Rockstar North president Leslie Benzies has left his position at the company, Rockstar have confirmed, and nobody knows where the talented man is headed next.
In a statement issued to Kotaku earlier today, a representative for the studio confirmed Benzies’ departure, having only kind words to say about the departure, with a side of disappointment.
We can confirm that Leslie Benzies went on sabbatical on September 1, 2014 and has decided not to return to work for the company. We are very grateful for Leslie’s contributions to Rockstar over the last 15 years as we worked together to make some amazing games.
Leslie helped us build an incredible team that will continue to create great experiences for our fans. Leslie will always be a friend to the company and of course we are going to miss him but we wish him the absolute best for the future.
Benzies’ name may not ring many bells in your noggin, but you’ve definitely seen the results of his work in a certain hugely-successful series. Joining Rockstar North in 1999, Benzies eventually became a producer and lead developer for the Grand Theft Auto series, including Grant Theft Auto V, a game which received almost universal critical acclaim.
We can’t wait to see where you go next Benzies – you’re sure to be a massive asset for whichever company you’ve decided to join.
