This was posted on Palladium's site (http://www.palladiumbooks.com/press/erick.html) earlier today:
QuoteSad News about Erick Wujcik
By Kevin Siembieda
I'm afraid I have some sad and shocking news. I've tried a dozen different ways to write this, but none of them sound right. So I'll just say it:
My sweet, brilliant friend – Erick Wujcik – is dying of cancer.
Yes, Erick Wujcik, the mastermind behind such role-playing games and RPG products as Amber® Diceless RPG, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles® RPG, Ninjas & Superspies RPG, Weapons & Assassins, Revised RECON®, Rifts® China One & Two, and a host of other RPG books.
Erick, age 56, has pancreatic cancer that has spread to his liver. There was no advance warning. Erick was healthy and doing fine. He thought he had come down with the flu, and when he couldn't shake it, he went to the doctors. The prognosis was unexpected, to say the least.
We thought about letting people know after Christmas, but Erick's time is, all too quickly, running out. We thought it would be wonderful to give the millions of people who have loved the man and played his games, the opportunity to express their appreciation for him. I'm sure Erick will be pleased to read people's warm regards.
While this is sad news that weighs heavily on our hearts, we'd like this website (www.erickwujcik.com (//www.erickwujcik.com)) and the comments posted on it, to be a celebration of Erick's wonderful life.
Just as you did when Palladium announced its Crisis of Treachery, let Erick know how much you have enjoyed his games and ideas. How Ninja Turtles (or Amber or whatever) turned you on to gaming or opened up your mind to new possibilities, and similar commentaries, thoughts and regards. I know your kind words and warm remembrances will put a smile on his face and warm his soul.
We've chosen to go with a blog style. Post as often as you'd like. Share your recollections about encounters with Erick, the first time you heard him speak or met him at a convention, what he and his work has meant to you, funny convention stories, and whatever else feels right.
I can tell you that I love Erick Wujcik. He has been my friend and mentor, confidant and cohort in so many adventures in gaming and in life, that it would be impossible to list them all. I am a better person for having known him, and I have reveled in Erick's intelligence, wit, energy, friendship and the warmth of his smile. I will miss him more than words can express, but I am so lucky, my life so much richer, for having had such a rare gem of a person in it. I smile every time I think about our antics together. How Erick basks in the exuberance of gaming conventions (and life). At how Erick practically floats above the ground at conventions, enthralled in the fun of exchanging ideas, running games, seeing old friends and meeting new people. He simply drinks in the thrill and joy of it all.
I've talked to Erick a lot these past few weeks. He sounds great. Same as always. If you didn't know better, you'd never know anything was wrong.
Erick tells me he has no regrets. And I believe him. Erick is one of those rare individuals who has lived his life to the fullest and lived it well. He has an army of friends that span the globe and he has touched millions more through his works in the role-playing industry and videogames. When you look up the word "networking" in the dictionary, there should be a photograph of Erick Wujcik grinning back at you.
These are just a few tiny things I can tell you about my friend, Erick. I'll have more to say, joined by thousands of others in the days to come.
Smile Erick, you are loved.
Thank you.
Kevin Siembieda
Publisher, Writer, Artist and Friend
December 22, 2007
When I was working on the
Rebma sourcebook for Phage Press and living in Japan, I found out about Roger Zelazny's death as I was flying back to the States on my way to the GenCon Roger was slated to be the guest of honor at. Months before, Erick had mentioned that I'd be able to get a sit-down with Roger during the con. This was prior to me having email, so most communication I had with Erick was via mail.
I found out Roger was dead through an obituary in
Time Magazine.
It felt like a hammer blow, literally stunning me for a few minutes. I couldn't wrap my head around the notion that the creator of
Amber and, at the time, my favorite author, was gone.
This feels much, much worse.
I'm so sorry to hear that!
(And I think Siembieda is a complete fucktard for even mentioning the "Crisis of Treachery" in a message about a friend dying.)
Seanchai
Only the best, most heartfelt wishes to you, Erick. Your games helped me enjoy the hobby!
-=Pete
Erick, you're in my thoughts and prayers.
Same here Erick! I never got into Amber, but TMNT was transcendant in its brilliance. We will miss you!
-clash
Quote from: flyingmiceSame here Erick! I never got into Amber, but TMNT was transcendant in its brilliance. We will miss you!
