A bright light has been extinguished far too soon

Posted by Axel "Cosmo" Sjøstedt, 31st March 2000

I'm not usually writing articles about independent developers. Nor either do I often publicate my personal thoughts about cancer, a great person, or a story that ended far to soon. But let's make an exception.

Tuesday, March 21st, a game developer named Seumas McNally died of Hodgkins Lymphoma, a type of cancer which affects the lymph nodes in the blood. I just want you all to know that this touches my heart, and that my condolences goes to the McNally family and friends - he was a great, talented and special guy that was kind to everybody. A quality I'm really admiring.

I could have chatted all day long about this, but I'll make it quick. I am very happy I could exchange some mails with him, though I didn't know him personally. We were talking about Tread Marks - a game I'm claiming that is one of the best in this genre - Battle Combat and Tank Racing. The first thing he did, was offering me some free copies of the game. A game he, with help from his family, programmed and published all alone. An incredible presentation itself.

I know far to well how hard it is to loose a close member of the family, and especially such an amazing, rewarding person. My deepest sympathies to friends and family of Seumas in this difficult time.

I'll end with a quote from John Carmack, programmer at id Software (full text here):

Over email about finishing the technology in Treadmarks, Seumas once said "I hope I can make it". Not "be a huge success" or "beat the competition". Just "make it".

That is a yardstick to measure oneself by.

You can read more in GameDev's Memorial.

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