Please be aware that this post contains discussions of suicide, which we realize may upset some readers. Please read with caution and comment respectfully.
We’re sad to write today that a game developer who’s crossed our community’s path before has passed away: Matt McDonald, who most recently served as Technical Art Director at Amazon Game Studios. McDonald’s career as an artist, modeler, and animator was prolific; among the MMOs he worked on were EverQuest, Vanguard, and Hero’s Song, though he owned an animation studio that contributed to dozens upon dozens more video games and other projects, and of course, his Linkedin says he was attached to the “un-announced, ‘Billion Dollar Franchise'” at Amazon.
Former SOE and Daybreak President and current Amazon Games Studio General Manager John Smedley tweeted today about the loss to the community, passing along a link to a GoFundMe organized by McDonald’s colleagues aimed at helping his family cope with his loss.
“Words cannot describe the pain and seemingly endless agony the McDonald family is going through with the sudden loss of their beloved father and husband, Matthew McDonald. Matt’s life ended this past Saturday, November 9, 2019, from an ongoing battle with depression and suicide. He leaves behind his loving and devoted wife of 23 years, Tammy, and their three boys, Tyler, Gage and Gavin.”
Our deepest sympathies extend to Matt’s family, friends, and colleagues.
Please consider donating to this Gofundme for my friend and former colleague Matt McDonald. Matt lost his battle with depression and took his own life. He is survived by his wife and kids. Any help is appreciated. https://t.co/hF5bhLVSfp via @gofundme
— John Smedley (@j_smedley) November 18, 2019
