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I have watched a few of Randy's sprite flashes, and it hurts greatly that he's gone. But why 36? Why does every great person have to die so young! Damn!

Unbelievable. Randy Solem inspired me to start work on my own sprite films, like many others on Newgrounds. It's hard to imagine how my creations here would've turned out without his influence, or if they would have come into fruition in the first place. He was a very nice guy who gave me a free plug on his site VGDC for Super Mario Land IV (2006). He sent me PMs after several submissions encouraging me to keep at it (even after I beat him to a Daily Feature one time). I never met him in person, but I viewed him sort of like a big brother. Back in 2002-2005, he was by and large the main source of inspiration for almost every sprite artist on this site and across the web. Rise of the MK set the standard for sprite films--a standard that has not changed since. I wish his family and friends well.

r.i.p randy, you will be very missed....

That's so upsetting. I watched his videos since I was a young teen. Very upsetting. I actually feel hollow right now.

Best wishes to his friends and family.

R.I.P. Randy

bad to hear bad news

At 3 days ago, TomFulp wrote: Sad news; Randy Solem, one of the original stars of NG, passed away this week at the age of 36.

Randy was an early pioneer of sprite movies, inspiring many who have made their own sprite movies over the past 12 years. Classics include:
http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/28041
http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/6401
http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/113889
http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/124155
http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/184865
http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/224974
Check out Randy's Movies page for more.

Beyond his sprite movies, Randy was a great guy and supportive member of the NG community. He'll be greatly missed.

Randy's family is accepting donations for his 18 month old daughter. If you can, please Paypal some money to RielleSolemTrustFund@Yahoo.com and it will go into a fund to pay for her education.

After the passing of Ben Spurgin in 2009, we talked about setting up a page to document NG regulars who are no longer with us. I finally set up this In Memoriam page in the Wiki. Let me know if you have suggestions / additions. I'd like to add pictures so we'll probably do that.

wow. I can't believe it, just like that. I hadn't seen his VGDC stuff in years but just last week i showed my girlfriend ROTMK and she loved it. it's terrible to hear he's gone so suddenly. the family is probably witholding details about his death until later...R.I.P, Randy. you were truly the master of sprite animation.

At 1 day ago, j0hnny wrote: I'm sure others have done this but I put a little nod of respect to Randy on my Facebook page. He was a great online Nemesis of mine, but also he gets a hell of a lot of respect from me. Even Cobra Commander would have been sad if Duke died.

Look if you guys want some kind of last hurrah to Randy I propose a flash contest. See Randy held Flash contests all the time back in the forum days. So I say there should be a flash contest with an entry fee and the winner receives a prize. All proceeds from the contest will go towards Rielle's Education Fund. The winner of the contest should receive of course a prize. Actually I would say any type of tribute Flash to any of Randy's Flashes including Curious George as well. The tribute you make does not have to be sprite based, it can be hand drawn. I dunno what do you think guys. Good idea?

Did this too my post is exactly this
Steini Pé
âEU RIP Randy Solem 1975-2012 âEU

Gerðir frábærar stuttmyndir og varst algjör meistari á meðal Newgrounds Ã- að gera Sprite animation.
Betur þekktur fyrir að gera Rise of the Mushroom Kingdom serÃ-una sérstaklega hjá nýliðum, og finnst mér þetta atriði vera bara viðeigandi.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=bQU 8Efn9Jio#t=120s
Gerðir frábærar stuttmyndir og varst algjör meistari á meðal Newgrounds Ã- að gera Sprite animation.
Betur þekktur fyrir að gera Rise of the Mushroom Kingdom serÃ-una sérstaklega hjá nýliðum, og finnst mér þetta atriði vera bara viðeigandi.
means..
You did some awesome short movies and you were a true Sprite King among Newgrounds. You are mostly known for ROTMK especially among new people, and i find this part only be fitting to what has happened.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=bQU 8Efn9Jio#t=120s

i know i havent had an account long but i have known about this site practilly since i HAD internet but 36 jeez i know i joke around about 20 being old (im 14) but i didnt know that HE made those mushroom kingdom ones i love those but 36 is young and i mean YOUNG so rip dude but i have a good song for this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gyvTV5OJ5E&list=FLK7hjWUrafC X5k5qAngKekg&index=67&feature=plpp_video

