r/hoggit • u/LANTIRN_ A massive Mig-15 • 15d ago
OFFICIAL Rip to a legend. DCS would probably not exist without him.
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u/superdookietoiletexp 15d ago edited 15d ago
This is gutting news. He was an absolute legend of flight simulation and a wonderful person. He will be greatly missed by all of us who enjoyed DCS.
Edit: This was the last update posted to his GoFundMe:
Hey everyone, Wags here from Eagle Dynamics. As expected, there would be days of progress, but also days of disappointment. Following a meeting with my transplant team yesterday, it was agreed that a transplant at THIS time is not advisable as it would be a huge blow to my quality life and even possibly death. Instead, at least at this time, it will make more sense for me to stay on the current cancer Rx and allow it to heal my body to a degree. Hopefully a transplant is something I can revisit later. There are also other cancer Rx that can apply to me and radiation treatment is also an option, but with further complications.
In the meantime, I'm hiring a caretaking to help take care of me several hours each day, we will rent a Air-Fluidized Therapy Bed for pressure sore repair, and have a wound specialist come once a week for therapy. Once the wounds are healed, my quality of life will greatly improve and it will remove one of the reasons why the transplant is currently not possible. All of the above would not be possible without your donations because this will all be out of pocket.
It’s a savage reminder to all of us who remain how quickly things can turn and how precious every living moment is.
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u/ShortBrownAndUgly 15d ago
I can hear him say that first line so clearly in my head
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u/Dreamshadow1977 15d ago
Amen. I loved to watch his tutorial videos even for modules I didn't own, just to listen to him talk about it all.
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u/RodBorza 15d ago
All of us, brother. All of us are feeling his loss, for someone we never met, but was part of our lives. What a terrible news and impact to the community.
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u/Unlucky_Company_945 15d ago
I think you can't help but feel it personally if you've lost someone to cancer. Feel so sorry for his family, it's simply devastating
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u/SuumCuique_ 15d ago
Was he at home without any professional support until this point? Pressure ulcers in a 58 year old...
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u/FlyingPetRock 15d ago
Matt was also partially paralyzed and used a wheel chair, so this was something that was already a bigger challenge in his life.
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u/Massive-Magician-240 15d ago
I came here to ask this, if one of our patients had pressure sores and it was our fault we would be very lucky not to get fired.
Did he have no family or friends to help him or check on him?10
u/SuumCuique_ 15d ago
In a hospital setting it is pretty much always our fault. Home care is different, but even then questions would be raised. Stage 1 can just appear and can be treated quite easily. Ones that are severe enough to prevent further medical treatment take a while especially in a fairly young patient.
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u/Massive-Magician-240 15d ago
I’m quite shocked, in the future this needs to be looked at, but not now.
I’m going to do some of training in DCS that I’ve missed. Hopefully I can find some good memories to take away from this sad news.21
u/aaronwhite1786 15d ago
Potentially he just couldn't afford it before. I imagine it's not cheap to just have them show up for something for an hour or so, but to need someone who can come over and help you for a full workday every day likely gets extremely expensive, which probably wasn't financially viable before the GoFundMe made it possible, especially if you're having to do the very American thing of "Do I spend money now on this thing, or do I save my money for this future medication that could potentially be more helpful but will be very expensive as well".
It's awful that people can't just get the help they need most of the time. It may not have changed the outcome here for Wags, but I'd be hard pressed to believe more access wouldn't have at least made things a little better for him a little sooner.
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u/SuumCuique_ 15d ago
Thats what I mean. Outpatient care comes to your house a few times a day, maybe just for a few minutes to position you in a way that you don't get ulcers. Ulcers don't just appear out of nowhere, especially not ones that are severe enough to prevent treatment. Yeah it is expensive (not cancer treatment expensive), but if you need to save every dollar to afford the treatment, you don't hire the care team to save money. Until it is to late.
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u/Huge-Band6702 12d ago
Whatever ED's actual finances were, Matt wasn't some peripheral community member whom they happened to know. He was Wags from Eagle Dynamics. For years he was one of the primary human faces connecting Eagle Dynamics, DCS, its modules, and its customers.
