Remembering Gaming Legend Rebecca Heineman

Gaming icon Rebecca Heineman has died after her battle with most cancers. She was an out transgender lady, and is remembered throughout the gaming business for her pioneering management, and throughout the LGBTQ neighborhood for her steadfast advocacy.

Heineman had beforehand served on GLAAD’s Board of Directors, and was honored with Gayming Magazine’s Icon Award earlier this 12 months, with the journal saying: “Her advocacy for LGBTQ+ inclusion, accessibility, and diversity in tech has inspired countless developers and players.”

She was the primary champion of a nationwide U.S. online game event, and is well-known for founding Interplay Productions, creating beloved gaming franchises like The Bard’s Tale. She went on to discovered Contraband Entertainment, offering growth help with  a number of authentic video games together with Myth III: The Wolf Age, Baldur’s Gate II, and Icewind Dale. She later led programming initiatives for Electronic Arts, Bloomberg, Amazon, Microsoft/Xbox, and Sony/Playstation, and co-founded Olde Sküül together with her late spouse.

Heineman cited gaming as a refuge, a spot for her to be herself as a transgender lady. And she sought to make gaming a welcoming place for everybody. Her advocacy prolonged to her company roles, serving as a frontrunner for LGBTQ inclusion at Amazon, Microsoft, Sony, and extra.

Heineman is cited by many as one of the sensible programmers of all time. The legendary programmer was a mom and grandmother. She was identified to colleagues and pals as “Burger Becky,” and is remembered for her brilliance, her kindness, and her advocacy. Read extra about her life and legacy here.