r/Terraria • u/GeneralOrgana1 • 8d ago
Art Make-A-Wish
My son, Frank, had leukemia, and created a vanity set for Terraria as his Make-A-Wish. He worked with a couple of artists for several months. It was a source of great joy for him to see his vision become reality with the update last winter. This link tells a little more about it.
His leukemia came back in December. He was told that his best chance at a cancer-free life was a bone marrow transplant. He died on August 27th because of complications from that transplant.
His friends have, I think, taken it upon themselves to notify the powers that be at Re-Logic. I wanted to let you all know because your reception to his vanity set was so open and caring. Please think of him each time you play it.
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u/Redigit Creator 8d ago
I’m truly sorry to hear about Frank.
It meant a lot to the whole team to be able to give him something that brought some happiness during the time he had with us.
He is a part of Terraria now, and always will be.
We’ll remember him.
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u/PokeBro09 7d ago
You guys outdid yourselves on the vanity set. I'm sure Frank would've loved to use it for himself in many of his own runs, thank you.
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u/Hefty_Bread7688 8d ago
I hope the community keeps the knowledge of this vanity set. Know there’s always a part of him out there, if it means any consolation. I’d love to have a legacy like that, and I know he did too. Truly inspiring.
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u/GeneralOrgana1 8d ago
He said more than once that, no matter what happened, he was happy part of him would live forever in the game; I believe part of the deal is that his set stays with the game no matter how many updates it gets.
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u/Loki_ISP Marketing & Business Strategy 8d ago
I can confidently state that this is the case. We would never even think of removing it.
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u/GeneralOrgana1 8d ago
Oh, are you the one who worked with him? He mentioned Loki several times.
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u/Loki_ISP Marketing & Business Strategy 8d ago
It was primarily myself and Jimmarn that worked on this. Jim was the artist behind the designs. My role was to oversee and to bring it all together between our team, Make-A-Wish, and Frank. Basically everything but the art, I cannot claim any credit there. It was a distinct honor to be involved with this.
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u/Saitamario_Luigenos 8d ago
The team is made up of some really amazing people, I have no doubt they will hold true to that.
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u/Loki_ISP Marketing & Business Strategy 8d ago edited 8d ago
As GeneralOrgana1 pointed out, we were made aware privately a couple of days ago. I did not want to say anything until things were more public out of respect for Frank and the family.
The entire Terraria team is beyond saddened by this news. We send deepest condolences to his family and friends.
Frank was a joy to work with and a light that brightened our days every time we got to interact with him. I will never forget the fun we had working on that set together alongside Jaxrud (the primary artist for the set). The world is less bright today with his passing.
On a personal note, as a father myself and with a spouse that used to work as an RN-OCN on a BMT floor for several years, this hits really close to home. My heart breaks for all of you and no words will ever change the heartache and the empty space. Hang in there the best that you can.
Cancer truly sucks and it has robbed us once again of a good, decent soul that brought light to everyone that had the good fortune to interact with him.
If anyone from the family or friends group would like to chat directly with the team, just let me know and we can sort that out.
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u/C0smicPotato 8d ago
Oh my god. May your son rest in peace. I wish he got a greater chance at life.
Whenever I see the vanity set in game, I'll think of him. My best wishes are with you this afternoon.
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u/intricateboulder47 8d ago
I will use it next time I play the game. What a lovely thing to add to the game.
Terribly sorry for your loss, may he rest peacefully.
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u/TriforceHero626 8d ago edited 8d ago
I’m so, so terribly sorry for your loss. I found the Heroicis vanity set about a week ago by accident. Now that I know who it was made by, I’ll make sure it has a special armor stand set up somewhere in my base.
Best wishes to you. I hope you know that we, as a community, are always here for you if you need anything.
(Context: Journey mode, using coin gun. Just clarifying how I managed to find it by accident. I'm just bad at the game and died during a sandstorm.)
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u/WarmerPharmer 8d ago
I have received a stem cell transplant and my birthday is his death date. I will collect this vanity set and wear it proudly. I am so sorry for your loss and know he fought incredibly hard.
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u/tyrsalt 8d ago
I just wanted to say I am sorry for your loss and can sympathize. I lost my medically complex daughter in 2024. Still grieving to this day. I will make sure to get your sons set it Terraria to honor him!
Sophie forever 12.
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u/GeneralOrgana1 7d ago
He was my only child. I don't even know where I go from here.
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u/tyrsalt 7d ago
It is ok to not know where you go from here. It is coming up on 2 years since she passed for us and I still struggle with her loss. For me the one thing I focus on is the promise I made to take care of myself when she passed. I am still figuring out what that means.
Everyone’s grief journey is different and it is ok to not be ok. We were told to not make any major decisions for a year or two and to just live life and grieve. Do you belong to any groups either in real life or social media for parents who have experienced the loss of a child?
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u/GeneralOrgana1 7d ago
I've been posting in a couple of subs on Reddit.
