Epic Games Chief Creative Officer Donald Mustard announced on Friday that he’ll be retiring at the end of September after nearly 25 years of employment in the industry. Donald notes involvement with a number of games spanning from Advent Rising in 2005 to the creation of ChAIR Entertainment which launched the Infinity Blade Trilogy, Shadowblade, and developed Undertow for Xbox, and then, of course, the multi-billion dollar (20B as of 2022) behemoth MMORPG phenomenon, Fortnite. Epic CEO Tim Sweeney responded to Donald’s announcement with support by saying “Thanks for amazing times and accomplishments at Epic!”
Per PC Gamer:
“Mustard’s first videogame credit, according to Mobygames, is on the 2002 action game Bloodrayne. In 2005 he co-founded Chair Entertainment, the developer of the Xbox shooter Undertow, which was acquired by Epic Games in 2008. Mustard remained as creative director at the studio, helming the development of Shadow Complex and the Infinity Blade mobile games, until 2016 when he became CCO at Epic.”
From Donald Mustard (via X):
“After an incredible adventure, I will be retiring from my role as Chief Creative Officer at Epic this month.
I have enjoyed nearly 25 years in the game industry collaborating with some of the most talented people ever and I am so proud of what we have made together. From the ambitious Advent Rising, to the start of ChAIR where we created Undertow, Shadow Complex, and the Infinity Blade trilogy, to the honor of our tiny team becoming part of Epic, each new chapter allowed me to accomplish something new and original. I am especially proud of the opportunity I’ve had to help create and shape Fortnite.
I am humbled to have been a part of the team that every day tries to bring ‘joy and delight’ to the Fortnite community! We love watching you experience every moment – leaping from the Battle Bus for the very first time, seeing the rocket crack open the sky, dancing with friends after a Victory Royale, being sucked into a black hole or being washed out to sea as The Island flipped over – and on and on! I can’t wait to now share in the future of Fortnite as a player alongside all of you! The teams are in the best hands and they are working on huge, jaw dropping, amazing things!!!
I’m excited to spend time with my wife and family and am forever grateful for @TimSweeneyEpic and the Epic Games family.“
According to PC Gamer, the soon-to-be former Epic Games Chief Creative Officer plans to spend more time with his wife and family once retirement begins.