Electronic Arts chief creativer director Rich Hilleman leaves the company

One of Electronic Art’s oldest employees is no longer with the publisher.

EA confirmed to GamesBeat that Rich Hilleman, who was serving as chief creative director, has left the company. Hilleman joined EA back in 1982. He was instrumental in the creation of the Madden series of football games, one of the most successful franchises in the history of the industry. It’s also the second-best selling sports franchise, only behind FIFA (also from EA).

“Rich Hilleman is a pioneer — a creative mind whose work influenced many games at EA and beyond,” Electronic Arts told GamesBeat. “We are thankful to Rich for his contribution over more than 30 years with the company, and we look forward to seeing what he pursues next.”

We do not know what Hilleman’s next career move will be or if it will still be in the games industry.