Richard “Levelord” Gray, the level designer best known for his work on Duke Nukem 3D, has died aged 68.
Apogee Entertainment announced his death on social media and paid tribute to his “legendary work on Duke Nukem 3D” (thanks, PC Gamer).
Gray began as a level designer on Duke Nukem 3D, which launched in 1996. He left 3D Realms to co-found Hipnotic Interactive, later renamed Ritual Entertainment.
At Ritual, his credits included Quake: Scourge of Armagon, Sin, Star Trek: Elite Force 2, Counter-Strike: Condition Zero, and 25 to Life. He was also remembered for the “You’re not supposed to be here” Easter egg in Duke Nukem 3D, which could only be found by cheating.
Apogee founder Scott Miller told PC Gamer he recruited Gray in 1994 on the strength of his Doom levels.
Tributes also came from Gears of War creator Cliff Bleszinski, who wrote that Gray “paved the way for so many level/environment designers.” Slipgate Ironworkers CEO Frederik Schreiber called him “one of the kindest people I’ve ever met in the games industry.”
A cause of death has not been announced.