# @itstherespawn on TikTok

- **Type:** Video
- **Original URL:** https://www.tiktok.com/@itstherespawn/video/7574080491649846550
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/74921339-itstherespawn-tiktok
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/f6b5e5c14a.jpg
- **Posted:** 2025-11-18T15:00:42.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** The Respawn (@itstherespawn) — https://gondola.cc/itstherespawn

## Caption

Legendary game designer Rebecca Heineman has passed away, aged 62. Heineman, who was diagnosed with cancer last month, had entered palliative care following a deterioration in health, a post on her GoFundMe stated. The fundraiser will remain live to collect donations towards her funeral. Heineman first made a name for herself after winning the 1980 national Atari 2600 Space Invaders championship, believed to be the first national video game tournament champion. Following her victory, Heineman was hired as a programmer for Avalon Hill at just 16 years old. After leaving Avalon Hill, Heineman became a programmer on Wasteland, The Bard’s Tale, and the Mac OS and 3DO ports of Wolfenstein 3D. She would later go on to be the designer of games such as The Bard's Tale III: Thief of Fate, Dragon Wars, and Mindshadow. Heineman co-founded Interplay in 1983 alongside Brian Fargo, Jay Patel, and Troy Worrell. Fargo shared the news of Heineman’s passing in a post on X, saying, “Rebecca Heineman sadly passed away. Known her since the 80s when I'd drive her to work, one of the most brilliant programmers around. A real gut punch earlier today when she messaged me: 'We have gone on so many adventures together! But, into the great unknown! I go first!!!'" Heineman was married to fellow game designer, Jennell Jaquays, best known for her work on Pac-Man and Quake. Jaquays passed away in January 2024 due to complications from Guillain–Barré syndrome. Fellow game designers have shared messages following the news of Heineman’s passing, including Josh Sawyer, project director of Fallout: New Vegas and Pillars of Eternity: “Rebecca was one of the founders of Interplay and programmed & designed for some of the most influential games of my youth, notably Bard's Tale I & III and Wasteland. She will be missed,” Sawyer’s post read. #gaming #gamingnews #rpg #doom #baldursgate 

## Stats

- **Views:** 136,356
- **Likes:** 17,860
- **Shares:** 518
- **Comments:** 197

## Tags

gaming, doom, rpg, gamingnews, baldursgate

---
Copyright (c) Gondola