Gaming icon Cliff Bleszinski is leaving Epic Games, the company has just announced. The outspoken developer is best known for his work on Jazz Jackrabbit, Unreal, and Gears of War. After spending 20 years at Epic, Bleszinski will no longer serve as the company's design director.

"In 20 wonderful years with Epic, Cliff Bleszinski has grown into a true design luminary, and his contributions to the 'Unreal' and 'Gears' series have helped shape the game industry into what it is today," Epic CEO Tim Sweeney said in a prepared statement. "Cliff leaves Epic with our gratitude for his many contributions, and our wishes for continued success in the next chapter of his life!"

Read more: 'It's time for a much needed break' »

Expanding the gaming audience has come at the cost of making games simpler and easier, Epic Games design director Cliff Bleszinski has said. And it just so happens that a game of his, the prequel Gears of War: Judgement, is hoping to present a challenge for players.

Read more: Dark Souls shows demand for difficult »