A moment of silence for Gary Gygax
by Dave Young · 03/04/2008 (2:09 pm) · 28 comments
This is some of the saddest news I've ever heard:
Gary Gygax dies at 69
When D&D 3rd Edition came out, I stood at GenCon and approached him in his booth at a time when no one was there just to have an extra minute with the man who really did change my life.
When I look back pretty much to age 4 or 5 when I played D&D in the back of a station wagon with a handful of borrowed 6 siders from Monopoly and some loose leaf paper, battling troglodytes and kobolds and lizardmen because I had seen my big brother play with my friends, to the RPG Series Course I am writing, this man has touched my life deeply.
If it wasn't for his contribution and pioneering in role playing games and stirring the pot, crusading for free thinking and one of the greatest recreational past times the world has ever seen, I would probably not be a coder today. I've sat behind thousands of hours of gaming sessions with that raw spirit of adventure and wonderment he instilled in me, and strived to manifest it to my players as a Game Master.
In having discussions with parents as to why D&D was OK for their sons to play, in using it as a therapy tool to walk friends through difficult times, to exploring relationships and building lifelong friendships. I don't think the guy knew how big a ripple in the pond he made.
I really can't understate the impact the man has had on me personally and on our industry. Some of the first computer games were role playing games, in the days when we went down to our local IBM shop to pick up floppy disks of Mines Of Moria and Gorp...
So back to that moment when he gave me a few (forgotten...) words of DM inspiration and signed a book I will now treasure more than ever..
Rest in Peace Gary, you're about to begin the big Monty Haul campaign now. Save a seat at the table for me.
Gary Gygax dies at 69
When D&D 3rd Edition came out, I stood at GenCon and approached him in his booth at a time when no one was there just to have an extra minute with the man who really did change my life.
When I look back pretty much to age 4 or 5 when I played D&D in the back of a station wagon with a handful of borrowed 6 siders from Monopoly and some loose leaf paper, battling troglodytes and kobolds and lizardmen because I had seen my big brother play with my friends, to the RPG Series Course I am writing, this man has touched my life deeply.
If it wasn't for his contribution and pioneering in role playing games and stirring the pot, crusading for free thinking and one of the greatest recreational past times the world has ever seen, I would probably not be a coder today. I've sat behind thousands of hours of gaming sessions with that raw spirit of adventure and wonderment he instilled in me, and strived to manifest it to my players as a Game Master.
In having discussions with parents as to why D&D was OK for their sons to play, in using it as a therapy tool to walk friends through difficult times, to exploring relationships and building lifelong friendships. I don't think the guy knew how big a ripple in the pond he made.
I really can't understate the impact the man has had on me personally and on our industry. Some of the first computer games were role playing games, in the days when we went down to our local IBM shop to pick up floppy disks of Mines Of Moria and Gorp...
So back to that moment when he gave me a few (forgotten...) words of DM inspiration and signed a book I will now treasure more than ever..
Rest in Peace Gary, you're about to begin the big Monty Haul campaign now. Save a seat at the table for me.
About the author
#22
He is a legend, the Father of the RPG genre and will be rememebered as such by many.
03/05/2008 (7:32 am)
I've been around, or playing, D&D since I can remember spending a good deal of my youth in Lake Geneva, WI, where Gary lived.He is a legend, the Father of the RPG genre and will be rememebered as such by many.
#23
R.I.P.
03/05/2008 (8:10 am)
I loved TSR games, and I still have a few in my closet collecting dust.R.I.P.
#24
Actually, there's a free one this month!
Sorry for waxing on, but it is getting increasingly apparent at just how much the guy did for us that set so many of us on a course by stirring our imaginations. It's incredible really, I'm reading the same sentiment everywhere. I really doubt he knew the size of it.
03/05/2008 (8:27 am)
For those of you who would like a good laugh and to get in touch with those original memories of your first game experiences, check out the phenomenon known as Kenzer Co and their Knights of the Dinner Table comic based on the Hackmaster spoof RPG. Gary is sort of an inspiration for one of the main characters and if you've never checked this comic out, get ready to blow some time laughing until it hurts.Actually, there's a free one this month!
Sorry for waxing on, but it is getting increasingly apparent at just how much the guy did for us that set so many of us on a course by stirring our imaginations. It's incredible really, I'm reading the same sentiment everywhere. I really doubt he knew the size of it.
#25
03/05/2008 (12:21 pm)
level up... 
#26
I'm actually wearing my D&D shirt today... R.I.P. Gary from both Morrock, me, and Morrock my paladin.
03/05/2008 (12:44 pm)
Started playing D&D 4 years ago and have been in the same campaign (well, different campaigns but the same world story) since with many other capmaigns in between. If it weren't for D&D I would've never come this far into game design or had so much fun on tuesday nights.I'm actually wearing my D&D shirt today... R.I.P. Gary from both Morrock, me, and Morrock my paladin.
#27
03/06/2008 (4:40 pm)
Me and Ashtara will miss you. May all your dragons be gold. R.I.P. Gary.
Torque 3D Owner Gordon Hall
We will miss you Gary.
Thank You for all the fun.
LE