He directed and programmed The Elder Scrolls: Arena. For the spectacular sequel, The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall, he programmed, designed, and led the overall project. He worked in various roles on spinoff projects Battlespire and Redguard, as well as the absolutely timeless third mainline title, Morrowind.

For decades, fans have praised him as ‘The Father of The Elder Scrolls’. Yesterday, the irreplaceable Julian LeFay passed away at the too-young age of 59.

Farewell To A Legend

In 2019, LeFay co-created OnceLost Games alongside fellow former Bethesda developers Ted Peterson Vijay Lakshman. LeFay had been directing an upcoming spiritual successor to Daggerfall, The Wayward Realms. Six days ago, producer Victor Villareal released a video revealing that LeFay had recently departed OnceLost Games due to a terminal cancer diagnosis.

The video, which included a touching statement from Peterson, explained that LeFay was stepping down from game development altogether in order to spend what time he had left with his loved ones. In a cruel twist that will leave so many of us reeling for years to come, Julian LeFay passed away just five days later.