Loading ...Gary Gygax: Dungeons and Dragons Co-creator dies of health complications at 69
Associated Press has reported that famed Dungeons and Dragons co-creator, Gary Gygax has died at the age of 69.
Gary Gygax began his life as a Chicago youth interested in cards, chess, and many other games of strategy. It is no surprise to those around him that in the early 70’s his name would be attached to the biggest strategy game to date. That game was called Dungeons and Dragons and it is known as the founding father of role-playing-games (RPG’s). Dungeons and Dragons changed the lives of its players in ways Gary Gygax never anticipated. It provided a social outlet for kids who had no other common ground. It was an escape for adults looking for adventure. It was an exercise of the mind and imagination. Dungeons and Dragons would soon become an empire with legions of followers as players built entire worlds filled with a blend of fantasy and science fiction.
Gary went on to create many other RPG’s but will always be known for, respected for, and even idolized for his contribution to D&D.
I’ve seen too many spook stories and “Dr’s recommendations” stating that too much tv and gaming destroys a child’s attention span and imagination. Then along came the Wii. When the man of my house set out to buy it, I rolled my eyes, sighed a deep sigh, and ran a mental list of all the other things we could use that money for. Obviously, games were not on the top of my priority list. How was I to know I would LOVE this system??? Well, I do. It’s fun. It’s interactive. It’s certainly NOT the sit-on-your-bum-and-go-braindead kind of game I see too much. I threw my shoulder out while Wii bowling. My 2 sons got so exhausted Wii boxing that they took a nap. The girls got all the games down in minutes flat! The controls are easy. The games are extremely responsive to your actual motions. And best of all, they REQUIRE motion! They encourage teamwork and taking turns! And they wear my kids out! YAY! So now, as I’m planning out my christmas gift list, somehow Wii video games have topped the priority list!