UPDATE: Dave Arneson has not passed away.

It seems that the rumors of Dave Arneson’s death have been greatly exaggerated.

I wrote about it because it floored me.  I wrote about it too soon.

I apologize to the Arneson family.

Dave Arneson, co-creator of Dungeons and Dragons, possibly loses battle with cancer.

Please be aware that, as the linked-to article says, this story has not been confirmed.  It’s entirely possible that Dave Arneson is still with us.  I originally wrote the post as if the terrible news were true, but found it in better taste to edit it so it reflects the current state of the matter: unknown.

It’s a sad day for gamers: Dave Arneson, who along with recently-departed Gary Gygax, created Dungeons and Dragons, has passed on according to an unconfirmed source.

You may have never played Dungeons and Dragons, but if you have played World of Warcraft or any MMORPG–or any other kind of RPG for that matter, electronic or otherwise–you need to be thankful for this man’s contribution.  He helped to lay down the template that has worked so very well for so very long.

Take a moment and remember the Arneson family in your thoughts and prayers.  Death is hard on a family, and if Dave Arneson is still with us then he is still battling cancer; something just as trying.