Gary Gygax Dead at 69

Gaming legend and Dungeons & Dragons co-creator and writer, Gary Gygax, has died at 69.

Gygax almost single-handedly created the role-playing games field. While debates rage on as to whether or not he had a co-creator for the legendary Dungeons & Dragons game, it is without question that he alone wrote the books. Gygax went on to further develop the basic fantasy RPG into the AD&D system. Following a rift with TSR, Gygax split from the group and began designing games on his own.

Gygax' Lejendary Adventures, originally released by GDW (makers of Dark Conspiracy), was quashed by a lawsuit brought on by TSR, which effectively destroyed the gaming company. TSR was eventually sold to toy-makers, Hasbro, and became Wizards of the Coast. D&D and AD&D went on to become the d20 System and Gygax became marginally involved, writing his own adventures and campaigns for use with the system.

Gary Gygax, once an outspoken atheist, had apparently turned to Christianity shortly before his death. He had suffered from heart problems for years and had mentioned taking better care of himself and giving up smoking in a 2004 interview, following a stroke.

Gygax was in his home when he died. He was 69.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008