The GDC Awards 2026 will honor Don Daglow and Rebecca Heineman

The Game Developers Choice Awards organizers have announced the winners for this year's prestigious Lifetime Achievement and Ambassador Awards.

Don Daglow, a distinguished figure in the gaming world, is set to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award. Meanwhile, the late Rebecca Heineman, co-founder of Interplay Productions, will posthumously receive the Ambassador Award.

Daglow's contributions span more than fifty years, beginning as an initial Intellivision game programmer at Mattel. He has been a pivotal force in designing, programming, and producing over a hundred games and has spearheaded significant industry innovations. His venture, Stormfront Studios, was founded in 1988 as Beyond Software.

Rebecca Heineman, who passed away last year, had an extensive 45-year career contributing to over 250 games. Her notable works include The Bard's Tale 3, Dragon Wars, Wolfenstein 3D, and Doom (3DO). She founded Contraband Entertainment in 1999, collaborating on various projects such as Myth 3, Baldur's Gate 2, and Icewind Dale, while also leading programming efforts at Electronic Arts, Amazon, and Sony.

The Ambassador Award is designed to "recognize key individuals who aid in advancing video games through advocacy and activism." Heineman is celebrated for her dedication to the LGBTQ+ community and her efforts in promoting accessibility and diversity in gaming.

GDC president Nina Brown remarked, "It's a privilege to celebrate the creators who have significantly impacted this industry. Don Daglow and Rebecca Heineman have played crucial roles in shaping the possibilities of gaming. As the GDC Festival of Gaming evolves with the industry's rapid changes, their contributions remind us of the power of creativity, strong conviction, and daring experimentation."

In the previous year, the Lifetime Achievement Award was given to Sam Lake from Remedy, while the Pioneer Award was awarded to independent game developer Lucas Pope.

The nominations for the 26th annual GDC awards were revealed in January, with Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 leading with eight nominations in nine categories, including Game of the Year.

The awards will be presented on March 12 during the GDC Festival of Gaming in San Francisco.