RIP, D&D Co-Creator Dave Arneson

It has been sad times for proto-gaming of late. We lost Gary Gygax a mere 13 months ago, and, unbelievably, his Dungeons & Dragons co-creator Dave Arneson has now passed away too. The great man died on Tuesday, aged just 61.

With the creation of D&D in 1974, Arneson and Gygax left a profound legacy to videogaming - from the earliest cRPGs through to today's MMOs, and doubtlessly for as long as the form continues to exist. While some bad blood between him and Gygax meant he sadly parted ways with D&D a while back and didn't always enjoy an equivalent legendary status as a result, today's gaming landscape would be dramatically different were it not for his early work. Thank you, sir.

Read on for a statement from Mr Arneson's family.

(From an email originally sent to RPG site Grognardia).

Shortly after 11pm on Tuesday, April 7th, Dave Arneson passed away. He was comfortable and with family at the time and his passing was peaceful.

The Arneson family would like to thank everyone for their support over the last few days, and for the support the entire community has shown Dave over the years.

We are in the process of making final arrangements and will provide additional details as we work them out. We will continue to receive cards and letters in Dave's honor. We are planning to hold a public visitation so that anyone wishing to say their goodbye in person has the opportunity to do so.

Cards and letters can continue to be sent:
Dave Arneson
1043 Grand Avenue
Box #257
St. Paul, MN
55105