It is with great sadness that I must inform reading circles the death of author Joe Dever, following a ten-year illness he kept secret from all but his close family to whom I offer my most sincere condolences in their hour of need. He was at first a qualified musician working with a professional group abroad, but later turned his attention to roleplaying games and, during a student exchange in Los Angeles, won the Dungeons and Dragons Championship in 1982. His hobby soon became a fully fledged vocation when he expanded on his Magnamund universe and thus created the legendary Lone Wolf gamebook fantasy series which spans 29 titles to date and has sold millions of copies in many countries. Although Joe was most famous for the Lone Wolf adventures, he also devoted time for other ideas such as the offshoot World of Lone Wolf series, the post-apocalypse Freeway Warrior titles, and the uniquely innovative Combat Heroes where choices were entirely of illustrations (a sort of pre-dated idea of video game within a book). Since the advent and increasing popularity of computer games in 1996 onwards, the gamebook genre was regarded as old-fashioned by those publishers involved. Although gamebooks enjoyed a brief revival during the 2000's, however, despite Joe's best efforts all attempts to complete the Lone Wolf series fell through. Shortly before his death, he'd resolved to self-publish the remaining few titles - and revamped editions of previous ones - under Holmgard Press. Book 29 'The Storms of Chai' was actually first released in Italy by Vincent Books. The fate of titles 30-32 remain uncertain but they have been left with Joe Dever's family estate. Project Aon is a website dedicated to his works including contain a VAST wealth of information regarding Maganamund. In 2000 Joe decided to make Lone Wolf books 1-28, besides his other publications, completely free and accessible as a download, intended as a Millennium gift to those fans who at the time were unable to purchase out-of-print titles. This philanthropic move was made during the 'gamebook slump' but helped cement Joe's integrity as an author who cared for and often conversed with his fans in a friendly manner. An outgoing and warm, well-humoured personality, he also attended numerous gaming conventions, took an active part in competitions, and supported computerised versions of Lone Wolf adventures. One of his final projects focused on a Lone Wolf RPG group kit where he insisted on bringing the price down to a more affordable level for younger fans. Joe faced his battle with kidney cancer with a brave dignity and resolution that is reminiscent of his creation Lone Wolf's heroism. Tragically, a complicated procedure proved too strong an opponent even for him. Highly regarded by fellow fantasy authors and gamers alike, Joe Dever leaves behind a legacy that has brought so much educational pleasure that has helped, and continues to help, gamers worldwide. Future fans in turn will ensure that the Grandmaster's flame will burn brightly for many years to come. May he Rest in Peace.
There is also a podcast on Youtube for those wishing a more detailed story of Joe Dever's rise to fame as a prominent gamebook author.
Robert Douglas