
firbolg |

Man, this really pulled the plug on my day. I can't believe the big guy is gone. He really did change things for a lot of people. He was a man who definitely made his mark on the world.
And classy move dedicating the new 4E rulebooks to him. Nicely done, and much appreciated.
Where is this confirmed?
Right now is all I see is some wishful thinking from a decent poster on EnWorld.If they do go ahead and do this, it'd be admirable.
EDIT: Ooops- just read down the thread and spotted it. It's the least they can do- well done WotC.

Trey |

AZRogue wrote:Man, this really pulled the plug on my day. I can't believe the big guy is gone. He really did change things for a lot of people. He was a man who definitely made his mark on the world.
And classy move dedicating the new 4E rulebooks to him. Nicely done, and much appreciated.
Where is this confirmed?
Right now is all I see is some wishful thinking from a decent poster on EnWorld.
If they do go ahead and do this, it'd be admirable.
Five posts down:
Done.
__________________
Scott RouseSR. Brand Manager - Dungeons & Dragons
Wizards of the Coast

hallucitor |

Although I have my reservations about (okay, against) 4th Edition I must admit that is was the most respectful and needed thing that they could do... the dedication. For that matter, honestly half the gaming industry... from video games to CCGs to role playing games and even strategy wargames could and should honestly pay homeage to the great... and sadly now late... Gary Gygax. I think back on so many of the video games that I've played over the years... From the Bard's Tale series to Legacy Of The Ancients/Legend Of Blacksilver to Diablo 2 to all of the role playing games to etc. etc. etc. and realize that in a direct or an indirect way, Gary Gygax inspired all of these.

Razz |

I am saddened by his passing and wish his afterlife well. It sucks he went, I really wanted to hear his views on 4E when it was released.
However, personally, I think his passing is a really bad omen. He passed away on GM's Day. 4th Edition destroyed a lot of "Gygaxian" flavor to D&D, almost as if he was "written out" the game. He is the Father of Roleplaying. At a pivotal time in the lifespan of D&D and he won't be here to experience it.
Son fans are really upset, some even stating that 4E killed him. (not that I believe that, I have no clue to what his views are to it at all, but I wouldn't push it aside either. It's possible.)

bwmathis |
Son fans are really upset, some even stating that 4E killed him. (not that I believe that, I have no clue to what his views are to it at all, but I wouldn't push it aside either. It's possible.)
The man was almost 70 years old, and lived through two strokes, a near heart attack, and an inoperable cardiovascular disease.
If anyone believes a 4th Edition of the game he co-invented over 30 years ago killed him, then they are beyond stupid.

AZRogue |

Son fans are really upset, some even stating that 4E killed him. (not that I believe that, I have no clue to what his views are to it at all, but I wouldn't push it aside either. It's possible.)
Are you being serious, Razz? You think it's possible? Did the 4E voodoo do it or did he die from a broken heart? Never mind. I'm just going to assume you put that out there, including the "omen" comment, of all things, to get a rise out of people. I think it's in pretty poor taste, myself, but whatever.

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I don't think anyone actually thinks that, so I suspect we're all in the clear.
It was a pretty dumb thing for Razz to say, but if everyone freaks out every time Razz says something dumb, we're going to run out of posters within a couple of weeks.
Thank you Erik, for adding a laugh to this moment. :-)

CEBrown |
Razz wrote:Son fans are really upset, some even stating that 4E killed him. (not that I believe that, I have no clue to what his views are to it at all, but I wouldn't push it aside either. It's possible.)The man was almost 70 years old, and lived through two strokes, a near heart attack, and an inoperable cardiovascular disease.
In addition, four years ago he had more than one doctor tell him "Stop smoking and drinking, and you'll live for another year, maybe even a little longer; keep it up you'll be dead in six months at best."
He stopped smoking and drinking on March 3, 2008.

Sir Kaikillah |

Hurray. When I first saw this post, I thought the worst. But then I remembered this is the Paizo message boards. Most of the people here have remained civil about 4e dedication to Gary Gygax by WotC. A most appropriate action by WotC, in my opinion. There is a reason I like hanging out here (wel virtually), you guys are cool.

