D & D Creator Dies

Chris Kruger

Today in Wisconsin, Gary Gygax, Co-creator of Dungeons & Dragons died at his home in Lake Geneva, reports CNN. He was 69 years of age.

Gygax, who is arguably the father of role-playing games, was, along with Don Kaye, the creator of the well known Dungeons & Dragons game. It's popularity inspired many others and in time created an entire genre of game.

The game's roots go as far back at the 1960s when Gygax joined a gaming group know as the Lake Geneva Tactical Studies Association. It was not until 1973 when Gygax and Kaye formed Tactical Studies Rules (TSR) - the current day corporation publishing Dungeons & Dragons.

Dungeons & Dragons would go on to influence some of the most popular video games ever made (not to mention film, books and tv). Initially titles the likes of Pool of Radiance and more recently BioWare's Baldur's Gate and Neverwinter Nights. One can only being to imagine the number of of Role Playing Games (pen and paper or video game) not so obviously connected, but none the less inspired by Dungeons & Dragons.

Gygax had reportedly suffered from health problems for years but it did not stop him from playing weekly games of Dungeons & Dragons with individuals in his community. While his death may not have been completely unexpected it is none the less a moment of sadness for the many people who have spent countless hours enjoying his creations and legacy.