Webster |first=Andrew |date=August 26, 2015 |website=[[The Verge]] |access-date=August 1, 2017 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170802125820/https://www.theverge.com/2015/8/26/9208067/cliff-bleszinski-new-game-lawbreakers |archivedate=August 2, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Despite positive critical reception, LawBreakers sold exceptionally poorly and rapidly lost what little playerbase it had, leading to developer support for the game being halted indefinitely, though the servers would remain online. Cliff Bleszinski was offered an opportunity to work on the ''[[Silent Hill]]'' franchise by [[Hideo Kojima]], vice president of [[Konami Digital Entertainment]].<ref name="shacknews">{{Cite web |url=http://www.shacknews.com/article/93286/cliff-bleszinski-turned-down-a-chance-to-work-with-hideo-kojima-on-silent-hills |title=Cliff Bleszinski Turned Down A Chance to Work With Hideo Kojima on Silent Hills |last=Vincent |first=Brittany |date=February 16, 2016 |website=[[Shacknews]] |access-date=March 14, 2016 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314124317/http://www.shacknews.com/article/93286/cliff-bleszinski-turned-down-a-chance-to-work-with-hideo-kojima-on-silent-hills |archivedate=March 14, 2016 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> "I was flattered but declined," he wrote on Twitter.<ref name="shacknews" /> In May 2016, he joined the board of advisers for [[Fig (company)|Fig]], a mixed crowd-funding/investment platform for video games.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/gears-of-war-designer-cliff-bleszinski-invests-in-/1100-6439670/ |title=Gears of War Designer Cliff Bleszinski Invests in New Crowdfunding Site Fig |last=Makuch |first=Eddie |date=May 10, 2016 |website=[[GameSpot]] |access-date=August 23, 2017 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170823205321/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/gears-of-war-designer-cliff-bleszinski-invests-in-/1100-6439670/ |archivedate=August 23, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> ==Personal life== Cliff is married to Lauren Bleszinski (née Berggren), a former professional gamer and [[id Software]] employee.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pshomegazette.com/2013/03/12/el337-level-interview-with-lauren-bleszinski/ |title=EL337 Level: Interview with Lauren Bleszinski |publisher=PS Home Gazette |date=March 12, 2013 |accessdate=October 9, 2014 |first=Sean |last=Kumpan|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130315203920/http://pshomegazette.com/2013/03/12/el337-level-interview-with-lauren-bleszinski|archivedate=15 March 2013|deadurl=yes}}</ref> One of his brothers{{efn|His other brother is Greg Bleszinski.<ref name="newyorker"/>}} is Tyler Bleszinski, the founder of [[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] sister site and [[Vox Media]] progenitor [[SB Nation]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2013/12/11/5200922/cliff-bleszinski-next-game-first-person-arena-shooter-pc |title=Cliff Bleszinski wants to make a first-person arena shooter on PC |last=Sarkar |first=Samit |date=December 11, 2013 |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |access-date=July 23, 2017 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731192147/https://www.polygon.com/2013/12/11/5200922/cliff-bleszinski-next-game-first-person-arena-shooter-pc |archivedate=July 31, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Their father, who died when Cliff was 15,<ref name="cgw"/> was an engineer for [[Polaroid Corporation|Polaroid]].<ref name="newyorker"/> 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 name="newyorker"/> However, in 2008 he expressed a desire to retire the moniker, saying it's "time to grow up a bit".<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://multiplayerblog.mtv.com/2008/05/21/cliff-bleszinski-done-with-the-cliffyb/ |title=‘Gears of War’ Designer Cliff Bleszinski Done With The ‘CliffyB’ Moniker |last=Totilo |first=Stephen |date=May 21, 2008 |website=[[MTV Multiplayer]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080915100558/http://multiplayerblog.mtv.com/2008/05/21/cliff-bleszinski-done-with-the-cliffyb/ |archive-date=September 15, 2008 |dead-url=yes |access-date=January 4, 2018}}</ref> On April 12, 2010, he appeared on [[NBC]]'s ''[[Late Night with Jimmy Fallon]]'', where he showed the debut trailer for ''[[Gears of War 3]]'' and cited ''[[Space Invaders]]'' as the game that initially inspired him.