Wilf K. Backhaus

Wilf K Backhaus

Backhaus at CalCon 2009
Born (1946-11-07)November 7, 1946
Freckenhorst, Germany
Died October 14, 2009(2009-10-14) (aged 62)
Calgary, Alberta
Occupation Writer, game designer, lawyer, business professor
Nationality Austrian—Canadian
Period 1972–2009
Genre Role-playing games, fantasy, wargames

Wilfried Karl Backhaus (7 November 1946 – 14 October 2009) was a role-playing game designer, business professor, and lawyer.

Career

Wilf K. Backhaus and Edward E. Simbalist designed a role-playing game called Chevalier, which they brought to Gen Con IX in 1976 with hopes to sell it to TSR; after witnessing Gary Gygax berate a staff member, Simbalist decided not to approach Gygax about the game.[1] At the convention, they met Scott Bizar of Fantasy Games Unlimited, who was interested in the game and helped guide it to print over the next year as Chivalry & Sorcery, the first RPG from FGU.[1] Published in 1977, Chivalry & Sorcery (C&S) was an early competitor to Dungeons & Dragons.[2] Backhaus and Simbalist also authored The Chivalry & Sorcery Sourcebook (1978),[3]:126 and Chivalry & Sorcery, 2nd edition (1984).[3]:125

Backhaus founded the "Loyal Order of Chivalry & Sorcery" (Locs) and was a baron in the SCA. He was also a published philosopher. Most recently he moderated a panel during a conference at University of Maryland, College Park and was a special guest at the Calgary Games Convention (CalCon).[4]

Death

On 14 October 2009 Backhaus died following a two-year battle with cancer.[5]

Publications

Academic

References

  1. 1 2 Shannon Appelcline (2011). Designers & Dragons. Mongoose Publishing. p. 72. ISBN 978-1-907702-58-7.
  2. ↑ Tresca, Michael J. (2010), The Evolution of Fantasy Role-Playing Games, McFarland, p. 63, ISBN 078645895X
  3. 1 2 Schick, Lawrence (1991). Heroic Worlds: A History and Guide to Role-Playing Games. Prometheus Books. ISBN 0-87975-653-5.
  4. ↑ Calgary Games Convention
  5. ↑ "Calgary Herald Obituary". Calgary Herald. 16 October 2009. Retrieved 2009-10-16.
  6. ↑ A Review of Chivalry and Sorcery
  7. ↑ Wilf Backhaus Game Company
  8. ↑ C&S Light review
  9. ↑ BGD website
  10. ↑ Gamestuff Inc. company
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