Richard ‘Levelord’ Gray Has Died at 68
Legendary level designer Richard ‘Levelord’ Gray has died. He helped shape Duke Nukem 3D, Quake, and Sin, and left a lasting mark on FPS map design.
AI-generated summary based on reporting by Kotaku.
Richard “Levelord” Gray has died at 68, according to Apogee Entertainment and people who knew him. Gray was a well-known level designer whose work helped shape games like Duke Nukem 3D, Quake, and Sin.
Gray started making maps later than many game developers. He said in a 2016 interview that he did not begin until he was 35, and he joined the Duke Nukem 3D team in his 40s. He later formed Ritual Entertainment, where he worked on Quake’s Scourge of Armagon, Sin, Star Trek: Elite Force 2, and Counter-Strike: Condition Zero.
He was also known for memorable level design ideas, including “The Edge of Oblivion” in Scourge of Armagon and “Behind Zee Bookcase” in Sin. In Duke Nukem 3D, he became famous for hidden Easter egg messages, including “You’re not supposed to be here.”
John Romero, Scott Miller, and Joe Siegler were among the developers who shared tributes. Siegler said Gray had dealt with cancer over the years, though no official cause of death has been confirmed. Gray is survived by his wife and daughter.
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