‘I was a functioning alcoholic’: Cliff Bleszinski opens up about addiction, recovery, and his hope to return to games

Key Points:

• Cliff Bleszinski, designer of the Gears of War trilogy, revealed his long struggle with alcoholism, which began in the early 2000s and worsened after the failure of his game LawBreakers and the collapse of his studio Boss Key Productions.
• He described himself as a "functioning alcoholic" during much of his career, often developing games while hungover and using alcohol to cope with stress and sleep issues.
• Bleszinski acknowledged the heavy drinking culture in the video game industry, noting frequent parties and events where alcohol was prevalent, which contributed to his high tolerance and drinking habits.
• After suffering a seizure related to his drinking earlier this year, he sought treatment, is now four months sober, and is focused on recovery, therapy, and improving his health.
• Looking ahead, Bleszinski hopes to return to game development with a focus on player-versus-environment (PvE) experiences rather than PvP, aiming to create memorable characters and worlds that resonate with fans.