Here's what I posted on my blog today:

QuoteYesterday, we found out Gary Gygax has left the mortal plane--sailed into the West--and I think we've all had some time to collect our thoughts.

For me, this is a man who was the All-Father of the hobby I loved. His DMG advice reads like a letter from an old friend, and indeed, I wouldn't have many of the friends I count today if not for his wonderful, wonderful hobby.

Nearly every major and minor news outlet, it seems, noted his passing--from CNN to to Yahoo to the Guardian, and everyone in between. Those interested in just sharing memories and talking about Gary with other fans can do so over at the Troll Lords forum (where the news broke; they are as of now allowing guests to post) and The RPG Site.

Myself? I feel like I've lost a family member. I had corresponded with Gary in the years before his death, and he was always courteous, gracious, engaging, insightful, and a gentleman. He took solace and comfort in his faith, and seemed comfortable with his place in the world. I was able to meet him in person last year finally, at Gen Con Indy, and had one of my most favorite photos of all time taken:



Now, folks will respond to this in many different ways.  Some duly grieve, some make jokes (somehow I  think Gary'd approve), some offer their tributes (btw, check out today's Order of the Stick), and others are still processing it all. For my part, our gaming group will be leaving an extra chair out at this week's session, in memoriam.

But I think Jeff Rients has it right--we need to keep the flame burning. Roll those dice, kick some orc butt, explore deep dungeons, and grab swag like there's no tomorrow. Take what time we need to get there, and certainly its ok to be sad--I know I cried off and on most of yesterday--but Gary loved talking with gamers, loved running games, loved writing for his games. This was a life well-lived, and we should honor that by ensuring ours are filled with as much joy, camaraderie, and passion as we can. And my players had better be ready for an awesome dungeon crawl this week, you can bet on that.

Finally, I think Treebore said it best, over at the Troll Lords forum:   
        I didn't know he had 6 kids. I thought he had millions.R.I.P., Gary.  And I'll be seeing you again some day.  Hope you've got a spot at your table.

The New York Times also had a story about Gygax today:

QuoteGary Gygax, Game Pioneer, Dies at 69

By SETH SCHIESEL
Published: March 5, 2008

Gary Gygax, a pioneer of the imagination who transported a fantasy realm of wizards, goblins and elves onto millions of kitchen tables around the world through the game he helped create, Dungeons & Dragons, died Tuesday at his home in Lake Geneva, Wis. He was 69.

His death was confirmed by his wife, Gail Gygax, who said he had been ailing and had recently suffered an abdominal aneurysm, The Associated Press reported.

As co-creator of Dungeons & Dragons, the seminal role-playing game introduced in 1974, Mr. Gygax wielded a cultural influence far broader than his relatively narrow fame among hard-core game enthusiasts.

Before Dungeons & Dragons, a fantasy world was something to be merely read about in the works of authors like J. R. R. Tolkien and Robert Howard. But with Dungeons & Dragons, Mr. Gygax and his collaborator, Dave Arneson, created the first fantasy universe that could actually be inhabited. In that sense, Dungeons & Dragons formed a bridge between the noninteractive world of books and films and the exploding interactive video game industry. It also became a commercial phenomenon, selling an estimated $1 billion in books and equipment. More than 20 million people are estimated to have played the game.

While Dungeons & Dragons became famous for its voluminous rules, Mr. Gygax was always adamant that the game’s most important rule was to have fun and to enjoy the social experience of creating collaborative entertainment. In Dungeons & Dragons, players create an alternate persona, like a dwarven thief or a noble paladin, and go off on imagined adventures under the adjudication of another player called the Dungeon Master.

“The essence of a role-playing game is that it is a group, cooperative experience,” Mr. Gygax said in a telephone interview in 2006. “There is no winning or losing, but rather the value is in the experience of imagining yourself as a character in whatever genre you’re involved in, whether it’s a fantasy game, the Wild West, secret agents or whatever else. You get to sort of vicariously experience those things.”

When Mr. Gygax (pronounced GUY-gax) first published Dungeons & Dragons under the banner of his company, Tactical Studies Rules, the game appealed mostly to college-age players. But many of those early adopters continued to play into middle age, even as the game also trickled down to a younger audience.

“It initially went to the college-age group, and then it worked its way backward into the high schools and junior high schools as the college-age siblings brought the game home and the younger ones picked it up,” Mr. Gygax said.

