RIP Gary Gygax

[cryptique]

D&D was never my thing, but many of my friends were completely captivated by it.

 

article

 

Dungeons & Dragons co-creator dies at 69

 

_{By EMILY FREDRIX, Associated Press Writer}

 

MILWAUKEE - Gary Gygax, who co-created the fantasy game Dungeons & Dragons and helped start the role-playing phenomenon, died Tuesday morning at his home in Lake Geneva. He was 69.

 

He had been suffering from health problems for several years, including an abdominal aneurysm, said his wife, Gail Gygax.

 

Gygax and Dave Arneson developed Dungeons & Dragons in 1974 using medieval characters and mythical creatures. The game known for its oddly shaped dice became a hit, particularly among teenage boys, and eventually was turned into video games, books and movies.

 

Gygax always enjoyed hearing from the game's legion of devoted fans, many of whom would stop by the family's home in Lake Geneva, about 55 miles southwest of Milwaukee, his wife said. Despite his declining health, he hosted weekly games of Dungeons & Dragons as recently as January, she said.

 

"It really meant a lot to him to hear from people from over the years about how he helped them become a doctor, a lawyer, a policeman, what he gave them," Gygax said. "He really enjoyed that."

 

Dungeons & Dragons players create fictional characters and carry out their adventures with the help of complicated rules. The quintessential geek pastime, it spawned a wealth of copycat games and later inspired a whole genre of computer games that's still growing in popularity.

 

Funeral arrangements are pending. Besides his wife, Gygax is survived by six children.

[Good Old Neon]

Wait a second, Gary

[Lammycat]

So I'm confused. Is this a good day or a bad day?

[Good Old Neon]

So I'm confused. Is this a good day or a bad day?

 

Do you want to respond to this one, Bjorn?

[aricandover]

That's why I never play wizards. They have lousy Fortitude saves.

 

RIP to the EGG.

[Good Old Neon]

D&D has always been the butt of many jokes (and probably rightfully so), but, just remember, Fantasy Football is little more than D&D for jocks.

 

That's why I never play wizards. They have lousy Fortitude saves.

 

RIP to the EGG.

 

[Lammycat]

D&D has always been the butt of many jokes (and probably rightfully so), but, just remember, Fantasy Football is little more than D&D for jocks.

I find this difficult to believe. And while I've never played D&D it's always intriqued me to an extent. Actually learning to play and then finding another person willing to learn and play was that extent.

[JUDE]

When I was growing up, my good friends oldest brother hand copied one of the original sets of playing manuals in the late 70's because they were so hard to come by. That was dedication.

 

RIP GG

[EL the Famous]

i still have the original player's handbook, DM guide, monster manual and fiend folio somewhere in a box at my folk's house.

 

RIP

[PopTodd]

His Mead Of Eternal Life had been contaminated by the poison piss of an Ork; or maybe a nasty little Dwarf had slipped him some poison to get his grubby little hands on Gary's Magical Vorpal Sword.

 

RIP O King Of The Geeks!

 

(I used to play, and yes, I am sad.)

[bjorn_skurj]

D&D has always been the butt of many jokes (and probably rightfully so), but, just remember, Fantasy Football is little more than D&D for jocks.

A-men. A sad day for us geeks.

[Mrs. Peel]

i still have the original player's handbook, DM guide, monster manual and fiend folio somewhere in a box at my folk's house.

 

 

So does Al. You guys should get together and reminisce.

[Good Old Neon]

My younger brother and I were actually stopped, by the police no less, while walking home rather late-ish, eleven to eleven thirty or so, and questioned as possible flight suspects from a party that had just been broken up by the very same police

[EL the Famous]

i only played for a couple of years late grade school/early junior high...once i got to high school, i was usually out drinking, having fun and, in all likelihood, getting laid.

 

some guys in my fraternity would play that 'magic' game every so often, but stopped doing it in the chapter room after jake briscoe and chief lit the table on fire in the middle of one of their games. it was pretty funny, but i cried a littel for them on the inside.

[JUDE]

Reno 911 Dungeons and Dragons

[EL the Famous]

[quote name='JUDE

[Good Old Neon]

i only played for a couple of years late grade school/early junior high...once i got to high school, i was usually out drinking, having fun and, in all likelihood, getting laid.

 

some guys in my fraternity would play that 'magic' game every so often, but stopped doing it in the chapter room after jake briscoe and chief lit the table on fire in the middle of one of their games. it was pretty funny, but i cried a littel for them on the inside.

 

Ahhh

[EL the Famous]

Ahhh

[bjorn_skurj]

Roll for initiative!

[JUDE]

Roll for initiative!

 

[bjorn_skurj]

Best headline:

 

D&D Creator Gary Gygax Fails Final Saving Throw: Dead at 69

[Good Old Neon]

I know you think you're pretty cool and maybe even witty

[Edie]

The Eradicator! aka THDW 6

EL Handsome Dick 4

JUDE

[bjorn_skurj]

"Once you go half-orc, baby, you never go back."

[cryptique]

What a surprise; all men, with the exception of Mrs. Peel who talked about her husband

 

To the Dungeon with all of you!

D&D was never my thing, but many of my friends were completely captivated by it.

 

edit: Crap, I guess my postcount in this thread is now up to 2.