Relic’s Brian Wood involved in fatal car crash [Update]

What the fuck

Man, what a tragedy. Best of luck to his family and may his soul rest in peace.

He’s a fucking hero for what he did. Truly terrible news.

I just hope if I am ever faced with a similar decision I will have the courage to do what this man did. He really is a hero.

The most poignant, heartbreaking and life-affirming story i’ve read on any gaming website ever.

I’ve never played a Relic game and I wasn’t aware this man exisited, but his sacrifice and heroic nature speaks to me infinitely.

Best wishes to the whole Wood’s family. x

(I hope the druggy scum, who caused the crash, are forced to sober up and face Brian’s mortality for the rest of their undeserving lives).

Respect in mankind has gone up a notch after what he did.

Although no one should have their life taken away like his was, he was truly brave for doing something most of us probably wouldn’t have the guts to do.

I salute him.

“Respect in mankind has gone up a notch after what he did.”

This. That’s fucking heroism right there.

I call for the fist guy who says something shitty to get the banhammer of justice.

This guy deserves a monument.

I’m properly choked. That’s awful.

I hope the cunts who smashed in to him get the death penalty.

@9

There’s too much death in this story already. I just hope they have to guts to face up to what they did and try to live the rest of their lives giving back to the world what they took away.

The director of Company Of Heroes. Seriously, it’s shame that these fucks are alive. It’s just a shame and remember they will be at Jail like for 5-10 years at max, this is not much. Now what son is going to do without his father? It’s like me when father went to Israel and there was only I and my mother.
this is going to be really hard for his child. Thats just… Way too much.

“I’ve never played a Relic game ”

FFFFFFFUUU.. this man is behind of Company Of Heroes. He is (was…) brilliant.

Rest in peace, Mr Wood. Sincere condolences to the bereaved.

A tragic event, just two split second decisions, two verry different outcomes.
“I am going to take off my sweater”, result: criminal, marked for life.

“I have to save my family” result: life snuffed out.

I don’t even know what to say, that’s just so harsh. Rest in peace Brian Wood, you were truly a great man.

So sad. Thoughts go out to his family.

A real life hero, what a sad, sad thing to happen, and with a baby on the way.
Heartfelt wishes to all personally effected by his passing.

That’s so sad. The world is terribly unfair.

Rest in peace, Brian. I wish your family the best and hope your baby grows up knowing what a great man his father was.

Kind of puts things into perspective. Both on the greater value of the lives we lead and the lesser value of the hobby enjoy.

Touching to say the least.

And yes, while our language has the word hero in it. The actions of Mr. Wood just defined it.

Does anyone know if there is a way to donate to the family? Are they taking a collection?

sad indeed

Best of luck to his family and friends. Losing someone who is close to you is never easy, and from the looks of things, Brian Wood was a genuinely nice guy.

Also, I hope that the driver in the other car feels terrible right now. A child has lost its father because he/she couldn’t take the time to drive to the side of the road to pull of a fucking sweater.

Kind of morbid coincidence that something like that happens during a huge Steam sale of some of the games he worked on.

Perils of Summer. Perils of Fall more like.

That was a very heroic decision. A decision that i myself would make in an instant for anyone of my family members. It’s a shame that he had to lose his life but now his wife and child can live a full life because of his strength and courage. I will pray for him and his family.

OG – 343 Industries’ Ryan Payton said on Twitter there’s a fund being set up for his child.

I encourage anyone and everyone to chip in a bit once it’s set up.

@24
Yeah I saw that. If I can paypal some money over i’ll chip in for sure.

Pretty messed up way to go. I hate reading things like this.

Sad news indeed

dying while protecting/saving the life of your wife and unborn child is very heroic but also very tragic, i feel for his family, i wish and pray that all those that loved and were loved by him make it through this sorrowful time

God Rest His Soul In Peace, he didn’t die in vain.

Good work fella!

Rest in peace.

You see, there’s life after death, but not many think about that. We only get to live about 72yrs on earth, while an eternity will be spent in heaven or hell.

We need to think about that. Jesus Christ came to die for our sins and give us an eternal hope, don’t let it pass you by.

And every tragic event is just another opportunity to peddle your medieval beliefs.

Nice going.

