“Father of The Elder Scrolls” and OnceLost Games’ co-founder Julian Lefay dies aged 59
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“Father of The Elder Scrolls” and OnceLost Games’ co-founder Julian Lefay dies aged 59
Julian Lefay, known to some as the “Father of The Elder Scrolls,” died last night, July 22, aged 59. OnceLost Games’ The Wayward Realms team confirmed the death of its “beloved technical director and co-founder” Bethesda Softworks founder Christopher Weaver is helping organize a celebration of life for the “visionary” and “pioneer” Lefy’s daughter, Shae, invited fans to support the Kickstarter and donate to Ukranian war efforts to “show their love for him”
In a statement posted to the Kickstarter page of OnceLost Games’ The Wayward Realms, Lefay’s most recent project, the team confirmed the death of its “beloved technical director and co-founder,” calling him “not just a colleague,” but “a visionary who fundamentally shaped the gaming industry as we know it today […] his pioneering work establish[ing] the foundation for open-world RPGs and influenced countless developers and games that followed.
“Throughout his courageous battle with cancer, Julian never wavered in his passion for The Wayward Realms. Even during his illness, he continued to share his vision with our team, mentor our developers, and ensure that every aspect of the game reflected his commitment to creating something truly extraordinary,”the statement added. “His strength, determination, and unwavering focus inspire us all.”
In a heartfelt video posted last week, the OnceLost team acknowledged Lefay’s time was limited, revealing he had “stepped away from the project to spend that remaining time with his family and loved ones.” A clearly emotional creative producer Victor then invited fans to leave their thanks and best wishes to Lefay in the comments. Almost a thousand messages have been left at the time of writing.
In an email, Bethesda Softworks founder Christopher Weaver called Lefay “truly one of a kind” and confirmed Weaver and his family are helping organize a celebration of life for Lefay. Lefay’s daughter, Shae — who had been working with her father at OnceLost — also left a heartfelt statement on the Kickstarter page, inviting fans to support the Kickstarter and donate to Ukranian war efforts to “show their love for him.”
“He would rest well knowing that his passing will contribute to the causes he felt so strongly about,” Shae added.
The Elder Scrolls co-creator Julian LeFay has died at age 59
Julian LeFay, the “Father of The Elder Scrolls,” died of cancer on July 22, 2025. He was 59. His longtime studio, OnceLost Games, confirmed the loss in a public message to the community. His final project is The Wayward Realms, an ambitious RPG built in the spirit of his early work. It promises a massive, procedurally generated world filled with dynamic stories and deep simulation. It aims to revive the player-driven freedom that defined his earlier work and his legacy.
For many, LeFay was the architect of modern open-world RPGs. His work helped players imagine new worlds and, more importantly, explore them however they wanted.
LeFay helped shape Bethesda during its earliest days. In the 1990s, he directed The Elder Scrolls: Arena and Daggerfall, two groundbreaking RPGs that pushed the limits of technology and design.
Those early titles didn’t just succeed. They influenced Morrowind, Oblivion, Skyrim, and an entire generation of developers. Bethesda even named an in-game god, Julianos, after him.
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The Elder Scrolls co-creator has died but his final project moves forward
The news of LeFay’s passing came just a day after his death, when tributes from fans and developers began to pour in. His longtime studio, OnceLost Games, confirmed the loss in a public message to the community.
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“Julian LeFay was not just a colleague. He was a visionary who fundamentally shaped the gaming industry as we know it today,” the statement read.
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LeFay co-founded OnceLost in 2019, reuniting with Elder Scrolls veterans to work on The Wayward Realms, an ambitious RPG built in the spirit of his early work.
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Even during his illness, LeFay stayed involved, guiding the project with the same attention to scale, systems, and player choice.
“Throughout his courageous battle with cancer, Julian never wavered in his passion for The Wayward Realms,” the team said. “His technical brilliance, creative vision, and dedication to player agency have been the driving forces behind our project.”
The game, which raised over $800,000 on Kickstarter, promises a massive, procedurally generated world filled with dynamic stories and deep simulation. It aims to revive the player-driven freedom that defined LeFay’s earlier work and his legacy.
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Julian LeFay’s career shaped the entire RPG genre. His ideas live on in the games millions still play today, and in the world he helped build one final time.