Brad McQuaid Cause of Death: What We Know So Far

Brad McQuaid, the legendary MMORPG developer and creator of EverQuest and Pantheon: Rise of the Fallen, passed away on November 18, 2019, at the age of 51. His death shocked and saddened the gaming community, who remembered him as a visionary and a pioneer in the genre. But what was the cause of his death? And what legacy did he leave behind? Here is what we know so far.

No Official Cause of Death Has Been Released

According to Wikipedia, McQuaid died at his home on November 18, 2019. No public information about his cause of death has been released. His family and friends have not commented on the matter either. Some fans have speculated that he might have suffered from a heart attack or a stroke, but these are only guesses and have no confirmation.

McQuaid had a history of health issues, including chronic pain and depression. He also struggled with addiction to prescription drugs in the past, which he admitted in a candid blog post in 2013. He said that he had been clean for over a year at that point, and that he was working on improving his physical and mental well-being. He also thanked his supporters for their encouragement and understanding.

He Was Working on Pantheon: Rise of the Fallen at the Time of His Death

McQuaid was the Chief Creative Officer of Visionary Realms, Inc., a studio he founded in 2013 to develop a new MMORPG called Pantheon: Rise of the Fallen. The game was announced in 2014, along with a Kickstarter campaign that failed to reach its goal of $800,000. Despite that, McQuaid continued to work on the project with his team, using donations from fans and private investors.

Pantheon: Rise of the Fallen was McQuaid’s attempt to create a challenging and immersive MMORPG that would appeal to hardcore fans of the genre. The game was set in a fantasy world called Terminus, where different races and cultures clashed and cooperated. The game emphasized group-based gameplay, exploration, and social interaction. It also featured dynamic environments, weather systems, and day-night cycles.

McQuaid was still working on Pantheon: Rise of the Fallen at the time of his death. He was active on social media, sharing updates and screenshots of the game’s development. He also participated in live streams and podcasts, where he discussed his vision and design philosophy for the game. He seemed passionate and enthusiastic about his work, and expressed his gratitude to his team and his fans.

He Was Best Known for Creating EverQuest, One of the Most Influential MMORPGs Ever

McQuaid’s most notable achievement was creating EverQuest, one of the first and most successful MMORPGs ever made. He started his career in the video game industry in 1989, when he co-founded MicroGenesis with Steve Clover. They released a shareware role-playing game called WarWizard in 1993, which caught the attention of John Smedley of Sony Interactive Studios America. Smedley hired McQuaid and Clover in 1996 to work on an online role-playing game, which would later become EverQuest.

McQuaid started as the project’s lead programmer, but later became the producer and one of the lead designers. He was responsible for creating the game’s lore, world, races, classes, quests, dungeons, and items. He also played an active role in interacting with the game’s community, using his in-game character Aradune Mithara as his avatar.

EverQuest was released in 1999, and became an instant hit. It surpassed Ultima Online as the top MMORPG at the time, attracting hundreds of thousands of subscribers. It received critical acclaim for its graphics, gameplay, depth, and innovation. It also spawned several expansions, spin-offs, sequels, and a loyal fan base that still plays it today.

EverQuest is widely considered as one of the most influential MMORPGs ever made. It inspired many other games in the genre, such as World of Warcraft , Final Fantasy XI , Guild Wars , and Star Wars: The Old Republic . It also influenced many aspects of gaming culture, such as terminology, memes, tropes, and conventions.

He Also Created Vanguard: Saga of Heroes , a Cult Classic MMORPG

After leaving Sony in 2002, McQuaid co-founded Sigil Games Online with another EverQuest developer Jeff Butler. Their goal was to create a new MMORPG that would surpass EverQuest in terms of scope and quality. This game was Vanguard: Saga of Heroes , which was released in 2007.

Vanguard: Saga of Heroes was an ambitious and complex MMORPG that featured three spheres of gameplay: adventuring , crafting , and diplomacy . It also boasted a large and seamless world , diverse races and classes , and a rich lore and history . However, the game was also plagued by technical issues, bugs, and a lack of polish. It received mixed reviews from critics and players, and failed to meet the expectations of its creators and publishers.

In 2007, Sony Online Entertainment acquired Sigil Games Online, and McQuaid resigned from his position of leadership. He later returned to Sony in 2012, where he worked on Vanguard and EverQuest again. He left Sony in 2013, and founded Visionary Realms shortly after.

Vanguard: Saga of Heroes was shut down in 2014, but it still has a cult following among some MMORPG fans. Some of them regard it as one of the best MMORPGs ever made, despite its flaws. Some of them also see it as a precursor to Pantheon: Rise of the Fallen , which shares many similarities with Vanguard.

He Was Remembered as a Game God, a Genius, and a Friend by His Peers and Fans

McQuaid’s death was mourned by many people in the gaming industry and community. His former colleagues, such as John Smedley , Raph Koster , and J. Todd Coleman , paid tribute to him on social media, praising his talent, vision, and contribution to the genre. His current team at Visionary Realms expressed their shock and sorrow, and vowed to continue his work on Pantheon: Rise of the Fallen . His fans also shared their condolences, memories, and appreciation for his games.

McQuaid was regarded as a game god , a genius , and a friend by many who knew him or played his games. He was seen as a pioneer and a leader in the MMORPG genre, who created worlds that brought people together and changed their lives. He was also seen as a humble and kind person, who cared about his team and his fans.

McQuaid’s legacy will live on through his games, his team, and his fans. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered by gamers worldwide. Rest in peace, Aradune.