@31
Agreed

;_;

rip and yea the man is a hero for what he did

i’ll keep my eyes peeled for that fund for the child

Could we please not use this to push religious agendas. Thank you.

@35 – Agreed

@31 & 32
Please, I respect your right to believe what you will… but a man has died, pay your respect and keep evangelism to a minimum.

@35 and 36 – agreed

It’s not pushing agendas. Why can’t anyone say anything spiritual. Why is morality so offensive? Why is saying Jesus Christ loves you, wants to be there for you, save you and give you eternal life, offensive?

They took out prayer from schools, now look at what’s happening. They’re making our games more vile and vulgar by the day, so what do you expect?

I know this has nothing to do with the aforementioned, but sometimes, humans must pause and think about their life and how fledgling it really is.

We won’t live forever on earth, but we will in heaven or hell. It’s a reality we must take notice of.

God loves us all, but we’ve been given a choice to choose life or death, and Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

Choose Christ, he’s waiting.

‘I’m not pushing agendas…’

‘Choose Christ, he’s waiting’

errr…?

^
Exactly.

But anyway, just ignore it.

Christianity isn’t my agenda. It’s the agenda of God to humankind. He loves us all and over 2000 years ago, sent his only begotten son to die for our sins.

This world isn’t getting any better, in fact look at the rapid progression of demoralization; people need to wake up

This is serious business.

I’ll surely be praying for Mr. Wood’s family while they still live. As for Brian Wood himself, I just hope his heart was right with the Lord.

Life is like a rose that shines in its time and fades with the passing of time.

R.I.P

Also, stop the religion discussion. It’s pointless.

Dude damn….that’s sad news.

can someone ban him?

@41 No one wants to listen to your religious bullshit. Usually I respect other people beliefs but when it’s being forced down my throat I dispice it. A man has died please don’t use it as a way of spreading your religious mumbo jumbo

Much respect for Brian Wood. The word “hero” gets bandied about all too easily. Mr Wood has shown what it really means.

These kinds of stories are always odd to process. Faith in humanity dropped yet another notch by the ridiculously stupid action of the SUV driver, or raised back up a notch by Brian Wood’s sacrifice? Almost certainly both.

I can only hope the individual responsible thinks of Brian Wood and his family every single time they take off their sweater henceforth.

@ Monu-mental: Pushing is pushing. Nobody is saying you can’t or shouldn’t believe what you believe. All people have asked is that you not use this tragedy as a platform to push it onto others. If they want to believe they will, if they don’t they won’t; that’s up to them to decide, and that decision certainly will not change based on what you say here. This is not the time or place. Either respect that and move on, or don’t respect it and don’t be surprised when people disrespect you right back.

@ Revolting: Those who disrespect have their place. Notice, I’ve never said anything negative, bad, or derogative about anyone here. I wish the Woods all the best, and like I said, will be praying for them.

But I must make it known that Jesus Christ will one day return for a people that’s ready to receive him.

People can cuss, say all kinds of things but once Jesus is mentioned, everyone gets uptight and start kicking against pricks.

It is written, anyway. I’m not surprised.

Guys one my site put together our own dedication to the man: http://www.thegamingvault.com/2010/09/company-of-heroes-designer-died-to-save-his-family/

If you guys have your own sites, consider doing the same. Guy deserves it.

If anyone has a link to that fund, please let me know.

@47 – look quite frankly i dont care what your opinions on religion are but clearly people dont want it here. So i think given the subject here it would be better if you just kept it to yourself

@ everyone
there wasnt anything wrong with #31 post.
There is always a time and place to mention Jesus.
If you are asking for respect, respect others as well. Calling his beliefs “Religious Bullshit” is just as offensive to him and others as his talk of Jesus is to you.

@ Monu-mental
It was nice of you to mention Jesus but like Revolting said, once is enough. If people are not going to hear it now, repeating yourself isnt going to make anybody listen. By continuing on, you just furstrate and alienate others and cause them to retaliate. It would have been the right thing of you to have just replied to #35 and #36 with “I am not pushing agendas. I am merely speaking of Brian having life after dead with the God that i have faith in. There was no offense intended. I just like to mention that there is hope even in death”

It wouldnt hurt if we just all mind our manners.