Alan Emrich, Creator of “4X” Passes Away: Gaming Community Mourns

by Sylvia January 9, 2025

Alan Emrich, the renowned designer and writer of board games and videogames, known for coining the term “4X,” has sadly passed away. His death was confirmed by friends on the wargaming community website ConsimWorld. Emrich was a prominent figure in the boardgaming world and had founded Victory Point Games and organized tabletop gaming conventions. He also worked on notable videogames such as Castles 2: Siege and Conquest and Master of Orion 3. Emrich’s most significant contribution was his creation of the term “4X,” which is still used today to describe empire-building strategy games. He will be greatly missed in the gaming community.

Alan Emrich, Creator of “4X” Passes Away: Gaming Community Mourns

– Alan Emrich, creator of the term “4X” to describe empire-building strategy games, has died.
– Emrich was a notable figure in boardgaming and video gaming, working on various popular games.
– He coined the term “4X” in a review of Master of Orion, which continues to be used to describe strategy games.

Alan Emrich, a prominent figure in the world of board games and video games, has passed away. Known for his contributions to the gaming industry, Emrich was credited with coining the term “4X” to describe empire-building strategy games. His death was announced by friends on the wargaming community website, ConsimWorld.

Emrich’s impact on the gaming community was substantial. He founded the board game publisher Victory Point Games and played a key role in organizing multiple tabletop gaming conventions. Moreover, his work in the early days of video gaming included titles such as Castles 2: Siege and Conquest, Warlords 2, Conquest of the New World, and Master of Orion 3. His influence spanned across different mediums within the gaming world.

Not only did Emrich design and develop games, but he also wrote about them. As the longtime editor of Computer Gaming World, he left a lasting impression on the gaming community. It was in the pages of this influential magazine that he introduced the term “4X” to describe a specific subgenre of strategy games. This term, which emphasizes the importance of economic development and expansion in addition to military conquest, continues to be used today.

Emrich’s contribution to the gaming industry can be traced back to his September 1993 review of Master of Orion. Although he did not use the term “4X” explicitly, he laid the foundation for it by describing the game as a “quadruple-X” experience. This neologism cleverly mirrored the unofficial triple-X rating associated with pornographic movies. Through this review, Emrich planted the seed for a term that would become integral to the strategy game genre.

The loss of Alan Emrich leaves a significant void in the wargaming world. Armchair Dragoons, a wargaming community, paid tribute to Emrich, acknowledging his contributions and legacy. His influence as a game designer, publisher, and educator will continue to shape the hobby gaming world for years to come.

In conclusion, Alan Emrich’s impact on the gaming industry cannot be overstated. From coining the term “4X” to his work as a designer, publisher, and writer, he left an indelible mark on the world of board and video games. His passion for gaming and his remarkable contributions will be remembered and celebrated by gamers worldwide.