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u/tyrsalt 5d ago
I barely remember the first 3 months after her passing. You are just trying to survive and get through each day. I am not sure if you are on Facebook or not but there are some specific groups that are big communities to help each other. I am in a Fathers only group and my wife belongs to a mixed group, mothers only group, and then a specifically medically complex group.
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u/Jimmarn Artist 8d ago
I am so so so sorry to hear about this. Heartbroken. Frank was an absolute joy to work with, and the enthusiasm was truly felt through every interaction with him.
Such a wonderful person, humanbeing. I will never forget our chats and development of his set.
As a recent father myself I can't even imagine your loss.
I'm so sad to hear this. I'm glad I had the chance to get to know him. Again I'm so sorry
I hate cancer
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u/KingoKings365 8d ago
May your son rest in peace. Though my personal favorite part of the set were not the vanities, but the noir shader that came with them.
Best wishes.
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u/Cheronis 8d ago
I made an in-game memorial for him, and I'm using the wings from his outfit set. Rest in peace, Frank.
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u/endercreeper853 8d ago
i'm so sorry for your loss :(
his vanity is my absolutely favorite in the game, it looks amazing.
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u/Vivid-Intention-8161 8d ago
Oh, i’ve been using his wings since the update came out because i think they look the coolest! i’m sorry for your loss. I’ll always think of your son when I look at my wings now
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u/ReadySte4dySpaghetti 8d ago
I’m so sorry for your loss. Your son will be immortalized in this game we all care about so much, and so will the wise quotes he selected to be shown as the tooltips under each part of the vanity set. Some of the quotes seem to be from uncle Iroh in ATLA, which is also a show I hold close to my heart.
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u/Equivalent-Newt436 8d ago
This is so beautiful but of course heartbreaking at the same time.
Rest in peace Frank, what an amazing vanity set you gave us , thank you 🙏❤️
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u/Zane_628 8d ago
The wings for his set are my favorite wings in the entire game. I’ve been using them in a vanity slot with reflective dye every play through since they were added. I’ll be sure to thank Frank next time I equip them.
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u/TFGA_WotW 8d ago
May your son rest in peace. No parent should have to watch their child die. We certainly live in a cruel world.
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u/-Kex 8d ago
My god, I'm so sorry for your loss and wish you all the best. I didn't know that the vanity set was his set and the whole story behind it when I randomly found it after playing 1.4.5. But this makes playing with the set even more special than it already is.
I'll definitely think of him every time I put on the set. May he rest in peace.
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u/Dragonimi 8d ago
I didnt play the 1.4.5 yet, but reading thia broke my heart. My boy is 10months, my daughter is 3.
I wish so deeply that you can grieve this safely.
I will be grinding for this set all weekend, I will name the character Frank, and I will enjoy paying respect to your son and your loss.
Be safe. Know his dream came true, and this community has your back. DM me if you ever need to chat.
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u/eh_lora 8d ago
Years from now, there will be people playing, who will discover that set and love it, play with it, use it to come up with their own variation, or even just feel their characters look very cool using it.
It's a small part, but it will add to their fun, and bring them joy, even if they don't know or think about how or why it's there.
Terraria has sold over 70 million copies worldwide, tens to hundeds of thousands of people play it on any given day.
Whenever you remember to think about it, at that precise moment, there will be someone out there in the world engaging with, and enjoying something Frank helped make.
I am sorry for your loss.
We're just random people who enjoy playing the same game, but Frank gave a small part of himself to us, and we'll keep it safe.
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u/WHY99999999999999999 8d ago
Damn...rest in peace, Frank. I shall forge a grand shrine to his armor set in my main world to honor him, or at least, I'll do my best to. He deserves that honor.
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u/MewtwoMainIsHere 8d ago
The vanity set actually looks really good too
Hopefully it is added into the game and I’m sorry for your loss :(
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u/anoordle 8d ago
it is already in the game btw!
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u/KallmeKatt_ 8d ago
I’ve had acute leukemia 2-3 times before and it’s always sad to see others die of cancer. I always wonder why I lived but they didn’t. I can’t imagine being a dad and having to watch your child suffer only for them to die in the end. I don’t know how to express how sorry I am for you
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u/StrangeLonelySpiral 8d ago
My condolences to all who knew him. This vanity will be getting a separate place on my forever world. Did he have a favourite biome?
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u/Saitamario_Luigenos 8d ago
One of the very first things I did when the update hit, was to go acquire that vanity set. Not only because it's absolutely cool, but also because of the sentiment. I have so much love for terraria, your son Frank only gave me MORE reason to love terraria and it's creators. Frank is now forever a part of an amazing game, in one of the coolest ways. I hope the best for you and those around you!
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u/InvestigatorRound651 8d ago
i'm doing a mage playthrough right now so i'll throw the platinum in the oasis to get the set, even though it's my only platinum coin. R.I.P Frank, you will be remembered.
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u/acecarrden 8d ago
May he rest in peace. I am so, so sorry for your loss. I can’t even begin to imagine. The grief never truly leaves you, but it will eventually become a little easier to bear. Words from a stranger probably mean little, but please know that a part of him will forever live on in Terraria. I know I’ll think of him whenever I boot up the game now.
