Amazon Game Studios snaps up former long-time EA creative director Rich Hilleman

Industry veteran Rich Hilleman has jumped ship to Amazon Game Studios following his departure from EA after more than three decades at the publisher.

Hilleman joined EA as a support specialist in 1982, becoming its 39th employee.

He later went on to work on the John Madden Football and NHL Hockey (as they were known then) franchises for the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, helping to build up what would become the EA Sports brand.

In 2008, he was promoted to chief creative director. He left the firm after more than three decades in mid-May of this year.

Announcing his move to Amazon Game Studios on Facebook, Hilleman said: “It’s time to use these hands again.

“Today I join a number of old friends, and some new ones as part of Amazon’s Game Studios. I will be doing a number of things you will recognize, and some new things that will surprise you.”

He concluded: “John Lee didn’t fade away, and I won’t either."