My own tribute to Gary Gygax

Site here, with picture and links:
http://shieldofachilles.blogspot.com/2008/03/ernest-gary-gygax-rip.html


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.

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.


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.