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2010/04/13/gears-of-war-3-on-jimmy-fallon |title=Gears Of War 3 On Jimmy Fallon |publisher=[[IGN]] |date=April 12, 2010 |accessdate=October 9, 2014 |first=Steve |last=Butts |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141014184554/http://www.ign.com/articles/2010/04/13/gears-of-war-3-on-jimmy-fallon |archivedate=October 14, 2014 |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://techland.time.com/2010/04/13/the-techland-interview-cliff-bleszinski-part-1/ |title=The Techland Interview: Cliff Bleszinski, Part 1 |publisher=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |date=April 13, 2010 |accessdate=October 9, 2014 |first=Evan |last=Narcisse |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141031005109/http://techland.time.com/2010/04/13/the-techland-interview-cliff-bleszinski-part-1/ |archivedate=October 31, 2014 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> In 1988, at 13, Cliff appeared in the first issue of ''[[Nintendo Power]]'' for earning the high score of 9,999,950 in ''[[Super Mario Bros]]''.<ref name="newyorker"/><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/130845/gearing_up_for_nextgen_cliff_.php |title=Gearing Up for Next-Gen: Cliff Bleszinski Chats About The Epic Future |last=Sheffield |first=Brandon |date=October 21, 2005 |website=[[Gamasutra]] |access-date=June 14, 2017 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731190533/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/130845/gearing_up_for_nextgen_cliff_.php |archivedate=July 31, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Regarding the achievement, in a 2017 interview with ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' he commented: "That was probably one of the moments when I realized, deep-down and subconsciously, I wanted to be a "name" in this business of video games."<ref name="rollingstone"/> He also went to the [[Nintendo World Championships]] when he was 15, coming in second in [[Massachusetts]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.gameinformer.com/News/Story/200408/N04.0818.1827.23661.htm |title=AU: The Cliffy B Interview |last=Berghammer |first=Billy |date=August 18, 2004 |website=[[Game Informer]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040819111725/http://www.gameinformer.com/News/Story/200408/N04.0818.1827.23661.htm |archive-date=August 19, 2004 |dead-url=yes |access-date=June 14, 2017}}</ref> In 2000, ''[[PC Gamer]]'' called Bleszinski one of the "Next Game Gods" in its November issue, believing that he would eventually become an "industry legend."<ref name="pcgamer" /> [[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] magazine awarded him a ''Rave Award'' in 2007 for his work on ''Gears of War''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.wired.com/2007/04/feat-raves/ |title=The 2007 Rave Awards |author=Wired |date=April 24, 2007 |website=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] |access-date=August 24, 2017 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170824215729/https://www.wired.com/2007/04/feat-raves/ |archivedate=August 24, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Bleszinski has opened two bars in [[Raleigh, North Carolina]], one in 2014, called ''The Station'',<ref name="men's journal"/> and another one in 2015, ''The Raleigh Beer Garden''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newsobserver.com/living/food-drink/mouthful-blog/article27488470.html|title=Raleigh Beer Garden to open Tuesday|work=[[The News & Observer]]|publisher=[[The McClatchy Company]]|date=17 July 2015|accessdate=20 July 2015|first=Andrea|last=Weigl|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150719014536/http://www.newsobserver.com/living/food-drink/mouthful-blog/article27488470.html|archivedate=July 19, 2015|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Bleszinski stated that he was an atheist on [[Twitter]].<ref>"Twitter / therealcliffyb: And I'm not Jewish. I'm an Atheist". Twitter.com. 2013-06-19. Retrieved 2014-02-11.</ref> ==Credits== [[File:CliffyB 2012.