Mr. Gygax’s company, renamed TSR, was acquired in 1997 by Wizards of the Coast, which was later acquired by Hasbro, which now publishes the game.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Gygax is survived by six children: three sons, Ernest G. Jr., Lucion Paul and Alexander; and three daughters, Mary Elise, Heidi Jo and Cindy Lee.

These days, pen-and-paper role-playing games have largely been supplanted by online computer games. Dungeons & Dragons itself has been translated into electronic games, including Dungeons & Dragons Online. Mr. Gygax recognized the shift, but he never fully approved. To him, all of the graphics of a computer dulled what he considered one of the major human faculties: the imagination.

“There is no intimacy; it’s not live,” he said of online games. “It’s being translated through a computer, and your imagination is not there the same way it is when you’re actually together with a group of people. It reminds me of one time where I saw some children talking about whether they liked radio or television, and I asked one little boy why he preferred radio, and he said, ‘Because the pictures are so much better.’  ”

That last line is a killer. Bravo!

From Kevin Siembieda:

QuoteA Legend Dies . . .
 
By now, I would imagine most of you have heard that Gary Gygax has passed away. He was 69 years old and had been suffering ill health for the last few years.
 
I met Gary Gygax (and Dave Arneson) in passing a couple of times over the years, but I can't say that I actually knew the man.
 
For those of you who might need a reminder, Gary Gygax and David Arneson are the creators of, and masterminds behind, Dungeons & Dragons. Gary also went on to found the TSR Company.
 
EVERYONE who has ever enjoyed a role-playing game owes a debt of gratitude to Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson. Without D&D there would never have been a role-playing game industry.  
 
That's right, NO Palladium Books, White Wolf, Steve Jackson Games, Green Ronin or anyone else. No Knights of the Dinner Table, no Shadis Magazine, nor decades of Dragon Magazine. Gary and Dave started it all with their little D&D game and were surprised as anyone when it exploded onto the scene in the 1970s and created a phenomenon that gave birth to an entire new kind of gaming.
 
I've always respected the creators of D&D,  and to the surprise of some, have always given them and D&D their due. I've often had fans give me a strange look when I'd talk fondly about Dungeons and Dragons or defend the game system. Hey, it's not perfect and may not be your cup of tea, but it's darn good. Heck, it's flippin' great! You, me, others may have our gripes about aspects of the rules, but you can not deny that there is something magical (no pun intended) about D&D. How else could it remain as popular for so many decades and enchant so many young minds? And as I've said, there can be no denying that Gary, Dave and D&D created an industry that continues to this day.  
 
They gave birth to an industry that has brought millions and millions of gamers endless hours of fun, and inspired scores of creative individuals to follow in their footsteps.
 
Ultimately, Dungeons and Dragons motived me and Erick Wujcik and countless others to create their own games, to weave infinite stories and to think outside the box.
 
Thank you Gary. Thank you Dave. Thank you for giving us the gift of role-playing games and the joy of taking storytelling to a new level in a world where we need heroes and their stories more than ever. May you rest in peace, Mr. Gygax, and continue to spin yarns and play games in the halls of Valhalla and beyond. Your are remembered with love and great fondness.
 
Artist, Kevin Long summed up my thoughts and feelings quite succintly in an email he sent me this afternoon. "Another great one gone . . ."
 
And though the headline to this Murmur is "A legend dies . . ." the statement is something of a misnomer. A legend can never die. And Gary Gygax is a legend. And as such, while the man is no longer with us, his legacy -- not just Dungeons and Dragons, but EVERY role-playing game company, role-playing game and RPG player continue what he and his friend, Dave, started.  
 
And so the legend continues, as legends do.
 
To the multitude of friends, fans and family who loved Mr. Gygax and the wonderful games he brought to us all, you have our deepest sympathy. God Bless. And be proud.
 
Sincerely,
Kevin Siembieda
Publisher, Writer, Artist, Game Designer and Gygax Fan

Quote from: JohnnyWannabeGary's work brought me and countless others lots of joy. Not many people can say that. He touched a lot of people through his work. He opened up doors to new worlds. He encouraged people to be creative and use their imaginations. He gave nerds a great social outlet. Those who followed his example created games and worlds of their own for others to enjoy. And on and on it goes.

That's what I said to my woman yesterday.