-clash
It bears repeating: Erick is a GENIUS RPG designer, one of the very best there's ever been. Look at Amber, TMNT, the modules and sourcebooks he wrote--we lose not only an inspiration, but one of the very best of us.
Erick had told me a few weeks back, out of respect to his privacy I hadn't mentioned anything publicly, though I mentioned it without naming names in a blog entry.
Obviously, this is something that hit me pretty hard, and not a day has gone by that Erick hasn't been in my thoughts since he told me.
From my conversations with him, I know Erick is busy right now taking advantage of every day, I wish him, my friend, all the best.
RPGPundit
This sucks.
I'm going to pull out TMNT and play a game with my boys ASAP. They have been asking about it. No time like the present. Thank you Erick.
I didn't have anything deep or extra-special to say, but I added my comment to the others on the site anyway. As I said there, I just give what I've got.
It's a sad time, but also one to celebrate the good works (both on paper and in life) of the man himself.
These are awful news. :(
Putain de dieu...
Ca fait un choc, et j'en perds mon anglais... Hum...
Quite a shock back there, I quite lost my english for a moment. First roger zelazny, then erick wujcik... Life can be pretty harsh sometimes, taking away great people way too soon.
I just hope that erick will be able to enjoy the affection of his family and friends, just as they'll cherish their moments with him.
And I wish them all a lot of strength in this harship.
Simple terrible news. I'm hoping for a miracle.
I´ll miss you, there´s just no one writing like you, Erick.
Wow. Erick's Mystic China remains one of my favorite resources regardless of game or genre.
Erick is a brilliant creative mind and will be missed sorely.
Wow...
I've never met you Erick, but have always thought there would be time.
I will send prayers your way, and keep you in my thoughts, wishing you well this holiday season.
Thank you for designing the game that opened me up to Amber and the greatest role-playing game of all time.
I hope that you will get past your illness, if there is a possibility, I will lend it my belief, and hope that everyone else can conform possibility into probability, then into reality.
Get strong, come back to us.
There are more who crave your influence, I am one.
Quote from: CroakerI just hope that erick will be able to enjoy the affection of his family and friends, just as they'll cherish their moments with him.
And I wish them all a lot of strength in this harship.
I couldn't say it any better, so allow me to piggyback on this sentiment.
I don't know Erick, certainly not at all outside of a gaming context, but everything I know about him directly or indirectly speaks to a true professional, a man who loves gaming in the abstract, gaming in the moment, gamers, game designers, and future gamers/designers. And who acted on it.
(Edited to correct a missing word.)
Man, I can't believe I forgot this!
I have somewhere tucked away, an honest for goodness letter from Erick, printed up on a dot matrix printer. I was about fourteen or fifteen years old, my sister had died just a year or two prior to that and I was head deep in escaping into fantasy, sci-fi and RPG's. Palladium was one of the top dogs in the industry and TMNT was one of my utmost faves.
I wrote Erick a piece of fan mail, along with some teenaged advice about what I wan't Erick to work on next -- I forgot what I asked for exactly but I distinctly remember asking for a cartooned-up version of TMNT (Who Framed Roger Rabbit being my most favoritest movie ever at the time; and not knowing that TOON had either already or soon will exist). He shortly wrote back stating that a lot of my wants will be dealt with in the upcoming Transdimensional TMNT but he wasn't sure if he'll ever get to TMNT in Toontown.
I decided to forgive him for that latter transgression ;) and declare then and there that Erick can do no wrong in my book and he'll have a fan in me forever. None of that has changed one iota.
Thanks, Erick!
Quote from: Elliot WilenI couldn't say it any better, so allow me to piggyback on this sentiment.
You're welcome.
I think we pretty much all share the same feelings, anyway :(
Sad news. Best wishes to Mr. Wujcik from here.
Wow. Just... wow.
So sorry to hear this, Erick -- my thoughts and positive energy are headed in your direction.
Sorry to here about this.:(
Erick, though I never met you I'd like you to know that your gaming products were among the first I purchased as teen. Some of them were directly responsible for me continuing this hobby that has given me so much entertainment and improved my life by having a creative outlet. Without your work, I may not have stuck with the hobby and/or may not have had the same experience.
Thanks, Erick.
I hope things go as well as they possible for you and your family.
TMNT was my first and Amber remains one of my favourites.
Best wishes Erick, and many thanks for so much fun over so many years.
ERICK!!!!
how are U?
Sending best wishes & hugs/luv/prayers/blessings 2 U man!
I know everyone will keep up the luv too!!!!