Cliff Bleszinski says ego played a role in LawBreakers’ failure: ‘People are loyal to the game, but they’re not necessarily loyal to the person’

Reflections on LawBreakers and Future Aspirations

LawBreakers, despite being hailed as a remarkable game by many, faced a harsh reality as a commercial failure. Released in 2017, this ambitious shooter from developer Boss Key Productions was ultimately shut down just a year later. The game’s abrupt demise has sparked a flurry of speculation regarding the factors that contributed to its lack of success. Among those pondering the reasons is none other than Cliff Bleszinski, co-founder of Boss Key and a notable figure in the gaming industry, known for his work on the Gears of War franchise.

In a recent interview with 80.lv, Bleszinski shared his insights on the missteps that may have hindered LawBreakers. One significant point he raised was his desire to establish Boss Key as a distinct entity, which inadvertently led to missed collaborative opportunities. Specifically, he mentioned that this ambition cost him the chance to work alongside Rod Fergusson, a key collaborator from his Gears of War days.

Despite the setbacks, Bleszinski’s passion for game development remains undiminished. He expressed a deep-seated yearning to create once more, emphasizing his desire to craft characters and worlds that resonate with players. “At the end of the day, I want to create characters and worlds,” he stated earnestly. “I want to make stuff that people will cosplay as and get tattooed on their bodies.” This longing reflects a commitment to not just game design, but to the cultural impact that games can have on their communities.

AppWizard
Cliff Bleszinski says ego played a role in LawBreakers' failure: 'People are loyal to the game, but they're not necessarily loyal to the person'