Interplay writer Scott Bennie, who named Dogmeat in original Fallout, dies at 61
Video game writer and designer Scott Bennie has passed away at 61. He was best known for his work on some classic Interplay titles in the 1990s.
Bennie died due to pneumonia complications, according to information on his Facebook page (via PC Gamer).
He worked as a game designer, writer, and producer at Interplay in the 90s. Bennie is best known for contributing to games like JRR Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, Vol. I, Starfleet Academy, Castles II: Siege & Conquest, and the original Fallout.
“I didn’t have that much to do with Fallout,” Bennie told Steemit in 2017. “A few maps, some bits of the Hub, and some system messages. And the Mysterious Stranger Perk. And I named Dogmeat — if anything endures of my writing career, it will be the name of that dog.”
Scott Bennie was also a great tabletop game designer, working on RPG adaptations of World of Warcraft, The Lord of the Rings, as well as contributing to Dungeons & Dragons and Champions.
Many games industry workers have shared their tributes to Scott Bernie, including Interplay co-founders Brian Fargo and Rebecca Heineman, as well as Sean Patrick Fannon and Jason Tondro.
I was saddened to hear that Scott Bennie died today. He was a brilliant writer who worked with us at Interplay on some true classics like Star Trek: Judgment Rites and Starfleet Academy. RIP.https://t.co/fkCSVYDdFI
— Brian Fargo (@BrianFargo) March 30, 2022
My dear friend, Robert “Scott” Bennie, has passed away from a bout of pneumonia. He was a great game designer and writer. I will miss him.
— Rebecca Heineman (@burgerbecky) March 29, 2022
He was a kind and gentle man who took comfort in his faith. And this morning, as I think back on the fact that despite his many accomplishments, and the love we all bore him, he considered himself a failure, I hope beyond hope he has found that comfort at last. 3/3
— Jason Tondro (@doctorcomics) March 29, 2022
It is my sad duty to report – for those who’ve not yet heard – that RPG and computer game designer great, Scott Bennie, has flown on to the Next Great Adventure.
May Thundrax fly forever! Paladin shall miss him… pic.twitter.com/wgnYKn7Xxu
— Sean Patrick Fannon (@SeanPatFan) March 29, 2022