RIP: Dave Arneson (1947-2009)

[Methedras]

R.I.P. Dungeons & Dragons Co-Creator Dave Arneson, 1947-2009

For the second time in just over a year, the dice are silent in the gaming world. News has reached us that Dave Arneson, co-creator of Dungeons & Dragons, passed away last night at the age of 61.

While not as famous as Gary Gygax, who passed away in March of last year, Arneson was a driving force behind D&D's creation and his contribution to the world of adventure gaming should not be underestimated. It was Arneson's spark that transformed Gygax's game Chainmail into the first edition of D&D, and begat everything that followed.

Arneson had to fight to get credit for his contributions, filing multiple lawsuits (later resolved out-of-court) against Gygax over crediting and royalties. He nonetheless did return to TSR in the mid-'80s to work with Gygax again. Following that, he began a second career as an educator, working in several schools with a particular focus on how to use gaming as an instructional tool.

Arneson suffered a stroke in 2002 and was soon after diagnosed with cancer. He finally lost his battle with cancer last night, surrounded by his family, in St. Paul, Minnesota. Gamers everywhere owe him a certain debt of gratitude for his work. He will be sorely missed.

[Armaya]

Was just reading this. Trying not to formulate D&D=Untimely Death correlation.

[Doctorzongo]

The only thing I have to say on this is as follows:

[revlazaro]

The Empty Chair
Eulogy for a Gamer There is an empty chair,
at the table this day.
A hallowed place where,
a friend once played.
The roll of his dice,
my ears long to hear.
Or perhaps it would suffice,
if he should suddenly appear.
With character sheet in hand,
and a bag of Cheeze-doodles to share.
All his friends would stand,
as he sat in the empty chair.
I hear his voice a-callin’,
and it ties my heart in a knot.
For he cries, “Though a comrade has fallen,
You must play for those who cannot.”
We conquered worlds on the run,
he and I in the name of fun.
And as others may come and go,
I make both both friend and foe.
But what I long for most,
is our past now long a ghost.






((Stolen from Kenzerco Website, but appropriate as hell.))

[dorni]

May he rest peacefully, inspiring the younger generations

[Retodon8]

I never played D&D as such, but it was a huge influence on the games I did play.
Thank you for that, Dave Arneson!

[Hagan]

R.I.P.
Thank you for the XP.

[Drunkenfairy]

Still really young. So sad. These are the roots of not only our favorite pen and paper, but also every RPG/MMORPG game. Thanks for the years of fun and camaraderie.

[shnerples]

I was very sorry to hear that. I still remember the day my brother brought home a D&D box. Really, nothing would have been the same without it.

[mykalgaidin]

Like Retodon, I've never really gotten into D&D, but it's fingerprints are all over the games I've played my whole life.

Farewell, wanderer, may you find rest for your weary feet, food for your empty gut, and warmth for your chilled bones.