VCF East homepage — Talks List — Speakers FAQ — Speakers Registration
Rebecca “Burger Becky” Heineman
Rebecca “Burger Becky” Heineman is a pioneering figure in the video game industry, known for her extensive contributions as a programmer, designer, and company founder. Born in 1963, Heineman’s career in gaming started in the early 1980s. She earned the nickname “Burger Becky” from her colleagues, a moniker that has become well-recognized within the gaming community.
Heineman’s journey in the world of video games kicked off with a bang when she won the National Space Invaders Championship in 1980, showcasing her exceptional skill and passion for gaming. This victory was a springboard into her professional career, beginning with her work at On-Line Systems, which later became Sierra On-Line, a company renowned for its adventure games.
Over the years, Heineman has worked on numerous groundbreaking titles across various platforms, showcasing her versatility and pioneering spirit. She was a founding member of Interplay Productions in 1983, a company that played a crucial role in the development of the role-playing game (RPG) genre with titles like “The Bard’s Tale” and “Wasteland.”
Heineman’s technical prowess is not limited to game development; she has also been involved in creating game engines and technology, contributing to the advancement of the gaming industry’s technical foundations. Her work has spanned several generations of consoles and computer systems, adapting and innovating with each new technological wave.
Throughout her career, Heineman has been recognized for her contributions to the industry, including her advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights within the tech and gaming communities. As one of the first openly transgender women in the video game industry, she has been a vocal and inspiring figure, working towards greater inclusion and diversity in gaming.
Today, Rebecca Heineman continues to influence the industry, working on new projects and sharing her wealth of knowledge and experience with the next generation of game developers. Her legacy is not just in the games she has helped create but in the paths she has paved for future developers in a more inclusive and diverse gaming world.