Sad News about Alfred Gamble

***Wil*** · #1 01-10-2006, 02:12 PM

Sadly, Alfred Gamble passed away this Sunday. Fans may know that Alfred was himself a devoted fan who captured Oddworld Inhabitants' hearts (especially with his Oddworld tattoos) and named Alf, of Alf's Rehab and Tea, in his honour. I believe he was 79.

His daughter suggested people might send their condolences and appreciations, so I provide her address in good faith:-

Stay Odd,
Max

EDIT: Rexy had less faith in you, and suggested that you can PM me if you want to send your regards.

Alf's Assistant · #2 01-10-2006, 02:49 PM

For all of you who don't remember Alf Gamble. He first wrote a letter to Lorne & Sherry after playing Abe's Oddysee in 1998. He had just lost his beloved wife and felt like taking his own life. On a whim, he went out and purchased a PlayStation with a few games. One being Abe's Oddysee. It brought great joy to him and regularly wrote letters to Oddworld. These letters were many pages describing his game playing adventures.

He was quite a character who in his old age, was an avid gamer to boot. Oddworld and Lara Croft being his favorites.

We kept an album of all his letters and photos for anyone to view. He wasn't a wealthy man and would save up his money to make color copies of the various Oddworld characters. He would always send us ideas for ads and cards.

One of my favorite memories is of Alf and the Xbox controller. He wrote mail to us at Oddworld, asking to pass on his letter to Bill Gates at Microsoft. This letter kindly stated that the Xbox controller was quite uncomfortable to use. He used to play games for hours and hours. He drew some diagrams, made suggestions on the redesign of the controller.

Another memory was when his brief experience with the internet. Once "connected", he found many other interests online too ; )

The past few years found our Alf in and out of the hospital, yet he always kept in touch. Always kind, cheerful and with impeccable manners ... Alf was our beloved fan.

He loved the fantasy world and stories of Odd and his STORY was truly inspirational for those of us at Oddworld Inhabitants.

Alfred Gamble, you will be missed.

Cullen Heath · #3 01-10-2006, 02:52 PM

Oh, no! He passed away?
Thats not good, I know he was a huge Oddworld fan. A very good one too.
He had a lot of Oddworld tatoos........
Wasn't Alf the Mudokon named after him? (thats what I heard on Oddworld.com)

Anyways, I am sad about this. Very sorry this happened. May he rest in Odd!

metroixer · #4 01-10-2006, 04:22 PM

Wow what a dedicated man. At such an old age to! Alfred Gamble: Great fan of OWI..... You will be missed by many.

Daxter King · #5 01-10-2006, 04:29 PM

That man new his oddworld it is ashame he passed away like this. Let him rest in peace.

Cullen Heath · #6 01-10-2006, 04:33 PM

VERY dedicated indeed.
Look at these pictures of him:
(EDIT: Oh. Okay, the first one is not working, but it is a picture of him with a Munch's Oddysee shirt on.)

big bro boogie · #7 01-10-2006, 04:43 PM

My condoleances to all of Alfred Gambles family and friends. Also to OWI who most likely are in grief too.
May he rest in peace.

This is... a serious loss. I don't know other to describe it.

Kimon · #8 01-10-2006, 04:45 PM

Oh, no. Not Alf.

I guess I always kinda took him for granted. Poor guy...

metroixer · #9 01-10-2006, 04:52 PM

Hey cullen. Why do you have a smiley face as a title?

used:) · #10 01-10-2006, 05:13 PM

I am guessing it's to describe his current mood at the time of the post. Which (by my observation) is sunny happy go lucky smile.

Cullen Heath · #11 01-10-2006, 05:14 PM

I just always put smiley faces. But anyway it's fixed to the proper face...a sad face.

But we need to get back on topic. I know we are all pretty sad that this happened, and that we all wish for the best for him and his family. May his sould rest in PEACE.

Havoc · #12 01-10-2006, 10:17 PM

My condolences to his direct family and friends. Such great and dedicated fans shall always be rememberd and missed.
I don't think I ever knew of any more dedicated fans that Alfred. And special also because of his age XD.
May he rest in piece.

***Xavier*** · #13 01-11-2006, 04:02 AM

Too bad he never joined the forums, so we'd know him better

Yes that news is very sad, my condolences to his direct family and friends.

I'm going to try to make a nice card for the familly

oddguy · #14 01-11-2006, 10:15 AM

He sounds like he was a really cool guy.

And really, I don't know any other development team that is so in touch with their fans as Oddworld Inhabitants. I empathise with Alfred in the sense that I too turned to Oddworld when times were tough. It sparked my imagination and gave me dreams to keep going. And the fact that I could be so close to OWI fan relations made me feel like a part of something. For instance, after being a caller on G4tv.com when Lorne was on the show...I get an e-mail from Alf telling me I did a great job. Just tiny things like that make a big difference.

