Famous And Innovative Duke Nukem, Quake Level Designer ‘Levelord’ Has Died

Richard ‘Levelord’ Grey has reportedly died, in response to Apogee Leisure and people who had been near the legendary and beloved stage 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 staff 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 ultimately change into Ritual Leisure. That staff labored on Quake’s first mission pack, Scourge of Armagon, Sin, Star Trek: Elite Power 2, and Counter-Strike: Situation Zero, amongst different video games.

Whereas engaged on the Quake mission pack at Ritual, Gray created “The Edge of Oblivion,” the third and final secret stage of Scourge of Armagon. This stage is credited by many as being the primary “islands in house” or “platform within the void” kind of FPS map. That type of map would change into extraordinarily in style 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 stage designed to make you are feeling such as you had been the scale of a small mouse exploring a real-world surroundings.

And naturally, throughout his time creating 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 may solely attain utilizing cheats. In the event you did, you’d discover a message from Levelord: “You’re not alleged to be right here.”

In 2016, when requested how he might ensure that gamers would even discover the now-famous secret, Grey advised Duke64Nukem.com:

Did we provide the cheat codes to seek out simply? Then, in fact, most all of you’ll be flying round, seeing what you may break, discover easter eggs the simple method …bingo! I gave you an easter egg that you just needed to cheat to seek 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 a fantastic man. Like a lot of our associates, I want I might have frolicked with him once more. He was energetic, a mild soul, and a very good stage designer. He was referred to as ‘Levelord’ for a cause.”

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 an enduring 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 staff,” posted Apogee founder Scott Miller. “He was a relentless laborious employee, a enjoyable teammate, and an total nice human. His ranges in Duke Nukem 3D and Sin will reside on perpetually. And Richard created among the best 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 through the years, though no cause of death has been officially confirmed yet.

“We labored collectively again at Apogee/3DR for just a few years totally on Duke Nukem 3D,” said 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 outdated.