Rest In Play - 2020 - 2029

The toy industry was his heart and soul... Michael John Lyden, of Greendale, Wisconsin passed away Friday, August 26, 2022 peacefully at the age of 80. Born in Fall River, Massachusetts he spent ...his youth along the eastern corridor from Rhode Island to Virginia and Pennsylvania. The toy industry was his heart and soul, along with the Sunday New York Times crossword puzzle (done proudly only in pen) and endless books loaned from the library. He adored visiting zoos around the world, fascinated by Snowflake, the albino gorilla at the Barcelona zoo and Tandi & Khanya, the rare white lion cubs (along with generally most animals). He adored long evenings at restaurants, discos, bars around the world, making new friends wherever he frequented. From Carlos & Charlie's in Hollywood to TJ's Piano Bar in Westport Connecticut, to most recently his daughter's wine bar in Greendale, Wisconsin, he was one to charm the socks off of anyone he met. Given the opportunity he'd gladly take you up on a well-made steak tartare with the perfect frites. He adored gushing stories about the golf courses he'd played or flying the Concord all while extending the evening with a sambuca and coffee, with exactly three beans for good fortune in life. He loved regaling new friends and old with stories of his time spent in the toy industry, starting as a teenager as a stock clerk in the first Toys "R" Us in Virginia. From there he worked tirelessly and steadfastly to rise the ranks at Toys R Us, then to Mattel. At Mattel he led the development of Hot Wheels as Vice President of Boys Brands in El Segundo, California. At Tyco Toys in Mount Laurel, New Jersey he rose to President of Tyco US where along his journey he was instrumental in the creation of the legendary Garfield telephone of the 80s, and Tickle me Elmo of the 90s. His favorite times were spent at Toy Fair every year in New York City, and with his many dear colleagues he made over 50+ years in the industry. He was the ultimate perfectionist, with a lust for life that is rarely encountered. He endeared himself to many throughout his broad and unique life around the world. He was the proud father of daughters Kelly (Jeff), Megan and Jennifer (Jason); Grandfather of Russell, Jessica (Steve), Rachel (Brett), Elle, Sadie and Uma; Great-Grandfather of Zachary, Emilie, Madelyn, Nikolai, Hazel and Theo. He is survived by his sisters Frances (George) and Colleen. He is preceeded by his parents Francis and Evelyn (nee Lassonde) Lyden. Show more

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Rob Hale, the indie game developer best known as Squid in a Box, has passed away. Earlier this month (August 2022), Hale died of cancer, and his partner CJ recently broke the news on the Steam forums ...of Hale's game, Waves 2: Notorious. "Rob was very passionate about their work, and ever so dedicated, over the years we were together they were always dreaming big and trying so hard to create the best game they could possibly make," wrote CJ. "It was a joy to support Rob, through that initial Kickstarter, and the years of indie development that followed." Prior to indie development, Hale had worked as a modder and developer on triple-A titles. Their first solo game, Waves, was a twin-stick shooter that released in 2011. Waves 2 released as an Early Access title in 2015 and will remain unfinished. Despite that, CJ pointed out that Rob was "dedicated to their craft," even when that ambition didn't always lead to success. "I know they would have liked to have completed that final project," CJ continued, "but as Covid encroached, the need to have a more stable income was looming and between these factors and Rob’s struggles with their health, they never got the time to cap off this particular branch of their legacy." Both Waves games have been made free to play on Steam, something CJ said Hale had been considering in the months before his passing. "I hope this can be seen as a parting gift to all those out there that haven’t yet played either of these games."Show more

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It’s with a heavy heart that we share the passing of Liz Goulet Dubois,, one of Fred’s most prolific and influential product designers. Liz was instrumental in launching the Fred brand back in 200...4 — helping define the brand language of fun and functional products and accessories. Many of Liz’s early designs have become cornerstones of the brand, and remain best-sellers today. Along with designing some of Fred’s most beloved products, Liz also mentored the young designers that joined the Fred team over the years. She was wonderfully weird, and looked at the world through a different set of lenses - fostering the sense of whimsy and playfulness that has been the foundation of the brand. Liz left the company back in 2018 to focus her efforts on writing and illustrating children’s books. She thankfully was able to see the publishing of her first book in a series, Duck and Cluck: That Egg Is Mine!, released this past January. The sequel is due to be released next spring. Visit duckandcluck.net for more information. A scholarship fund has been set up in Liz’s name through The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators for young authors/illustrators who are looking to break into the field. Through the month of August, we will donate all profits from the sale of Liz’s collection of products on our site to her scholarship fund. https://www.genuinefred.com/.../designer-liz-goulet-dubois Liz’s life revolved around being creative. Though it was cut short, the contributions she’s given to so many through her designs and illustrations live on. She was loved, and will be missed. Her Friends at FredShow more

