Trivial Pursuit inventor Haney dies

Chris Haney, co-creator of one the world's top-selling board games, Trivial Pursuit, has died in Toronto, Canada, at the age of 59.

Chris Haney, co-creator of one the world's top-selling board games, Trivial Pursuit, has died in Canada, at the age of 59.

Canadian public broadcaster CBC said Haney died in a Toronto Hospital after a long illness.

Haney and his friend Scott Abbott, both journalists, came up with the idea for the game in Montreal in December 1979, after arguing over a Scrabble match.

Haney's brother John and lawyer Ed Werner helped them launch the game in 1982 to worldwide acclaim.

They sold the rights to the board game to toy giant Hasbro in 2008.

Trivial Pursuit is now played in 33 countries, with sales since its launch topping $Can50 million ($A55.59 million).

Haney is survived by his wife and three adult children.