Ray Harryhausen passed away yesterday. Among his film credits are Jason and the Argonauts and Clash of the Titans, as well as three Sinbad films.

Aside from his contribution to film special effects, Harryhausen should have a special place in the heart of any gamer. He’s responsible for the kraken, medusa, clockwork owls and swordfights with animated skeletons:

For me, his films were as formative as The Hobbit or the Narnia books. When I think of Runequest and its Bronze Age/Mythic Europe settings, I think of this. Harryhausen’s fight scenes were usually nice and sunny.

Rest in peace, dude.