Dungeons & Dragons fans this week are mourning the death of Gary Gygax, 69, co-creator of what went from being a popular face-to-face game to being a much played online game as well.
The official Dungeons & Dragons Web site run by Wizards of the Coast (a Hasbro division) posted the following on its home page Tuesday:
"Today, Wizards of the Coast was deeply saddened to learn that Gary Gygax passed away in his home at age 69. Gygax was co-creator of the Dungeons & Dragons game. His innovation created an entirely new type of hobby that now attracts millions of players worldwide to face-to-face and online role-playing games. Gygax was a grand storyteller renowned for his unique style, sprawling 'Gygaxian' adventures and the fantastic World of Greyhawk. He inspired generations of players, designers and authors, and he will be sorely missed by legions of fans. We extend our deepest condolences to his family and friends."
Gygax and cohort Dave Ameson first published Dungeons & Dragons in 1974 through a Gygax-owned company. The basic game mainly consists of rule books, polyhedral dice and character sheets.
Gygax was said to have lamented the rise of computer graphics in online games in that they curtailed some of the imagination needed to play the tabletop versions.
Gygax's death has inspired a flood of stories and headlines playing off of D&D terms that players insist the game creator would have appreciated (for example, Tributes to Gary Gygax Roll In, D&D co-creator Gary Gygax now beyond scope of healing spells and Gary Gygax rolls his final twelve-sided die).
"Dungeons & Dragons Game Co-Creator Dies" Comments