05/08/2026
Hey all,
Branders here, the shorter and more bearded one behind the table. I've been sick trying to figure out what to say, so this might be pretty stream of conscious as it pours out.
On May 5th one half of the creative force behind Death By Dice, Chris Huffman, passed away unexpectedly. My best friend, co-conspirator, and all around nicest person you could expect to meet. Chris was funnier than anyone had any right to be, as sharp with his non-sequitor laced wit as he was wielding markers pencils, computers, or whatever he was using to make his art. But his art was always secondary to his love for his friends and family. If you know nothing else about my brother, you know that he worshipped the ground his kids and his wife Bee walked on.
When I met Chris 18 years ago, his first child was a toddler. I've had the privilege of watching his three babies turn into equally smart and compassionate young people and adults, and if you know someone more proud of his kids than Chris I would be shocked. Everything he did was always family forward. This business making games, selling games was from the jump our attempt to claw away from the soul-crushing 9-5s we still work every day. Digging out some money to one day only have to work a few days a week and spend more time with the people we love. It also gave Chris lots of time with his kids, taking them on little trips that were just as much a break from the real world for them as work for us. Just this past weekend we were in Beckley WV at Causeacon making each other cackle with laughter (and if you ever heard it, his laughter was loud and infectious). In the four steady years of shows we've done together under this project, the focus has always been to have fun and lift up our people. To encourage community, and to make things fun for anyone we're around.
I'm telling you all these things so you know what we all lost this week. And in the comments I'll continue, as apparently I've hit the limit here.
