Cliff Bleszinski vs. John Romero: '90s Rivalry

Back in the '90s, the game industry was a pretty intense place. Game developers were not shy about their rivalries and conflicts, which often played out in public. Speaking of which, Cliff Bleszinski, a prominent figure at Epic MegaGames in 2000, once opened up in an interview with IGN about his competitive mindset, particularly towards John Romero, co-founder of id Software and the designer of games, including Wolfenstein 3D, Doom, Doom II, Hexen, and Quake.

Bleszinski candidly admitted that he saw Romero as his "enemy", driven by a mix of jealousy towards id Software's success and Romero's vibrant personality. He recalled thinking, "I'm going to take that guy down," fueled by a desire to surpass id's acclaimed Quake series. This rivalry stemmed from Bleszinski's longing for success while feeling that Romero flaunted his achievements.

As PC Gamer noted, during that time, Bleszinski and Epic MegaGames rose as strong contenders in the game industry. Unreal Engine, released in 1998, positioned them as major competitors to id and Ion Storm, the companies co-founded by Romero. Bleszinski described Unreal Engine as a deliberate counter-programming to Quake, with its bright colors, visually stunning environments, and a departure from the dark and atmospheric style of Quake.

Looking back, Bleszinski now reflects on the intensity of those times and admits to feeling a sense of chagrin. Interestingly, he and Romero have since become good friends, showcasing how relationships and perspectives can evolve.

Speaking of Bleszinski, co-creator of the Gear of War franchise recently mentioned that he believes that Gears of War is ready for a revitalization akin to the success of God of War, and he is ready to assist.

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