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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
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Dungeons & Dragons Co-Creator Dead at 69

Gary Gygax rocked the gaming world

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(Newser) – Widely revered Dungeons & Dragons co-creator Gary Gygax, regarded as the father of role-playing games, has died at his home in Wisconsin after years of health problems, AP reports. He was 69. Together with Dave Arneson, Gygax created the massively popular medieval fantasy Dungeons & Dragons in 1974 that struck a chord with teenage boys and young men, and spawned a host of computer game imitations. Fans say that the world of games would be very different had it not been for Gygax' imagination.

Gygax, who was also a prolific fantasy writer, wasn't involved in creating later generations of his game after legal wranglings with Arneson and company TSR, but kept on playing and was hosting games as recently as January. He loved to hear from the many fans of his fantasy world, said his wife. She survives him, along with their six children.

The fantasy role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons was a massive hit, especially with teenage boys, and is said to have inspired a whole generations of fantasy directors, authors, and game creators.
The fantasy role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons was a massive hit, especially with teenage boys, and is said to have inspired a whole generations of fantasy directors, authors, and game creators.   ((c) Pirate Alice)
This is an undated photo provided by the family of Gary Gygax, who co-created the fantasy game Dungeons & Dragons and helped start the role-playing phenomenon. Gygax died Tuesday, March 4, 2008 at his home in Lake Geneva. He was 69. (AP Photo/Family Photo, HO)
This is an undated photo provided by the family of Gary Gygax, who co-created the fantasy game Dungeons & Dragons and helped start the role-playing phenomenon. Gygax died Tuesday, March 4, 2008 at his...   (Associated Press)
Dungeons & Dragons has been played by over 20 million people. Gamers say the world of video games as we know would be very different if it wasn't for D&D, with successors like 'World of Warcraft' continuing to grow in popularity.
Dungeons & Dragons has been played by over 20 million people. Gamers say the world of video games as we know would be very different if it wasn't for D&D, with successors like 'World of Warcraft' continuing...   ((c) Pirate Alice)
4th edition preview: Skillz
4th edition preview: Skillz   ((c) Benimoto)
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