Former Epic president Mike Capps stepped down as president of the company last year, but remained in an advisory role to aid in Epic's transition. That changed on Friday, when he revealed on Facebook he has not been affiliated with the company since Feb. 12, in part due to a soon-to-come addition to his family.
"When we announced that I wanted to transition out of my leadership role at Epic, the plan was for a continued but less active role, service on the board of directors, and ideally, being that eccentric semi-retired guy who still comes to playtests and gold parties. I'm sad to say that plans have changed," he wrote on Facebook.
Capps' leaving Epic isn't an isolated event in the past year. Both Cliff Blezinski, former creative director, Epic's public face and sometimes "Gears of War" lancer wielder, and former executive director for the "Gears of War" series Rod Ferguson departed the company on reportedly amicable terms. Thus far Ferguson is the only one to jump right back into the industry, working alongside Ken Levine on "Bioshcok Infinite" over at Irrational Games. Blezinski has taken to the refuge of scalywags and reprobates, and started a blog.
Capps, with a kid on the way, says:
"So what's next for me? Games have been so good to me, and I'm delighted to have the time to give back," he writes. "I'm considering seats on a few company and advisory boards, as well as options for teaching at one of the world-class universities in the North Carolina Triangle area." Capps is also considering doing a little teaching as well.
It seems, on the surface of it, Epic is just running through a natural time of transition, especially with the next generation ramping up all over the industry. But who knows? Maybe the three have some diabolical plan up their sleeve. We'll just have to wait and see.