Erick Wujcik news

[Jason D]

This was posted on Palladium's site earlier today:

Sad News about Erick Wujcik
By Kevin Siembieda

I'm afraid I have some sad and shocking news. I've tried a dozen different ways to write this, but none of them sound right. So I'll just say it:

My sweet, brilliant friend – Erick Wujcik – is dying of cancer.

Yes, Erick Wujcik, the mastermind behind such role-playing games and RPG products as Amber® Diceless RPG, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles® RPG, Ninjas & Superspies RPG, Weapons & Assassins, Revised RECON®, Rifts® China One & Two, and a host of other RPG books.

Erick, age 56, has pancreatic cancer that has spread to his liver. There was no advance warning. Erick was healthy and doing fine. He thought he had come down with the flu, and when he couldn't shake it, he went to the doctors. The prognosis was unexpected, to say the least.

We thought about letting people know after Christmas, but Erick's time is, all too quickly, running out. We thought it would be wonderful to give the millions of people who have loved the man and played his games, the opportunity to express their appreciation for him. I'm sure Erick will be pleased to read people's warm regards.

While this is sad news that weighs heavily on our hearts, we'd like this website (www.erickwujcik.com) and the comments posted on it, to be a celebration of Erick's wonderful life.

Just as you did when Palladium announced its Crisis of Treachery, let Erick know how much you have enjoyed his games and ideas. How Ninja Turtles (or Amber or whatever) turned you on to gaming or opened up your mind to new possibilities, and similar commentaries, thoughts and regards. I know your kind words and warm remembrances will put a smile on his face and warm his soul.

We've chosen to go with a blog style. Post as often as you'd like. Share your recollections about encounters with Erick, the first time you heard him speak or met him at a convention, what he and his work has meant to you, funny convention stories, and whatever else feels right.

I can tell you that I love Erick Wujcik. He has been my friend and mentor, confidant and cohort in so many adventures in gaming and in life, that it would be impossible to list them all. I am a better person for having known him, and I have reveled in Erick's intelligence, wit, energy, friendship and the warmth of his smile. I will miss him more than words can express, but I am so lucky, my life so much richer, for having had such a rare gem of a person in it. I smile every time I think about our antics together. How Erick basks in the exuberance of gaming conventions (and life). At how Erick practically floats above the ground at conventions, enthralled in the fun of exchanging ideas, running games, seeing old friends and meeting new people. He simply drinks in the thrill and joy of it all.

I've talked to Erick a lot these past few weeks. He sounds great. Same as always. If you didn't know better, you'd never know anything was wrong.

Erick tells me he has no regrets. And I believe him. Erick is one of those rare individuals who has lived his life to the fullest and lived it well. He has an army of friends that span the globe and he has touched millions more through his works in the role-playing industry and videogames. When you look up the word "networking" in the dictionary, there should be a photograph of Erick Wujcik grinning back at you.

These are just a few tiny things I can tell you about my friend, Erick. I'll have more to say, joined by thousands of others in the days to come.

Smile Erick, you are loved.

Thank you.

Kevin Siembieda
Publisher, Writer, Artist and Friend
December 22, 2007

When I was working on the Rebma sourcebook for Phage Press and living in Japan, I found out about Roger Zelazny's death as I was flying back to the States on my way to the GenCon Roger was slated to be the guest of honor at. Months before, Erick had mentioned that I'd be able to get a sit-down with Roger during the con. This was prior to me having email, so most communication I had with Erick was via mail.

I found out Roger was dead through an obituary in Time Magazine.

It felt like a hammer blow, literally stunning me for a few minutes. I couldn't wrap my head around the notion that the creator of Amber and, at the time, my favorite author, was gone.

This feels much, much worse.

[Seanchai]

I'm so sorry to hear that!

(And I think Siembieda is a complete fucktard for even mentioning the "Crisis of Treachery" in a message about a friend dying.)

Seanchai

[Pete]

Only the best, most heartfelt wishes to you, Erick.  Your games helped me enjoy the hobby!

-=Pete

[Zachary The First]

Erick, you're in my thoughts and prayers.

[flyingmice]

Same here Erick! I never got into Amber, but TMNT was transcendant in its brilliance. We will miss you!

-clash

[Zachary The First]

Same here Erick! I never got into Amber, but TMNT was transcendant in its brilliance. We will miss you!

-clash

It bears repeating:  Erick is a GENIUS RPG designer, one of the very best there's ever been.  Look at Amber, TMNT, the modules and sourcebooks he wrote--we lose not only an inspiration, but one of the very best of us.

[RPGPundit]

Erick had told me a few weeks back, out of respect to his privacy I hadn't mentioned anything publicly, though I mentioned it without naming names in a blog entry.

Obviously, this is something that hit me pretty hard, and not a day has gone by that Erick hasn't been in my thoughts since he told me.

From my conversations with him, I know Erick is busy right now taking advantage of every day, I wish him, my friend, all the best.

RPGPundit

[dar]

This sucks.

I'm going to pull out TMNT and play a game with my boys ASAP. They have been asking about it. No time like the present. Thank you Erick.

[Rel Fexive]

I didn't have anything deep or extra-special to say, but I added my comment to the others on the site anyway.  As I said there, I just give what I've got.


It's a sad time, but also one to celebrate the good works (both on paper and in life) of the man himself.

[JongWK]

These are awful news.

[Croaker]

Putain de dieu...

Ca fait un choc, et j'en perds mon anglais... Hum...

Quite a shock back there, I quite lost my english for a moment. First roger zelazny, then erick wujcik... Life can be pretty harsh sometimes, taking away great people way too soon.

I just hope that erick will be able to enjoy the affection of his family and friends, just as they'll cherish their moments with him.
And I wish them all a lot of strength in this harship.

[Jefferson Krogh]

Simple terrible news.  I'm hoping for a miracle.

[Settembrini]

I´ll miss you, there´s just no one writing like you, Erick.

[Caesar Slaad]

Wow. Erick's Mystic China remains one of my favorite resources regardless of game or genre.

Erick is a brilliant creative mind and will be missed sorely.

[gabriel_ss4u]

Wow...
I've never met you Erick, but have always thought there would be time.

I will send prayers your way, and keep you in my thoughts, wishing you well this holiday season.
Thank you for designing the game that opened me up to Amber and the greatest role-playing game of all time.

I hope that you will get past your illness, if there is a possibility, I will lend it my belief, and hope that everyone else can conform possibility into probability, then into reality.

Get strong, come back to us.
There are more who crave your influence, I am one.