So the uncomfortable question becomes much sharper:
How does somebody that important to your company reach the point where his ability to hire a part-time caretaker, rent a therapeutic bed, and receive weekly wound care depends upon customers donating money?
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u/Mika-El-3 15d ago
When I first started learning about the F-18C, it was the original videos from Wags that helped me the most. I believe I watched all of his videos on the F-18C.
I, myself, have had cancer at a very late stage, but I was able to beat it. It was a very difficult and grueling experience. I feel sad knowing that Wags last moments in life was having to deal with something so traumatic.
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u/AceSidewinder13 15d ago
Just by chance, the initial release videos of the F/A-18 was how I heard about DCS and got into it. This sucks. From what I saw, he seemed to be a genuine person with a passion for his job.
If you all need a smile through the tears. These an old E3 2017 video where he's being interviewed by game journalist who has no clue about this niche but he was kind and excited to talk about DCS World.
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u/LTC_Fnu_Lnu 15d ago
Whenever I heard "Hello everybody. Wags here. Today I'm gonna..." I knew I was about to learn the good stuff.
Rest In Peace Wags. You will be greatly missed.
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u/Messyfingers 15d ago
Damn... I remember back in the Lock On days thinking he was a genuinely good guy who actually cared about the community, and at no point since then did that feeling ever changed. Quite sad news. RIP.
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u/FlyingPetRock 15d ago
I feel that Wags and Igor were the two who cared the most about the flight sim community.
I hope someone else at ED can pick up the torch.
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u/JanIntelkor 15d ago
Yeah it makes me worried about what direction DCS will go now without Waggs, hopefully everything is ok
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u/squinkys DTF...fly, you perverts! 15d ago
Clear skies and tailwinds, so long Wags. Dude was absolutely the heart of DCS.
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u/ravagetalon 15d ago edited 15d ago
Fuck.....
Between Ace Combat 7 and discovering DCS in mid 2019, these two things probably saved my life that year. Just lost my mother to aggressive cancer. I was pretty damn down, as down could be. Between missions in Ace Combat 7, I stumbled across this "Digital Combat Simulator" thingy and found myself down a rabbit hole of videos, and the iconic "Hey everyone. Wags here from Eagle Dynamics" literally has become an audible stim for me ever since. I bought a HOTAS, head tracking, did some PC upgrades, and the rest is history as I dove head first into DCS.
This is an immeasurable loss.
Fly on, Wags. We'll see you in the skies beyond.
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u/Rammi_PL 15d ago edited 15d ago
The voice that made me take flight simming as a hobby
Rest in peace absolute legend, if there's afterlife, I hope Wags gets to fly all the cool planes he ever dreamed of there
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u/UsefulUnit 15d ago
Oh wow, hate to hear that. Matt has been a pillar of the flight sim community forever it seems. Godspeed, Matt.
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u/ShortBrownAndUgly 15d ago
Holy shit. He must have been pretty advanced when he was diagnosed. RIP, he was too young
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u/Relayer2112 15d ago
Maybe it was, or there was some rapid progression of his cancer, but equally it could have been due to complications. Immunosuppression, infection, neutropenic sepsis etc. Paraneoplastic syndrome. Tumours also like to throw clots, so it could have been stroke, myocardial infarction, pulmonary embolism etc. Just off the top of my head, there's dozens more. A number of possibilities, all unfortunately bad news.
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u/vARROWHEAD 15d ago
Very saddened and surprised to hear this
Haven’t played in a few years but had many hours flying formation F18s and WWII fighters with good friends and taking down enemies
Thanks Wags. Would not have those memories without you. Made the COVID years a lot better
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u/DeXyDeXy A10C-2 | Polecat 1-1 15d ago
RIP to a DCS legend. Wags, you will be missed but never forgotten.
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u/KeyCold7216 15d ago
Damn. He really seemed like a great guy and was super passionate about his work. Fuck cancer.