"Gary Gygax died."
"Who?"
"The guy who wrote those books there."
"Oh. So?"
"Well, it's important because he was a big part in starting it all. Really this guy Dave Wesely started it by accident, he was running a wargaming scenario and everyone started roleplaying, another guy Dave Arneson heard about this and copied it and made his own rules, then Gary Gygax heard about that, and together Arneson and Gygax wrote a roleplaying game. Later they had a falling out, but Gygax went on by himself and produced those books, and it really took off. After their dungeons and their dragons, other people started writing rpgs about cowboys, and travelling in space, and so on."
"How old was he?"
"69."
"That's not bad. Not a long life, but..."
"But a life that touched a lot of others in a happy way. He helped create a game, then worked to create a whole industry of different games, that brought a lot of people together and helped them make friends, helped them be creative, and have a lot of fun. It's especially good because many of the people who made friends this way were pretty nerdy and mightn't have made friends otherwise. He helped bring happiness and friendship to millions."
"They had to make the effort themselves."
"Sure, it's not like he was some kind of introduction agency. But he gave us the tools so we could do the job of having fun with friends."
"Wouldn't someone have invented roleplaying anyway? Kids do it all the time."
"Yeah, probably would have happened eventually. And someone would have climbed Everest eventually, too, but we still give credit to Norgay and Hilary for doing it first."

Me: "Gary Gygax died."
Her: "Who is he?"
Me: "He invented D&D."
Her: "So we have to stop playing! Who´s gonna have all those crazy ideas now?"

Let´s prove her wrong.

Its funny how, in this day and age, we think 69 is "not a long life".

RPGPundit

I just found out.

*heavy sigh*

He and I used to email back and forth a few years ago.  I always meant to start that back up.  

May God have mercy on his soul.

A light-hearted tribute song from Uncle Monster Face.

http://www.unclemonsterface.com/MP3s/ThankYouGaryGygax.mp3

Quote from: RPGPunditIts funny how, in this day and age, we think 69 is "not a long life".

RPGPundit

That just shows you how much medical technology , practices and care have improved in the past 70 years.

In 1925 or 1935, someone making it to the age of 69 was likely thought of as quite old and quite an amazing achievement.

Gygax helped to give birth and nurture a type of game and way of gaming that has given countless hours of fun and happinbess to thousands of people now. (maybe millions if you counr spinoffs) .

I think he might smile at that thought.

- Ed C.

Quote from: KoltarI did meet him.

First time I met him was in Milwaukee at Gencon. This was either the one in 2001 or 2002.

The con had a HUGE attendence in numbers that year.

It was late on Saturday, about sometime between 4pm and 6pm. I was in my full Klingon gear - my best looking outfit, in a VERY crowded elevator. Most of the crowd in the elevator were between the ages of 16 and 30. Then I noticed the only other person in the elevator besides me that looked like they were over the age of 30 .  Older gray haired man with a beard. His name badge said:  GARY GYGAX (Yeah it was an appropriate VIP-type badge)

Everyone on the elevator looked a little stressed and tired. Gygax too.

ME in my best LOW Klingon voice:
"SO, Mr. Gygax, did you ever think your little game would turn into all of this?"

He looked at me and smiled and started to laugh:
"No, I never did.."

 He had a big grin from that moment on.
Elevator opened on the Exhibit Hall Floor and I had to get back to arresting people. Glad that I gave him a smile the time I met him.


- Ed C.

What a wonderful story.   I suspect you made his day that time.  Thanks for sharing that.

Quote from: RPGPunditIts funny how, in this day and age, we think 69 is "not a long life".

RPGPundit

My father is 83. He's gainfully employed, goes to the gym, and has a quasi-active social life. Maybe he's an exception; I dunno..

All I know is that I intend to live waaaaay beyond 69...:cool:

That being said, it's not the years, but the mileage. And Gary Gygax had great mileage.

My eyes watered for most of last night, didn't think the news would affect me that deeply.

Here's a clip of Gary's guest appearance on Futrama.

I also miss playing miniatures games with him.  He was tenacious and devious on the battlefield, and when he was the referee, you could be sure the scenario was never a bog-standard "meeting engagement".

Like Swiss Pikemen trying to cross a narrow bridge while under partial fire from Turkish archers....

Old Geezer - I'm truly sorry for your loss.  Many of us lost someone who indirectly influenced us, often in a major way. You lost a friend. My condolences.

Funeral Arrangement Information is starting to filter in...