Gary Gygax's Hit Points reaches 0

This just in from Colby: Dungeons & Dragons co-creator dies at 69 By EMILY FREDRIX, Associated Press Writer MILWAUKEE - 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. Who would have thought that back in 1977 when David and Charles (two brothers who lived across the street) invited my brother and I over to play a new game they'd found, where it would eventually take me. While, at the time, I was well under the suggested age to play Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) I firmly believe that it had a lot to do with making me who I am today. There is no question it fostered the creativity that I am still infected with to this day. Many of my longest and closest friendships were forged around dining tables and in basements for marathon D&D sessions. In my line of work I routinely get compliments on my vocabulary, which I attribute in large part to my time spent reading the books and deciphering the rules of the game. Problem solving and math abilities which are required in my job were also strengthened due to D&D. Not a Convention goes by that someone doesn't bring up our late night adventure back in the early 90's, when on a late night "walk about" at Dragon Con we shared an elevator with Gary. For some reason the discussion turned to wrestling and within an hour a ballroom had been cleared of tables so that Jimmy and Gary could have a wrestle off. I don't recall who won. I was laughing so hard I think I passed out. It is a bit sad that Gary's legacy, D&D, has been bought, resold, repackaged, and twisted to the sad shape it is today. It looks nothing like it did back then. But those of us who really know where it all started can look around at the games people play today (computer games, card games, role playing games, etc) and know that it all goes back to Gary. This year, at the convention, there will certainly be many toasts in Gary's honor. I will certainly partake. And some day I hope to join Gary (and my friend Ken) in a marathon D&D session in Heaven. (I'll be the elvish cleric with the mace.)