Honoring Bill Cravens, 1942-2007

Cutriss · Staff Member Joined: 24 Jan 2002

I feel somewhat disappointed that the gaming community is just now taking notice of this, three weeks later, but nonetheless, I was saddened to learn last night that Bill Cravens passed away on March 29th, 2007. Bill Cravens was a pioneer in the coin-op distribution industry, and it's quite possible that without his involvement, the arcade as we know it would not exist at all in the United States.

Bill Cravens, as you might have guessed, is the father of Ryan Cravens of Barcade and Betson Enterprises, who have worked hard to bring you DDR SuperNOVA as well as other games. I'm sure he was proud for his sons to be a part of the rebirth of arcades in the US. Bill Cravens was survived by his wife Marylin, his sons Ryan and Todd (also a Betson employee), and his daughter-in-law Alicia, who also works in the amusement industry.

According to the AAMA press release, both the AAMA and the AAMCF are establishing a fund in Bill's name to benefit multiple diabetes foundations. If you would like to make a charitable contribution to the Bill Cravens fund, you can send a check made payable to the AAMCF to:

AAMA headquarters
450 E. Higgins Road, Suite 201
Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
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RBCF retunes · Trick Member Joined: 23 Feb 2006 Location: 2P side

Pretty disappointing. It's nice that this has been passed on to the next generation, though.
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Slowpoke: Ah, so that's how He created the universe so quickly... He was hopped up on caffeine. Thanks for clearing up that philosophical mystery...

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Pakwan Kenobi · Maniac Member Joined: 17 Jan 2002

Why did it take so long to show this on sites such as Gamasutra? Is this according to the family's wishes?

Regardless, it is sad when someone who has seen the arcade industry from its beginning passes away. My condolences to the Cravens family.

Side note: it's cool that he is represented in one of the stages of the original Street Fighter. That's kind of neat.
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This is unbelievable.

Cutriss · Staff Member Joined: 24 Jan 2002

I found another report of it dated on April 10th, but apparently he passed away in the middle of ASI 2007, so it is surprising to me that this news didn't circulate faster. Apparently the AAMA didn't issue a press release until the 3rd, so it is possible that Bill's family wanted a private ceremony first.

Also, there was this in the Gamasutra article that I also noticed in the press release:

Ghettobarney · Trick Member Joined: 21 Dec 2006 Location: Failing Pandy

That really sucks. I wish I could donate but no $.
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RBCF retunes · Trick Member Joined: 23 Feb 2006 Location: 2P side

It's okay. If you're low on cash, you need it more than they do anyway.

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QWERTYkid911: If someone posts porn, then this thread will perfectly represent the internet.

Slowpoke: Ah, so that's how He created the universe so quickly... He was hopped up on caffeine. Thanks for clearing up that philosophical mystery...

PooingCavy: (About difficulty levels) If I could make it up, it would be: Water, Soda, Coffee, Red Bull, ADHD

...ddr · Trick Member Joined: 27 Jul 2006

It is very sad to see Bill pass away. I am very grateful that he brought the whole arcade experience to the US. If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't have met all of the cool people that I know from DDR, ITG, etc. Props to his 2 sons that followed his footsteps and continued on with arcading and hope that in the future that people will continue the legacy.

RBCF retunes · Trick Member Joined: 23 Feb 2006 Location: 2P side

It kind of puts thing in perspective when you realize how one person started the whole thing, doesn't it? One moment affects culture and communities for years to come.
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QWERTYkid911: If someone posts porn, then this thread will perfectly represent the internet.

Slowpoke: Ah, so that's how He created the universe so quickly... He was hopped up on caffeine. Thanks for clearing up that philosophical mystery...

PooingCavy: (About difficulty levels) If I could make it up, it would be: Water, Soda, Coffee, Red Bull, ADHD

Auspher · Trick Member Joined: 08 Oct 2005 Location: Medina, Ohio

R.I.P. Bill Cravens...I do hope that Ryan and his family are getting through this alright.
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...ddr · Trick Member Joined: 27 Jul 2006

Catastrophe · Trick Member Joined: 04 Mar 2002 Location: Worcester, MA

That's very sad.

I had no idea that he had accomplished so much.

...and what PDOGG said.

Baka of the Orochi · Trick Member Joined: 26 Jan 2002 Location: Chicago area

Yikes, that's some horrible timing too. I just learned who Bill was too not too long ago (and his role with the Street Fighter series).

Not the first time I've known people to pass away in their sleep as a result of complications with diabetes (assuming that's what it was) =/
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