The world just got a little darker.

I've got no words. I didn't expect this. This man, along with Dave Arneson, were the ones who created this hobby of ours. And now, he's gone.

Requiescat in pace.

Shitty.

Quote from: Caesar SlaadFond farewells to the man whose works have help enrich my life..

True words. Farewell Gary.

I'm very glad now I got to meet him at the last GenCon. I had a few nice words with him and his wife outside the doors. He looked amazingly like my late father if he had had long hair.

-clash

I am very sad to hear this.  I was hoping to meet him someday and thank him in person and shake his hand.   May he rest in peace.

My condolences to friends and family.

Seanchai

Quote from: pspahnIf this is not a hoax, this really sucks.

It's the official Troll Lord forums. Those guys a) are as likely to be in the know as anyone in the gaming scene and b) have too much to lose to make jokes about this.

Quote from: walkerpWow.  I'm stunned.  I was just thinking the other day how old he had looked at GenCon but that he still seemed to be gaming away.  I'm glad he got such a great honouring at GenCon at least before he went.

Well said. Looking over at Dragonsfoot, he was still posting away, clearly enjoying sharing the hobby with his fans, through last week. He died with his boots on.

Terrible news! I knew he was in poor health, but its still shocking to hear this today.

Like so many people here, Gary made a lasting impact in my life. I can't imagine the person I would be without AD&D. I grew up playing his game, and I am still playing it. Through his game and Appendix N of the DMG, I discovered some of my favorite authors and found a world of fantasy beyond Tolkien. I have forged lifelong friendships through his game, and had adventures in other realms I never would have had.

R.I.P. Gary, and thanks for everything!

What really shocking and saddening news.  Gary's work was something that gave me countless hours of happiness, and he seem like a really nice guy.  I had hoped to meet him in person one day, and appreciate that I at least got the chance to chat with him online.  

My sincerest condolences to his family and friends.

This is very sad. My condolences and my everlasting never enough thanks to Gary for making the world a better place.

man...he was very much like the "cool uncle" i never knew that helped me get through high school, encouraged me to read and learn, and gave me a hobby that would last well into my adult years.

my condolences as well...

Quote from: VBWyrdeI am very sad to hear this.  I was hoping to meet him someday and thank him in person and shake his hand.   May he rest in peace.

I 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 attendence 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.


- Ed C.

I've had a little time to collect my thoughts here...I got to meet Gary at last year's Gen Con (and am so very glad I did), and spoke with him briefly.  We had traded correspondence in the couple of years before then, and he was always polite, friendly, and full of enthusiasm.  I had my pic taken with him, which is one of my favorite pics of all time:



I really feel like I've lost a family member.  If you think about it, if not for him, most of us here that are friends wouldn't know each other if not for Gary.  We've lost the All-Father, and I'll miss him terribly.  But I know we'll keep that torch going forward.