Gary Gygax dead

[WolfeMacleod]

Dang...
through a twisted series of events, I might not be here if it weren't for Gary and his creation. Gary was my "Butterfly Effect" that led me to where I am today



Dungeons & Dragons co-creator dies at 69

MILWAUKEE - Gary Gygax, who co-created the fantasy game Dungeons & Dragons and helped start the role-playing phenomenon, died Tuesday morning at his home in Lake Geneva. He was 69.


He had been suffering from health problems for several years, including an abdominal aneurysm, said his wife, Gail Gygax.

Gygax and Dave Arneson developed Dungeons & Dragons in 1974 using medieval characters and mythical creatures. The game known for its oddly shaped dice became a hit, particularly among teenage boys, and eventually was turned into video games, books and movies.

Gygax always enjoyed hearing from the game's legion of devoted fans, many of whom would stop by the family's home in Lake Geneva, about 55 miles southwest of Milwaukee, his wife said. Despite his declining health, he hosted weekly games of Dungeons & Dragons as recently as January, she said.

"It really meant a lot to him to hear from people from over the years about how he helped them become a doctor, a lawyer, a policeman, what he gave them," Gygax said. "He really enjoyed that."

Dungeons & Dragons players create fictional characters and carry out their adventures with the help of complicated rules. The quintessential geek pastime, it spawned a wealth of copycat games and later inspired a whole genre of computer games that's still growing in popularity.

Funeral arrangements are pending. Besides his wife, Gygax is survived by six children.

[Paco Anton]

I played a lot of D&D during my University days. Then I moved to other RPGs and Wargames but always felt that D&D was "the real thing".

Although his creations after he left the D&D franchise are less interesting, I think the gaming community loses a great man.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

He just rolled a "1" on the d20 of life. RIP.

[red-beard]

I guess he didn't have enough hit points left...

Sorry to see him go.

[MRM]

The best group of friends I will ever have in this life were three guys I met at work in college. We bonded over a D&D game in one of our parent's basement that lasted six years. That game was never finished and is rumored to still be stored at the bottom of a box in our DM's house. Our characters were in a rather sticky situation involving a river crossing and a teleportation spell that did something to half our party. We've been planning to complete the adventure for years. I should drop them a note and see if we can do that this summer. Thanks Gary.

[red-beard]

MRM: That story reminds me of a situation where I was asked to be a "relief" DM while someone went to dinner. (This was a large meeting place which met every saturday night). I was always creative. A melee was going on, on board some barge, and the wizard ending up teleporting off the barge. He teleported high, and fell about 30 feet, and broke a leg.

What do you want to do?

"I'll start yelling for help."

Some strangers come over

"Help me, my legs are broken"

"Really?"

"Yes. I have money. Help me to the local temple."

"You have money?"

The locals rob the wizard, and leave him there.

About an hour later, the original DM comes back and is aghast. The players loved it. No one was killed, they lost some gold, but gained REAL WORLD experience. Fun time for all.

[Nathans_Dad]

Man, where is your half-elf/furbolg holy priest/monk with three rings of resurrection when you need him???