Long-time Epic Games designer and charismatic public face Cliff Blezinski has announced his amicable departure from the studio, after 20 years of service, and dozens of successful projects. beginning with Dare to Dream back in 1993, and various titles in the Jazz Jackrabbit series, but becomming best known for his work on the Unreal Tournament and Gears of War franchises (thanks Polygon).

I’ve been doing this since I was a teenager, and outside of my sabbatical last year, I have been going non-stop. I literally grew up in this business, as Mike likes to say. And now that I’m grown up, it’s time for a much needed break.

I will miss the projects, the playtests, the debates, and most importantly, the people. Epic only hires the best of the best, and it has been a joy working with each and every one of you on a daily basis, whether you were hired weeks ago or decades ago. I have been fortunate enough to collaborate with a variety of disciplines, from code to art to marketing and PR – it’s been one big, rewarding learning experience. I’m confident that each project that is being built, whether at Epic, Chair, PCF, or Impossible will be top notch and will please gamers and critics alike.

A farewell blog post features lots of encouraging words from Epic bosses Tim Sweeny, Mike Capps and Mark Rein, but doesn't elaborate on Cliff's future plans, and whether they will still involve the games industry. Bets on a new independent studio popping up to license Unreal Engine 4 some time soon?

Prior to departure, Blezinski had been working on the PC-focused co-operative zombies and construction title Fortnite, which is due to kick off with a public beta some time next year.