Kotaku
The rattling of dice across tabletops around the word falls silent today with the news that co-creator of Dungeons & Dragons and TSR, Gary Gygax, has passed away at the age of 69. The news came via the forums of Troll Lord Games, who publish Gygax's Lejendary Adventures and Castles & Crusades sourcebooks, delivered via his son Ernie Gygax. He died in his home, having been in failing health for some time, suffering several strokes and a near heart-attack. Gygax was an inspiration to the gaming industry, with his work directly or indirectly influencing entire genres - role-playing games and MMORPGs specifically. I probably wouldn't be writing this right now if the thought of missing my weekly D&D games hadn't kept me from allocating my 6'6" frame towards more sporting endeavors. Gary Gygax may have passed on, but the legacy he leaves to gaming will live on forever. Rest in peace, Dungeon Master.
Gary Gygax [Troll Lord Games Forums]
Photo by Alan De Smet
Comments
Never played DD, really, but he was funny in Futurama. Quite the legacy to leave though. (The game, not the cameo)
+1 day of sadness
This is quite sad ... his impact on all forms of gaming was immense.
Sad, he had so much to do with so much, both pen & paper and videogame related. He'll be missed.
This is a very sad day. My prayers to Mr. Gygax's family and friends. He was one of the most creative minds of our time who helped steer a generation of gamers and writers.
Sad...But at least we all still have Dave Arneson alive and well.
I was just about to send this to you guys. Figure you found it after the blu ray thing.
Decades worth of memories from this guy. I hope he's rolling 20's with his NPC's in the fifth layer of archeron, two doors down past the traps he set filled with lvl 1 character skulls.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!
this sucks. i knew this guy.
Must have missed his saving throw......
Tragically, he rolled a 3 on his finally saving throw.
A sad day indeed. Rest in peace.
Sounds like he critically failed his heart condition roll.
Godspeed, oh grandfather of geeks. Hopefully you lived a good, comfortable life.
Thanks Gary for all your work!
RIP
Today, the universe rolled a 1. The game will live forever.
can I have his stuff?
J/k I loved that guy he was great on futurama and he helped influence all RPGS
People probably do not realize just how big an impact he has had on all facets of gaming due to the creation of D&D. Think of all the current games that have even the slightest of RPG systems, like CoD4, etc. All this stuff has evolved from RPG stuff that was developed by him back in the early 70's.
I never played D&D, but I know a lot of people that do. Regardless, RIP.
This is such a shame. Without wanting to sound like too much of a geek, I play D&D most weekends with friends, I have for years. I'm sure he'll be sorely missed and fondly remembered by all in the gaming community.
I think what might be most unfortunate is that he won't be around for the new edition of the game, released in the summer. Sad news :-(
R.I.P.
Never really got into D&D, but this is still a sad, sad day. He's influenced nerds everywhere in the gaming community, including video games.
Rest in peace, Mr. Gygax.
I've never understood D&D, but I'll admit role playing games as we know them wouldn't exist if it wasn't for this guy.
Never played D&D seriously myself, but anybody who's ever played a game with HIT POINTS owes the man a debt of gratitude, and that was the smallest of his contributions to our passtime/hobby that is gaming.
Truly a great man, he will be missed.
@user_21938: Man I was trying to think of something witty without sounding overused/sarcastic, but this takes the cake...an internet to you sir.
RIP Mr Gygax, your legacy shall live on in the dice.
The man who helped find a way to translate actual skills and experience into paper form for all of us to raise and fight over. RIP, Dungeon Master, and thank you for giving us a way to adventure.
@Mr.SithNinja: I hate you soooooo much.
RIP geek God
So long Gary you will be *rolls dice*...sorely missed
ah, 9th grade gym class would have been awful had it not been for D&D.
i rolled a 1 on saving vs being sad about this.
at least now i have an excuse to try to re-start the weekly gaming sessions. it's hard now that we're all lvl 30 Career Workers, but damn if i won't try...
Holy shit.
Excuse my language, but this man may have had more of an impact on the game industry than any other figure. If not for him we wouldn't have the same games we do today, and RPGs may not even exist. He even influenced the way many of us speak online.
My thoughts go out to his family and the millions of D&D players.
Rest in peace my good man.
And +1 ditto to everyone else's comments.
He's gone up to that great table in the sky where every roll is a natural 20 and every saving throw is made.
Rest in peace.
So many fond childhood memories of mine can be directly and indirectly attributed to his work. They need a video game hall of fame with him having a special place in it.
Very sad....this man contributed much to my young teenage years and my imagination in general...
Roll for grief.
Perfect 20. :(
Someone who filled so many minds with ideas. I never played DD, but we've all played games based on it in one form or fashion.
Rest in peace.
I played D&D once.
The world will live on through its imagination thanks to Gary Gygax. Rest in peace, brave knight, may the wings of Pelor deliver you safely to a better place.
Thanks for everything,
Rest in Peace.
RIP man. This is a sad day for nerds like us everywhere. Think I'm gonna go watch that Futurama episode now.
Did he drop any loot?
I'm a huge fan of the idea of Dungeons & Dragons, but I was sadly never able to convince any of my friends that it could be fun. I've never played the game, but I've owned sourcebooks and created characters before. Hmm... I have enjoyed many video games based on D & D, though. Icewind Dale, Baldur's Gate, Planescape Torment. If I'm not mistaken, they were all related to D & D, though if I'm incorrect, I know that at least Baldur's Gate was.
This makes me feel real old :(
@Machete_Bear: +10 sadness :(
Sad. No cleric resurrection spell...
i bet dave arneson is pleased.
@Norellicus: My first internet. How oddly appropriate :)
A brief list of games influenced by one E. Gary Gygax:
Final Fantasy
The Legend of Zelda
Adventure
RPGs
JRPGs
Most other games
RIP Master of Dungeon Masters.
@NegativeGhostrider: HAHAHAHAHA Sorry gang.....but thats pretty funny.....
I was gonna say "69 Dude!" but your comment is way funnier.
@baked ham: www.myth-weavers.com
Play it online :)
:( One of gaming's gods has left us today.
He was truly the 1st edition Dungeon Master Guide.
I still remember the intro he wrote in his manuals and the imagination and wonder his books and creations spurred.
Normally its not nice to make fun of death, but with this one the options are limitless. Plus I know if he were still alive he wouldn't mind
That's a shame... I've only played D&D a few times, but he was an influence on much of gaming. And he had one of the best last names ever.
sadness, anyone want to play D&D for the next billion years?
I'm a 10th level vice president
I never played D&D, but I always wanted too. But if it wasn't for him, there wouldn't be an RPG genre of video games.
He looked good, and 69 is really too young these days. It 's raining here in Manhattan at least we know why.
@Dauragon C. Mikado: Internet drops Tears of Mourning
Additional sad face.
All we need is a sprinkle of holy water and some diamonds and... *sigh* Too bad True Resurrection doesn't work for real. :| His work touched so many lives and inspired so many people. A life well lived, I'd say.
Rest in Peace, Gary.