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http://kotaku.com/5324249/egm-writer-passes-away

Andrew Baran, former writer at Electronic Gaming Monthly and EGM2/Expert Gamer, passed away on July 26 after a battle with pancreatic cancer.

On Baran's own 1Up page, he wrote this about himself:

I was an editor for EGM and the host of Sendai/Ziff-Davis magazines, enjoying a tenure that lasted from the days of the NES and continued all the way through to the Xbox. (1991-2001) I started out counseling players on a variety of videogame tip lines and ended my extensive career as Senior Editor...

On the magazines, I was once known as Cyber Boy. Historically speaking, I had one of the longest runs on the Review Crew-where I even held the top slot for a time. Sadly, this was mostly incognito as I wrote under Ed Semrad's name over the years. If you have your old issues, you can find plenty of hidden references in "his" reviews that would hint at the truth. Eventually I got to use my real name and had enjoyed the top slot of the Crew with my own identity.

A ZD buyout spun me into the fringes of EGM2 where I produced over 125 strategy guides. When the company was sold to an investment firm, I found myself cast out of the gaming media's light, but into the warm embrace of gaming retail instead.

Condolences to all his family and friends

 

[AniHawk]

Holy shit. RIP

 

[Skilotonn]

Oh man, RIP.

I don't think I ever seen him, but going by his article, I may have read a few of his reviews before.

At least he doesn't have to fight anymore.

 

[Johann]

That's awful. I remember reading his writing way back in the mid 90s. I hope his family is able to get through this difficult time.

 

[`Moe Joe.]

RIP

 

[Busty]

A shame. A real shame.

At least there are people that are taking a moment to think about him, his work and his life.

A tough way to go though. My thoughts go out to his family and friends.

 

[idofriar1313]

Holy Shit, out of freaking nowhere.

My condolences to his family.

 

[Goron2000]

RIP.
im going to go through my old EGM's to find some of his work.

 

[KiNeSiS]

THat's a really sad story from begining to end =(

R.I.P. Cyberboy

 

[shuri]

fucking cancer..

 

[sprsk]

fucking cancer..

Yup
It's some scary shit

 

[VegaShinra]

That's truly a shame. I wish the best for his family.

 

[batbeg]

Shame, all the best of luck to his family and friends.

Holy shit. RIP

...I want this on my tombstone.

 

[A Human Becoming]

fucking cancer..

Now I'm gonna dedicate my life to fighting cancer (puts fists up) Right, now where is that pussy cancer!

In all seriousness, rest in peace.

 

[Hark]

RIP Cyber Boy

 

[farnham]

damn.. its so sad that he had to write under ed semrads name

 

[wRATH2x]

R.I.P.

 

[ravien56]

RIP

 

[FnordChan]

Rest in peace and condolences to his family.

FnordChan

 

[Vilix]

I loved EGM back in the early nineties. Did he have a reviewers avatar like Sushi X did?

 

[Tyrone Slothrop]

hmm i can't remember him ... probably because EGM writers were represented by caricatures back in the day

condolences

 

[TheUglyDrunk]

Wow, shitty way to start the day.

RIP brother

 

[speedpop]

Damn I remember Cyberboy, back when I used to read EGM over a decade ago.

A shame to see cancer claim another victim. RIP.

 

[CTLance]

As usual I have no clue who this guy is (memory for names = fuxxored), but that still doesn't mean I can't pour me a drink and toast to him. RIP, and condolences to his family and friends.

 

[crowphoenix]

R.I.P.

I'm not familiar with his work, but it's saddening to lose a reviewer from that era of game magazines.

 

[Vargas]

RIP.

 

[kittoo]

Rest in Peace.

 

[Kosma]

30% of our generations males will pass away due to cancer.

 

[DrFunk]

I remember him...RIP.

 

[Nakazato]

RIP

 

[TheSonicRetard]

He was a LUEser. I'll miss him.

*saLUEtes*

 

[Beowulf28]

RIP

 

[LiK]

RIP.

 

[mysteriousmage09]

Wow.....

R.I.P.

 

[BothBarsOn]

Terrible, terrible. RIP.

 

[Tranced Shadow]

He was a LUEser. I'll miss him.

*saLUEtes*

Oh God, really? Can't believe we lost one like this.

RIP

 

[Megadragon15]

RIP.

 

[gofreak]

Wow..what is the death rate for pancreatic cancer? Seems like relatively a lot of higher profile people have been dying of it the last while :|

Anyone know how old he was?

 

[squall211]

Wow..what is the death rate for pancreatic cancer? Seems like relatively a lot of higher profile people have been dying of it the last while :|

Anyone know how old he was?

The death rate is very high. Without checking I would guess that at least 80% of those with pancreatic cancer do not survive 5 years. Of all the cancers you can get, this is one of the scariest.

 

[chubigans]

The death rate is very high. Without checking I would guess that at least 80% of those with pancreatic cancer do not survive 5 years. Of all the cancers you can get, this is one of the scariest.

It's also one of the most painful. Gah, how horrible.

 

[ezekial45]

He was my favorite writer during the EGM2 and Expert Gamer days.

RIP

 

[TreIII]

.....Rest in Peace, Mr. Baran. I enjoyed EGM2/Xpert Gamer very much.

 

[CitizenCope]

=(

 

[meme]

Such a horrible disease, especially pancreatic cancer...
May you Rest in Peace, sometimes death is the better way out

 

[brochiller]

RIP

 

[DrPirate]

The death rate is very high. Without checking I would guess that at least 80% of those with pancreatic cancer do not survive 5 years. Of all the cancers you can get, this is one of the scariest.

It's actually higher.

Thankfully, recent research breakthroughs with DCA have been doing miracles in terms of treating cancers and not hurting healthy cells.

Remain hopeful


Rip Mr Baran.

 

[noah111]

Wow..what is the death rate for pancreatic cancer? Seems like relatively a lot of higher profile people have been dying of it the last while :|

Anyone know how old he was?

Yeah, this sucks. I think he was in his 30s or so? Condolences go out to all his family and friends, RIP.

 

[dialmydrive]

=( I'll miss you, buddy.

 

[snoopeasystreet]

R.I.P.

 

[darkwings]

Wow..what is the death rate for pancreatic cancer? Seems like relatively a lot of higher profile people have been dying of it the last while :|

Anyone know how old he was?

around 96% if the cancer gone too far. Around 80% if you find it in time and are able to do surgery. Yeah...basically the deadliest disease in the world, my dad died of it.