Bethesda Softworks senior designer Ferret Baudoin has died. A lead designer on Fallout 76, a tribute page on Facebook announced Baudoin's death saying he "passed suddenly" on October 15.Former Fallout 76 project lead Jeff Gardiner shared news of his friend and ex-colleague's death on Twitter and paid tribute. "I'm crushed right now," he wrote. "Ferret Baudoin took over as lead designer on Fallout 76 for wastelanders. An eternal optimist and a dear friend. We had lunch several times since I departed Bethesda. He will be dearly missed."Baudoin worked at Bethesda Softworks for 10 years where he was a writer and quest designer on Fallout 4. He was also a senior designer on Starfield, according to his LinkedIn page. He was lead quest designer on Fallout 76 at launch, and also a post-launch lead designer on the online RPG, which came out in October 2018.
Baudoin had a long career in game development and prior to joining Bethesda Softworks he'd had stints at BioWare and Obsidian Entertainment where he held the position of lead designer at both studios. His list of credits include Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age: Origins - Awakening, Dragon Age, Neverwinter Nights 2, and Knights of the Old Republic 2: The Sith Lords, as well as on the failed Baldur's Gate 3 project (codenamed Jefferson) and Mechwarrior 4: Mercenaries when he was employed by Black Isle Studios and Cyberlore respectively.
Baudoin's real first name was Eric, but he liked to use Ferret which was a nickname and which was even included in his game credits. In a Reddit post, Kenneth Vigue, who had worked alongside Baudoin on Fallout For Hope charity drives, explained that he had suffered complications from cancer surgery and which ultimately led to his passing (via PC Gamer).
Fallout 76 players are leaving tributes to Ferret Baudoin in the game, while an in-person tribute is planned for the Fallout 25th anniversary cosplay gathering on October 22. This will include charity walks in four US cities to raise donations for St. Jude Children's Hospital. Baudoin's family is also opening up a college fund to public donations for his children, and inviting donations to the American Cancer Society.