And I'm sure a great fan like Alfred Gamble made a difference at OWI.

-oddguy

Oddish · #15 01-11-2006, 12:20 PM

That is indeed sad to hear. He sounded like a cool guy, and he does have special place, being the first FOM and all. I wish him my condolences and appreciations to all his family and freinds, he won't be forgotten.

:

Too bad he never joined the forums

I think he's already a member, I saw his account once.

Scrab Watcher · #16 01-11-2006, 12:31 PM

I think we all took him for granted, he was always there.

Rexy is much wiser than you Max This isn't an exclusive forum, we aren't the only ones around. Silly boy. If this thread weren't so morose, I'd be tempted to use a smilie.

Not that they're reading, but my deepest sympathy to his family, friends, and all those who knew him. He'll be greatly missed.

erwinraaben55 · #17 01-11-2006, 12:50 PM

That is sad to hear. I have never known him in a way he is discribed here, but the only thing I know about him, that his name was used for ALF.

My condolences to his family and friends.

Nepharski · #18 01-11-2006, 02:48 PM

This doth not bode well. First, OWI breats up, then Alf leaves us...

And to think, Oddworld saved his life, allowing him to live over a decade more. Now that is testament to Lanning's vision; how many developers can say they honestly saved someone's life? Alf seems to me like he was a pretty neat guy. A tad obsessed, perhaps, but a lovable person nonetheless.

On the bright side, he's with his wife now.

oddveteran93 · #19 01-11-2006, 07:01 PM

Yeah you're right... Oh man... This is really bad news. May he rest in peace.

Dave · #20 01-11-2006, 08:07 PM

Alfred Gamble...

To think that a man's life could be changed so drastically, and so completely, by a few video games.
To think that a man so clearly suffering a terrible loss could find solace where he did.
To think that a man could become so dedicated as to write to a video game company and become fast friends.
Alf, buddy, I think I can safely say that I speak for all of the forumers when I say that we're proud of you, and that you will be dearly missed, and most definately not forgotten.
And this touched me most deeply ... I went and looked up Alf under FOM ... it looks like a journal he kept.

:

Since losing my wife and other children, I was at a loss with what to do with my life alone. ...
... in my despair I purchaed a PlayStation and the Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee game.
You should see me now; I'm a new man, living like my wife and I used to 50 [I think it says 50, maybe 60, it's small] years ago... everyday is precious... all thanks to Abe's Oddysee. ...
Thanks for helping me over my trauma and back to a full life.

To Alfred's family, my most sincere and heartfelt apologies. We should be proud that, although it was his time, he went in the best state he could, and not in a depression.
For this, we should all be proud.

Rest in peace, sir.

atusiya@ · #21 01-12-2006, 06:12 AM

It's been difficult for us to accept the death of Mr.Gamble, but I'm sure he will play Oddworld games in heaven .

Software Bug · #22 01-12-2006, 11:21 AM

My condolences to his family and friends.
Not many good news came along the last 12 months

Alfred Gamble passed away...
Oddworld Inhabitants dont let anything hear from them...

and some other sad items...

May he rest in peace

Nepharski · #23 01-12-2006, 02:40 PM

:

It's been difficult for us to accept the death of Mr.Gamble, but I'm sure he will play Oddworld games in heaven .

In Heaven, he'd probably be able to play all the Oddworld games there will ever be, but have yet to pass in our plane of existance.

*Salutes the late Mr. Gamble.*

Sleeping Slig · #24 01-16-2006, 04:36 PM

RIP - A.G.

mitsur · #25 01-17-2006, 06:53 AM

I always took Alf for granted. When ever I felt kinda sad, the Alf's Rehab and Tea letters made me laugh. Not to mention the site introduced me to the forums here.

This was a true man. God rest his soul

Abe's Brother · #26 01-17-2006, 07:55 AM

Alf, He was a great oddworld gamer and will be missed by All. I hope the Alf's Rehab and Tea will still keep on and i hope he will be remembered. He has made some great ideas for OWI.

***Xavier*** · #27 01-17-2006, 08:06 AM

actually the Alf rehab and tea wasn't run by Alfred Gamble, but by someone working at OWI called "Alf" in his honour.

Nepharski · #28 01-18-2006, 03:12 PM

:

actually the Alf rehab and tea wasn't run by Alfred Gamble, but by someone working at OWI called "Alf" in his honour.

Yeah. Everyone knows it's Bruce Wayne, of course.

The Marching Mudokon · #29 01-18-2006, 03:27 PM

My condolences to his family. He seems like a nice man and a very avid Oddworld player.
Rest In Peace

Slig outlaw · #30 01-18-2006, 04:49 PM

Rest in peace Alfred rest in peace.