Gary Gygax - 1938 - 2008

I'm actually pretty bummed that Gary Gygax - the man who invented Dungeons & Dragons - died today. His influence on games - especially video games - was incredible and nothing that I do with my life would be the same without him. From my nerdiness to my comedy (I just made a Dungeons & Dragons joke on 23/6 not five days ago) Gygax is largely behind it.

Heck, one could argue his push on fantasy worlds the resulting novels, television show, and merchandise has had as much effect on the popularity "fantasy" culture as Lord of the Rings or rock music. I would argue more.

Like Gumpei Yokoi, he's one of those guys that no one of my generation really know, but completely owe their interactive entertainment to. He was also on a Futurama episode.

BUT

Because the Internet is filled with nerds and Gary Gygax was a royal nerd and Dungeons & Dragons fans are nerds, there have been an infinite explosion of pretty funny quotes from users on forums, many overlapping. Here are some of the sweetest / most endearing quotes on his death, mostly from the beautiful Reddit:

0 HP

Gary Gygax. Rolling in his Grave.

Did he drop any good loot?

He failed his last saving throw.

WTF? No Raise Dead spell?

He is now one of the Holy Rollers!

I hope you reroll a good character.

Damn, the Vice Presidential Action Rangers are down a man.

Without Gary Gygax, there would be no this: