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Gary Gygax has passed away

Started by ConanMK, March 04, 2008, 12:52:12 PM

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Drew

#30
March 04, 2008, 02:19:47 PM
Quote from: KoltarI did meet him.

First time I met him was in Milwaukee at Gencon. This was either the one in 2001 or 2002.

The con had a HUGE attenmdence in numbers that year.

It was late on Saturday, about sometime between 4pm and 6pm. I was in my full Klingon gear - my best looking outfit, in a VERY crowded elevator. Most of the crowd in the elevator were between the ages of 16 and 30. Then I noticed the only other person in the elevator besides me that looked like they were over the age of 30 .  Older gray haired man with a beard. His name badge said:  GARY GYGAX (Yeah it was an appropriate VIP-type badge)

Everyone on the elevator looked a little stressed and tired. Gygax too.

ME in my best LOW Klingon voice:
"SO, Mr. Gygax, did you ever think your little game would turn into all of this?"

He looked at me and smiled and started to laugh:
"No, I never did.."

 He had a big grin from that moment on.
Elevator opened on the Exhibit Hall Floor and I had to get back to arresting people. Glad that I gave him a smile the time I met him.

That's a great anecdote. :)
 

blakkie

#31
March 04, 2008, 02:22:13 PM
He had been in poor health for a while so it isn't entirely surprising. But still jarring. Condolences to his family in friends, I hope they are able see beyond their grief to look back fondly on memories of a life fully lived.
"Because honestly? I have no idea what you do. None." - Pierce Inverarity

Koltar

#32
March 04, 2008, 02:23:14 PM
...by-the-way, just about every RPG we play owes that guy for starting the whole sha'bang.  Even my favorite game, even World of Warcraft.

Admittedly Dave Arneson helped birth D&D, and so did that Wesley guy - but the Gaming Industry owes Gygax.


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shewolf

#33
March 04, 2008, 02:34:56 PM
Terrible news.

It's like when Roddenberry died... the end of an era.

I'm gonna run a game for him tonight. Only my 2nd time DMing, but I think a simple one-off will be within my powers.

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Werekoala

#34
March 04, 2008, 02:44:56 PM
'atta girl.

Makes me wonder - will he be doing LARPS now, what with special effects and such being easier, or stick with pencil-and-paper when he runs games?
Lan Astaslem


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J Arcane

#35
March 04, 2008, 02:47:40 PM
The age of real D&D is well and truly dead now.
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Gunslinger

#36
March 04, 2008, 02:52:23 PM
I feel like pulling out the DMG and reading Dragon magazines.  The body has passed but his vision will live on.
 

KenHR

#37
March 04, 2008, 02:53:53 PM
This is awful news.  I remember years back, when Gary first put up his website gygax.com, I wrote him a small note to thank him for all he did for my friends and me growing up.  His reply was immediate, warm and friendly, accepting of praise, and full of little historical anecdotes on medieval warfare.  He was also chuffed that I mentioned liking his polearms article from the Unearthed Arcana.  I treasured that missive and kept it until a Win95 crash wiped my hard drive.

It goes without saying that he will be missed.
For fuck\'s sake, these are games, people.

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Blackleaf

#38
March 04, 2008, 02:54:02 PM
I just bought some "new" back issues of Dragon magazine, and tonight seems like a good night to read Gary's editorials.

JongWK

#39
March 04, 2008, 02:56:59 PM
From CNN and the Associated Press:

QuoteGary Gygax, Dungeons & Dragons creator, dies

Story Highlights    
* Gary Gygax created Dungeons & Dragons with Dave Arneson in 1974
* Role-playing game used medieval characters and creatures, many-sided dice
* Idea was turned into video games, books, movies

MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin (AP) -- 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.
"I give the gift of endless imagination."
~~Gary Gygax (1938 - 2008)

Monster Manuel

#40
March 04, 2008, 02:57:22 PM
I just found out. I'm shocked.

Colonel Play-doh was one of the first people I talked to when I came online. I found his website and emailed him. I was thrilled when he wrote back. I've talked to him a few times since and he's always been great. He really knew what it meant to treat your fans well.

Godspeed.
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jrients

#41
March 04, 2008, 02:57:24 PM
Quote from: J ArcaneThe age of real D&D is well and truly dead now.

Never!  Remember the final words of the original rules: Fight on!
Jeff Rients
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Sean

#42
March 04, 2008, 03:01:44 PM
My condolences to his family and friends.

Our group's gonna delve into his C&C Mouths of Madness adventure at the weekend - honour the fire.

Blackleaf

#43
March 04, 2008, 03:05:07 PM
Quote from: jrientsNever!  Remember the final words of the original rules: Fight on!

Well said.
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