Game developer Rebecca Heineman has died after being diagnosed with cancer last month. The news was shared to Bluesky by Heineman’s friend, Heidi McDonald, while the most recent post on Heineman’s GoFundMe is a goodbye message stating that her health was rapidly deteriorating, and she was entering palliative care. Heineman was 62, and the GoFundMe will remain live to help her family make final arrangements. Born in 1963, Heineman initially made a mark on the industry by winning a national Space Invaders tournament in 1980 in New York, becoming the first formally recognized US champion of any videogame. She went on to have a far-reaching career, being credited on 67 games according to MobyGames. Heineman co-founded Interplay in 1983 alongside Brian Fargo, Jay Patel, and Troy Worrell. The developer and publisher was the source of many foundational PC games, including Wasteland, Fallout, and Baldur’s Gate. Heineman designed and programmed a number of games at Interplay, with her most prominent design credit being The Bard’s Tale 3: Thief of Fate. Heineman’s friend and colleague from Interplay, Brian Fargo, shared a remembrance of the developer on X. “Rebecca Heineman sadly passed away,” Fargo wrote. “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!!!'” Later, in the ’90s and 2000s, Heineman made a name primarily as a programmer, particularly on ports like the Macintosh versions of Wolfenstein 3D, Baldur’s Gate, and Icewind Dale. The saga of Heineman overcoming a deranged businessman to solo program the ill-fated 3DO port of Doom in mere weeks has become a bit of an internet legend: Here’s Digital Foundry and Heineman herself recounting the tale. Heineman publicly came out as transgender in the 2000s, and was married to fellow games industry legend Jennell Jaquays. Heineman was the recipient of Gayming’s 2025 Gayming Icon award, with the site writing that “her advocacy for LGBTQ+ inclusion, accessibility, and diversity in tech has inspired countless developers and players.” Jaquays died of complications from Guillain-Barré syndrome in January 2024, and Heineman was blindsided last month by an aggressive cancer diagnosis. She turned to GoFundMe to help with the costs of treatment, where fans, friends, and industry peers showed up to support the developer. Heineman shared the message last night that her health was rapidly declining. “It’s time. According to my doctors. All further treatments are pointless,” Heineman wrote. “So, please donate so my kids can create a funeral worthy of my keyboard, Pixelbreaker! So I can make a worthy entrance for reuniting with my one true love, Jennell Jaquays.” Game developers have begun sharing their own condolences and remembrances in the wake of Heineman’s death. 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. @jesawyer. bsky. social (@jesawyer. bsky. social. bsky. social) 2025-11-18T00: 17: 03. 191Z What a remarkable human, and what a remarkable thing to know that she passed bemused at reading her own eulogies. Rest in peace, Rebecca. Thank you for everything. @ramiismail. com (@ramiismail. com. bsky. social) 2025-11-18T00: 15: 53. 662Z Rebecca was in my life because she reached out to me, a stranger, because she’d caught wind of a layoff I was impacted by. Her achievements were great, and so too was her kindness. @jyoungman. bsky. social (@jyoungman. bsky. social. bsky. social) 2025-11-18T00: 15: 53. 699Z Rest well, you legend, you pioneer, you wonderful soul. I’m lucky to have known you, though briefly. Please share her legacy by reposting Heidi’s message. 💖 @caseymongillo. bsky. social (@caseymongillo. bsky. social. bsky. social) 2025-11-18T00: 15: 53. 712Z in the early 2000s Rebecca took the time to chat over IRC with a teenaged and gender-confused Me on the practicalities of transition in a time where being out as trans online was something that could get you socially ostracized. I owe her a lot for that and only hope I can pay it forward. @moomanibe. bsky. social (@moomanibe. bsky. social. bsky. social) 2025-11-18T00: 15: 53. 675Z.
