Legendary MMORPG developer Brad McQuaid has died at age 51. His death was first reported on the Patheon: Rise of the Fallen forums, this was the MMO he was working on at the time of his death. According to the forum post by Benjamin Dean from Visionary Realms McQuaid died at home.
“Brad was a visionary, a mentor, an artist, a trailblazer, a friend, a husband, a father. He touched thousands of lives with his dreams and concepts. He changed the landscape of video games forever. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered in life and in Pantheon.
Thank you, Brad, for bringing us together through your worlds. Rest in peace, Aradune.”
McQuaid is perhaps best known for his work on Everquest. He joined SOE in 1996 as the lead programmer for the historic MMO and later went on to a producer role and then Chief Creative Officer. Upon hearing of his death his former boss, John Smedley took to Twitter to say “Brad was an amazingly talented creator and Everquest wouldn’t exist without his genius. He will be missed.”
In 2002 McQuaid left SOE to found Sigil Games which created Vanguard: Saga of Heroes which was eventually bought by SOE. From 2012 to 2013 he briefly rejoined SOE before once again going independent. This time it was to create Pantheon: Rise of the Fallen which had its successful Kickstarter in 2014.
It isn’t too much of a stretch at all to say that the entire MMO genre wouldn’t be what it is today without the contributions Brad McQuaid made. It has been asked that the privacy of his family is respected during this difficult time. But, if you would like to share heartwarming stories that his wife and daughter will see Smedley has suggested sending those stories to @aradune on Twitter.
Source: Pantheon Forums, Smedley’s Twitter