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One of Mexico’s most successful artists and toymakers has - known to many fans as Amparín — died last week following an accident in her home outside of Mexico City. The 56-year-old artist and de...signer was the creator and founder of Distroller, the international company behind the colorful Neonate Babies, Chamoy & Amiguis, and Virgencita Plis brands. Serrano founded Distroller in 2004 and built a business that quickly expanded across toys, licensing, and entertainment. The Neonate Babies aka Ksi-Meritos became an international hit that led to the opening of a few experiential Distroller World stores in the U.S. While the stores closed on the cusp of the COVID-19 pandemic, Distroller has remained a popular direct-to-consumer toy brand and recently exhibited at Licensing Expo in Las Vegas.Show more

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He only released one game, but his work went on to inspire other titles such as Diablo. Rober Alan Koeneke, the developer behind rougelike title the Dungeons of Moria, has passed away aged 64. As r...eported by PC Gamer, Koeneke's death was announced via his obituary at dignitymemorial.com. He released Moria, which was inspired by the Lord of the Rings, in 1983 while attending the University of Oklahoma. The game went on to be updated over the years and he eventually made it an open source project for the public. "I am very happy to learn my creation keeps on going...I plan to download it and Angband and play them... " Koeneke said in a 1996 statement. "Maybe something has been added that will surprise me! That would be nice I never got to play Moria and be surprised." Moria was the only title that Koeneke developed but it went on to inspire other titles such as Diablo. The series' co-creator David Brevik credits Moria along with Rogue, Nethack, and Angband as his biggest influences.Show more

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Toy World is sad to report the passing of Ken Andrew, owner of Hal Whittaker’s toy shop in Knutsford and known locally as Mr Toy Shop. Ken passed away at the age of 96, on July 21st. He first bought... his premises, a former photography shop, in 1969, and soon established a succesful local toy business, known as Hal Whittaker. The store became popular with the local community thanks to innovations – at the time – such as the introduction of a range of fireworks and the launch of a Christmas Club. Ken’s daughter, Julie, explained that this was a development which was warmly embraced by the toy shop’s customers. “It was quite innovative,” she said. “Families welcomed being able to put money away each week to spend on kids at Christmas. Julie added that ther father was passionate about doing the very best of everything in his toy shop. Ken used to travel to toy fairs in London, Harrogate and Brighton to source stock for his store, and his family said he became expert at spotting ‘the next big thing’. “We were popular at school as we always had the latest craze in toys – as an experiment,” added Julie. Ken’s love of amateur dramatics meant he often put on puppet shows for kids, which were very popular. Ken’s son Stuart took over the family business in the early 80s, but confided that it was hard for his dad to let go. “He still wanted to be in the shop all day every day,” said Stuart. “He knew all the customers personally.” Stuart says he learned a lot from his father. “I try to make sure everything he used to do still stands. His old fashioned core values were instilled in all of us. He truly believed that very child should have the memory of a toy shop rather than the faceless world of going online.” Stuart added: “In an increasingly difficult market place I still try to keep the shop true to its roots with a traditional feel coupled with the values and service he instilled into me – RIP Dad, your legacy continues.” In Knutsford, Ken Andrew has been hailed as a ‘true ambassador of the town’ by customers recalling their treasured childhood memories. His family told the Knutsford Guardian it has been overwhelmed by fond memories shared by the local community. Julie said: “Everyone describes him as a warm, kind and generous man with a fabulous sense of humour.” Customers remember buying their first toys from Ken Andrew in his beloved toy shop, purchasing classic brands like Tri-ang, Hornby train sets and Lego, and some recalled buying their first teddy from his wooden counter. Ken’s funeral will take place on Monday, August 1st, at 10.30am at Birches Crematorium,Northwich. Toy World would like to add its condolences to Ken’s wife, Marjorie, to Julie, Stuart, grandchildren Olivia and Josh, and everyone who knew him.Show more

