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Richard Gray, the renowned level designer widely known as Levelord, has passed away at the age of 68. His death was confirmed by his wife, Olga, with tributes pouring in from across the gaming industry, including an official statement from Apogee Entertainment acknowledging his legendary contributions to Duke Nukem 3D.
Gray entered the game industry as a late bloomer, beginning his professional career in his 40s after Apogee founder Scott Miller recruited him from the Doom modding scene in 1994. He became celebrated for his technical ingenuity, particularly his ability to push game engines to their limits through innovative design tricks like the use of portals.
Throughout his career, Gray worked on numerous influential shooters, including Quake: Scourge of Armagon, Sin, and Star Trek: Elite Force 2. He is perhaps best remembered for his work on Duke Nukem 3D, which featured his famous "You're not supposed to be here" Easter egg, accessible only to players who utilized cheats.
Industry peers have remembered Gray as a humble, kind, and intelligent mentor who frequently assisted aspiring designers. While it was noted that he had been battling cancer on and off for some time, the specific cause of death was not disclosed.
