452 Thanks

In the last week or so Click Nothing has taken tens of thousands of hits and generated a couple dozen comments. I have received dozens of messages through Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn and have seen my inbox flooded with dozens more emails of support, of congratulation, and even of thanks - along with not a few condemnations for those respawning checkpoints from the forum kiddies who figured out I was the one responsible.... It's extremely flattering to know that so many of you would read my sentimental goop, nevermind take the time to comment or drop me a line.

I've been pretty irresponsible in getting back to many of you whether simply to thank you for a kind word or to respond to any of the numerous job offers that have been extended. I hope you'll please consider this post to be the thank-you that you may not receive personally, as there is just no way I am going to be able to get back to everyone. So thank you all so much for your kindness.

I'd also like to take a moment to address a couple of points. It seems that there are some misunderstandings and rumors floating around that I might as well clear up.

First, I am not planning to leave the game industry behind. Maybe the overwealming melancholy of the previous post left the impression that my departure was more extreme or more permanent than I hope or expect it will be. I apologize for any misunderstanding. I still expect to spend the rest of my life or so making games, it just might take me a little while to get that mission back on track. That said, I am not in a hurry. I am going to take the time I need to make sure that the decision I make is the right one. I promise to let you all know in due time when I know where I am going and what I am doing.

Second, as you can probably now guess from the point above, I am not currently employed. You thought respawning checkpoints were bad, but in a time where respawning banks have fucked up the entire economy, some may rightfully think it is nuts to jump without a parachute. I assure you that, as foolhardy as it may seem, my decision was taken neither quickly, nor rashly, and I have been uncharacteristically prudent in my evaluations and actions. For reasons far, far beyond the scope of this post to enumerate I felt the best path forward for me was to go parachute-less. I am not at all worried that I have the time for a little freefall while I figure things out - so please don't worry about that.

Third, if you are one of those people offering a job, or just trying to touch base via LinkedIn or another social network to discuss different opportunities - thanks a million. As much as the support and encouragement of friends and well-wishers nourishes the soul, ultimately it will be the nourishment of a hot meal that I am going to need to sort out in the long term. I am currently in the process of gathering my options, but I am taking it slow and I am leveraging my most direct contacts first, so it might be some time before I get back to you. This certainly does not mean I am not interested - only that I have limited bandwidth now that I am without my army of personal assistants and hot secretaries.

Finally, I am not fat anymore:

 
So while I truly appreciate all the coverage in, and links from, the actual press (which have generated the hits and consequently the offers), please feel free to contact me for an up-to-date photo. I can even provide Speedo shots, or me in fireman gear if the price is right.

Once again, thank you all so much for your support.

More news soon.

More games to follow.

-Clint

Comments

[FinalOption]

Whore

[JackSlack]

Man. Congrats on the weight loss. Honestly, I'd have imagined that was harder than leaving Ubisoft!

Been playing Far Cry 2 again. It's amazing how much my mood affects my play there; last night I was the predator in the bushes, not being spotted until I moved to attack, barely being hit.

This morning I fell down a cliff. Thank goodness I had a buddy on Rescue Ready.

Bit of a difference there.

[Paul]

Goddamn those respawns!

Anyway, it's great to know you are planning to continue making games.
I am still waiting for some Deus Ex like from you, you know.

[Matthew Handrahan]

Hi Clint.

I interviewed you a few months back for games™ magazine, and I've been hunting around for a way to make contact since your departure from Ubisoft. The fact that this is the best I've come up with probably isn't the best advert for my powers of persuasion, but I have a proposition for you – the good kind.

It is our 100th issue in a few months, and I was hoping you'd consider writing a column for us about the last ten years in game design, and what the next ten might hold. Splinter Cell was on the cover of our first issue, and it would bring things full circle to have a record of your thoughts in our 100th.

Sorry to add to what most be a growing mountain of demands on your time, but if you're interested at all, or have any questions, please get in touch via e-mail or Facebook.

All the best, Clint, and good luck for the future. You're an inspiration.

Best,

Matthew Handrahan
Features Editor
games™

[Malodorant]

I'm not a kiddie but I still hate your guts for the respawning check points.

[Chris]

Mr Hocking can you write an article about why Far Cry 2 was such a mess? Im sure you know the problems:
constant respawn,weak gunplay,2d characters,stupid story,malaria,constantly breaking weapons,everyone wants to kill you......You built a great graphics engine for the game but everything else was...Why?

[Ben Otter]

Wow, In a way i'm happy, and in more ways i'm sad. You've removed one of the only people in Ubisoft that made it good, now that your gone, whats left besides the gems in the coal, those few games out of hundreds, what do we have to look forward to? Bleak Video gaming, and the death of a giant. Your name Shall ring on in the black text of credits and the songs of the Gamers from around the world. Good luck, and may your choice be a wise one. But in the end, think if those habits were worth it? There's no such thing as luck. Theres only un-found skill, waiting the be unearthed, but piled upon by modesty and guilt. I hope you've made the right choice, as one like this makes or breaks a life. There have been to many artists that have fallen to modesty, and become part of the blithering sadness as todays modern art, but those such as yourself, stand out. I Wish you good luck in your future en devours. Your fan, Ben Otter

[XMgp]

far cry 2 is a truly great game. With a little more work and time(I won't list what I thought was wrong)it could have been one of the best games ever. Wish you could have gone on to do far cry 3 Clint.