Well this sucks, and although it’s not movie related – it must be announced. Gary Gygax legendary creator of Dungeons And Dragons died today. We get the following news from CNN:
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.
Dungeons & Dragons is an essential part of a quality lived experience. I have thrown many dice in a variety of role-playing games throughout my life and Gary Gygax is the root that sprouted this joy. Sitting around a table with good friends, improvising through a story and battling legendary creatures is a level of fun that cannot be described, but must be experienced.
Gary Gygax leaves behind a legacy to be proud of. His original vision has birthed legions of games and spawned an industry based on imagination. My friend Bill met Gygax and got the man to bless his dice. As he held the dice in his hand he uttered the words “may your will determine your outcome”. That is a pretty bad ass proclamation from the creator, and a nice story to recount on this day of remembrance.
If you have the means, buy some dice today in memory of Gygax and roll your THACO
