Gary Gygax dies at age 69

**Phaedrus** · 03-05-2008, 03:27 AM

For those of you who play, or have played D&D (Dungeons and Dragons), the orginal "Dungeon-Master" has passed away.

Article can be found here:

Gary Gygax, Dungeons & Dragons creator, dies - CNN.com

MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin (AP) -- 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.

**bos** · 03-05-2008, 08:16 AM

Figures he was from Wisconsin.

**shildreth** · 03-05-2008, 08:19 AM

NERDS!!!

**superman_101680** · 03-05-2008, 08:24 AM

I'll roll some D-20s in his memory this weekend! :)

**isucyfan** · 03-05-2008, 08:28 AM

Not many people know this, but the cause of death was an orc with a mace.

You'd have thought Gygax would have had a few more hit points left in him.

**Cutlass** · 03-05-2008, 08:56 AM

Originally Posted by isucyfan

Not many people know this, but the cause of death was an orc with a mace.

You'd have thought Gygax would have had a few more hit points left in him.

Dude! That ork rolled a 20. Double damage. Gygax never had a chance.

**superman_101680** · 03-05-2008, 09:30 AM

Originally Posted by Cutlass

Dude! That ork rolled a 20. Double damage. Gygax never had a chance.

I was under the impression Gygax rolled a 1 and fumbled with his enchanted broad sword. My bad.

**SuperCy** · 03-05-2008, 09:32 AM

One question.

Did they ever make it home?

**bos** · 03-05-2008, 09:33 AM

The guy had a wife and 6 kids. His parents must have had a big basement.

**pulse** · 03-05-2008, 09:35 AM

And ample supply of Ho Hos, Yohoo, and Cheetoes.

**superman_101680** · 03-05-2008, 09:38 AM

Originally Posted by SuperCy

One question.

Did they ever make it home?

Nope, I don't believe so. Too bad that this type of cartoon no longer exists.

**Cutlass** · 03-05-2008, 09:44 AM

Originally Posted by pulse

And ample supply of Ho Hos, Yohoo, and Cheetoes.

Yoohoo? Man the hard core playa's were downing Doritos and Mt Dew. Except we always got the cheep HyVee Mt Dew equivalent Heehaw, because we were poor.

**bos** · 03-05-2008, 09:49 AM

Originally Posted by Cutlass

Yoohoo? Man the hard core playa's were downing Doritos and Mt Dew. Except we always got the cheep HyVee Mt Dew equivalent Heehaw, because we were poor.

Ahh, good ole Hee Haw. Used to drink Dr. Thunder as well. The things you will eat and drink when poor is amazing.