https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/legendary-game-designer-programmer-space-invaders-champion-and-lgbtq-trailblazer-rebecca-heineman-has-died/
Month: November 2025
Garrick Merrifield’s wife Lorrana debuts baby Sarah
Congratulations are in order for the Merrifields from Seeking Sister Wife as Dannielle and Garrick’s new sister wife Lorrana recently gave birth to a baby girl! The Merrifield adults shared the news in a video clip posted by TLC earlier today, which included baby Sarah. “Hi everyone! We’re the Merrifields from TLC’s Seeking Sister Wife,” the video begins. “And we have some really big news a new addition to the family, baby Sarah!” @tlctv The Merrifields have a surprise. world, meet baby Sarah! 🥹 Don’t miss the story behind their journey on #SeekingSisterWife ♬ original sound tlc “Baby Sarah is such a blessing to the family,” Dannielle says. “And she is very similar to Lorrana I can already tell. She has the gift of laughter and brings joy to the family.” Lorrana also talks about baby Sarah, but in Portuguese. Thankfully, TLC provided a translation. “She sleeps really well, thank goodness,” Lorrana says. “And she loves the whole family. Whoever she sees, she gets super happy. And thank God, she’s growing healthy every day.” “I think we’re all feeling, you know, very happy, very thankful, for baby Sarah,” Garrick says. “A little tired,” he adds. “Pregnancy, and the journey of that, has its ups and downs emotionally, physically, everything.” “We’re all excited as a family,” Garrick continues. “Family’s growing with babies, and, you know, looking forward to more wives and more babies. Lorrana, another baby.” Garrick and Lorrana laugh. Dannielle thanks viewers for their support and encourages everyone to keep tuning in for new episodes of Seeking Sister Wife airing Monday nights at 9/8c on TLC. HOW OLD IS THE MERRIFIELDS’ BABY SARAH? The Merrifields didn’t share any specific details about Sarah in regards to when she was born or how old she is. (Although it’s not too hard to guess a range simply by looking at her.) As Starcasm reported back in June, a fan of the show spotted Garrick and Lorrana in Salida, Colorado and Lorrana appeared to be very far along in her pregnancy. Below is a photo shared by the fan on Reddit and Imgur: The photo was taken in late June. I assume Sarah was born in August or early September? Either way, the oldest Sarah could be is four months. Congratulations again to the Merrifields! I’m sure I can’t be the only one who assumed Lorrana was going to be yet another unhappy ending. I still have no idea how she was able to get a visa and remain in the United States when Garrick and Dannielle are so open about practicing polygamy. Perhaps it will all be explained on the show this season. Asa Hawks is a writer and editor for Starcasm. com.
https://starcasm.net/garrick-merrifield-lorrana-baby-sarah/
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 received 12 nominations in The Game Awards 2025
The nominees for every category of The Game Awards 2025 have been announced, and with them came a snapshot of the industry’s favorites when it came to all gaming in 2025. We saw quite a few lovely titles nominated. However, it was Sandfall Interactive and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 that picked up the most nominations this year, grabbing 12 across all categories and heavily beating out all other games in sheer volume. The Game Awards 2025 nominations were revealed by Geoff Keighley and the Game Awards team this week, with the team showing off a video that revealed all potential awards winners this year. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 received the following nominations: Game of the Year Best Art Direction Best Audio Design Best Debut Indie Game Best Game Direction Best Indie Game Best Narrative Best Performance (for which three Clair Obscur characters were nominated) Ben Starr as Verso Charlie Cox as Gustave Jennifer English as Maelle Best Role-Playing Game Best Score and Music (Lorien Testard) Comparatively, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach and Ghost of Yotei were the closest running competitors to Clair Obscur with seven nominations. Surprisingly, Hades 2 picked up six nominations and Hollow Knight: Silksong picked up five nominations. Other much beloved games also failed to do better this year. You can see a breakdown of some of those titles below: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33: 12 nominations Death Stranding 2/Ghost of Yotei: 7 nominations Hades 2: 6 nominations Hollow Knight: Silksong: 5 nominations Silent Hill f/Battlefield 6: 3 nominations Donkey Kong Bananza/Mario Kart World/Doom: The Dark Ages: 2 nominations ARC Raiders/The Outer Worlds 2/ Dispatch/Elden Ring Nightreign: 1 nominations.
