Richard ‘Levelord’ Grey has reportedly died, in keeping with Apogee Leisure and people who had been near the legendary and beloved degree designer who helped create fan-favorite maps in video games like Duke Nukem 3D, Quake, and Sin.
Grey, recognized on-line by his mapping deal with Levelord, defined in a 2016 interview that he didn’t actually begin making maps in video games like Doom till he was 35. He later joined the Duke Nukem 3D group in his 40s, comparatively late in comparison with most different sport devs engaged on shooters within the ’90s and early 2000s. After that, he left and shaped his personal studio, which might finally turn out to be Ritual Leisure. That group labored on Quake’s first mission pack, Scourge of Armagon, Sin, Star Trek: Elite Pressure 2, and Counter-Strike: Situation Zero, amongst different video games.
Whereas engaged on the Quake mission pack at Ritual, Grey created “The Fringe of Oblivion,” the third and final secret degree of Scourge of Armagon. This degree is credited by many as being the primary “islands in house” or “platform within the void” kind of FPS map. That fashion of map would turn out to be extraordinarily common in later FPS video games like Unreal Event and Quake 3 Enviornment. Levelord additionally designed the MP map “Behind Zee Bookcase” in Sin, which is usually credited as one of many first examples of a 3D FPS degree designed to make you’re feeling such as you had been the scale of a small mouse exploring a real-world surroundings.
And naturally, throughout his time growing ranges in Duke Nukem 3D, he grew to become well-known for his hidden Easter egg messages tucked away in part of the map that you could possibly solely attain utilizing cheats. For those who did, you’d discover a message from Levelord: “You’re not alleged to be right here.”
In 2016, when requested how he may make certain that gamers would even discover the now-famous secret, Grey informed Duke64Nukem.com:
Did we provide the cheat codes to search out simply? Then, in fact, most all of you’ll be flying round, seeing what you could possibly break, discover easter eggs the straightforward manner …bingo! I gave you an easter egg that you just needed to cheat to search out.
On Tuesday, devs who labored with Grey posted in regards to the legendary developer within the wake of his passing.
“Devastating information at the moment,” shared Doom co-creator and developer John Romero. “Richard ‘Levelord’ Grey was such an amazing man. Like a lot of our buddies, I want I may have frolicked with him once more. He was energetic, a mild soul, and a very good degree designer. He was referred to as ‘Levelord’ for a purpose.”
We’re deeply saddened by the passing of Richard “Levelord” Grey.
From his legendary work on Duke Nukem 3D to the numerous gamers and builders he impressed, Richard leaves behind a long-lasting legacy.
Relaxation in peace, Levelord. pic.twitter.com/UZPWoM04XY
— Apogee Leisure (@Apogee_Ent) October 13, 2026
“A heartbreaking day. Richard was a stellar expertise who joined the sport trade in his 40s when Apogee employed him to hitch the Duke 3D group,” posted Apogee founder Scott Miller. “He was a relentless onerous employee, a enjoyable teammate, and an total nice human. His ranges in Duke Nukem 3D and Sin will stay on eternally. And Richard created probably the greatest easter eggs in gaming historical past: ‘You’re not alleged to be right here! — Levelord.’ RIP.”
Fellow 3D Realms/Apogee Software program developer Joe Siegler defined on social media that he heard the information from Grey’s spouse and talked about that the extent designer had handled most cancers over time, although no reason behind dying has been formally confirmed but.
“We labored collectively again at Apogee/3DR for a number of years totally on Duke Nukem 3D,” stated Siegler. “Such a enjoyable time in my life. We stayed in contact lengthy after he left to discovered Ritual. Many dinners along with native crew. So many recollections. So unhappy from this, however I do know what most cancers does. A lot like to the Grey household”
Grey leaves behind a spouse and daughter. He was 68 years previous.
