Pantelis Kassotis, a dynamic and multifaceted individual of Greek-Canadian heritage, has established himself as a creative force to be reckoned with in the world of video game development and publishing. As the team lead behind Varangian North, he has played a pivotal role in the creation of numerous high-profile titles that have garnered widespread attention and acclaim.
Some of his most notable contributions include his work on Fortnite, a wildly popular battle royale game that debuted in 2017 and has since become a cultural phenomenon. Additionally, Kassotis was instrumental in the development of LEGO Fortnite, a family-friendly spin-off that combines the beloved LEGO brand with the excitement of the Fortnite universe.
In 2023, Kassotis and his team at Varangian North released Rocket Racing, a thrilling new game that combines high-speed racing with the excitement of competitive esports. The same year, they also released Fall Guys, a hilarious and action-packed game that challenges players to navigate a series of obstacle courses and challenges in a battle royale-style competition.
Throughout his career, Pantelis Kassotis has demonstrated a keen eye for innovation and a commitment to creating engaging, high-quality gaming experiences that appeal to a wide range of audiences. His impressive portfolio and dedication to his craft have earned him a reputation as one of the most talented and respected figures in the video game industry.
Pantelis' formative years in Athens, Greece, were characterized by an unwavering enthusiasm for the arts, a passion that would later become a defining aspect of his life's journey.
He embarked on his academic odyssey at the esteemed Lyceum of Agios Stefanos, where he nurtured his artistic inclinations and laid the groundwork for a future that would be rich in creative expression.
Following his secondary education, Pantelis made the bold decision to pursue a degree in business administration at the University of the Aegean in Chios, a choice that seemed to deviate from the traditional path many of his peers were following.
However, despite his initial foray into the realm of business, Pantelis' artistic inclinations never truly dissipated, and he continued to nurture his creative spirit, allowing it to simmer in the background, awaiting the opportune moment to emerge and flourish.
Pantelis, in the midst of his adolescence, dedicated a significant portion of his free time to honing his artistic talents by enrolling in afternoon classes in preparation for a potential future at the prestigious Athens School of Fine Arts. Despite possessing a profound passion for the creative arts, Pantelis ultimately decided to pursue a more stable and secure career path in the realm of business.
As a means of maintaining a connection to his artistic inclinations, Pantelis began to cultivate his skills as a cartoonist, eventually creating a collection of sketches that would lay the foundation for his first comic book, "Eric & Erica." This inaugural work would later be showcased to the public at the esteemed Comicdom Con Athens in the year 2014.
Pantelis embarked on a new creative journey, expanding his repertoire beyond the realm of comic books, as he co-founded the hilarious and entertaining comedy web-series Just Funny in collaboration with his long-time childhood friend and partner in crime, Christos Poulos-Renesis, in the year 2017. The web-series, which premiered on the esteemed platform Funny Or Die, was met with widespread acclaim and success. However, the acquisition of Funny Or Die by Vox Media in 2018 led Pantelis to take a temporary hiatus from the world of animation, during which he pursued a new passion - the art of coding. This unexpected fusion of his animation skills with his newfound coding abilities ultimately proved to be a pivotal moment in his career, as it paved the way for him to explore the realms of game development and visual effects.
Pantelis' initial foray into the world of commercial video game development was marked by the creation of Gluttony in 2021, a project undertaken during his mandatory military service in the Hellenic Army. By December 13th, 2023, Pantelis had successfully published a total of twelve additional indie titles, a testament to his dedication and passion for game development. This impressive portfolio served as a springboard for his next career milestone, as he joined the esteemed ranks of Epic Games, embarking on his first AAA projects and cementing his status as a prominent figure in the industry.
