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'{{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 |url-status=live |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 date and age|1975|2|12}}<ref>{{Cite tweet |user=therealcliffyb |number=1227478957840306177 |date = 12 February 2020 |title=It's my birthday.I would truly appreciate a happy from y'all, if y'all can. Also, I'm fucking old. :) }}</ref><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 |url-status=live |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 |url-status=dead |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=https://www.polygon.com/a/epic-4-0|title=Their future is Epic: The evolution of a gaming giant |last=Crecente |first=Brian |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |access-date=August 22, 2018}}</ref> | website = }} '''Cliff Bleszinski''' ({{IPAc-en|b|l|ə|ˈ|z|ɪ|n|s|k|i}}; born February 12, 1975), popularly known as '''CliffyB''',<ref name="newyorker"/> is an American radical leftist video game designer who supports the homosexual agenda,<ref>https://twitter.com/therealcliffyb/status/1267549538778263552 https://twitter.com/therealcliffyb/status/1274074058951360512 https://twitter.com/therealcliffyb/status/1274074673362415620</ref> 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 |url-status=live |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> After working at [[Epic Games]] from 1992 to 2012, he co-founded [[Boss Key Productions]] in 2014. Cliff Bleszinski hates President Trump and smears Fox News as "Faux News."<ref> https://twitter.com/therealcliffyb/status/1271899446087950336 https://twitter.com/therealcliffyb/status/1271908585677688834</ref> He has also expressed pro-[[pedophilia]] opinions.<ref>https://twitter.com/The_X_Button/status/1274168829237776384</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="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 |url-status=live |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 |url-status=live |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 a great success,<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 |url-status=live |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 |url-status=live |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 joined 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 |url-status=dead |access-date=July 22, 2017}}</ref> which received a follow-up, ''[[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 |url-status=live |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 |url-status=live |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|website=[[Gamasutra]]|date=March 12, 2007|accessdate=April 21, 2016|first=Jason|last=Dobson|url-status=live|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 |url-status=live |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 |url-status=live |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|url-status=dead}}</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 |website=[[GameSpot]] |date=October 3, 2012 |accessdate=October 8, 2012 |first=Eddie |last=Makuch |url-status=live |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. "I honestly thought I was done... 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 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 |url-status=live |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 (2014–2018)=== 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 |url-status=live |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 |website=[[IGN]] |date=July 8, 2014 |accessdate=July 28, 2014 |first=Evan |last=Campbell |url-status=live |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|url-status=live|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 |url-status=live |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> 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 |url-status=live |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 |url-status=live |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> On May 14, 2018, Bleszinski announced the dissolution of Boss Key Productions, citing lackluster sales.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://twitter.com/therealcliffyb/status/996092708971274245/photo/1|access-date=May 14, 2018|first=Cliff|last=Bleszinski|title=A statement:|website=[[Twitter]]}}</ref> ===Post-gaming career (2018–present)=== After closure of Boss Key, Bleszinski has gotten involved with theater production. He invested and co-produced ''[[Hadestown (musical)|Hadestown]]'', and plans to be similarly involved with a revival of ''[[Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune]]''. He had also invested into two restaurants in the Raleigh area. He also seeks to publish a memoir of his gaming career, comparing the work to [[Anthony Bourdain]]'s ''[[Kitchen Confidential (book)|Kitchen Confidential]]''.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.gamespot.com/articles/whats-cliff-bleszinski-the-creator-of-gears-of-war/1100-6468249/ | title = What's Cliff Bleszinski, The Creator Of Gears Of War, Up To These Days? A Lot| first = Eddie | last = Makuch | date = July 7, 2019 | accessdate = July 7, 2019 | work = [[GameSpot]] }}</ref> He has also expressed interest in returning to the Gears of War series as an advisor. <ref>{{cite web | url = https://mobile.twitter.com/therealcliffyb/status/1225254352593596416 | title = Offer Still Stands To Consult On The Gears Franchise, Microsoft| first = Cliff | last = Bleszinski | date = February 5, 2020 | accessdate = February 7, 2020 | work = [[Twitter]] }}</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|url-status=dead}}</ref> Previously, he was married to a woman named Darcy.<ref name="pcgamer" /> 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 |url-status=live |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 |url-status=dead |access-date=January 4, 2018}}</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 |url-status=live |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">{{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 |url-status=dead |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> 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 |url-status=dead |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 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170824215729/https://www.wired.com/2007/04/feat-raves/ |archivedate=August 24, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</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 |website=[[IGN]] |date=April 12, 2010 |accessdate=October 9, 2014 |first=Steve |last=Butts |url-status=live |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 magazine |url=http://techland.time.com/2010/04/13/the-techland-interview-cliff-bleszinski-part-1/ |title=The Techland Interview: Cliff Bleszinski, Part 1 |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |date=April 13, 2010 |accessdate=October 9, 2014 |first=Evan |last=Narcisse |url-status=live |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> 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|url-status=live|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 is an [[atheism|atheist]].<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 |url-status=live |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 |url-status=live |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 |url-status=live |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 |url-status=live |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 |url-status=live |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 |url-status=live |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 |url-status=live |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'' (cancelled)<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 |url-status=live |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 (web series)|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 |website=[[Destructoid]] |date=2013-07-26 |url-status=live |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 |website=[[Destructoid]] |first=Brett |last=Makedonski |date=2014-03-25 |accessdate=2014-03-26 |url-status=live |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 |url-status=live |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 |url-status=live |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|Video games}} {{Cliff Bleszinski}} {{Epic}} {{authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Bleszinski, Cliff}} [[Category:1975 births]] [[Category:American atheists]] [[Category:American video game designers]] [[Category:Epic Games]] [[Category:Gears of War]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:People from Boston]] [[Category:Unreal (video game series)]]'