The Family of Michael Forgey announced on YouGiving that the noted developer passed away on March 3rd after a year long battle with cancer.
Forgey, an executive producer for Monolith and a key player in games like Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor and Gears of War 2, was diagnosed May of last year with glioblastoma, a rare form of cancer that attacks the brain.
His family started a YouCaring campaign to help cover the costs of treatment and therapy, and ensure that his wife and three children are secure. Since the campaign started it has raised over $127,000 from 622 donors. Forgey's friend and coworker Erika Carlson kept fans updated on his progress. Within the month of December, when the campaign was running,
Forgey was interviewed by local news and volunteered for several experimental procedures. The most recent update prior to the March 4th announcement of his passing says doctors noted a reduction in the tumor.
Today Carlson sent out a brief update on Forgey's passing, saying that he spent his last days with his family and passed away peacefully. In the campaigns description, Carlson says Forgey "has always been the first to volunteer" noting that "If you worked with Mike on Shadow of Mordor, Gears of War I and II, Fable, Media Center, Zune, Conker, or Perfect Dark Zero you have experienced his positive energy, passion, and unfailing support".
Along with the YouCaring campaign, fans of Shadow of Mordor and fellow staff at Monolith held events to promote Michael's fight and lend him encouragement and strength. A Community Manager at Monolith went to the Shadow of Mordor subreddit to announce an event in December, recommending fans stream and play the game Forgey helped create, and spread the word using the hashtag #ForForgey. Komo News picked up on the story at the time, helping spread Forgey's story further.
As an executive producer Forgey was active in the Shadows of Mordor community, saying in an AMA that his love for Middle-Earth is what drove him to work at Monolith, and talking at length about the process and work that was put into making the game the best it could be.
