Ernest Gary Gygax, RIP

The original Dungeon Master's Guide

This is one of those rare times that I go off topic on this web site. It's even rarer when I expose my geeky side so openly. The original creator of the Dungeons & Dragons game (or D&D for short), Gary Gygax has passed away at the age of 69. Apparently, he had been battling health problems for years.

This is a game that I spent a great deal of my time with growing up. Not just playing it, but just reading the books inspired my imagination, hopes & dreams in more ways than I can count. It even affected my career choices in life. I was usually a "fighter" character in the game, and I suppose that's what I am today. So maybe this isn't totally off-topic after all.

It's strange though - I thought Mr. Gygax was far older; I always pictured him as an "old wizard" or a grandfather type figure even since the 1970s, but the man was far younger than I thought - he didn't even live to be 70.

He co-created basic D&D and wrote Advanced D&D (which went on to become the "normal" D&D) all by himself. This included the very thick "Dungeon Master's Guide" pictured above, which was enjoyable reading, even if you never played the game. He put his heart and soul into it, and it showed. The book was probably the pinnacle of his work, and it was brilliant.

And if you never played the game, you are probably completely baffled by exactly what it is, or it's fascination. Essentially its complicated rules allowed kids to battle dragons, cast spells, explore ruins, or do anything else they wanted to do - things that they can only do today through video games. But even the most sophisticated computer game today can't match the versatility of playing D&D with other people. The only drawback was that you had to get at least three players together for it to be worthwhile. But boy, it was worth the trouble.

Wizards of the Coast, which now owns the rights to the game, put a tribute welcome screen to him on their site even though he had no official connection with D&D since 1985 and no relationship with their company at all. This helps show how much he was held in awe by gamers everywhere. I don't know how long it will be up, so here is the text:

Ernest Gary Gygax
July 27, 1938 - March 4, 2008

Today, Wizards of the Coast was deeply saddened to learn that Gary Gygax passed away in his home at age 69. Gygax was a co-creator of the Dungeons & Dragons game. His innovation created an entirely new type of hobby that now attracts millions of players worldwide to face-to-face and online roleplaying games Gygax was a grand storyteller renowned for his unique style, sprawling "Gygaxian" adventures, and the fantastic World of Greyhawk. He inspired generations of players, designers, and authors, and he will be sorely missed by legions of fans. We extend our sincerest condolences to his family and friends.

A good interview with Mr. Gygax can be seen on YouTube here.

Gary, I never met you personally, and that doesn't matter to me. What I do know is all positive; I can't say enough good things about you. Rest in peace. Godspeed.

Explanation about the cover above: The cover art was by the artist David C. Sutherland III, and always fired my imagination. It depicts three adventurers locked in deadly combat with an Efreet (essentially an evil version of a genie). I identified strongly with the knight with sword and shield, and wished I was right there in his place! What a great work of art.





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