https://www.shacknews.com/article/146855/clair-obscur-expedition-33-the-game-awards-2025
Honduran national indicted for touching multiple young girls inside Long Island TJ Maxx: DA
A Honduran national grabbed three young girls’ butts in separate incidents at a Long Island TJ Maxx and was caught pleasuring himself while staring at one of the victims, police said. Pervy Jimmy Harry Velasquez Gomez, 44, was indicted on multiple child sex-abuse charges Friday after investigators allegedly caught him on the store’s surveillance camera groping young girls between the ages of seven and 11 in three separate encounters over a span of months. “The charges against this defendant describe disturbing acts of sexual abuse that strike at the heart of our community’s sense of safety,” Suffolk District Attorney Ray Tierney said. The disgusting displays stretched from April through October and involved incidents with a young girl each time who had briefly stepped away from her parents while browsing the toy aisle, prosecutors said. Initially on April 19, police said a 7-year-old and her mother reported that a man, later identified as Gomez, approached the child in the aisle and grabbed her butt before taking off when the child went to tell her mom. Months later, on Sept. 20, an 11-year-old told her parents that Gomez did the same to them as he walked past her. The creep allegedly struck again on Oct. 29, stalking a 9-year-old girl across the store and rubbing himself over his pants as he watched her shop before also touching her. Gomez’s lawyer, Joseph Hanshe, previously claimed his client only “brushed along” the children as he was attempting to pass them in the store. Surveillance footage from all three dates, however, showed Gomez in the store acting deliberately, investigators said. Gomez, originally from Honduras, was taken into custody and arraigned Nov. 14 on charges including first- and second-degree sexual abuse and endangering the welfare of a child. He’s been held on bail up to $3. 5 million. Hanshe did not return The Post’s request for comment.
https://nypost.com/2025/11/17/us-news/honduran-national-indicted-for-touching-multiple-young-girls-inside-long-island-tj-maxx-da/
Infinity Nikki 2.0 livestream date, time and countdown
Infold Games has officially announced the date and time for the Infinity Nikki 2. 0 livestream, which will reveal a lot details regarding the upcoming version update.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/esports/infinity-nikki-2-0-livestream-date-time-countdown
The Game Awards 2025 nominees & how to vote
We’re almost at the end of 2025, giving us another fantastic year of gaming. As we round into the final months of the year, there’s little left other than to talk about Game of the Year, and Geoff Keighley’s The Game Awards once again returns to stir up that conversation in December. This week, the nominees were announced, with the show committee submitting their picks for this year’s categories. Read on to see what made it in for each award and how to vote on the final winners. Last updated on November 17, 2025 at 9: 10 p. m. PT. How to vote for The Game Awards 2025 nominees The Game Awards nominees and voting were shared today in a special presentation. Twitch, Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter/X accounts are valid for voting. Once you’re logged in, you can move along to casting your ballot per category. The site may be bogged down in the early hours after nominees are announced. Bear in mind, you only get to make one choice per category, per login, so make it count. The Game Awards 2025 nominees Below is the list of The Game Awards 2025 categories and nominees. The list is broken down alphabetically with the exception of the most-sought award, Game of the Year, at the top. Game of the Year Best Action Game Best Action/Adventure Game Most Anticipated Game Best Adaptation Best Art Direction Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Death Stranding 2: On the Beach Ghost of Yotei Hades 2 Hollow Knight: Silksong Best Audio Design Battlefield 6 Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Death Stranding 2: On the Beach Ghost of Yotei Silent Hill f Best Community Support Content Creator of the Year Best Debut Indie Game Best Esports Game Best Esports Athlete Best Esports Team Best Family Game Best Fighting Game Best Game Direction Games for Impact Best Indie Game Innovation in Accessibility Best Mobile Game Destiny Rising Persona 5: The Phantom X Sonic Rumble Umamusume: Pretty Derby Wuthering Waves Best Multiplayer Game Best Narrative Best Ongoing Game Final Fantasy 14 Fortnite Helldivers 2 Marvel Rivals No Man’s Sky Best Performance Ben Starr as Verso (Clair Obscur: Expedition 33) Charlie Cox as Gustave (Clair Obscur: Expedition 33) Erika Ishii as Atsu (Ghost of Yotei) Jennifer English as Maelle (Clair Obscur: Expedition 33) Konatsu Kato as Shimizu Hinako (Silent Hill f) Troy Baker as Indiana Jones (Indiana Jones and the Great Circle) Best Role-Playing Game Best Score and Music Christopher Larkin (Hollow Knight: Silksong) Darren Korb (Hades 2) Lorien Testard (Clair Obscur: Expedition 33) Toma Otowa (Ghost of Yotei) Woodkid & Ludvig Forssell (Death Stranding 2: On the Beach) Best Sports/Racing Game Best Strategy/Sim Game Best VR/AR Game.
