David Allen Hargrave Game designer, author of fantasy and sci-fi role-playing games Date of Birth: 25.05.1946 Country: USA

1. David Allen Hargrave: Game Designer and Vietnam Veteran
2. Wartime Experience as a Combat Photographer
3. Prolific Game Designer: Arduin and Beyond
4. A Character Known for Passion and Temper
5. Collaboration and Industry Involvement
6. Personal Tributes and Legacy

David Allen Hargrave: Game Designer and Vietnam Veteran

David Allen Hargrave, also known as "The Dream Weaver," was a renowned game designer and author specializing in fantasy and science fiction role-playing games. His iconic creations were based on his elaborate fictional world of Arduin.

Wartime Experience as a Combat Photographer

Before his foray into game design, Hargrave served as a combat photographer in the Vietnam War for six years (1964-1970). He faced the perils of the front lines alongside soldiers, capturing the grim realities of war.

Prolific Game Designer: Arduin and Beyond

From the mid-1970s to 1988, Hargrave immersed himself in the role-playing game community. He penned ten books based on the Arduin world and created four game modules and numerous game components published by Grimoire Games.

Hargrave's work stood out for its diverse elements, blending interstellar warfare, horror, and historical drama. Arduin became a formidable competitor to Dungeons & Dragons and a pioneer in open-ended campaign structures that became ubiquitous in role-playing.

A Character Known for Passion and Temper

While celebrated as a master game designer, Hargrave was also notorious for his fiery temperament. His outspoken nature divided the gaming community, with some admiring his passion while others endured his outbursts.

Collaboration and Industry Involvement

Hargrave contributed to gaming magazines such as Different Worlds, Alarums and Excursions, and Abyss. He designed adventures for the Call of Cthulhu role-playing game and collaborated on the development of the science fiction game Star Rovers.

In 1979, he opened a game store in Concord, California, called the Multiversal Trading Company.

Personal Tributes and Legacy

Hargrave often named items, weapons, spells, artifacts, and taverns in Arduin after people close to him. References to Clint Eastwood permeated his works, with warrior characters resembling the American Western icon.

Towards the end of his life, Hargrave attributed his health issues to his Vietnam service. Despite his challenges, he remained a beloved and influential game master known for his unexpected campaign twists.

David Allen Hargrave is posthumously remembered in the credits of the computer game Diablo. His remains are interred at Golden Gate National Cemetery in San Bruno, California.