🎮 Cliff Bleszinski, aka “CliffyB,” is a legendary game designer and creative force behind some of gaming’s most iconic titles. Best known as the co-creator of the Gears of War franchise, Cliff helped redefine modern shooters with groundbreaking gameplay and cinematic storytelling.

A lifelong gamer, Cliff was featured in the first issue of Nintendo Power for achieving a legendary score in Super Mario Bros., cementing his status as a standout Nintendo fan during the golden NES era. That early love for games launched a career that would shape the industry.

He joined Epic Games in the early ’90s, making waves with Jazz Jackrabbit, then changing the game with Unreal Tournament and the Unreal Engine, which became the foundation for countless blockbusters.

With Gears of War, Cliff led the creation of a billion-dollar franchise that set a new standard for third-person shooters. After leaving Epic, he founded Boss Key Productions, released titles like LawBreakers, and later became a Broadway producer for the Tony-winning Hadestown.

He’s also the author of the memoir Control Freak, where he opens up about his journey through the highs and lows of game development, creativity, and personal growth.

Most recently, Cliff launched his sci-fi comic series Scrapper, continuing his legacy of bold storytelling across mediums. He remains a passionate voice in the industry and a fan-favorite at conventions, panels, and gaming events worldwide.