Bluepoint Games' Co-founder Andy O'Neil dies at age 47

Bluepoint Games announced that its co-founder, Andy O'Neil, passed away in his home last week at age 47.

News comes from Bluepoint Games' Facebook page. The company released the following statement:

"We are sad to announce the passing of one of our founders, Andy O’Neil. Andy was key in the formation of Bluepoint Games and his engineering prowess helped catapult a tiny two-person studio to where we are today.
 
Andy, never afraid of a challenge, drove us to undertake difficult projects and exceed expectations. He would remind us that we do this work not because it is easy, but because it is hard. He always pushed Bluepoint to do great things and we will continue his legacy.
 
For the past 20 years, Andy called Austin his home. Always embraced the local lifestyle. Live music was a big part of him whether attending music festivals or playing his bass guitar for friends at home or around town. He loved the outdoors riding his mountain bike on the nature trails. He was always up for a great martini and enjoyed being with friends and making new ones.
 
Andy’s contributions to the gaming industry will never be forgotten. We are saddened by his passing, but grateful he will forever be a part of our lives."

 
He leaves behind a volume of work: Andy was lead programmer on Metroid Prime before founding Bluepoint Games alongside Marco Thrush; at Bluepoint he remastered God of War for PS3, and lent his programming savvy to games like ICO, Shadow of the Colossus, Metal Gear Solid, Flower, Uncharted, and others.
 
Andy is survived by his brother Alistair, his two nieces Isobel and Lucy, his half-brother David, and his partner Stephanie. He's remembered on his Dignity Memorial page.