Rebecca Heineman, one of the co-founders of Interplay Entertainment – a key programmer as well as the designer of The Bard’s Tale 3 – has passed away. She was 62 years old.
Heineman was battling an aggressive form of cancer and shared her struggle quite openly on Bluesky. She continued posting to the end, paying tribute to her late wife, game designer Jennell Jaquays. Heineman’s passing was announced by her friend Heidi McDonald, who wrote: “My trailblazing game industry bad-ass friend Rebecca Heineman has passed away. Fuck cancer.”
Tributes for Heineman rolled in overnight from various games industry figures related to Interplay, and beyond. Fellow Interplay co-founder Brian Fargo wrote: “Rebecca Heineman sadly passed away. Known her since the 80s when I’d drive her to work, one of the most brilliant programmers around. A real gut punch earlier today when she messaged me: ‘We have gone on so many adventures together! But, into the great unknown! I go first!!!’ :(“
Obsidian design director Josh Sawyer, who worked at Interplay’s Black Isle studio, added: “Rebecca was one of the founders of Interplay and programmed and designed for some of the most influential games of my youth, notably Bard’s Tale 1 and 3 and Wasteland. She will be missed.”
Former Obsidian and Black Isle writer and designer Chris Avellone also added: “Rebecca Heineman, I hope you and Jennell are together again. Thanks for all the games, and all the memories. You will be missed. :(“
Besides her game-development work, Rebecca Heineman, a trans woman, was a notable advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, and was recently awarded a Gayming Icon Award for her tireless work in this area. “I was informed that I will be given the Gayming Icon Award for all my work in LGBT+ issues over my career,” Heineman wrote earlier this year. “I’m deeply humbled at getting this news. I’m very happy and honored!”
Heineman also recently recalled how she’d won the National Atari 2600 Space Invaders Championship, 45 years ago.
Rest in peace, Rebecca, and thank you for all you’ve done.
