Richard “Levelord” Gray, the legendary level designer behind Duke Nukem 3D and Sin, has died at 68. He came to games in his 40s and left behind one of the most iconic Easter eggs in gaming history. Here’s how the industry is paying tribute.
Richard Gray, better known to gamers of a certain age as Levelord, has died. Gray’s death was reported on social media by Apogee Entertainment, who paid tribute to his “legendary work on Duke Nukem 3D” and the lasting legacy he left behind.
Gray worked as a level and map designer on numerous shooters in the late 1990s and early 2000, beginning with Duke Nukem 3D in 1996. Shortly after that game launched, he left 3D Realms and co-founded Hipnotic Interactive, later renamed to Ritual Entertainment, where he worked on games including Quake: Scourge of Armagon, Sin, Star Trek: Elite Force 2, Counter-Strike: Condition Zero, 25 to Life, and others.
He also earned a very specific fame for his “You’re not supposed to be here” Easter egg in Duke Nukem 3D, which was only accessible via cheating.
Gray came to the game business at a (relatively, for the industry) advanced age. In a 2016 interview with Duke64Nukem.com he said he was 35 when he made his first Doom level, calling himself “a late bloomer with games,” while Apogee founder Scott Miller said Gray was “in his 40s” when the studio hired him out of the Doom mod scene to work on Duke Nukem 3D.
“I hired him to work on Duke 3D in 1994, after seeing some of his really impressive Doom levels—he was pretty active in the mod scene,” Miller shared with PC Gamer. “He then moved to Dallas, and worked from our offices. He got along well with everyone and impressed everyone with his dedication and talent. Richard loved to push the engine to its limits and he came up with a lot of fun level design tricks, using portals for example, that our other level designers learned from.
“Richard was also so helpful to anyone who approached him for help getting into the industry or becoming a better designer. He had a terrific sense of humor, too. For example, in Duke 3D he made this hung jury room. A real legend.”
Other developers also paid tribute to Gray on social media:
Frederik Schreiber, Slipgate Ironworks CEO: “Richard was, without a doubt, one of the kindest people I’ve ever met in the games industry. Incredibly humble, remarkably intelligent, endlessly creative, and always a pleasure to be around. Despite everything he had accomplished and the enormous influence his work had on my generation of game developers, he never carried himself as anything other than a genuinely good human being.”
Andrew Hulshult, composer: “Richard Gray was one of those industry vets I always looked forward to hanging out with when I had the chance. He was VERY smart and I always felt like I learned something just from hanging out with him. I’m thankful Rob and Christine Atkins introduced me to him. R.I.P. friend.”
Cliff Bleszinski, Gears of War creator: “RIP Richard ‘Levelord’ Gray. You broke the mold, fella. Guy paved the way for so many level/environment designers.”
John Romero, id Software co-founder: “Devastating news today. Richard ‘Levelord’ Gray was such a great guy. Like many of our friends, I wish I could have hung out with him again. He was full of life, a gentle soul, and an excellent level designer. He was called ‘Levelord’ for a reason.”
Siegler said Gray had struggled with cancer “on and off for a while now,” but the cause of death was not announced. He was 68.
About the Author
