My Dad's Favorite Game

[markh777]

I am truly sorry for your loss…may you find peace of some kind

[stello]

Hello Shacklefurd,
We are terribly sorry for your loss. Everybody here at Crate sends their condolences.

Thank you for sharing this story with us. It is truly inspiring to hear that our work can touch a person in such a way. We are glad that we could brighten up your father’s last days.

As a small token…I wish to present you with this:

Praetorian Zedlee will be forever on guard duty at Homestead, as an honorable member of the Black Legion, starting with Build 28.

Take care,
Zantai and the Crate Team

Simply amazed at this wonderful heartfelt gesture. Thank you crate

[stello]

I picked up the Grim Dawn kickstarter two pack because it looked like the perfect game for myself and my dad. He always loved the Diablo style games so I thought he’d like this.

Once he activated his key he never stopped playing. Every time a new feature would roll out he would delete all his characters and start over to experience the new content and let me know what I had to look forward to. He always fell back on playing a soldier character with a sword and board because I think he just liked wading into the fray and smashing stuff up. My son loved watching his Gramps play his zombie/demon killing game anytime we came over and seeing all the new swords and guns he had gotten.

This last month my father became very sick with lung cancer and when stuck in the hospital, I brought him my spare iPad and the first thing he asked help for was finding the browser so he could log into this forum. He didn’t care about getting on facebook or checking his email or the weather, he said he needed to see when the next update was coming. He went by the name Zedlee and I know he didn’t post much but he followed this game more than he followed his own work. He was mad he couldn’t see the “new since you were last here” posts because he wasn’t on his own machine.

He passed away yesterday and looking back at the 30+ years of gaming I had with him I can easily say that this one caught his imagination and attention more than anything else. I can’t remember a time in the last year that when I came over he wasn’t booted into this game or just getting finished. During his first stint in the hospital he even left himself logged in so he wouldn’t lose the map he was on. He was logged in for a week before he came home and finished his quest and logged off for the last time.

I just want to pass along my heart felt thanks for the game you have made because it was honestly such a happy bright spot for him. This is the one game where the only complaint was that he played the newest content too fast and was just eager to play more. It will always be one of my happiest memories of him and I owe Crate for basically making the perfect game for my father. I plan to start a new soldier in his honor and play through the game with my son enjoying everything about that my father did. Not sure if this post belongs in this section but this game was truly something special to him and I will never be able to thank all the developers and community enough.

Thanks for all the good memories of evil smiting,
Zedlee’s son.

Sorry to hear about your loss, but don’t despair, you will see your father again. God bless you and your family richly.

[system]

I have to admit I am not a player, I have never played this game before but I was reading an article in Portuguese language (I am Brazilian) about this case and I have decided to look for it in the forums …

I wish I could post the link in PT for reference but since I am a new user I dont have permission to do that.

that said my sincere condolences for your father! I also have a person in family in a similar situation where that person is used to play games to forget a “bigger pain”… best wishes for you and family.

As per the game … A HUGE props to the devs! I am a kinda gamer guy and I know a lot of games and a few devs and it is very very difficult to see gaming companies so connected to players. The tribute you have done is very simple but absolutely fantastic. CONGRATULATIONS for your action.

[Llewoj]

Condolences Shacklefurd, I am so sorry for your loss.

To you guys at Crate, kudos! What you guys did was an awesome gesture, makes me proud to have bought this game.

[Scotland]

its a sad story to hear, but im glad it was told on here, I almost cried i felt a lump. sorry for your familys lose, and to crate who continue to surprise there fans, keep up the good work and long live the spirit of zedlee.

[system]

This story was how I found the game. A developer who is willing to do that for a community member is one I’m happy to support.
Thank you for sharing the story of your father’s gaming experience. It was very dusty in here after I read it.

/salutes Zedlee

[system]

Just read this Shacklefurd. A bit late to the party, but I’m very sorry for your loss. Cancer is a terrible disease and burden. Very cool that the men and women at Crate honored your father. I hope you and your son can play this great game together and fondly remember him.

[zitro]

This story is totally touching and amazing! My deepest condolences to the family!
All I have to say is: Great father!, great son!, great game!

[system]

Hi, as a kickstarter backer(elite if i remember well) i was deeply touched by your story i wish your father could finish the game at least once before the cancer took him away, i didn’t cried for a long long time.

PS: sorry for my english

[Cactus]

Your story left me in tears in my heart.

[system]

This.Is.Amazing.

Your father was a great guy Shacklefurd, it’s heartwarming to read of your relationship and the genuine love you had/have for your dad shows. Sorry his time ran out, but you hang onto those precious memories!

To Crate: Just stunned by this incredibly heartwarming gesture. So much respect!

[system]

my heart goes out to you that was a sad story…makes me think of how life changes and the little kids grow up to be adults…oh man…i actually got teary!!

[Dhrakken]

My condolences to you and your family Shaklefurd. Your story was truly touching and the gesture from Crate was simply amazing. I will be sure to find Zedlee in game soon!

I just purchased Grim Dawn yesterday for my son and I and just started browsing the forums today and I came across this post and just had to respond to it.

You see, your story hit rather close to my heart as I have been playing games with my sons ever since Diablo 1 came out. Throughout the years we’ve played many games together, including Diablo II, Diablo III, Torchlight 2, WoW, Borderlands 1 and 2 and Path of Exiles to name a few. We’ve had some amazing times and it always gave us something to talk about when there were awkward silences. I truly do believe that gaming is a great way to bond and stay in touch with your family.

Now, my oldest son doesn’t play anymore as he has his hands full with his own two sons but my youngest son (who doesn’t live with me anymore) and I will game together at least a couple times a week if not more often. It helps us from losing touch, something that is all too common in this day and age despite it being the digital age.

I’m looking forward to sharing some great times with my son playing Grim Dawn. Thank you Crate for giving us the opportunity to make more memories together and to stay in touch and I hope that you too Shacklefurd will continue the gaming tradition with your own son.

[system]

All my sincere condolences.

Three weeks I started the adventure and this afternoon seeking information on the NPC area I came across this post and I am particularly touched by your story and by the attitude of Crate especially as for almost 5 years since I left everything to come to accompany my father in his life by the end of cancerous against it does not share the passion for video games.

Yours and your family

(Google translation)

[system]

I see praetorian Zedlee in Homestad and remember your story. My condolences to you and you family.

[arnge]

Glad to see that people still find and read this thread, it is one of the best yet also saddest one’s.

I see praetorian Zedlee in Homestad and remember your story. My condolences to you and you family.

Every time i get to Homestead and head out those gates to clear the field i always come back to thinking of this thread.

No idea if Shacklefurd still visits these forums or not, but if so you have my condolences mate.

[Ceno]

sadist

*saddest

Your spelling choice means something very different.

[domeplsffs]

R.I.P.

On a brighter note : hope your son will enjoy it as much as your old man. All the best.

[DeathmasterUK]

Only just been playing grim dawn over a week or so and came across a grave stone and wondered what it was for and i wondered across this post now i know rip zedlee made me cry sorry for your loss shacklefurd