Just read the news, Gary Gygax, the inventor of D&D passed away.
From CNN article:

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.


Ahh...Gary. We'll miss you.

I guess it was bound to happen sooner or later given his age but…. well, damn.

He will most certainly be missed.

He was an inovator. Damn shame.

He will be sorely missed and stuff but I feel srry for his player's chars they are never going to finish that adventure they were playing. It has to be sad when you DM dies. Could you imagine though if your DM was Gary Gygax. You couldn't just say well the rules say this he would counter with they are meant like this. What edition do you think they played though I would think they would be playing 1st or 2nd still.

As Penny Arcade said: He's rolling in his grave.

RIP man, we'll be sure to rip up your character sheet for ya.

I have been skulking here for about a month and a half, and this tidbit of news I had to make a comment on. But I had to break down and join to do so. Which is not a bad thing, brom what I've seen so far ...

Annihoo ... When I read this thread leader, I was surprised. In retrospect, though, I guess I shouldn't have been. Such is the way of things. The Old Guard passes on after passing the torch to a select few, and leaves the rest to muddle their way through imperfect translations of his writings, intents, and creation(s) ...

DEARM(Danish-English-American Rumor Mill) has it that Gygax only played the last published version of (A)D&D that carries his name on it, so a trivia question:

What version of "the game" is it that was the last to have Gygax's name associated with it?

That's sad to hear.

There's a tribute to Gygax on today's issue of Order of the Stick (if you don't know what that is check it out).

http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0536.html

Actually, a friend of mine used to game with him, and emailed him for a rules clarification only a couple weeks ago. From what I hear, he was a tough DM. He'd start yanking Con points and not tell you why if you didn't tell him 'I eat every morning' and that sort of stuff.

It is funny how you never pay any attention to people until they have passed away.

Gary Gygax will be missed by every player in the world. Let us now have a minute of silent die rolling in his honor.

I salute you, Gary! May your afterlife be glorious and exciting!

I wonder which god's domain will he enter... or all of them?

HP = -10 for Gary He will be missed but live on in all those who continue to RP in his fantasy world.

Gary Gygax's Fantasy Worlds.


I think thats the answer to the question that was asked.

I just also want to say that I will miss him, even though I never knew him personally. I always knew he was out there and never though to think he would die eventually.

...well, crit.

There is an empty chair,
at the table this day.
A hallowed place where,
a friend once played.
The roll of his dice,
my ears long to hear.
Or perhaps it would suffice,
if he should suddenly appear.
With character sheet in hand,
and a bag of Cheeze-doodles to share.
All his friends would stand,
as he sat in the empty chair.
I hear his voice a-callin’,
and it ties my heart in a knot.
For he cries, “Though a comrade has fallen,
You must play for those who cannot.”
We conquered worlds on the run,
he and I in the name of fun.
And as others may come and go,
I make both both friend and foe.
But what I long for most,
is our past now long a ghost. (c) Kenzer & Co.

Keep the dice rolling.

All Hail the Lord of AD&D. As has been said before he will be missed.

As to what Edition he was last associated with I believe that would be AD&D 2nd edition as he is given credit for its creation in the first page of all the books.

You did say his "Name"

Gary thought that second edition was a complete waste of time. He wanted to stick to first edition and just do errata books like Unearthed Arcana. However, he didn't have controlling interest in TSR when 2nd edition was made, but he still retained copyright - so they had to credit him.

That's what I remember reading. I think Gary probably played the G edition (Gary's Home Rules)