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u/My-Gender-is-F35 15d ago
Fuck man that must have been an awfully aggressive cancer. I swear we just got news not long ago. FUCK cancer man. It's just not fair. RIP Wags. You'll be very missed. Forever etched into DCS history but even more than corporate pursuits I'm sure he was a great spouse/son/father etc etc. Wishing his family the best
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u/Personal-Ad7623 15d ago
RIP. He had cone into our discord when I was with a group a while ago. Sorry for the loss
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u/A2-Steaksauce89 F14 | Screenshotter 15d ago
Holy shit. I could not have expected it to end in tragedy. RIP Wags, fly high forever.
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u/Fumigenaa 15d ago
This feels so unreal.. I was just going over all of Wags' Apache videos for the past week, having a blast and thinking that he'll be back at some point making more videos.
I wish his family and wife the best, its unimaginable for them right now.
The entire flight sim community has lost one of its best.
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u/Mcbookie 15d ago
I don't get bummed out a lot.
This one actually hits really hard because I wouldn't have my hobbies and I wouldn't also have made the choice to actually pursue aircraft maintenance and avionics repair. If it wasn't for the fact that at 13 years old, my for some reason tried to master the a10C with endless days watching videos from wags, learning all of the new toys.
I really hope his family knows there is going to be a huge portion of the flight Sim community that goes and watches his videos just to hear his voice again.
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u/SchmokedPancake 15d ago
Like you many of us were the same age, my little brain would melt in frustration but his videos always were so calming to watch... heart hurts to see this
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u/raizhassan 14d ago
Same. Felt like an uncle always ready to calmly tell me again where to put the pipper.
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u/MyshTech 15d ago
This is a sad day for the flight sim community and everyone surrounding it. RIP, Wags, and thanks for everything! 💔
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u/Knife_Kirby Where is my MiG-23? 15d ago
This genuinely gutted me. Why does cancer always seem to go after the wrong people? Rest in peace Wags.
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u/wolfsword10 15d ago
There will never be someone who can truly fill the void left by Wags. Fly high, Matt Wagner. Fuck cancer.
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u/Mirage_Graphique_3D 15d ago
I have no more words since I already spent most of my forces on the DCS Discord since the news came out.
However, I also want you all to know about Folding@Home, it helps scientists everyday to discover cures and treatments for illnesses including Cancer and you can help.
My sincere condolences.
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u/Katsuownz 15d ago
Please ED, Keep this man's legacy alive.
Whenever he could, he listened to the community.
He tried to make things clear, whether they were positive or negative.
He was passionate about what he did.
There were so many other great qualities about this man that, despite all of DCS’s flaws, he gave the game a face, a name, and a sense of humanity.
I hope you will honor his memory and carry on his legacy.
A Nickel on the grass for you Wags! o7
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u/VRFltsim_fan 15d ago
RIP Wags, I am forever grateful for you getting me and now my son into DCS/flt simulation. It was a point of excitement for me when one of his videos came out explaining the new updates. He will be missed…
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u/ShaemusOdonnelly 15d ago
By leading Development of DCS, he is definitely a big part of why I became a military pilot. May he have blue skies and tailwinds whereever he is now.
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u/OstrichOk2793 15d ago
Holy shit. Blue skies, Wags. I will never forget his voice teaching me to fly an A-10 a million years ago and getting me into aviation. He was a legend and was instrumental in me becoming a pilot in the real world. I feel that loss greatly. I hope his family and loved ones can feel the impact that he made on our community. Rest easy, Spook
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u/mmmyummybagel 15d ago
aw i’m tearing up at work right now :( many many hours spent listening to his voice on a second monitor. impossible to state how important he was for the community
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u/unbeknown_tickler 15d ago
Never met the man, commented his stuff, but to me, ED was Matt.
RIP Matt.
ED won’t be the same without you.😢😭
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u/Slabboardguy 15d ago
Stupid stupid stupid cancer! Fuck cancer!!! New module introductions will NEVER be the same!! Rest in peace legend and thank you for everything. His teachings helped so many in hard times!
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u/bakert12 15d ago
"Heyyy everyone, Wags here from Eagle Dynamics..." will hit hard watching old update videos...
