Rick Loomis has Passed

Rick Loomis of Flying Buffalo, a long time stalwart game industry luminary, has passed.  Condolences to his friends and family.

Saturday Crowdfunding Roundup - Steve Russell

I often have three from Kickstarter most weeks but this week I am focused on a single crowdfunding effort.  Earlier this week, the RPG Publishing industry lost a fine fellow who was the head of Rite Publishing.  Steve Russell was a respected publisher, well-loved gamer, and family man expecting a new child this coming winter.  He was lost to us suddenly in a tragic car accident.  His wife and family will be looking at some expenses as a result during their time of grief and anything anyone can do to help them handle this burden will be appreciated.  To throw in your support, go to the GoFundMe page here.

Saturday Crowdfunding Roundup on CreativeMountainGames.com 

Keeping an eye on those Kickstarter & IndieGoGo
projects plus other crowdfunding efforts.

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Throwback Thursday - Christopher Lee (May 27, 1922 – June 7, 2015)

It is with great sadness that I heard of the passing of Christopher Lee (May 27, 1922 – June 7, 2015).  He was an actor who popped into the zeitgeekst in every decade in which he worked.  One can look up the facts of his life and career on his Wiki page here or IMDb here, but The Telegraph is collecting reactions and tributes from all over here.

Throwback Thursday on CreativeMountainGames.com 

A look back at early tabletop hobby gaming

 or gaming-adjacent topics of the past.

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Throwback Thursday - Devo, Maze, & Tanith Lee

Over on fastcompany.com, "How Rock Iconoclasts Devo Became Leaders Of The 1980s Nerd Nirvana" here.  For my money, it was when I heard them as part of the score for the excellent film Heavy Metal (1981).

Also, on polygon.com, they elucidate on "The First First-Person Shooter" here.

Finally, it is with sadness that we lost a stalwart Science Fiction, Horror, and Fantasy author this week and we mourn the passing of Tanith Lee (1947-2015).  Learn more about her life and work here.

Throwback Thursday on CreativeMountainGames.com 

A look back at early tabletop hobby gaming

 or gaming-adjacent topics of the past.

Please Like, Share, Plus, Tweet, Follow, and Comment!

The Friday Grab Bag - Terry Pratchett Dead at 66

I caught wind of Terry Pratchett's work about half a decade after Discworld first came on the scene with Guards! Guards! in 1989.  I found it so hilarious that I spent a great deal of time reading the books already written even as more and more came spilling off of his pen.  It is sad to have to report that after a long struggle with "an aggressive form of Alzheimer's Disease," Terry has finally passed on.  Read more here on The Verge.

I was very pleased when they brought some of his work to the small screen and further enjoyed that he would take on a small role.  Below are a couple of photos of Terry playing a part.  He was featured as The Toymaker in Hogfather (2006), as Astrozoologist 2 (not pictured below) in The Colour of Magic (2008), and as Postman in Going Postal (2010).

The Friday Grab Bag on CreativeMountainGames.com 

Essentially, a clearinghouse for topics not covered
elsewhere or needing a particular focus.

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Media News Monday - Leonard Nimoy (1931 - 2015)

As all things must pass, so too beloved celebrities like Leonard Nimoy.  I've collected a few of the items below that surfaced over the weekend while folks mourned his passing.  After reading "How Leonard Nimoy Was Convinced to Join the First 'Star Trek' Movie" on the Hollywood Reporter here, read about the "An Incredibly Touching Leonard Nimoy Tribute From The ISS" here.

Also, on io9.com, check out how "Canada's 'Spocking Fives' Phenomenon Surges In Tribute To Leonard Nimoy" here.

Finally, while it might seem illogical, he once joined the Bangles "Going Down To Liverpool" to do nothing.  Enjoy.

Media News Monday on CreativeMountainGames.com 

News for Movies, Television, and more
of gamer-relevant Media.

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The Friday Grab Bag - Bill Hoyer Has Passed

William "Bill" Hoyer, a former TSR employee, has passed away after a bout with cancer.  From Luke Gygax:

"It is with a great sadness that I report Bill Hoyer has lost his battle with cancer. He was always a kind gentleman and a superlative gamer. He will be remembered and celebrated by those of us gathering in Lake Geneva at Gary Con in March. I posted his Guest Biography from Gary Con below."

On Bill Hoyer:

"President of IFW; Member Castle & Crusade Society, LGTSA, & employee of the RPGA/TSR. Bill was also one of Gary Gygax’s oldest gaming friends. Not surprising, given his decades of amateur and professional involvement with miniature wargames, roleplaying games, strategy games, board games, and later spent several years as an employee of TSR. His articles, letters, and reviews appeared in the IFW Monthly, The Messenger, Avalon Hill’s General, as well as numerous Diplomacy and play-by-mail campaigns. His game design credits include Dien Bien Phu, a play-by-mail game, and Search and Destroy, published by the IFW and sold to members."