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Bleszinski at [[Penny Arcade Expo|PAX Prime]] 2012]] ===Video games=== * ''[[The Palace of Deceit]]'' (1991)<ref name="develop"/> * ''Dare to Dream'' (1993)<ref name="gamasutra"/> * ''[[Jazz Jackrabbit (1994 video game)|Jazz Jackrabbit]]'' (1994)<ref name="ctrl"/> * ''[[Jazz Jackrabbit 2]]'' (1998)<ref name="jazz"/> * ''[[Unreal (1998 video game)|Unreal]]'' (1998)<ref name="unreal"/> * ''[[Unreal Tournament]]'' (1999)<ref name="ut"/> * ''[[Rune (video game)|Rune]]'' (2000)<ref name="pcgamer"/> * ''[[Unreal Tournament 2003]]'' (2002)<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.nvidia.com/object/games_ut2k3.html |title=Games: Unreal Tournament 2003 |website=[[Nvidia]] |access-date=August 23, 2017 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170823204442/http://www.nvidia.com/object/games_ut2k3.html |archivedate=August 23, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> * ''[[Unreal II: The Awakening]]'' (2003)<ref name="pcgamer"/> * ''[[Unreal Tournament 2004]]'' (2004)<ref name="cgw">{{Cite magazine |last=Jones |first=George |title=Keepin' It Unreal |url=https://archive.org/stream/Computer_Gaming_World_Issue_233#page/n125/mode/2up |magazine=[[Computer Gaming World]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |issue=233 |page=118 |access-date=August 25, 2017}}</ref> * ''[[Unreal Championship 2: The Liandri Conflict]]'' (2005)<ref>{{Cite magazine |title=CliffyB Interview |url=https://archive.org/details/OXM_2004_06-web |format=PDF |magazine=[[Official Xbox Magazine]] |author=Official Xbox Magazine |issue=32 |page=16 |access-date=August 25, 2017 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160802013734/https://archive.org/details/OXM_2004_06-web |archivedate=August 2, 2016 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> * ''[[Gears of War (video game)|Gears of War]]'' (2006)<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.xboxgazette.com/interview_gears_of_war_cliffyb_en.php |title=Interview with Cliff Bleszinski - Lead Designer on Gears of War |author=Xbox Gazette |date=June 2006 |publisher=Xbox Gazette |access-date=August 24, 2017 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906195741/http://www.xboxgazette.com/interview_gears_of_war_cliffyb_en.php |archivedate=September 6, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> * ''[[Gears of War 2]]'' (2008) * ''[[Shadow Complex]]'' (2009)<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/bleszinski-working-on-awesome-s |title=Bleszinski working on "awesome s***" |last=Bramwell |first=Tom |date=December 21, 2009 |website=[[Eurogamer]] |access-date=August 25, 2017 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170825184652/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/bleszinski-working-on-awesome-s |archivedate=August 25, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> * ''[[Bulletstorm]]'' (2011)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/video-games/8333276/Bulletstorm-developer-interview-Clifford-Bleszinski.html |title=Bulletstorm developer interview: Cliff Bleszinski |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |publisher=[[Telegraph Media Group]] |date=February 18, 2011 |accessdate=October 9, 2014 |first=David |last=Brown |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141016144448/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/video-games/8333276/Bulletstorm-developer-interview-Clifford-Bleszinski.html |archivedate=October 16, 2014 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> * ''[[Gears of War 3]]'' (2011) * ''[[Superhot]]'' (2016) (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=July 11, 2014 |work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |accessdate=July 15, 2014 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140716061136/http://www.polygon.com/2014/7/11/5888359/superhot-cliff-bleszinski-next-game-level-poland |archivedate=July 16, 2014 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> * ''[[LawBreakers]]'' (2017)<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/cliff-bleszinski-talks-making-medics-and-inception/1100-6448721/ |title=Cliff Bleszinski Talks Making Medics And Inception-Style Hallways In LawBreakers |last=Espineli |first=Matt |last2=Butterworth |first2=Scott |date=March 15, 2017 |website=[[GameSpot]] |access-date=August 25, 2017 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170825185238/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/cliff-bleszinski-talks-making-medics-and-inception/1100-6448721/ |archivedate=August 25, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> *''Radical Heights'' (2018)<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/radical-heights-is-boss-keys-next-gamea-free-to-play-battle-royale-set-in-a-futuristic-80s-world/ |title=Radical Heights is Boss Key's next game—a free-to-play battle royale set in a 'futuristic '80s world' |last=Donnelly |first=Joe |date=April 9, 2018 |website=[[PC Gamer]] |access-date=April 9, 2018}}</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=September 