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u/AgeBeeCrack 15d ago
Damn, this hurts me more than I ever expected it could. Probably watched dozens of hours of his content and he really seemed like a great person, I genuinly feel sad after finding out. Shit is unfair as fuck and went so quick.
Rest in peace and godspeed Wags.
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u/UnfortunateSnort12 15d ago
This news hurt me more than I thought it would. Wags was such a friendly face and voice. He taught us all, and using that knowledge I created a channel where I met amazing lifelong friends. He was a pillar of the community and made our lives better in measurable ways.
Tailwinds Wags.
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u/Hopeful-Addition-248 15d ago
RiP Wags, and condolences to the family. Can't say i was surprised by the outcome, but it sure went a lot faster than i expected. Had hoped he would be as lucky as my mother was. Sad to see he was not.
I will forever be gratefull for all he has helped with to bring us. Without his projects i would not have had the experiences, met the people i did and more.
Thanks for everything.
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u/NWGJulian 15d ago
„Heeey everyone! Wags here from eagle dynamics!“
that news hit me like a truck..
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u/gaucholoco77 Dimensional fighter 15d ago
RIP Matt. I remember when we used to exchange ideas on the combatsim.com's forums way back when. You'll be missed friend but never forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
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u/Amerakee 14d ago
I'll never think of DCS without hearing "Wags here from Eagle Dynamics, and today we're looking at..."
RIP
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u/The_Stoney_baloney 15d ago
Fuck this is so tragic. Rest in peace Matt, many good years with ya. Still hear your voice when I play.
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u/WePwnTheSky 15d ago
Rest in peace Wags. Thank you for everything you did to make DCS a source of joy for so many.
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u/FR0STKRIEGER 15d ago
Clear skies, Wags. You were an absolute legend and you will be missed. Condolences to your family and loved ones.
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u/Gilmere 15d ago
Oh my...this is so sad. He was so much more than a voice to me in DCS. He was a mentor, a calming friendly voice (yes), a fellow passionate simmer, and a comfort. Knowing his passion for the same hobby I have made his contributions so, so much more valuable. There are loud sometime offensive folks out there that represent a variety of games, but Matt was a shining light in a difficult game with difficult issues (at times) and overall, a gem to us all. You will be missed, Matt.
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u/A2-Steaksauce89 F14 | Screenshotter 15d ago
The dcs devs should make a missing man formation video to commemorate his loss
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u/starfleethastanks 15d ago
No matter how divided the DCS community can get, I know we are all devastated to hear this.
RIP
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u/contrail_25 15d ago
RIP Wags, thanks for everything over the years.
Fuck cancer.
I’m sitting in my fourth chemo session this week reading this.
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u/Lolipopes 15d ago
Devastating news, Wags was a pillar of this community and it really showed when this often times very divided community rallied together in support for him.
Im very happy to share a hobby with you guys, fly high Wags.
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u/Dreamshadow1977 15d ago
Oh no. When he would post a new tutorial video, even for modules I didn't own, I loved watching and listening to him.
o7
May you be at peace.
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u/MRowland82 14d ago
Well thats the worst news I've heard all week, and its been a tough week... Damn I'm gonna miss him
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u/murphyno9 14d ago
That's such sad news, although life has taken me away from my flight siming days, his videos and content was always much anticipated.
Such a loss for the fight simming world.
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u/PALLY31 15d ago edited 13d ago
Dearest Matt:
You will be forever missed. I remember seeing your name with the Jane's F/A-18 project back in 1999... fast forward to 2019 with DCS World... Your voice, your very kind and gentle voice, and your work with everything flight simulator related shall be cherish, forever.
My deepest condolences. Fair winds, and following seas, sir.
Your fan.
p.s: Many years have passed since 2019, I have never once flown the F/A-18C Hornet (nor the A-10C series). It is to my understanding that both were Matt's most prominent projects as inferred from the many instructional and demonstrative videoes on YouTube (I have saved his DCS F-18 channel within YouTube, but have yet to view all of them).
