D&D creator dies, aged 69

Author: Joe Martin
Published: 5th March 2008
Comments (22) Stumble
D&D creator dies, aged 69

Gary Gygax, co-creator of Dungeons and Dragons, has passed away aged 69.

Gary Gygax, the co-creator of the phenomenally successful Dungeons and Dragons brand, has been confirmed dead today. Gygax had been seriously ill for some time and passed away today, aged 69.

The death was confirmed by the head of Troll Lord Games, the current publisher for Dungeons and Dragons.

Even if you aren't an old-school tabletop RPG fan, then it's doubtless that you'd be familiar with the work and influence of Gary and the Dungeons and Dragons brand - Baldur's Gate, Eye of the Beholder, Planescape: Torment and Neverwinter Nights all use the D&D ruleset.

Other classic CRPGs such as Fallout, Ultima, Diablo and Vampire: The Masquerade are seperate from the franchise but are heavily inspired by the source material.

So, how should we honour the great man who bought us both dungeons and dragons? Will you raise a glass of ale in his name from within your RPG of choice? Either way, why not head to the forums and say a few words about your favourite RPG?

Photo courtesy of Alan De Smet
Quote Multiplectic 5th March 2008, 10:42
A very well deserved farewell to an awesome guy who gave us lots of fun. Rest in peace, Gary Gygax.
Quote UncertainGod 5th March 2008, 11:10
Fair thee well traveller.
Quote chicorasia 5th March 2008, 11:13
D&D has had so much influence in popular culture (countless movies, cartoons, tv series, music, games...), it is hard to believe that Gary's passing away has gone unnoticed by the media in general.

Extremetech's Loyd Case wrote a very nice article about him yesterday:
http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1697,2272934,00.asp
Quote steveo_mcg 5th March 2008, 11:18
Penny Arcade were as usual quick of the mark with this also.
Quote Orlix 5th March 2008, 11:19
Ultima series are my favourite games. The best was #4. I also liked Baldur's Gate.... Gary, thank you for all the fun.
Quote Arkanrais 5th March 2008, 11:25
goodnight sweet prince.
but really, I don't care. my grandmother died last night at age 90 something.
Quote Delphium 5th March 2008, 11:47
RIP Gary, you will be missed, but not forgotten!!! :'(

Penny arcade indeed quick off the mark.

I think this comic also sums up how many us have an eternal thanks to you.
Quote Veles 5th March 2008, 12:04
Troll Lord games? I'm pretty sure WotC are the people publishing D&D

EDIT: Ah I see he worked for Troll Lord creating adventures and the like for it.

RIP Gary, whether you've played D&D on the tabletop or not, it's been a massive influence on modern culture.

He's probably not been mentioned on mainstream web site because he spawned a generation of devil worshipping teenagers of course

At least he won't have to deal with WotC *******ising his creation (in his eyes at least) any more, he's always been quite vocal about his dislike for the newer D&D systems. I do share some of his views but on the whole I do disagree with him.
Quote Neat69 5th March 2008, 12:06
RIP.

Now mentioned on the BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7278927.stm
Quote CardJoe 5th March 2008, 12:10
Quote:
Originally Posted by Delphium


I think this comic also sums up how many us have an eternal thanks to you.

Hell yes. As they say "You didn't create us, but we wouldn't exist if it weren't for you."
Quote Delphium 5th March 2008, 12:27
Quote:
Originally Posted by CardJoe
Hell yes. As they say "You didn't create us, but we wouldn't exist if it weren't for you."

Amen, that comment moved me, and is truth in pure form.
Quote Veles 5th March 2008, 13:05
It is amazing the effect D&D had on modern society, even on people that had virtually no contact (or at least thought they did) with the game.
Quote DXR_13KE 5th March 2008, 13:24
sleep well.....
Quote proxess 5th March 2008, 13:39
RIP
Quote Flibblebot 5th March 2008, 13:43
Bear in mind that D&D attracted the wrath of the ignorant, unwashed masses carrying flaming torches and accusing D&D of being played by satanists and mass murderers - twenty years before video games became the target!

RIP.
Quote Da Dego 5th March 2008, 15:17
Blessings of Ilmater and Tyr upon thee, Gary. :)

Wow, I'm more of a geek than I thought.

/goes and hides
Quote Cabe 5th March 2008, 15:28
God : You must roll on a d20 to pass the Gates into Heaven.
Gygax : Whaddya know, natural 20.

Bless you for many, many good times.
Quote Redbeaver 5th March 2008, 16:10
LOTRO players salute you!

Rest In Peace, Gary!
Quote pendragon 5th March 2008, 18:17
Gary's spirit will never fade away as long as people keep playing D&D. .and I don't know about the rest of you, but I aim to keep his spirit alive. RestInPeace, Sir
Quote supermonkey 5th March 2008, 19:42
Lucky guy; now he's immune to the effects of critical hits.

Man, I really really want to start playing again.

-monkey
Quote Skill3d 5th March 2008, 19:47
Rest in peace, Gary

and thank you for all the fun... from D&D (based) games

btw:
grammar: last alinea the great man who "bought" us >> shouldn't it read "brought"?
Quote CardJoe 6th March 2008, 17:18
http://icanhascheezburger.com/2008/03/04/dnd-kitteh-morns-loss-of-gary-gygax/
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