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A brief moment of silence for a great man.
While many will not know him unless they are a gamer, you can thank this man for many of our doctors, lawyers, firemen, policemen, astronauts, scientists, and miracle workers around us every day. Gary Gygax encouraged imagination and helped kids learn they could be more then what they were if they tried. He was a good man, and anyone who met him, fan or other, never had a bad thing to say about him. He has passed at the age of 69, and is survived by his wife and six children.
He can be credited with inspiring the world of gaming. Starting with the creation of Dungeons and Dragons. His legacy has inspired such companies as Blizzard Entertainment, Bioware, idSoft and many countless others. Dungeons and Dragon's influence and mechanics can be seen throughout the gaming and programing world. If you play a game that has saving throws, resists, combat based on rolls and hit tables, you can thank this man.
On a personal level, some of my most fond memories revolve around the game this man created. Bonding with my father during first edition games with his friends, Playing second edition AD&D with my friends at the local gaming shop and meeting people who would influence my life in the long run through this environment, to sitting around the table late night with a few beers in the college apartments laughing and having a good time. It was through these games I got to act out the dreams in my head brought through reading books like the lord of the rings series.
I ask you take a moment and think about how the games you played as a kid, or even as an adult have influenced your life. Then give a moment of thanks to a great man who has left us.
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