Epic Games president Mike Capps is stepping away from his 10-year role for a new venture: fatherhood.
Writing on his company's blog, Capps says that he'll remain involved with Epic in an advisory role, but he's retiring from his presidential seat.
It's the latest high-profile (amicable) departure from Epic Games this year, which saw the departure of production director Rod Fergusson, who joined BioShock house Irrational Games, and Gears of War lead Cliff Bleszinski.
All of these departures followed a big investment from Chinese online giant Tencent, it may be worth mentioning.
"After dedicating a decade of my life to Epic, and with so many close friends here, it's impossible to just walk away. I absolutely love this company," he said in a statement.
The Epic veteran and his wife are expecting a baby boy, and he said his plans include being a stay at home dad for a while, "cleaning up baby barf," and possibly doing some teaching, writing and philanthropic work.
Capps expressed confidence that Epic execs Paul Meegan, VP of development, and John Farnsworth, VP operations could pick up where he leaves off.
"I’ll continue to be available as a resource to Epic, to provide context or advice where I can. Whatever I can do to help in Epic's success."
Epic's business is in a state of flux, as the company transitions to support next generation game hardware with its upcoming Unreal Engine 4. It recently expanded with a Seattle-based location dedicated to engine development.
Epic's other recent expansion moves include new Maryland-based game development house Impossible Studios, and the outright purchase of Poland Bulletstorm developer People Can Fly. The company has locations in North Carolina, Washington, Utah, Maryland, Poland, Korea and Japan.
I love this. Both Mike and Cliff enjoyed huge financial windfalls from Epic and decided to do something *else* instead of hoarding it or starting a new tech company. It's sort of beautiful.
I think it's actually a very rational thing to do. We've reached a point where the industry of game development may or may not shift vastly in one of several directions. Epic's strategy, as I understand it, has relied on the ability to predict mid-term trends, rather than setting new ones. It made sense ten years ago. It probably will make sense again in two or three years. But it's just a gamble right now. I imagine if I were Capps (though I must admit we have very little in common), I would definitely wait it out.
Beautiful my butt. None of his employees have the "luxury" of eating dinner with their families or tucking their kids into bed at night. So now one kid gets a fulltime father. That's great. Doesn't make up for the dozens who weren't even accorded a part time one by Mike Capps management policies.
Ah, that's Mike Capps? For some reason I thought it was Mark Rein. Maybe Epic can find someone to sensibly manage their employees now.
The sooner people like Mike Capps are out of the industry, the better for everyone else working in the industry.
And of all things, has basically declared parenting (or having a life of any kind, for that matter) as incompatible with game development. Which is great for the 1% who can afford to retire to raise their kids. Doesn't work so well for the rest of us.
Agreed , I once lived for work.. But after my twin boys were born I now work freelance' i work only in there naps and when they sleep at night. I still do 5-6 hours per day but 7 days a week..
I spend all day with them.. Happiest me and my wife have ever been!!
The sooner people like Mike Capps are out of the industry, the better for everyone else working in the industry.
I spend all day with them.. Happiest me and my wife have ever been!!