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D&D Co-Creator Dave Arneson Dies of Cancer
epee1221 was one of many readers to send word that Dave Arneson, co-creator of Dungeons & Dragons, has died of cancer at the age of 61.
"Arneson is often described as an 'unsung hero' in the history of gaming, having been largely eclipsed by his collaborator Gary Gygax. While Gygax was known for developing the rules for Dungeons & Dragons, Arneson's work focused more on the role-playing element. Although the two split up, Arneson continued developing fantasy role-playing content, and later taught game design at Full Sail University."
We discussed Gary Gygax's passing just over a year ago.
Rest in Peace, and get yourself a good rest. You earn it very well. If you find an Archons though, give them a swiftly kick on the butt for us.
To the family and friends. He did good in his life. And has a name plate on the history of RPG. I mourn the pass of the creators of my main hobby for the last 15 years.
Now, where did I leave that Blackmoore set?
--- "When you gotta do something wrong. You gotta do it right. (Fighter)"
for the game Dave.
Eaten by a grue. What a terrible way to go.
I'm glad Gary didn't see D&D 4e. I'm glad Dave didn't see Hasbro's future attempts to kill Blackmoor (you know they will).
I started playing D&D in 79. It was a part of my life growing up and well into adult hood (and still on rare occasion). I was fortunate to have met both Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson on a few occasions at various conventions throughout the years. Its a shame to see such geek icons pass, but sadly, that is life.
Thank you Dave, and Gods Speed!
Don't rush me, Sonny. You rush a miracle man, you get rotten miracles.
See what the 4th edition does to you? First Gary, now this. Be warned!!
I'm sure he's rolling in his grave.
I believe Bird-Person can arrange that.
I played first D&D as a kid, then migrated to other games like Robotech, Star Wars, Traveler 2300AD, Rifts, and my all time favorite Skyrealms of Jorune. I have great memories of my friends and me sitting in our basements playing RPGs deep into the night. Here's to that +20 saving throw in the next world.
I swear to God...I swear to God! That is NOT how you treat your human!
Dave, you will be missed. I signed up to slashdot after years and years. Had to create an account. Just to say that.
I don't play any RPGs. (Slashdot gasps!). But I did mess around a bit with D&D in the 70's as a teenager, and played Rogue a bit in college, so I know how it works.
I was visiting my sister a few years ago, who lives in another country, and my nephew was playing some PS2 game. He was clobbering cacti to prepare for taking on a dinosaur. At one point, I instinctively said, "Watch your hit points!"
He was surprised that I had any knowledge of gaming, and I explained that before folks had PCs, they played D&D, and that all the basic concepts were founded there.
So maybe Gygax and Arneson never made fortunes for themselves, but they paved a way for a gazillion dollar industry that keeps the world amused.
That, my fellow Slashdotters, is immortality.
Schroedinger's Brexit: The UK is both in and out of the EU at the same time!
Will someone PLEASE check Lung Cancer's D20s? - He's rolling an awful lot of 20's lately...
It's not the dice, it's the "-15 carcinogen penalty to saving throws vs. cancer (lung)" that came with tobacco's "+1 to the 'looking cool' skill in Western cultures"