Interplay co-founder Rebecca Heineman, known as a "trailblazer," passes away at 62

Rebecca Heineman, a pivotal figure in the gaming industry and co-founder of Interplay, has passed away at the age of 62 due to cancer.

Throughout her illness, she openly shared her experiences on a GoFundMe page, offering insight into her fight against cancer. In response, social media has been awash with tributes from admirers, colleagues, and peers recognizing her contributions.

In her final post on November 17, Heineman expressed: "It's time, as deemed by my doctors. All further treatments are pointless. Please contribute so my children can arrange a funeral befitting my legacy, Pixelbreaker! So I can honorably join my beloved Jennell Jaquays. My daughter, Cynthia Elizabeth Heineman, will handle the arrangements."

Brian Fargo, another founder of Interplay, shared a touching message on social media: "Rebecca Heineman has sadly left us. I've known her since the 80s when I used to drive her to work. She was one of the brightest programmers I knew. It hit hard today when she reached out: 'We have shared so many adventures! But, into the great unknown! I venture first!'"

Friend Heidi McDonald expressed on social media: "My groundbreaking friend in the gaming industry, Rebecca Heineman, has passed. Curse cancer. Let's continue to remember her contributions."

Heineman's self-taught programming skills, developed through reverse engineering, led her to win a national Space Invaders competition at 14. Her legacy includes numerous achievements within and beyond Interplay, with Bard's Tale 3 marking the start of her journey towards becoming a studio head. Moreover, she was recognized by the Gayming Awards in 2025 with the Icon Award for her efforts in promoting LGBTQ+ inclusion and diversity within the tech industry, inspiring a wide array of developers and gamers.