Legendary level designer Richard 'Levelord' Gray has died

Legendary level designer Richard "Levelord" Gray has passed away, leaving behind a significant legacy in the gaming industry. Gray's death was confirmed on social media by Apogee Entertainment, who paid tribute to his remarkable work on Duke Nukem 3D and the countless developers he inspired. Rest in peace, Levelord.

Gray's career spanned over a decade, beginning with Duke Nukem 3D in 1996. Shortly after the game's launch, he left 3D Realms and co-founded Hipnotic Interactive, later renamed Ritual Entertainment, where he worked on various games including Quake: Scourge of Armagon, Sin, Star Trek: Elite Force 2, Counter-Strike: Condition Zero, 25 to Life, and others. Gray is particularly known for his Easter egg "You're not supposed to be here" in Duke Nukem 3D, which could only be accessed through cheating.

Gray entered the game industry at a relatively mature age. In a 2016 interview, he revealed he was 35 when he created his first Doom level, describing himself as a "late bloomer with games." Apogee founder Scott Miller also noted that Gray was in his 40s when hired to work on Duke Nukem 3D, coming from the Doom mod scene.

Industry colleagues and friends have been saddened by Gray's passing. Andrew Hulshult, composer for Duke Nukem 3D, praised Gray as a smart and wise individual who always learned something from him. Cliff Bleszinski, creator of Gears of War, called him a game-changer who paved the way for level designers. John Romero, co-founder of id Software, expressed his regret at not being able to spend more time with Gray, describing him as a brilliant and gentle soul.