Rebecca Heineman, Interplay co‑founder and pioneering game developer, dies at 62
Rebecca Heineman, a veteran programmer and co‑founder of Interplay Entertainment, has died at 62 after a recent diagnosis of adenocarcinoma. Friends and colleagues shared the news publicly, and her GoFundMe page detailed her illness and final updates.
Heineman’s career spanned decades: she won the Atari 2600 Space Invaders championship in 1980, began programming professionally as a teenager, co‑founded Interplay (then Interplay Productions) in 1983, and later founded Contraband Entertainment. She contributed to titles such as The Bard’s Tale III and led Mac OS ports of major games.
Career highlights
- Atari 2600 Space Invaders champion (1980) and entry into professional programming as a teen.
- Co‑founder of Interplay in 1983, contributing to classic RPGs and early PC game development.
- Founder of Contraband Entertainment; worked on Mac ports for Aliens vs. Predator and Baldur’s Gate II.
- Senior engineering roles at Electronic Arts, Ubisoft Toronto and Sony Computer Entertainment America.
Legacy and impact
Heineman was a respected figure in the early video‑game industry, known for technical skill, engineering leadership and preserving games across platforms. Her work on RPG design, engine programming and porting helped bring influential titles to broader audiences.
Her final public update noted that further treatments were considered futile and that donations would help arrange a funeral; she also posted a tribute to her late wife, Jennell Jaquays, who died in 2024. The community has responded with tributes and memories of her contributions.
For more reporting and tributes, see coverage and remembrances (opens in a new tab): Engadget · Rock Paper Shotgun.
Discussion: Which Rebecca Heineman game or contribution stands out to you — and how did her work influence the games you love?