26, 2006 |accessdate=2014-08-03 |author=jgaudiosi |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808045839/http://videogames.typepad.com/inside_video_games/2006/09/stay_alive_hits.html |archivedate=August 8, 2014 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> * Various ''[[Mega64]]'' skits<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9q8oxkhnvI |title=WARREN SPECTOR TRIBUTE with Cliff Bleszinski |publisher=YouTube |accessdate=2012-08-08 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuWkvyeAu0E |title=SAKAGUCHI'S FINAL FANTASY |publisher=YouTube |accessdate=2015-03-06 }}</ref> * ''[[Jake and Amir]]'', episode "The Hot Date" (2011) (played himself)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39WgFpq-A94|title=Jake and Amir: The Hot Date presented by Gears of War 3|publisher=YouTube|accessdate=2016-11-25}}</ref> * ''Sonic for Hire'', episode "Gears of War" (2013) (played himself)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUGlNOPG38c |title=Sonic For Hire – Gears of War |publisher=YouTube |accessdate=2013-01-05 }}</ref> * ''[[Video Game High School]]'', season 2 episode 1 (2013)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.destructoid.com/class-in-session-video-game-high-school-2-ep-1-is-live-258816.phtml |title=Class in session! Video Game High School 2 Ep. 1 is live |publisher=[[Destructoid]] |date=2013-07-26 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141026093104/http://www.destructoid.com/class-in-session-video-game-high-school-2-ep-1-is-live-258816.phtml |archivedate=October 26, 2014 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> * [[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 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140326153020/http://www.destructoid.com/cliffy-b-chooses-you-to-die-in-this-pokemon-rap-272441.phtml |archivedate=March 26, 2014 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> * ''[[Video Games: The Movie]]'' (2014) (producer, interviewed)<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/zach-braff-produced-doc-video-712416 |title=Zach Braff-Produced Doc 'Video Games: The Movie' Nabbed by Variance Films |last=Siegel |first=Tatiana |date=June 17, 2014 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |access-date=August 24, 2017 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170824175527/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/zach-braff-produced-doc-video-712416 |archivedate=August 24, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> * ''[[The Jimquisition]]'', episode "The Golden Sins of Horror Games" (2015) (played himself)<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiV2hrpufLM |title=The Golden Sins Of Horror Games (The Jimquisition) |publisher=YouTube |publication-date=October 31, 2015 |accessdate=November 25, 2016 }}</ref> *''[[Gears of War#Film|Gears of War]]'' (TBA) (executive producer, consultant)<ref name="variety">{{Cite web |url=https://variety.com/2008/film/news/wiseman-suits-up-for-gears-of-war-1117987552/ |title=Wiseman suits up for ‘Gears of War’ |last=Graser |first=Marc |date=June 26, 2008 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |access-date=August 24, 2017 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170824180959/http://variety.com/2008/film/news/wiseman-suits-up-for-gears-of-war-1117987552/ |archivedate=August 24, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> ==Notes== {{notelist}} ==References== {{Reflist|30em}} ==External links== {{Commons category|Cliff Bleszinski}} * {{IMDb name|nm1304248}} * {{Tumblr|bosskeyceo}} * {{Twitter}} * {{Facebook|CliffBleszinski}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20001205150200/http://www.cliffyb.com/ Personal website] at the [[Internet Archive]] (December 5, 2000) * [https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/zvrzf/i_am_cliff_bleszinski_design_director_at_epic/ Cliff Bleszinski Reddit Questionnaire] (September 14, 2012) * [https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/2a9ylr/iama_i_am_cliff_bleszinski_video_game_designer/ Cliff Bleszinski Reddit Questionnaire] (July 9, 2014) {{portal bar|Biography|Boston|Video games}} {{Cliff Bleszinski}} {{Epic}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Bleszinski, Cliff}} [[Category:1975 births]] [[Category:American atheists]] [[Category:American video game designers]] [[Category:Epic Games]] [[Category:Gears of War (series)]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:People from Boston]] [[Category:Unreal (video game series)]]'