https://www.shacknews.com/article/146854/the-game-awards-2025-nomimees-voting
EXCLUSIVE: ‘Reclusive’ Barbra Streisand Refuses to Leave Her $20 Million Malibu Estate as ‘She’s Happy Being Unseen’
Nov. 8 2025, Published 10:00 a.m. ET Bashful Barbra Streisand has once again traded in the spotlight for total solitude. RadarOnline.com can reveal the 83-year-old legend is virtually trapped inside her spectacular $20 million Malibu estate – and she’s perfectly fine with that. Barbra’s World Is At Home “Barbra’s world is her home,” said a source close to the bizarrely private actress. “She’s got James [Brolin], her dogs, her gardens. It’s paradise. She doesn’t need anything else.” Streisand has settled into a peaceful routine at her cliffside compound, which overlooks Santa Monica Bay. Friends said she spends mornings pruning her beloved roses, afternoons playing with her fluffy dogs and evenings sharing candlelit dinners with her hunky husband. The sprawling property spans three acres and boasts four houses. There’s a koi pond, and she and Brolin had streams built “because I think water is a very soothing element,” Streisand shared. Inside Barbra’s Stunning, Cozy Home She doesn’t even have to leave to run to the supermarket if she gets a craving for something sweet — one of the homes has its own frozen yogurt and candy shop. “She loves the simple pleasures now,” says a pal. “She doesn’t care about movie premieres or award shows anymore. She’s done with the chaos of Hollywood. She’s earned her peace.” Life Out Of The Spotlight Of course, fans started to wonder whether something was wrong with Barbra when she went M.I.A. But Brolin recently assured them his wife is in “perfect health.” “Barbra just doesn’t feel the need to show up anywhere anymore,” said the friend. “She’s happy being unseen. “She’s given the world enough. She’s got nothing left to prove. Barbra’s final act is living happily ever after out of the spotlight.”
https://radaronline.com/p/barbra-streisand-happy-malibu-estate-private-life/
EXCLUSIVE DETAILS: Arizona Dad’s Oldest Daughter, 17, ‘Knew He Would Commit Suicide’ Before Prison — After He Accepted Plea Deal For Causing Death of Toddler He Left in Boiling Car
Nov. 7 2025, Published 6:36 p.m. ET The eldest daughter of an Arizona man who killed himself just before he was due to report to prison for the death of of his 2 year old toddler said she wasn’t surprised he “took the easy way out,” RadarOnline.com can report. Christopher Scholtes had agreed to a plea deal accepting the blame for the child’s death, after he “forgot” she was baking outdoors in her car seat while he was inside his home getting drunk and surfing for porn. Scholtes Committed Suicide Scholtes took his own life Tuesday night. He was scheduled to report to prison the following morning. The 38-year-old also shares 10-year-old and 6-year-old daughters with his current wife and has a 17-year-old daughter from a previous marriage. The teen, who has a two-year-old toddler of her own, lives with a guardian away from her dad, after her biological mother died last year. The guardian, Lindsay Eisenberg, said when she told the girl what happened, she was emotionless. “She said, ‘I knew he was going to do this, I knew he was going to commit suicide’. Then she asked if her sisters were OK,” Eisenberg told the Daily Mail. The Teen had Just Sued Her Dad and Stepmother The teen, who was estranged from her dad, had accused Scholtes of abuse multiple times in the past. And just last week, she filed a lawsuit against him and his current wife, Erika, for emotional distress. She was also seeking damages over her half-sister’s death, according to the complaint. Scholtes was previously investigated nine times on allegations of neglect, as well as physical and emotional abuse against the girl, between June 2014 and December 2020. Among the allegations were reports that he would slap the child and spank her, leaving bruises on her body. In one instance, Scholtes allegedly “slapped the child, causing them to lose their breath,” and left the child to “manage their diabetes without parental oversight.” Accusations of Emotional and Physcal Abuse Other reports detailed accusations of verbal abuse, including using derogatory