Richard Gray: key obituary facts
Is Richard Gray dead? Yes. Richard Gray died on October 13, 2026, at age 68.
Cause of death: Richard Gray's cause of death has not been publicly confirmed.
What was Richard Gray known for?
He was a video game designer.
More about Richard Gray
Born: 15 November 1957.
Place of birth: New Haven.
Gender: male.
Occupation: video game developer.
Nationality: United States.
Known for: Level design in Duke Nukem 3D, Quake, Heavy Metal FAKK 2 and SiN video games.
Richard Gray, the American video game designer known as Levelord, died October 13, 2026, aged 68.
Born Richard Bailey Gray in New Haven, Connecticut, he joined the United States Navy in 1976. He served aboard the supply ship USS Detroit and later worked as an ocean systems technician in Alaska and Virginia, tracking Soviet submarines.
After leaving the Navy, he programmed corporate software and studied computer engineering. Gray became known for designing levels in 3D games, including Duke Nukem 3D, Quake, Heavy Metal FAKK 2 and SiN. On Duke Nukem 3D, he and Allen Blum were the principal level designers. During development of the game’s expansion, Gray left 3D Realms and helped co-found the company that became Ritual Entertainment. His levels also drew notice for hidden messages and difficult-to-find Easter eggs, some accessible only through an editor or by cheating in the game. One recurring message signed “Levelord” warned players, “You’re not supposed to be here!” Gray spent his later years in Moscow.