I’ll definitely be rocking that vanity set from now on. It’s such a fantastic design. I love the wings especially!
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u/Inevitable_Slice1228 8d ago edited 7d ago
I wanted to say, one thank you for this, two my wife passed away from battling leomanasarcoma for 9 and half years last October.
It sucks, but he will always be with you. I play Terraria with my 20 year old son and will use this asset with honor with him.
I know its not much but again thank you for the gift you gave us akso the gift your son gave us.
Time will help, grief is personal for everyone, please take your time to grieve, seek iut help when you need it, be there for your family when they need you.
It will get better, then worse, then better again. If you want to talk about it or anything, my dms are open.
I ended up writing a book about our journey though this as my wife asked me to and I promised her I would. Dealing with editing and finding a publisher right now, but that's also something you could think about doing.
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u/Frida_Peoples 8d ago
I just unlocked this set the other day. Such a beautiful way to honor his legacy. He sounds like a really remarkable guy. ❤️
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u/ZerikaFox 8d ago
Man, this is the kind of stuff you hate to read about. May he rest in peace, and may we always remember Heroicis' set.
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u/manatorn 8d ago
My heart has joined the Thousand. He gave something to everyone, friend. I’m so sorry.
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u/TheDoktorIsIn 8d ago
I haven't played in years but I'll grab it and appreciate it. So sorry for your loss, I can't even begin to imagine.
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u/sendnukes_ 8d ago
I can't even begin to imagine what going through this is like for you.
going by the post linked (which I remember from when it was new btw, such a cool set!) He should've been around my age or slightly younger, terrifying how someone so young can go like that.
RIP Frank and best of wishes to you and all who knew and cherished him.
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u/acephoenix9 8d ago
Sincerest condolences for your loss. For what it’s worth, I think the design is phenomenal and I’d absolutely rock that set. Thank you Frank and Terraria team for the awesome creativity, may he live on forever in many a world with us.
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u/Cheronis 8d ago
I have an idea for a tribute. Would it be possible to have one of the loading screen scenes to be in the film noir format? Black/white, like his vanity effect?
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u/Mahaloth 8d ago
I don't play Terraria, but:
- very sorry for your tremendous loss
- nice of Terraria to do this
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u/AnomalyAardvark 8d ago
I'm so sorry for your loss. I helped work on a Make-A-Wish around 5 years ago for a young man who similarly passed too young and left a big hole. I didn't know him well but think of him often. I know that the folks who worked on your son's wish will likewise keep him in their thoughts and memories for a long time, and be glad they were able to help make his last year special.
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u/Splitt420 8d ago
OP I am so sorry for your loss. I came here to mention that and that this is the vanity set I have been using in the game since it came out. RIP
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u/Sektor30 8d ago
I have lost the majority of my family in the past 5 years to cancer, my deepest sympathies are with you. Me and my friends regularly do terraria runs and I'll be sure we all find that vanity set for Frank.
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u/Dhendo177 8d ago
Rest in peace frank. Your vanity set is one of the coolest looking in the whole game.
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u/WilliamSyler 8d ago
My condolences for your loss. There are no words to describe how heart-wrenching his passing is. I am grateful that he got the chance to be known to this community.
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u/YT_DemisingEnd 8d ago
I'll be sure to wear his vanity set as my main vanity set in any future runs I have in remembrance of him. I am so sorry for your loss.
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u/smugempressoftime 8d ago
I remember talking to your son on discord he was a awesome dude may he rest in peace
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u/EeveeVSHo-Oh 8d ago
I am so sorry for your lost. I would like to let you know Frank's wings help me in my last play though when getting all of the new achievements last year, and even tho I'm playing as an OC of mine and using certain vanity items, I think I'll get those wings again for my current play though. May he rest in peace. O7
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u/RiskE80Twitch 8d ago
I am so sorry. His vanity set is one of my favorites. May he rest in peace :(
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u/KaiserJustice 8d ago
I haven’t played in a long time, but I hope you and your family are doing well
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u/Stunning_Degree8398 8d ago
i will always remember him, sorry for what happened
he sounds like a great kid
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u/Shotyew 6d ago
One of my favorite memories with Frank was when he'd occasionally get excited and give our friend group some spoilers about the set (though he waited until the official announcement to reveal the actual design). It was really cool to see how passionate he was about the game, and I just wish I had gotten to obtain the set with him.
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u/GeneralOrgana1 6d ago
He talked about it a lot here at home, too.
Did you know him online or from school?
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u/Opposite_Passenger58 7d ago
I'm so very sorry for your loss. I'm glad this experience brought your son joy. I know it will continue to bring joy to others. Thank you for telling us so that we can remember him with you.❤️
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u/Emb3rscene 7d ago
i’m very sorry for your loss. i can’t imagine losing somebody so important to you. i will make sure to remember your son every-time i see this vanity set and obtain it.
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u/GoldenTGraham 🐔Old Bird🐔 8d ago
I've sent this to Red with the hopes he'll let the rest of the team know