names. A report also claimed Scholtes “yells at the child excessively and tells the child things to break them mentally, such as calling them by foul names and referring to them as ‘a mistake.'” The girl was said to have been experiencing “suicidal ideation due to their father and stepmother treating them differently than the other children in the home and calling the child names.” However, in every one of the cases, the allegations were eventually deemed unsubstantiated, as there was not enough evidence to support them. Instead, “the child was assessed as safe in Mr. Scholtes’ home,” and “the family was provided with information on services available in the community and the case was closed.” Scholtes Left His Daughter to Die As RadarOnline.com has reported, Scholtes left his youngest child in the car after running some errands and returning home. Prosecutors said the father-of-three cracked open a few beers he shoplifted earlier in the day, played some video games, and searched for porn on his PlayStation – all while his toddler daughter, Parker, was still in her car seat. He later admitted he was aware that the car engine in his vehicle turns off after 30 minutes, at which point there would be no air conditioning. Medical examiners said temperatures in the 2003 Acura climbed as high as 109 degrees over the three hours Parker was trapped inside.
https://radaronline.com/p/arizona-christopher-scholtes-oldest-daughter-suicide-prison-plea-deal-death-toddler-car/
The Game Awards 2025 nominees & how to vote
We’re almost at the end of 2025, giving us another fantastic year of gaming. As we round into the final months of the year, there’s little left other than to talk about Game of the Year, and Geoff Keighley’s The Game Awards once again returns to stir up that conversation in December. This week, the nominees were announced, with the show committee submitting their picks for this year’s categories. Read on to see what made it in for each award and how to vote on the final winners. Last updated on November 17, 2025 at 9: 10 p. m. PT. How to vote for The Game Awards 2025 nominees The Game Awards nominees and voting were shared today in a special presentation. Twitch, Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter/X accounts are valid for voting. Once you’re logged in, you can move along to casting your ballot per category. The site may be bogged down in the early hours after nominees are announced. Bear in mind, you only get to make one choice per category, per login, so make it count. The Game Awards 2025 nominees Below is the list of The Game Awards 2025 categories and nominees. The list is broken down alphabetically with the exception of the most-sought award, Game of the Year, at the top. Game of the Year Best Action Game Best Action/Adventure Game Most Anticipated Game Best Adaptation Best Art Direction Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Death Stranding 2: On the Beach Ghost of Yotei Hades 2 Hollow Knight: Silksong Best Audio Design Battlefield 6 Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Death Stranding 2: On the Beach Ghost of Yotei Silent Hill f Best Community Support Content Creator of the Year Best Debut Indie Game Best Esports Game Best Esports Athlete Best Esports Team Best Family Game Best Fighting Game Best Game Direction Games for Impact Best Indie Game Innovation in Accessibility Best Mobile Game Destiny Rising Persona 5: The Phantom X Sonic Rumble Umamusume: Pretty Derby Wuthering Waves Best Multiplayer Game Best Narrative Best Ongoing Game Final Fantasy 14 Fortnite Helldivers 2 Marvel Rivals No Man’s Sky Best Performance Ben Starr as Verso (Clair Obscur: Expedition 33) Charlie Cox as Gustave (Clair Obscur: Expedition 33) Erika Ishii as Atsu (Ghost of Yotei) Jennifer English as Maelle (Clair Obscur: Expedition 33) Konatsu Kato as Shimizu Hinako (Silent Hill f) Troy Baker as Indiana Jones (Indiana Jones and the Great Circle) Best Role-Playing Game Best Score and Music Christopher Larkin (Hollow Knight: Silksong) Darren Korb (Hades 2) Lorien Testard (Clair Obscur: Expedition 33) Toma Otowa (Ghost of Yotei) Woodkid & Ludvig Forssell (Death Stranding 2: On the Beach) Best Sports/Racing Game Best Strategy/Sim Game Best VR/AR Game.
