Sad Day for the MMORPG Genre - A legend has passed. (Brad McQuaid)

Eronakis

I follow Pantheon everywhere, including facebook. 4 minutes ago, it was just announced that Brad McQuaid, developer of Everquest, Vanguard Saga of Heroes and his masterpiece, Panthoen: Rise of the Fallen has passed away last night. Here is the text from the facebook post....

It is with deep regret and profound sadness that we share that Brad McQuaid, Chief Creative Officer of Visionary Realms passed away in his home last night.

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.

All of us at Visionary Realms offer our deepest condolences to Brad’s family and during this most difficult time, we kindly ask that you respect the privacy of Brad’s family.

https://www.facebook.com/pantheonmmo/

BruceYee

Very sad. May he rest in peace.

Tokken

Is this true?  If so, RIP Brad. Loved your games!

Eronakis

Tokken said:

Is this true?  If so, RIP Brad. Loved your games!

Why would anyone make this up?

ChildoftheShadows

Damn.

Tokken

Eronakis said:

Tokken said:

Is this true?  If so, RIP Brad. Loved your games!

Um yes. Why would anyone make this us?

Well, you never know in there forums.  People will be jerks sometimes and make stuff up.. ..... and I didn't see proof, a link.

Anyways, I know alot of people weren't fans of him, but I was. Thanks for posting!

Sylvinstar

Just heard about this minutes after it was posted...  =(

Major bummer.  The games in which he was the creative driving force were among the best games I've played, and some of the best times I've had with others online.

Eronakis

Tokken said:

Eronakis said:

Tokken said:

Is this true?  If so, RIP Brad. Loved your games!

Um yes. Why would anyone make this us?

Well, you never know in there forums.  People will be jerks sometimes. ..... and I didn't see proof (an attachment). duh?

https://www.facebook.com/pantheonmmo/

Kumapon

This is horrible news, sad that he wont see the completed world and all the people enjoying his creation. RIP Aradune you have been the reason for countless hours of adventuring , untold friendships formed, and immeasurable enjoyment by all who played your games. Hopefully the next step in your adventure brings you the same that you've brought to others.

Sylvinstar

Tokken said:

Eronakis said:

Tokken said:

Is this true?  If so, RIP Brad. Loved your games!

Um yes. Why would anyone make this us?

Well, you never know in there forums.  People will be jerks sometimes and make stuff up.. ..... and I didn't see proof, a link.

Anyways, I know alot of people weren't fans of him, but I was. Thanks for posting!

Heard it from my brother who has access to the forums...its for real.

Tokken

elephant in the room?  I hope Brad's last dream comes true! Pantheon!

Panther2103

Damn. This is awful news. RIP Brad. 

Eronakis

DMKano said:

RIP Aradune

This will impact Pantheon development - just not sure in what way.

Also posted on massively.

https://massivelyop.com/2019/11/19/veteran-mmorpg-developer-brad-mcquaid-has-passed-away/

I am sure it will halt development for a while to grieve, to figure out finances and how to go from there. I am sure the team will continue to develop to honor Brad's vision in Pantheon.

Sovrath

Holy Crap!

Met him two Pax conferences ago, he was very nice and very generous with his time. Seemed like a decent person.

How sad. My best to his family and friends and team.

Tiller

This is sad, rest in peace. I hope the team keeps working on development in his honor. 

Utinni

Didn't another Pantheon dev just commit suicide too? Holy poop. Sad days

Sovrath

Also, it really brings home that we just don't know how much time we have. Wasting it probably shouldn't be an option whatever that means to each of us.

Eronakis

Utinni said:

Didn't another Pantheon dev just commit suicide too? Holy poop. Sad days

Wait, what? Oh I see. He worked on Everquest, Vanguard and Amazon Game Studios.

Geeky

So sad.Utinni said:

Didn't another Pantheon dev just commit suicide too? Holy poop. Sad days

No, like 2 days ago another original EQ dev passed away.

Grimula

RIP Brad  =( such sad News , Had been following Brad since Day 1 Everquest 1

Wasted over half my life in Everquest    was good times

Thaanks for your contribution to gaming Brad , you will be missed  

iixviiiix

It kind of sad that he never able to see patheon get release .

Amathe

“PIPPIN: I didn't think it would end this way.

GANDALF: End? No, the journey doesn't end here. Death is just another path, one that we all must take. The grey rain-curtain of this world rolls back, and all turns to silver glass, and then you see it.

PIPPIN: What? Gandalf? See what?

GANDALF: White shores, and beyond, a far green country under a swift sunrise.

PIPPIN: Well, that isn't so bad.

GANDALF: No. No, it isn't.”

RIP Aradune

Vrika

Arterius said:

RIP. I hope Pantheon gets made in your memory. 

Honestly @DMKano I am trying to figure out if this will hurt or help Pantheon. Will investors be more willing to put money into Pantheon hoping that people will jump in because its Aradune's last game or will they more likely turn a blind eye now that the main man is gone. 

Also what does the team do now? I am sure they all shared a vision but the game is still in PA so the game could be widely different now with Aradune gone.

For Pantheon the most important question is likely who owns Brad's share and what do they want to do with it. This could mean some investor buying Pantheon cheap and then deciding his own direction for the game.

Theocritus

Brad's real journey now begins....Hope he took Jesus with him.....Brad was only 51 years old...i hope it wasnt drugs.

Gilcroix

I have so many great memories and made many life long friendships in the worlds he created. He will be sorely missed . RIP Brad.  

kitarad

I am so shocked . I hope Pantheon survives this and ends up like a tribute to him.