D&D General D&D Luminary Jim 'Drawmij' Ward Passes

James M. Ward, writer of Metamorphosis Alpha, co-writer of Deities & Demigods, author of Greyhawk Adventures, and veteran of TSR, has passed away at the age of 72.

Ward was one of the first players in Gary Gygax's early Dungeon & Dragons games in the 1970s--the wizard Drawmij is 'Jim Ward' spelt backwards--and worked for TSR until the mid-1990s. He co-founded Fast Forward Entertainment in the early 2000s. Ward also worked with Troll Lord Games for several supplements.

Jim wrote a column right here at EN World, dealing into various aspects of D&D's genesis and development, and the early days of TSR in the 1970s and 1980s. Amongst the many things he shared with us is a wonderful article where he introduced himself (as if he needed to!) to EN World. I can't think of a better person to summarise Jim's career than the man himself.

Our thoughts are with his friends and family.

 

[SteveC]

I have a bunch of friends who were at Gary Con last weekend and they said there was a lot of discussion among the older crowd about Jim. Some great memories were shared. If you were there, I'd love to hear some of the things people were talking about.

 

[darjr]

Playing at the world looks at a player map Jim Ward drew while playing in one of Gary Gygax games.

Jim Ward's Adventure in Gygax's Wonderland

Last weekend at GaryCon, many of us raised a glass to the memory of Jim Ward, who passed away just days before the convention. Ward was very...

playingattheworld.blogspot.com

 

[Quartz]

Thank you, Mr Ward, for making the world a more fun place.

 

[seankreynolds]

Long ago, I got Jim Ward to write down his April 4th story (the story he'd tell to the designers and editors on the anniversary of being let go from TSR on April 4, 1984) so that I could post it on my blog. Finally posted it today. Jim Ward’s Story: April 4, a Day That Will Live In Infamy

 

[Wofano Wotanto]

Long ago, I got Jim Ward to write down his April 4th story (the story he'd tell to the designers and editors on the anniversary of being let go from TSR on April 4, 1984) so that I could post it on my blog. Finally posted it today. Jim Ward’s Story: April 4, a Day That Will Live In Infamy

Interesting read, glad you shared it. A good reminder of just what a mess TSR was as a business at various points in its history, not just near the end.