Louis Zocchi, inventor of the d100, has died
Source: Hacker News
Announcement
Games industry pioneer and legend Louis Zocchi passed away on April 15, 2026.
[Image: Louis Zocchi]
Early Career
Zocchi’s career began after a ten‑year stint in the U.S. Air Force in the mid‑1960s. He joined Avalon Hill, becoming one of the first editors of The General magazine and play‑testing early wargames such as Bismarck, Afrika Korps, Jutland, Stalingrad, and several unpublished titles. His design credits include wargames like Luftwaffe, The Battle of Britain, Alien Space, and Flying Tigers, as well as a miniatures rule set called Star Fleet Battle Manual.
Role‑Playing Games
In the 1970s Zocchi produced RPGs, most notably Superhero 2044, along with dozens of other pen‑and‑paper modules (many of which have been lost to time). He also self‑published the guide How to Sell Your Wargame Design.
Dice Design
Zocchi’s most influential work was in dice manufacturing. He founded Gamescience in 1974 and was the first to produce polyhedral dice for the U.S. market. His innovations include the D3, D5, D14, D24, and the iconic D100, which was later nicknamed the “Zocchihedron.” See the article “Have A Nice Day!” for more details.
Distribution Business
Zocchi also entered the distribution side of the industry, creating Zocchi Distribution (later Zocchi Distributing). The company was sold to Mike Hurdle in 1996 and closed in 2001. References:
Awards and Honors
- 1986 – Inducted into the Charles Roberts Awards Hall of Fame.
- 2022 – Received the E. Gary Gygax Lifetime Achievement Award at Gary Con IV.
Louis Zocchi was 91 years old at the time of his passing. The ICv2 staff extend their condolences to his friends and family.