Paul McLaughlin artist passed away in December at the age of 57, and his work is in many games over a career spanning three decades.

McLaughlin’s last job was at 22cans, where he worked as art director on Curiosity, Godus and The Trial. If the studio’s name sounds familiar, it’s no coincidence that Peter Molyneux has a lot to do with the team: the two had worked together before, as McLaughlin was art director of Lionhead for fifteen years and was also responsible for Fable and Black & White…

Eurogamer wrote about how several people in the games industry remembered McLaughlin. Still, Molyneux, who could be derisively called someone who promised the stars (especially during Fable, he had a history of setting the bar too high), wrote about his late colleague and comrade in a very heartfelt way, because the two of them did indeed have a lot in common.

Molyneux wrote, “Paul entered my life back in 1990 when he started at Bullfrog as employee number four. He was the first proper games artist I had ever encountered. Immediately he became invaluable, an essential part of the many titles we all worked on. He made all the difference on Powermonger, Syndicate, Magic Carpet, Theme Park and Dungeon Keeper.

Then, when Lionhead was set up, he guided Black & White, The Movies and Fable and helped direct the company. A great artist, a wonderful mentor and an inspirational man. Paul was a huge cornerstone in my life. He was a professional, moral and funny person who could see the fair and sensible approach in any situation. I miss him every day in every way. His legacy will be felt and seen for a long, long time,” Molyneux wrote.

His wife and three children rightly mourn Paul McLaughlin: the games that Molyneux named had a truly unique and distinctive style. God rest his soul.

Source: Gamesindustry