Leslie Benzies has left Rockstar North after 15 years of service.
Benzies was president of the Scotland-based studio responsible for some of gaming’s biggest moments, including the 54 million-selling Grand Theft Auto V. Benzies went on sabbatical after that game’s release and has now decided not to return to the company.
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Rockstar North confirmed the news to Kotaku, saying, “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.”
Rockstar North is now being led by studio veterans Aaron Garbut and Rob Nelson, while Benzies’ next move is unknown. One project that Benzies does have in hand is helping with St Stephen’s Stockbridge, a former church in Edinburgh that he purchased back in in the summer of 2014 as a philanthropic act, helping to provide a community center for local residents.