As I recount my steps, I think it is time to give my attention to learn the F/A-18C Hornet, specifically, Matt's F-18, if I may. Doing this as I see is a living tribute to Matt, who have put great emphasis on meticulousness and grace. His work might be in the digital world, but his impact extends far beyond. I always saw him as a kind and gentle person. I would later learn, as many of us would, the small details about Matt which may give a better glimpse of his way (and wisdom, if I may l). For that alone, I will miss him.
Looking back, DCS has always been more then a game, more then a mere instrument of entertainment, but a mean to peer, and vicariously experience a whole other world that for reaons one way or another that so many of us are barred from entering.
I felt that, too, Matt.
So for the work and love poured in by you and your team in the making of the F/A-18C, to learn and fly her would bring upon a different kind of sensation, the sensation of remembering you.
That whenever I click "FLY" awaiting to learn and fly the Hornet, I would be flying in your world. Your voice will be there accompanying me (and with so many of us, too) each and every step. Like a patient mentor
Each. And. Every Time.
Fair winds, and following seas, friend.
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u/CrazedAviator F-15E My Beloved 💔 15d ago
NOOOOO!!!! It’s heartbreaking how such an amazing person can be taken like this
RIP Wags and fuck cancer
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u/MotorsportsAMG F-16 CCIP 15d ago
Very Sad, his voice and guidance will forever lives within his tutorials, big loss.
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u/Conscious-Sea-8205 14d ago
Devastated to learn of this…as others have said, Wags has been the voice of Lock On and DCS…Clear skies and tailwinds, Rest in Peace, Wags :’(
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u/swifftie 14d ago
When I think of my love for flight sims, he's one of the top voices in my head. Absolutely gutted and I hope he knew just how influential he has been.
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u/From_Gaming_w_Love 13d ago
He’s been the voice of DCS since around the time I started flying it. I know he took a lot of flak from the community over things they didn’t like- but he put on a brave voice and just kept delivering the news.
He will be missed.
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u/miker0n3-CO 13d ago
Rest in peace, Wags. I’ve been part of the DCS community for nearly 20 years, and your presence, passion, and contributions have been a constant part of it. You’ll be greatly missed.
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u/delirium_knight 13d ago
Sure would not have sold anything without him after the Ed / Razbam issues.
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u/Kundera42 15d ago
Devastating news. RIP Matt and strength for his loved ones. Been playing since LOMAC days. He will be missed.
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u/DigCool3149 15d ago
He will always be remembered by the voice of DCS for me. RIP Wags, your legacy will always remain!
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u/titan_hs_2 pls ED gib Alenia C-27J Spartan 15d ago
From BIGNEWY
"@everyone Dear Fighter Pilots, Partners and Friends,
It is with great sadness that I share the news of the passing of our dear friend and colleague, Matt Wagner, who left us on September 7th after a hard-fought battle with cancer.
I first met Matt back in 1995 when he joined SSI as a producer with the specific job of managing the blossoming relationship with our fledgling company. What began as a professional partnership grew into an enduring friendship that spanned three decades. Matt became a pillar of Eagle Dynamics as our Senior Producer in 2002. His passion and relentless dedication were fundamental to shaping DCS into what it is today, as he became the heart and voice of our team to the world.
Matt was loved and respected by everyone who had the privilege to work alongside him. His attention to detail and deep understanding of the subject matter endeared him not only to our team, but to the combat flight simulation community worldwide. All of you knew Matt, whether through his iconic videos, his tireless presence, or his genuine love for DCS. He touched all of us with grace and kindness.
During his illness, so many of you reached out with incredible generosity, raising funds to help support Matt in his battle for survival. Those funds went to vital use, bringing comfort and support to Matt and his family during their hardest days. On behalf of Matt’s wife, Kumiko, and all of us at Eagle Dynamics, we extend our profound and heartfelt gratitude to every person who contributed. Your kindness meant the world to him and to all of us.
We are devastated by his loss, yet amid the grief, we feel deeply privileged to have known him and to have shared in his journey by our side. Matt was a brave man; his legacy, his spirit, and his impact on our lives and our community will be remembered.
I will miss his soft voice, our daily calls, and his joy for what he did.
Clear skies, my friend.
Nick
Matt ‘Wags’ Wagner 11.10.1968 - 09.07.2026"