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Richard Tait, 1964-2022: ‘Cranium’ inventor and serial entrepreneur was ‘the ultimate dreamer’. Richard Tait passed away on Monday at his Bainbridge Island, Wash., home from “continued p...ulmonary complications due to COVID-19,” according to a Facebook post by his family, shared with GeekWire. News of his death was also shared in a note to staff from Valor Equity Partners Co-President Jonathan Shulkin. Tait had been a partner at Valor Siren Ventures since March 2019. “It is with great sadness that Valor Equity Partners announces the death of our colleague and friend Richard Tait,” Shulkin wrote. “Our Valor community, as well as the many people that worked with Richard over the years, mourn his passing. He will be greatly missed.” Tait’s son, Finn Tait, also posted TikTok videos and Instagram photos in which they remembered their father. “He was a great dad,” Finn said in one video. “It was like having Willy Wonka for a father. I love him very much and I’m going to miss him a lot.” Tait started at Microsoft in July 1988 and is credited with launching a series of new businesses at the tech giant. He helped pioneer client server computing in the company’s operating system division, ran the CD-ROM business with products like Encarta, and started a number of consumer-oriented online services including Carpoint, Sidewalk and others, according to his LinkedIn profile. Tait was even the first boss of current Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, whom he helped recruit from Sun Microsystems in the early 1990s. But it was Tait’s decision to leave Microsoft in 1998 that would largely define his legacy, as he and fellow Microsoft executive Whit Alexander co-founded “Cranium.” It became one of the fastest-selling games in history and spawned a number of “Cranium”-branded follow-ups and related products. Gaming giant Hasbro bought “Cranium” for $77.5 million in 2008. “We set out to create a brand that would give everyone the chance to shine,” Tait said at the time of the sale. “We’ve accomplished that and so much more, making history with great products that have won five Toy Industry Association Game of the Year awards.” READ MORE...Show more

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Tony Mines, Pioneer Of Modern Lego Animation, Dies At 44. Tony was a pioneer of the brickfilm movement as it shifted online around the turn of the century. READ MORE...

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Alice Bergman, 'Strong and Fierce'. Alice Bergman, an early feminist, civil rights activist, and founder of the iconic Upper West Side toy store, West Side Kids, died peacefully on Saturday morning, h...er daughter Jennifer Bergman informed the community in an email. The cause was pneumonia. Alice was 86. “Friday, she had a good day,” Jennifer wrote. “She spoke to friends on the phone, spent time with each of us and talked about her goals. Both Les [Jen’s younger sister] and I were by her side when she died. Her body was so fragile, but her mind and spirit were strong and fierce.” Those words seemed to define Alice Bergman, who arrived on the Upper West Side in 1961. In 1971, she started a handmade toy company, called Toys for All Children, eschewing the then-standard blond, blue-eyed, male-dominated version of reality for a more ethnically diverse, non-sexist one. “She made an African-American, woman-doctor puppet – in 1971!” Jennifer exulted. “She was way ahead of her time.” In 1981, she opened West Side Kids. “I haven’t really changed very much about the store since she retired in 2014,” Jennifer said. And why should she? It is a beautiful, old space – brightly painted, covered from polished-wood floor to painted-tin ceiling with shelves and stacks of toys and books. (There’s even a copy of the Constitution!) “My mother’s philosophy about toys was very strong,” Jennifer told WSR in an earlier interview. “Play is a child’s work, and toys are the tools for that work. You need the correct tools to grow into a creative, interesting adult.”Show more

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Hell Let Loose producer James Light has passed away due to complications resulting from cardiac surgery. He was 28. The Hell Let Loose dev team shared the news on Reddit and said Light is "one of ...the key reasons" the project has achieved success. Light began his career in video games in 2018, joining Hell Let Loose publisher Team17's QA department to work on the multiplayer shooter. He quickly rose through the ranks to eventually become a producer on the project, and is described by his colleagues as someone who possessed an "incredible work ethic, humility, and enduring kindness." "Despite being extremely effective, he was always the first to champion the efforts of others and bring praise to the team as a whole," wrote Team17 community manager Greg Medlin. "His achievements -- though quiet -- saw him develop into the role of production assistant, and then several months ago receive his final promotion to the position of producer -- formalizing his role in overseeing the entire PC development side of Hell Let Loose. "He had more knowledge of the game than perhaps anyone else -- certainly more than me -- having reported and studied thousands of bugs -- knowing every intricacy and nuance across every aspect of the game." The team said Light made an "indelible impression on the game," before adding that he also "made that same impression on us."t;Show more

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