Gary Gygax Co-Creator of Dungeons and Dragons Passes Away

By Dan Zappone March 4, 2008 2 Min Read

Gary Gygax, the co-creator of Dungeons and Dragons along with Dave Arneson, has passed away on March 4th 2008. Gary has recently been working with Troll Lord Games, a small paper and pencil RPG publisher. Troll Lords forums have up a post noting that he has passed away. That Associated Press has confirmed that the 69 year old game designer has indeed passed away.

Whether you love or hate D&D it must be duly acknowledged that Gary Gygax was the was, along with Dave Arneson, known as the Father of Roleplaying. He co-founded Tactical Studies Rules (now part of Wizards of the Coast) in 1974 with Don Kaye. Gygax was the son of Swiss immigrant Martin Gygax and an American mother. His gaming experiences began at the age of five and six with playing pinochle and chess as well as the usual pretend games of any child that could be likened to live action role-playing. He had been in poor health, suffering multiple strokes and a near-heart attack.

May the gods speed you on your next great adventure, Gary!