Photo of Bill Hoyer (left)

Read more about Bill's career in gaming at The Collector's Trove here.

The Friday Grab Bag on CreativeMountainGames.com 

Essentially, a clearinghouse for topics not covered
elsewhere or needing a particular focus.

Please Like, Share, Plus, Tweet, Follow, and Comment!

Two Notable Gamers and Shadowfax have Died

We've recently lost two gamer podcasters.

One was Steven Tinner, a fellow well known on the EN World message boards for the last decade and more recently had a podcast called Critical Glitch.  More details can be found here.

Derek Rex is someone of whom I had lost track, having gamed with him briefly in the 80s.  Such was our hobby before the Internet that we met gamers, we all moved around, and keeping track of friends we met from time to time wasn't always easy.  It's odd that I was recently thinking about him and those days.  Then I just discovered this week that he had passed and had still been very active in the gaming scene.  More details on him can be found here.

Both of the above were roughly my age, which can be a bit disconcerting, but it does reinforce that we should make the most of our time while we can whether that means gaming, family, friends, or some mix of all of those and more.

Finally, it is worth also noting that the beautiful horse who played Shadowfax in the LotR franchise has died.  Read about it here.

Jack Vance has Passed

Celebrated author Jack Vance has passed at the age of 96.  Read more here!

Ray Harryhausen has Passed at 92

With great sadness, I share the news that Ray Harryhausen has passed at the age of 92.  Read more here.

Andrew Offutt has Passed

It has been reported on the Locus Magazine website that author Andrew (A. J.) Offutt has passed.  Below, the cover of his first published novel, Evil is Live Spelled Backwards, published in 1970 (from FantasticFiction.co.uk).  Read more here.

Todd A. Breitenstein has Passed

Early in the week, it was reported on Facebook by Eden Studios that Zombies!!! creator Todd A. Breitenstein has passed after a struggle with cancer. His genius will be missed.  There is also an indiegogo project set up to help the family with the medical bills here.

"Todd at MegaCon 2006 in Orlando, FL" from BoardGameGeek.com

R. I. P. Lynn Willis

After a long bout with Parkinsons Disease, gaming industry professional Lynn Willis has passed.  Read more here.

Actor Richard Lynch has Passed

Richard Lynch who played Cromwell (left, below) in the seminal gamer film The Sword and the Sorcerer (1982) passed away Tuesday, June 19, 2012.  Quite a busy actor who will be missed.

Ray Bradbury has Passed

Sadly for me as a fan, I heard yesterday of the passing of Ray Bradbury at the age of 91.  I also read a number of things online that have cast Bradbury as a less-than-perfect person.  I grew up for some time in Waukegan, IL, which had two "favorite sons" at that time, one being Bradbury and the other being Jack Benny (Our teams at Jack Benny Junior High School were known as The Fighting 39ers!).  Aside from Bradbury's ties to Waukegan through Dandelion Wine and his connection as a lifelong friend of Ray Harryhausen, I also loved his classic science fiction. I've never really known that side of him that some are saying was his unfortunate legacy in their minds as I never met him personally nor saw many interviews except in short snippets where he was discussing the work of others like Harryhausen. Without knowing the details, and not saying I doubt them nor need to hear them, I am disappointed that Bradbury came across to anyone in that unsavory light. I think, since Ray Bradbury has passed, I will follow my friend Michael Broadstock's advice in this case, separating the work from the man, and retain the fond memories I have of Bradbury's art and leave the sadder truths to those who cannot forget them.

Illustrator Leo Dillon has Passed

Illustrator Leo Dillon has passed away on My 26th, 2012.  More on his career can be read here.

R.I.P. Tony DeZuniga, Artist

There's a fitting tribute over on goodcomics.comicbookresources.com to artist Tony DeZuniga who died just this week at the age of 79.  Read more here.

RIP MAR "Phil" Barker

The gaming community lost one of its early giants yesterday with the death of MAR "Phil" Barker (1929-2012).  Famed for his Tékumel setting, you can read more about his long career as a professor, author, and gamer at the tekumelfoundation.org  He will be missed.

Former TSR Designer Jean Wells has Passed

There are numerous tributes and remembrances popping up around the Internet to mourn the loss of former TSR designer Jean Wells.  She was a fine person who I met briefly at Gary Con and they have a nice article of her passing on their site to which I am redirecting those who wish more details.  She will be missed.

Nicol Williamson Passes

Just a quick note to mention the passing of Nicol Williamson (September 14, 1936 – December 16, 2011), one of the great actors of our time and, notably, one of the best protrayers of Merlin ever.  Though he died in mid-December, his passing has just been formally announced on his website by his son Luke.  Below, Nicol Williamson is pictured (to the right) in a still from John Boorman's Excalibur (1981).