Gary Gygax, 1938-2008: Rest in peace, Dungeon Master

Gary Gygax at Gen Con 2007

(Credit: Alan De Smet)

Gary Gygax, co-creator of Dungeons & Dragons and one of the fathers of tabletop role-playing games, died on Tuesday at the age of 69. He had suffered from heart problems.

The news was first announced on the message board of Troll Lord Games, the publisher of Gygax's most recent works. It has since been directly confirmed by the company, which will post an announcement on its Web site later Tuesday.

Gygax was best known for helping create Dungeons & Dragons and Advanced Dungeons & Dragons. He also pioneered tabletop role-playing games. The first D&D rulebooks were released in 1974 by TSR, and since then have produced three full-fledged sequels, numerous revisions and updates, and dozens upon dozens of additional rulebooks, settings, and campaigns. While Gygax hadn't had much direct involvement with D&D for many years, he developed and contributed to many role-playing games, including Troll Lord Games' Gary Gygax's Fantasy Worlds.

If not for his contributions, video games and geek culture would probably look much different than it does today. Beyond jokes about "d20s" and "saving throws," D&D's systems and mythos have spawned many excellent games, including Baldur's Gate and Planescape: Torment.

Dungeons & Dragons continues to develop. Since TSR was purchased by Wizards of the Coast, the game has seen even more expansions and updates. The company released Dungeons & Dragons 3rd Edition in 2000, and Dungeons & Dragons 4.0 is scheduled to ship in June. Though he didn't actively produce the latest editions of the game, neither they nor the countless video games, books, and other media that carry the D&D name would have been possible without him.

[iwarrior-poet]

What a sad day

He made it possible for all of us gamers to actively participate in the fantasy genre that we all love so much. His passing is a sad, sad day. We were very lucky to have had his momentous contributions. Rest in Peace, DM to us all.

[iwarrior-poet]

What a sad day

He made it possible for all of us gamers to actively participate in the fantasy genre that we all love so much. His passing is a sad, sad day. We were very lucky to have had his momentous contributions. Rest in Peace, DM to us all.

[archonadept]

Constitution Check - FAILED

Gary must have forgotten to carry his lucky d20 with him!

He shall be missed.

[archonadept]

Constitution Check - FAILED

Gary must have forgotten to carry his lucky d20 with him!

He shall be missed.

[archonadept]

Constitution Check - FAILED

Gary must have forgotten to carry his lucky d20 with him!

He shall be missed.

[archonadept]

Consitution check - FAILED

Guess Gary wasn't carrying around his lucky d20 when it struck.

He shall be missed!

[archonadept]

Consitution check - FAILED

Guess Gary wasn't carrying around his lucky d20 when it struck.

He shall be missed!

[archonadept]

Constitution Check - FAILED

Gary must have forgotten to carry his lucky d20 with him!

He shall be missed.

[magnusfl]

Rest in peace to one who created so much

The gaming, hobby and role-play world would be very different with out his influence so even if you did not like DND you should still respect him for the other games his creation inspired.

[magnusfl]

Rest in peace to one who created so much

The gaming, hobby and role-play world would be very different with out his influence so even if you did not like DND you should still respect him for the other games his creation inspired.

[Hyacinthe777]

Thanks for keeping me sane...

I don't know about you all, but if it hadn't been for Gary Gygax and D&D (and later AD&D) i probably would have gone all Coumbine in highschool... though that was quite a few years BEFORE columbine, so they would probably have named it after me. Anyways, sorry you failed your last saving throw gary, and thanks for keeping me sane.

[Hyacinthe777]

Thanks for keeping me sane...

I don't know about you all, but if it hadn't been for Gary Gygax and D&D (and later AD&D) i probably would have gone all Coumbine in highschool... though that was quite a few years BEFORE columbine, so they would probably have named it after me. Anyways, sorry you failed your last saving throw gary, and thanks for keeping me sane.

[adlieb]

Lucky Dice, Saving throws, and years of love...

Thank you so much for creating something that gave me years and years enjoyment, with many more to come. Since third grade I've been playing the games you've enspired, and the video games that followed. 17 years since my first Box Set of D&D, I still have every rulebook/sourcebook I've ever purchased (1st Ed. through 3rd), and many other games beyond. Thank you so much for your life long love of the imagination.

I don't think that you failed your saving throw, either. Your lucky D20, and all of your other skills that you've aquired have just gone with you, to the next level. Obviously you finally found that "10th" level wizard spell "Divine Ascension"!!! Long live your creations.

[adlieb]

Lucky Dice, Saving throws, and years of love...

Thank you so much for creating something that gave me years and years enjoyment, with many more to come. Since third grade I've been playing the games you've enspired, and the video games that followed. 17 years since my first Box Set of D&D, I still have every rulebook/sourcebook I've ever purchased (1st Ed. through 3rd), and many other games beyond. Thank you so much for your life long love of the imagination.

I don't think that you failed your saving throw, either. Your lucky D20, and all of your other skills that you've aquired have just gone with you, to the next level. Obviously you finally found that "10th" level wizard spell "Divine Ascension"!!! Long live your creations.

[tricky199]

So long and thanks, Gary!

Everything I ever really needed to know I learned from Dungeons & Dragons.

[tricky199]

So long and thanks, Gary!

Everything I ever really needed to know I learned from Dungeons & Dragons.

[ReyBrujo]

A sad day for an old gamer

My first three or four sessions ended in death, as I always considered numbers as simple statistics. Attacking someone that was just two or three points average above me didn't appear that bad until a friend sacrificed himself to save me. That is when the whole game "clicked" for me.

Even though I am not playing that often lately, D&D and derivatives are part of me. I am going to miss him :-(

As a side note, image credit should go to Alan De Smet instead of Wikimedia, since that it is what is stipulated in the image license.

[ReyBrujo]

A sad day for an old gamer

My first three or four sessions ended in death, as I always considered numbers as simple statistics. Attacking someone that was just two or three points average above me didn't appear that bad until a friend sacrificed himself to save me. That is when the whole game "clicked" for me.

Even though I am not playing that often lately, D&D and derivatives are part of me. I am going to miss him :-(

As a side note, image credit should go to Alan De Smet instead of Wikimedia, since that it is what is stipulated in the image license.

[Bog97th]

The Master of the Game!

The great creator of the game we all spent so much time playing,enjoying and living...... You will be missed and are VERY much admired by millions of us gamers. I only wish I could have meant the guy who created this awesome game and who lead me to find many new friends and my wife.
May you be reincarnated Gary and come play at my house the door will always be open........

[Bog97th]

The Master of the Game!

The great creator of the game we all spent so much time playing,enjoying and living...... You will be missed and are VERY much admired by millions of us gamers. I only wish I could have meant the guy who created this awesome game and who lead me to find many new friends and my wife.
May you be reincarnated Gary and come play at my house the door will always be open........