https://www.shacknews.com/article/146854/the-game-awards-2025-nomimees-voting
People Have A Crush On This Airline’s AI-Flight Attendant
This January, Qatar Airways introduced the world to Sama, its new AI-powered flight attendant who works for the airline promoting destinations and events through Instagram posts of her virtual flight-attendant lifestyle. While Sama only exists in a virtual world, her hyper-realistic posts have helped her gain over 300, 000 followers on the social media platform, including many ardent admirers. “You Have A Beautiful Smile”: Sama’s Uncanny Valley Looks Get Lots Of Praise Many of Sama’s posts get comments expressing love and admiration for her AI-generated beauty. Her comments are overflowing with heart and fire emoticons. “You have a beautiful smile that makes you even more beautiful,” one commenter wrote on one of Sama’s earliest posts-a video of her dancing and ringing in the New Year. “Oh you’re killing me your face looking like a queen,” another commenter writes on a post showing Sama enjoying a virtual high-tea in London. On a video post promoting Sama’s virtual aircraft tours, a commenter writes, “For me you are the most beautiful young flight attendant in the whole world.” A commenter on an image of Sama sitting in a coffee shop ahead of the Formula 1 race, writes, “So beautiful nice picture.” He adds five red rose emoticons. On a short video Sama is sleeping on a Qatar Airways aircraft and awakened by a cabin call bell, then going right back to sleep with a smile because she’s flying as a passenger. The post explains, “I’m a Qatar Airways cabin crew, of course answering the call bell is second nature, even on my days off!” A fan replies, “I would suggest earplugs!! You are gorgeous!!!” These are only a few. Sama’s posts have many comments praising her beauty. “She is AIsian”: People Really Want To Get To Know Sama Better On a Valentine’s Day post, a curious admirer gets more personal, asking Sama, “What is your nationality?” To which a helpful commenter replies, “She is AIsian.” That confusion is at the heart of what makes Sama an ‘uncanny valley’ airline marketing tool. Qatar Airways clearly identifies Sama in her Instagram bio as “Virtual Cabin Crew” but the AI generates a charming, personable, casual tone in her writing that makes her sound authentic. Adding to the illusion, while some of her physical representations are clearly AI-generated, most images and videos posted by Sama could easily fool the eye. This combination lures many into thinking this is a genuine, living person having the best flight attendant life ever. That’s easy enough to believe as Sama gets to fly with no tired feet, no stressed-out passengers to keep happy, no in-flight turbulence and no emergency landings to manage. Qatar Airways’ Sama Goes From Social AI To Business While she has never actually been on an aircraft, or anywhere in the real world, Sama is also employed by Qatar Airways as a booking tool. Through her chat-function, travelers can share details of their plans and Sama will generate a tailored itinerary that meets their needs. To avoid the perils of other airline AI-powered chatbots, Qatar warns users: “Sama can make mistakes. Consider checking important information.” That is good advice as, cute or not, AI Sama can hallucinate. Her physical representation in the booking tool is less realistic than on her social media account. The fact that she’s floating on a black background also helps to break the spell. Still, Sama breathes, blinks and moves her head as she waits for a prompt to get her going. It’s the Instagram account that has some people truly enthralled. A cheeky commenter responds to Sama’s shot in a white coat during a visit to Milan, “Who gave you permission to break the internet with this picture?” Sama may not have broken the internet yet, but she is breaking down reality. The virtual flight attendant is an interesting experiment in AI airline applications, proving that AI can win hearts and possibly minds too.
https://bitcoinethereumnews.com/finance/people-have-a-crush-on-this-airlines-ai-flight-attendant/