In 1974 along with Dave Arneson the pair created the pen-and-paper RPG that would forever be a hallmark to the genre. Gygax tragically had been suffering from numerous health problems for several years and died on Tuesday aged 69 at his home in Lake Geneva, Milwaukee.
D&D has had a profound effect upon many in their lifetime and its influences within the video games industry is and will always be a force.
It’s believed over 20 million play Dungeons & Dragons worldwide with an estimation of over $1 billion spent on equipment and books for the avid hobby and game. Well known for its funny sided dice, Gygax and Arneson played war-themed board games during the 60’s and this is what inspired them to make this iconic cult phenomenon, spawning books, video games and even films.
Though the pair sold their rights to D&D in the 90’s from waning popularity Gygax would still hold weekly games according to his widow, January being the most recent. A truly sad passing for the world of games, Gary Gygax is survived by a wife and six children.