Richard ‘Levelord’ Gray has reportedly died, according to Apogee Entertainment and individuals who were close to the legendary and beloved level designer who helped create fan-favorite maps in games like Duke Nukem 3D, Quake, and Sin.
Gray, known online by his mapping handle Levelord, explained in a 2016 interview that he didn’t really start making maps in games like Doom until he was 35. He later joined the Duke Nukem 3D team in his 40s, relatively late compared to most other game devs working on shooters in the ’90s and early 2000s. After that, he left and formed his own studio, which would eventually become Ritual Entertainment. That team worked on Quake’s first mission pack, Scourge of Armagon, Sin, Star Trek: Elite Force 2, and Counter-Strike: Condition Zero, among other games.
While working on the Quake mission pack at Ritual, Gray created “The Edge of Oblivion,” the third and last secret level of Scourge of Armagon. This level is credited by many as being the first “islands in space” or “platform in the void” type of FPS map. That style of map would become extremely popular in later FPS games like Unreal Tournament and Quake 3 Arena. Levelord also designed the MP map “Behind Zee Bookcase” in Sin, which is often credited as one of the first examples of a 3D FPS level designed to make you feel like you were the size of a small mouse exploring a real-world environment.
And of course, during his time developing levels in Duke Nukem 3D, he became famous for his hidden Easter egg messages tucked away in a part of the map that you could only reach using cheats. If you did, you’d find a message from Levelord: “You’re not supposed to be here.”
In 2016, when asked how he could be sure that players would even find the now-famous secret, Gray told Duke64Nukem.com:
Did we give you the cheat codes to find easily? Then, of course, most all of you would be flying around, seeing what you could break, find easter eggs the easy way …bingo! I gave you an easter egg that you had to cheat to find.
On Tuesday, devs who worked with Gray posted about the legendary developer in the wake of his passing.
“Devastating news today,” shared Doom co-creator and developer John Romero. “Richard ‘Levelord’ Gray was such a great guy. Like many of our friends, I wish I could have hung out with him again. He was full of life, a gentle soul, and an excellent level designer. He was called ‘Levelord’ for a reason.”
We are deeply saddened by the passing of Richard “Levelord” Gray.
From his legendary work on Duke Nukem 3D to the countless players and developers he inspired, Richard leaves behind a lasting legacy.
Rest in peace, Levelord. pic.twitter.com/UZPWoM04XY
— Apogee Entertainment (@Apogee_Ent) October 13, 2026
“A heartbreaking day. Richard was a stellar talent who joined the game industry in his 40s when Apogee hired him to join the Duke 3D team,” posted Apogee founder Scott Miller. “He was a relentless hard worker, a fun teammate, and an overall great human. His levels in Duke Nukem 3D and Sin will live on forever. And Richard created one of the best easter eggs in gaming history: ‘You’re not supposed to be here! — Levelord.’ RIP.”
Fellow 3D Realms/Apogee Software developer Joe Siegler explained on social media that he heard the news from Gray’s wife and mentioned that the level designer had dealt with cancer over the years, though no cause of death has been officially confirmed yet.
“We worked together back at Apogee/3DR for a few years mostly on Duke Nukem 3D,” said Siegler. “Such a fun time in my life. We stayed in touch long after he left to found Ritual. Many dinners together with local crew. So many memories. So sad from this, but I know what cancer does. Much love to the Gray family”
Gray leaves behind a wife and daughter. He was 68 years old.