Wilf K. Backhaus

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

Wilf K Backhaus
Backhaus at CalCon 2009
Backhaus at CalCon 2009
Born(1946-11-07)7 November 1946
Freckenhorst, Germany
Died14 October 2009(2009-10-14) (aged 62)
Calgary, Alberta
Resting placeSt. Mary's Cemetery (Calgary, Alberta, Canada)
OccupationWriter, game designer, lawyer, business professor
NationalityGerman—Canadian
Period1972–2009
GenreRole-playing games, fantasy, wargames

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 to get it published over the next year as Chivalry & Sorcery, the first role-playing game from Fantasy Games Unlimited.[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
  • 1996 "Hume's Touchstone and the Politics of Meaningful Discourse" Dialogue, XXXV (1996), pages 651-676. Reprinted in Literature Criticism from 1400 to 1800 LC 157 page 223
  • 1994 "Shaking the Pillars: Quality and Unspoken Bioethical Values in a Pluralistic Society" Quality Culture: Quality for Turbulent Times. Camrose: J. Ross Enterprises Ltd. pages 100-105.
  • 1994 "Hume's Fork and Analytic/Trifling Propositions" Journal of Speculative Philosophy, Volume 8, Number 2 (1994), pages 79–96.
  • 1993 "Advantageous Falsehood: The Person Moved By Faith Strikes Back" Philosophy & Theology, Volume 7, Number 3. (Spring, 1993) ages, pages 289-310.
  • 1992 "La teoria humeana de las propiedades no sensoriales" Cuadernos de Filosofia, (Translated by Professor M. Costa) Volume 23, Number 38 (November 1992) pages 3–18
  • 1992 "Hume and the Politics of Reason" Dialogue, XXXI (1992) pages 65–69.
  • 1991 "Is Hume a Neutral Monist?" South West Philosophy Review, Volume 7, Number 2, July, 1991, pages 1–15.
  • Chevalier, co-author, self-published (1976) [6] - an alternate D&D
  • Chivalry & Sorcery 1st edition, co-author, Fantasy Games Unlimited (1977)
  • Chivalry & Sorcery Sourcebook, co-author, Fantasy Games Unlimited (1978)
  • Rapier & Dagger, author, Fantasy Games Unlimited (1979)
  • Middle Sea (a strategic board game), co-designer, Fantasy Games Unlimited (1979)
  • Archaeron, author, Archaeron Games Ltd (1980)
  • Mage, author, Archaeron Games Ltd, (1980)[7]
  • Warrior, author, Archaeron Games Ltd (1981)
  • Chivalry & Sorcery 2nd edition, co-author, Fantasy Games Unlimited (1983)
  • Chivalry & Sorcery 3rd edition, co-author, Highlander Designs (1996)
  • Chivalry & Sorcery Light, co-author[8] Britannia Game Designs Ltd (1999)[9]
  • Chivalry & Sorcery Red Book, co-author, GameStuff Inc. (2000)[10] (free download pdf)

References
  1. 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 978-0786458950
  3. 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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