CEBrown |
I've decided that any homebrew, and D&D setting specific games I run from here on out will have the god Gygax, God of Games
Just wish I had the old Judge's Guild product with the insane sage, E. Gory Greyax, looking to find adventurers to prove his theory that "the legendary bearded dwarven women, are in fact, a reality"....

hallucitor |

I don't think anyone actually thinks that, so I suspect we're all in the clear.
It was a pretty dumb thing for Razz to say, but if everyone freaks out every time Razz says something dumb, we're going to run out of posters within a couple of weeks.
Erik,
As much as I will agree that blaming 4th edition on Gygax's death is in poor taste... I have to admit something.While driving to work with my wife, my second wife and I'll admit my "trophy wife" that is a closet gamer but won't admit it publically... I mentioned that Gygax had died. She is actually somewhat hooked on games like Magic: The Gathering now as well as D&D for some time, but denies it and tries to act insulting towards "geek culture", particularly the homage towards this "Gygax person".
Now keep in mind this is a woman that has only been around the D&D influence for about two years (and has only played in half a dozen settings), and when I mentioned his death the first words out of her mouth was...
"Well, heck, I'd say this 4th edition crap probably killed him...."
I'm merely mentioning what was actually said to me by a D&D NOVICE at best.... and her image of Gygax at most was that in addition to telling her what he was responsible for (aka D&D), that Gygax in probably more ways in one was our gamer's Jerry Garcia to her own neo-hippish culture.

mwbeeler |

I held off on commenting on this one the first day, because immediately the first emotion I had was disgust. Crass commercialism at its finest; if they really wanted to honor the man they’d have simply placed a small dedication on the inner jacket and let players find it for themselves. However, seeing as most of the people involved likely knew the man intimately and for years, I’m going to weigh in on the side of cautious optimism and say, “sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.” It’s a nice thought, and I hope 4E preserves the spirit of D&D.

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The dedication is the right thing to do. The only excuse for not having it would be if the books had been printed already, and that would be understanding. Even if they had, we'd have seen it in the second printing. Kudos to WotC for getting this.
I had a blast gaming tonight, and said a few words about a man I hope was at least a bit of a friend, and who made such a great difference in my life.
I hope to own many books dedicated to EGG. It won't bring him back, but it'll make a lot of us feel better.

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"Gygax God of Games" sounds like a great idea. It reminds me of something I wanted to tell him when I got to meet him at Gencon.I had heard of guitar enthusiasts clamoring to meet Les Paul (the inventor of the electric guitar), and having him sign their guitar. One excited fan gushed: "This is like having Jesus sign your copy of the Bible!" Which is exactly how I felt when he signed my copy of the Player's Handbook.
Sort of wish I told him that as well, but hundreds of people were in line behind me. I'm sure he knew how we all felt, especially since I've heard on these very boards that someone else said the same thing. Likening him to a rock star... and since he was a rock star, could he sign his tits!
On another note it's nice to see the testimonials and dedications come out. The Order of the Stick's one was especially nice... and of course funny. And I was glad to see Stephen Colbert roll a d20 in his honor tonight too :)

AZRogue |

Erik Mona wrote:I don't think anyone actually thinks that, so I suspect we're all in the clear.
It was a pretty dumb thing for Razz to say, but if everyone freaks out every time Razz says something dumb, we're going to run out of posters within a couple of weeks.
Erik,
As much as I will agree that blaming 4th edition on Gygax's death is in poor taste... I have to admit something.
While driving to work with my wife, my second wife and I'll admit my "trophy wife" that is a closet gamer but won't admit it publically... I mentioned that Gygax had died. She is actually somewhat hooked on games like Magic: The Gathering now as well as D&D for some time, but denies it and tries to act insulting towards "geek culture", particularly the homage towards this "Gygax person".
Now keep in mind this is a woman that has only been around the D&D influence for about two years (and has only played in half a dozen settings), and when I mentioned his death the first words out of her mouth was..."Well, heck, I'd say this 4th edition crap probably killed him...."
I'm merely mentioning what was actually said to me by a D&D NOVICE at best.... and her image of Gygax at most was that in addition to telling her what he was responsible for (aka D&D), that Gygax in probably more ways in one was our gamer's Jerry Garcia to her own neo-hippish culture.
Okay, I'm responding seriously here, no sarcasm. You say at the beginning of your post that "as much as I will agree that blaming 4th edition on Gygax's death is in poor taste... I have to admit something." That reads like you think there may be a relationship between the new edition and his passing--an implied 'but'. Is that what you were trying to say?

