Passing of a Champion

bulgarex

It's with heavy heart that I announce the passing of Darren Watts, former president of DOJ Inc, owners of Hero Games the publishers of pen-and-paper Champions.

When DOJ bought the rights to Hero Games in 2001, Darren was chief administrator, but also a major creative contributor to the world that Champions Online is based on. In particular, Millennium City is his creation. He served in that capacity for a decade, until the company's downsizing. Darren continued to be involved in game writing, including for Champions, notably his labor of love, Golden Age Champions.

Several days ago Darren was stricken with a severe heart attack, which apparently deprived his brain of oxygen. Since then he'd been unconscious and on ventilation, his family by his side, but he never awoke.

My own interactions with Darren Watts were infrequent but always a pleasure. He was younger than me, and should have had decades more to enjoy and contribute to. But this game is one monument to his life, and you honor him every time you play it.

jamesbonnell

Sorry to hear, condolences to his family and friends. I don't know that I ever interacted with him directly, but I do own several copies of Golden Age Champions (old and redone).

sapphiechu

A sad loss to the industry and to Champions.

wingedkagouti

There may be people dying every second, but it always hurts when it happens to a friend or family member. My best wishes to those who knew and cared for him.