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/
Tag: accessibility
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
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
PlayStation Portal now lets you stream your own digital games to the handheld without a PS5, but you still need to have the most expensive version of PS Plus to do so
Sony has announced a new update for the PlayStation Portal, bringing a range of exciting features designed to enhance the handheld gaming experience.
One of the most notable additions is the expansion of cloud streaming to include your personal game library. Previously, players could stream games from the PS Plus Game Catalog and Classics Catalog, but with this update, you’ll be able to stream your own digital PS5 games directly on the PlayStation Portal. Sony highlights that “thousands of PS5 games support” cloud streaming, naming popular titles like Astro Bot, Borderlands 4, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, and Ghost of Yotei as examples. However, not every game is available; for instance, John Fart: Text-iverse of Craziness does not appear on the supported list.
It’s important to note that even with this expanded streaming capability, a PS Plus Premium subscription is required to stream your own games through the cloud. For those without the premium tier, using Remote Play—Sony’s original streaming feature—might still be the better option.
This update also introduces a redesigned user interface tailored to the platform’s current capabilities. The new UI features three main tabs: “Remote Play,” “Cloud Streaming,” and “Search,” making navigation simpler and more intuitive.
In addition to streaming improvements, several new features have been added to the PlayStation Portal:
– **3D Audio Support:** Enhances spatial sound for a more immersive gaming experience.
– **Password Lock:** Adds an extra layer of security to your device.
– **In-Game Purchases:** Allows you to buy content without leaving your game.
– **New Accessibility Options:** Improves usability for a wider range of players.
This update marks a significant step in evolving the PlayStation Portal from a device primarily for remote streaming to a more versatile handheld gaming companion. Keep an eye out for the rollout and enjoy the enhanced functionality it brings.
https://www.gamesradar.com/platforms/playstation/playstation-portal-now-lets-you-stream-your-own-digital-games-to-the-handheld-without-a-ps5-but-you-still-need-to-have-the-most-expensive-version-of-ps-plus-to-do-so/