Saying farewell to a titan of gaming: The incomparable Jennell Jaquays has passed away

Remembering Jennell Jaquays: A Beacon of Creativity and Inclusivity in Gaming

It is with a heavy heart that we reflect on the life of Jennell Jaquays, an iconic figure in the gaming industry whose influence shaped the way we play and design games today. Jennell passed away on January 10th, 2024, but her legacy endures in the countless worlds she crafted and the barriers she broke down throughout her illustrious career.

A goodb for Jennell Jaquays

Born in Detroit in 1965, Jaquays gravitated towards creative fantasy worlds from an early age. She began professionally illustrating at 19 and contributed art to seminal tabletop RPGs like Dungeons & Dragons. But Jaquays was not content to just visualize worlds—she wanted to bring them life through game design.

When she transitioned to the burgeoning video game industry in the 1980s under the name “Paul Jaquays”, few women had broken into that sphere. But her talent spoke for itself through projects like the genre-defining open world RPG The Dark Heart of Uukrul. Jaquays helped shape the adaptive narratives and immersive worlds that are gaming mainstays today.

Other career highlights included directing ColecoVision classic Cabbage Patch Kids: Adventures in the Park and storyboarding the iconic NES title Zelda II. She made her mark on seminal franchises from Doom to Quake at id Software in the ‘90s. All the while, she quietly broke barriers as one of gaming’s first transgender developers long before cultural tides shifted.

Entering the 2000s, Jaquays founded core3games studio and shifted to massively multiplayer online game work for Linden Lab, Omni, and Activision. She helped craft the virtual frontiers of platforms like Second Life. Jaquays also became an advocate for greater inclusion in gaming as a public speaker and teacher.

While she will be deeply missed by her wife, family, colleagues and myriad fans, Jaquays’ trailblazing legacy endures. Through over 150 game credits, she opened doors for marginalized creators and pushed the medium’s limits. Jennell Jaquays demonstrated the power of merging world-class creativity with values of empathy and fearlessness. She was truly ahead of the curve.

Jaquays always put her imagination first—whether crafting tabletop worlds with pen and dice, coding early console narratives or designing virtual societies before the technology fully existed. She inhabited her dreams before most dared to see that potential. The entire gaming landscape owes gratitude to this pioneer who charted unknown territory across eras, genres and identities.

All who craft interactive worlds and experiences walk in the footsteps of creatives like Jennell Jaquays who went first. May we honor her memory by continuing to make gaming more inclusive and redefining what is possible. Jennell’s expansive contributions will never be forgotten. Her bold spirit lives on.

Jennell Jaquays was more than just a game designer; she was a visionary, an artist, and a pioneer who consistently pushed the boundaries of creativity. Her work inspired a generation of gamers and designers alike, fostering a spirit of adventure and storytelling that became the heart of role-playing games.

Jennell’s journey through the gaming industry was marked by exceptional work and an unwavering commitment to inclusivity. Her transition later in life stood as a beacon of hope and courage, not only in the gaming community but to all who strive to live authentically. The courage she displayed in her personal life was matched by the boldness and depth of her professional creations.

A Legacy of Game Design

Jennell Jaquays’ contributions to gaming began in the 1970s, where she quickly made a name for herself with her exceptional dungeon designs for *Dungeons & Dragons*. Her modules, including the renowned “Dark Tower” and “Caverns of Thracia,” are celebrated for their intricate level design and for breaking the mold of linear dungeon crawls, offering a more open-ended approach that has influenced RPG design to this day.

Her talents extended into the digital realm, where she applied her design philosophies to video games. Jennell worked on landmark titles for various platforms, contributing to franchises such as *DragonQuest* and *Command & Conquer*. She was also a lead designer on the pioneering *Quake* series, where her level designs brought a new dimension to multiplayer gaming experiences.

As a visual artist, Jennell’s work graced the covers of numerous gaming publications, bringing the fantastical realms within to life. Her art captured the imagination of players, inviting them into worlds beyond their wildest dreams.

Personal Life and Influence

Beyond her professional achievements, Jennell’s personal journey was equally impactful. She was openly transgender and became an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, offering support and solidarity to those in the gaming community and beyond. Her story is one of resilience and self-discovery, serving as a powerful reminder of the importance of living one’s truth.

Jennell’s commitment to diversity extended into her work, where she championed representation and inclusivity in gaming narratives and character design. She understood the power of games as a vehicle for empathy and the importance of seeing oneself reflected in these interactive stories.

In Memoriam

As we say goodbye to Jennell Jaquays, we celebrate her life as a testament to the transformative power of gaming. Her legacy is etched into the annals of gaming history, and her influence will continue to be felt across tabletop dungeons, digital landscapes, and in the hearts of those who create and play within these spaces.

Jennell’s work taught us that games can be more than entertainment; they can be gateways to new worlds, lenses through which we can understand each other better, and platforms for change. Her life reminds us that our individual stories are powerful, that diversity strengthens our collective narrative, and that the courage to be oneself can light the way for others.

We extend our deepest sympathies to Jennell’s family, friends, and all who knew her. May her memory continue to inspire us to forge new paths, to tell stories that resonate, and to build worlds where everyone is welcome.

Rest in peace, Jennell. Your life was a well-played campaign, and your legacy will live on, as vibrant and enduring as the worlds you created.