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Don Kaye

American game designer (1938–1975)

Donald R. Kaye (June 27, 1938 – January 31, 1975) was the co-founder of Tactical Studies Rules (TSR), the game publishing company best known for their Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) role-playing game. He and TSR co-founder Gary Gygax had been friends since childhood, sharing an interest in miniature war games.2

From Wikipedia’s article on Don Kaye (this version), CC BY-SA 4.0.

Born Jun 27, 1938, died Jan 31, 1975.1

About

In 1972, Kaye created Murlynd, one of the first D&D characters, and play-tested him in Gygax's Castle Greyhawk campaign. Kaye and Gygax were convinced that D&D and similar games were an excellent business opportunity, and together they founded Tactical Studies Rules in 1973. However, only two years later, just as sales of D&D started to rise, Kaye unexpectedly died of a heart attack at age 36.

From Wikipedia’s article on Don Kaye, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.2

Companies

Early life and education

Don Kaye was born on June 27, 1938. He grew up in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, where at age 8, he became friends with Gygax, who had moved there from Chicago, Illinois. The two young boys also often played with tomboy Mary Jo Powell, but lost touch with her when she moved away. At age fifteen, Kaye and Gygax began playing miniature war games, designing their own miniatures rules for their large collection of 54 mm and 70 mm toy soldiers, using "ladyfinger firecrackers" to simulate explosions.

When they were nineteen, Mary Jo Powell, now a young woman, returned to Lake Geneva and the two friends were smitten with her. Although they both courted her, it was Gygax who ultimately persuaded Mary Jo to marry him. This caused a rift in their friendship, and Kaye refused to attend Gygax's wedding.

In 1965, Kaye, Gygax, Mike Reese, and Leon Tucker created a military miniatures society, Lake Geneva Tactical Studies Association (LGTSA). Its first headquarters were in Gygax's basement, and they later held meetings in Kaye's garage.

From Wikipedia’s article on Don Kaye (this version), CC BY-SA 4.0.

Career

Occupation: role-playing game designer, game designer, publisher.4

  • Date not recordedFounded TSR3

Personal life

  • BornJun 27, 1938, Lake Geneva5 6
  • DiedJan 31, 1975, Wisconsin6 7
  • CitizenshipUnited States8

Sources

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    WikidataTSR, Founder