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Alright enough's enough. I don't think this is the time or place to hold any sort of "4e is the root cause..." discussions. Please don't post it, question another poster about their intent, imply or perpetuate it. This board, this entire site, even the most radical or outspoken among us, is above this sort of thing.
Let it be what it is and let's think about the many good things gaming has done for us, regardless of system or edition.

AZRogue |

Alright enough's enough. I don't think this is the time or place to hold any sort of "4e is the root cause..." discussions. Please don't post it, question another poster about their intent, imply or perpetuate it. This board, this entire site, even the most radical or outspoken among us, is above this sort of thing.
Let it be what it is and let's think about the many good things gaming has done for us, regardless of system or edition.
I agree, and I apologize. I posted in the heat of the moment, after being deeply offended. The ten-minutes-to-breath rule would have served me well, though I was forcefully trying to not rant and just end it discussing it rationally, it wouldn't have ended up that way. I won't post off topic in this thread again.

Thraxus |

I've decided that any homebrew, and D&D setting specific games I run from here on out will have the god Gygax, God of Games
I had planned on doing something similar in my next homebrew. For me though, I was planning on making him the lord of imagination and patron of storytellers. Now, I think I will merge the two ideas.
Gygax, god of games and patron of storytellers.

lojakz |

lojakz wrote:I've decided that any homebrew, and D&D setting specific games I run from here on out will have the god Gygax, God of GamesI had planned on doing something similar in my next homebrew. For me though, I was planning on making him the lord of imagination and patron of storytellers. Now, I think I will merge the two ideas.
Gygax, god of games and patron of storytellers.
That's excellent!

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I don't think anyone actually thinks that, so I suspect we're all in the clear.
It was a pretty dumb thing for Razz to say, but if everyone freaks out every time Razz says something dumb, we're going to run out of posters within a couple of weeks.
While I don't believe it, I've thought it several times. I don't think it was that far-fetchted for someone to bring it up... Sure, it was disrespectful, but an awful lot of disrespectful speach is spewed around here these days.

Watcher |

A cigar is sometimes just a cigar, as someone pointed out...
And a funeral is no place to start a quarrel.
If WOTC wants to honor the man, let them. Assume the best of intentions, and don't detract from it. They hold the Dungeons and Dragons brand name that Gary made famous (and it's Gary's legacy), so it's appropriate. Let it be.
Remember, memorials and funerals are not for the dead. Memorials and funerals are for the living.
I think it's commendable regardless of anything to do with 4th Edition.

David Marks |

hallucitor wrote:While driving to work with my wife, my second wife and I'll admit my "trophy wife" that is a closet gamer ...Either you have three wives or you have poor punctuation.
The former is very forgivable; the latter less so.
Just sayin'.
Having three wives might make me hallucinate too. Ba-dum-bump!
Thank you, thank you. I'll be here all night!

Sir Kaikillah |

Erik Mona wrote:I don't think anyone actually thinks that, so I suspect we're all in the clear.
It was a pretty dumb thing for Razz to say, but if everyone freaks out every time Razz says something dumb, we're going to run out of posters within a couple of weeks.
Erik,
As much as I will agree that blaming 4th edition on Gygax's death is in poor taste... I have to admit something.
While driving to work with my wife, my second wife and I'll admit my "trophy wife" that is a closet gamer but won't admit it publically... I mentioned that Gygax had died. She is actually somewhat hooked on games like Magic: The Gathering now as well as D&D for some time, but denies it and tries to act insulting towards "geek culture", particularly the homage towards this "Gygax person".
Now keep in mind this is a woman that has only been around the D&D influence for about two years (and has only played in half a dozen settings), and when I mentioned his death the first words out of her mouth was..."Well, heck, I'd say this 4th edition crap probably killed him...."
I'm merely mentioning what was actually said to me by a D&D NOVICE at best.... and her image of Gygax at most was that in addition to telling her what he was responsible for (aka D&D), that Gygax in probably more ways in one was our gamer's Jerry Garcia to her own neo-hippish culture.
Poop.

diaglo |

Goodbye, you old coot.
I've missed you these last years.
...but I'll never forget you.
Some of the Old Guard will hoist a few this weekend and maybe roll a few sessions of the Original. In your name, my friend, all in your name.
he sits at our table with the others who have passed.
we only roll Original.3d6 in order
str
int
wis
con
dex
cha
before supplement I (1975) added the thief.