Founder of People Can Fly leaves studio

Adrian Chmielarz and two senior artists have left People Can Fly, the Polish studio responsible for Bulletstorm and the forthcoming Gears of War: Judgment.

Chmielarz was creative director at the studio. The other leaves are Andrzej Poznanski, a lead artist, and Michal Kosieradzki, a principal artist.

Creators of Gears of War, Epic Games, bought a majority share in People Can Fly in 2007, and have been working closely with the studio ever since.

In statement to Polygon, Epic Games president Mike Capps said the three leavers have departed in order to “pursue other opportunities”. Chmielarz plans to announce what he will be doing next when he is ready.

“Over the past decade, they have been instrumental in building People Can Fly into the talented team that it is today. We wish them well in their future endeavours. People Can Fly remains excited to release Gears of War: Judgment to fans early next year,” Capps added.

Soon after news broke, Chmielarz reassured fans via Twitter that the fate of Gears of War: Judgement wouldn’t be negatively impacted by the departure: “Gears fans, you’re going to love Judgment. It’s in great hands. And don’t worry, you’ll hear about my plans soon enough. :)”

Chmielarz founded People Can Fly in 2002. The studio is currently working with Epic Games on Gears of War: Judgement for the Xbox 360. The 2004 shooter Painkiller first got the studio noticed followed by its work on the PC port of Gears of War.

Chmielarz’s departure comes after Gears of War producer Rod Fergusson left Epic for Irrational Games where he will be working on BioShock Infinite.

Last week Epic announced the formation of a new studio in Maryland, Impossible Studios.