I happened to notice a couple of top Newgrounds people being credited in some movies. Jose Ortiz a.k.a Mindchamber was credited in Yoshi's Island 2. I didn't even know Randy made movies with anyone else besides Razoric/Rob. I'm finding that I'm learning more and more about Randy, his work, what type of person he was offline and a lot of other things I never knew before. Things I never looked at before, noticed, or read I am doing so now. Some things even bring back all sorts of memories.

RIP, Randy. I genuinely care about his passing. No, really, I do.

That sucks hard.

Coming home on Friday, hoping to plop down and watch some funny videos on NG, this was the last thing I wanted to see. It's the last thing anybody wants to see, really.

Although I have never seen any of his movies, by the way people speak of him, you can tell he was a good man. He was a great contributor to this site, and he will be remembered and loved by this community for a long time yet, which is more than I can say for myself.

Rest in peace, you big goofy man :)

-

Oh yes, and to all those who wondered how he died; If Tom deemed it appropriate to tell the specifications of his death, then he would have posted it along with the rest of the post. This is a private matter; if the family or Tom wants to tell you, they will.

I remeber growing up with those cartoons in the old, all or nothing, glory days of newgrounds.

I remember watching some of the early movies and thinking "What a talented artist, I hope he releases more". It's a shame that he passed away at such an early age.

R.I.P Randy Solem,
You gave us the fun we want, you made me want to be a game designer when I get older. You will be missed.

R.I.P Randy may he never be forgotten and really 36? Waaay to young for him. I hope he didn't suffer.. <:'C

Wow. This is incredibly surprising and sad. I remember watching his sprite-toons when I was younger. I still love those. RIP Randy, I hope your soul is at peace.

Is it true? he's gone?

NOOOO!!!! THIS CANT HAPPEN AWWW GAWD WHY MAN.

I just had to get that out. Man... worst news since the death of ole' turtleneck (AKA Steve Jobs). I mean so young and he has a child too. This is some really depressing news man. If it was not for him, I would never discovered Newgrounds. This site is arguably the greatest place for Indy games, music, art, and whatever and he helped made this site witty, funny, and sometimes over-the-top what it is today. This guy is was an game changer in the flash scene. He inspired many. Introduced many to flash animation. And did one of the things few pieces of art does, Rise of the Mushroom Kingdom made me cry. If anything makes me cry, I will never forget it. That is why he will never be forgotten by me.

IN THE NAME OF OUR KING AND OWNER OF OUR ASSES

RAYMOND SOLEM,

I FOREVER IMMORALIZE YOU TO THE HEARTS OF ARTISTS, GEEKS, AND GAMERS.

YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.

MAY YOU REST IN PEACE.

Mack Daddy Mario and Rise of the MK were some of my favorite sprite movies of all time. R.I.P to the great Randy Solem.

this is incredibly sad. randy solems movies were the ones that got me into newgrounds in the first place. his style of humour, his animation skills, everything was very inspiring to me. i am so sad that he passed away, and i hope his family is taking it easy. rip randy you wil be missed :(

thanks to randy solem, i met newgrounds. when i see mario vs sonic in 2005, im thinking to look more animations for randy solem, he has my inspiration... good bye randy solem... i will miss you and everyone

Never knew you, but RIP anyway.

Wow, He Died So Young! My Little Brothers Loved His Videos. I Watched Them Us A Kid. RIP Randy.

He made awesome movies he will be greatly missed but from the ashes of despair a new star will rise and make him proud that he isn't the end of the newgrounds legacy. R.I.P Randy will not stop the portal.

Rest in peace Randy. I always enjoyed your sprite movies. You were the best man.