Dear Esther, Mirror's Edge artist joins Valve

Former EA DICE artist Robert Briscoe has joined Valve Software after almost five years working as an independent.

In a post on his personal website, Briscoe explained that the success of his commercial remake of Dear Esther - originally a popular mod for Valve's Source Engine from The Chinese Room - had given him the opportunity to continue as an independent. However, the isolated lifestyle that goes with that freedom had become difficult to bear.

"So I've decided I need a break from the solitary life I've been living these past years," Briscoe said. "I think I need to be around people for a while; A lot of my energy and enthusiasm comes from being in the presence of people, sharing different ideas, methods and techniques, different views, outlooks and inspirations, and mostly by just being out of my comfort zone - which I have very much slipped into."

Briscoe's chosen destination? Valve Software, a company he has, "long since admired." Briscoe also confirmed that another version of Dear Esther - this time made in Unity - is almost complete.

"As for my indie endeavours? I still have things I want to do in the future, both independently and with [The Chinese Room], so I know I'll come back to it again someday, and have no doubt I will be still tinkering with stuff on the side for some time... but for now I think I just need a change... to make hats... cuz that's what Valve do these days, right?"

Robert Briscoe first entered the games industry at EA DICE in 2007, where his work on Mirror's Edge drew deserved praise.