Interplay Co-Founder and Pioneering Developer Rebecca Heineman Dies at 62

Rebecca Heineman, best known for co-founding the original Fallout developer Interplay alongside Brian Fargo, Jay Patel, and Troy Worrell in the early 1980s, has died at the age of 62. The news was shared by her friend Heidi McDonald, who stated that the trailblazing industry figure had passed away following a battle with cancer, urging friends not to forget her legacy.

Heineman rose to fame in 1980 when she won a national Space Invaders tournament at the age of 16. She subsequently carved out an impressive career in game development, teaching herself to code by reverse engineering. Her extensive development and publishing credits include major titles such as Wasteland, Fallout, Baldur's Gate, and The Bard's Tale 3: Thief of Fate. She most recently served as the CEO of Olde Sküül.

On a fundraising page set up shortly after her diagnosis, Heineman described herself as the "very first video game champion" and a software archivist. In her final message, penned on November 17, she wrote that doctors had deemed further treatments pointless. She expressed a desire for a funeral worthy of her legacy and looked forward to reuniting with her late partner, Jennell Jaquays. The fund remains open to support her family with arrangements.

Reflecting on her history in the industry, Heineman previously cited Bard’s Tale 3 as a defining moment in her career. She noted that heading the project and acting as the decision-maker started her on the path to being a studio head. Her contributions were recently recognized with the 2025 Gayming Icon Award, honoring her advocacy for LGBTQ+ inclusion, accessibility, and diversity in tech.

Tributes have poured in from across the industry. Interplay co-founder Brian Fargo called her "one of the most brilliant programmers around," stating that the news was a "real gut punch." Other developers, including Rami Ismail and Josh Sawyer, have also shared memories of Heineman's mentorship, kindness, and support.