Rebecca Heineman, a pioneer in the gaming world and co-founder of Interplay Entertainment, has passed away at the age of 62. She fought an aggressive form of cancer and shared her journey openly on Bluesky, even honoring her late wife, fellow game designer Jennell Jaquays, in her final posts. Her friend Heidi McDonald broke the news, expressing deep sadness and frustration, saying, “My trailblazing game industry bad-ass friend Rebecca Heineman has passed away. Fuck cancer.”
Heineman was known not just for her remarkable contributions to games like The Bard’s Tale 3 but also for her role in shaping the industry. Fellow co-founder Brian Fargo remembered her fondly, noting they had known each other since the 1980s. He quoted her touching farewell message: “We have gone on so many adventures together! But, into the great unknown! I go first!!!”
Josh Sawyer, a design director at Obsidian, reflected on Heineman’s influence, mentioning her work on iconic games like Bard’s Tale and Wasteland. Chris Avellone, a former writer at Obsidian, shared his sadness and thanked her for the lasting memories. He hoped she had reunited with Jennell.
Beyond her programming talents, Heineman was a strong advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. Earlier this year, she was honored with a Gayming Icon Award for her dedication to these issues, expressing her gratitude at receiving such recognition. She also reminisced about winning the National Atari 2600 Space Invaders Championship 45 years ago, showcasing her long-standing passion for gaming.
Heineman’s legacy lives on through the countless players and developers she inspired. Her contributions to the gaming community and her fight for LGBTQ+ rights will not be forgotten. Rest in peace, Rebecca, and thank you for all you’ve done.
