Legendary sport designer, programmer, Area Invaders champion, and LGBTQ trailblazer Rebecca Heineman has died

Recreation developer Rebecca Heineman has died after being identified with most cancers final month. The information was shared to Bluesky by Heineman’s good friend, Heidi McDonald, whereas the newest put up on Heineman’s GoFundMe is a goodbye message stating that her well being was quickly deteriorating, and he or she was getting into palliative care. Heineman was 62, and the GoFundMe will stay reside to assist her household make ultimate preparations.

Born in 1963, Heineman initially made a mark on the trade by successful a nationwide Area Invaders match in 1980 in New York, turning into the primary formally acknowledged US champion of any videogame. She went on to have a far-reaching profession, being credited on 67 video games in keeping with MobyGames.

Heineman co-founded Interaction in 1983 alongside Brian Fargo, Jay Patel, and Troy Worrell. The developer and writer was the supply of many foundational PC video games, together with Wasteland, Fallout, and Baldur’s Gate. Heineman designed and programmed a lot of video games at Interaction, along with her most distinguished design credit score being The Bard’s Story 3: Thief of Destiny.

Heineman’s good friend and colleague from Interaction, Brian Fargo, shared a remembrance of the developer on X. “Rebecca Heineman sadly handed away,” Fargo wrote. “Recognized her because the 80s after I’d drive her to work, probably the most good programmers round. An actual intestine punch earlier right now when she messaged me: ‘We’ve gone on so many adventures collectively! However, into the good unknown! I am going first!!!'”

Later, within the ’90s and 2000s, Heineman made a reputation primarily as a programmer, notably on ports just like the Macintosh variations of Wolfenstein 3D, Baldur’s Gate, and Icewind Dale. The saga of Heineman overcoming a deranged businessman to solo program the ill-fated 3DO port of Doom in mere weeks has turn out to be a little bit of an web legend: This is Digital Foundry and Heineman herself recounting the story.

Heineman publicly got here out as transgender within the 2000s, and was married to fellow video games trade legend Jennell Jaquays. Heineman was the recipient of Gayming’s 2025 Gayming Icon award, with the positioning writing that “her advocacy for LGBTQ+ inclusion, accessibility, and variety in tech has impressed numerous builders and gamers.”

Jaquays died of issues from Guillain–Barré syndrome in January 2024, and Heineman was blindsided final month by an aggressive most cancers analysis. She turned to GoFundMe to assist with the prices of remedy, the place followers, pals, and trade friends confirmed as much as help the developer.

Heineman shared the message final night time that her well being was quickly declining.

“It is time. In accordance with my medical doctors. All additional remedies are pointless,” Heineman wrote. “So, please donate so my youngsters can create a funeral worthy of my keyboard, Pixelbreaker! So I could make a worthy entrance for reuniting with my one real love, Jennell Jaquays.”

Recreation builders have begun sharing their very own condolences and remembrances within the wake of Heineman’s dying.

Rebecca was one of many founders of Interaction and programmed & designed for a number of the most influential video games of my youth, notably Bard’s Story I & III and Wasteland. She can be missed.

— @jesawyer.bsky.social (@jesawyer.bsky.social.bsky.social) 2025-11-18T00:17:03.191Z

What a exceptional human, and what a exceptional factor to know that she handed bemused at studying her personal eulogies.
Relaxation in peace, Rebecca. Thanks for the whole lot.

— @ramiismail.com (@ramiismail.com.bsky.social) 2025-11-18T00:15:53.662Z

Rebecca was in my life as a result of she reached out to me, a stranger, as a result of she’d caught wind of a layoff I used to be impacted by. Her achievements have been nice, and so too was her kindness.

— @jyoungman.bsky.social (@jyoungman.bsky.social.bsky.social) 2025-11-18T00:15:53.699Z

Relaxation nicely, you legend, you pioneer, you fantastic soul. I am fortunate to have recognized you, although briefly. Please share her legacy by reposting Heidi’s message. 💖

— @caseymongillo.bsky.social (@caseymongillo.bsky.social.bsky.social) 2025-11-18T00:15:53.712Z

within the early 2000s Rebecca took the time to speak over IRC with a teenaged and gender-confused Me on the practicalities of transition – in a time the place being out as trans on-line was one thing that might get you socially ostracized. I owe her quite a bit for that and solely hope I will pay it ahead.

— @moomanibe.bsky.social (@moomanibe.bsky.social.bsky.social) 2025-11-18T00:15:53.675Z