Tripwire Interactive is known as the publisher of Chivalry 2 and the developer of Maneater with Killing Floor. Last weekend, its president John Gibson (John Gibson) came out in support of a new anti-abortion law in Texas, which caused dissatisfaction with the gaming community. In particular, one of the partners refused to cooperate with the company.
The Texas law came into force on September 1. It prohibits abortions after the sixth week of pregnancy. It is assumed that it is from this moment that the fetal heartbeat can be determined, although many doctors do not agree with this. The law also allows you to sue doctors involved in such abortions, and those who help them. You can get up to $ 10 thousand on the claim.
Society reacted ambiguously to the law. For example, President Joe Biden called it “an unprecedented assault on the constitutional rights of women.” However, there were also supporters of the law.
One of them was John Gibson from Tripwire Interactive. He said on Twitter that he was proud of the US Supreme Court, which adopted the Texas law.
I work in entertainment and I don't often do politics. Nevertheless, so many colleagues share the opposite point of view that it seems important to me to declare myself as a game developer who protects lives.
President of Tripwire Interactive
Gibson’s position immediately drew sharp criticism from the gaming community.
Shipwright Studios, which participated in the development of Chivalry 2 and Maneater, announced the termination of the contract with Tripwire Interactive.
Although political views are your own business, the moment you voice them publicly, you involve everyone who works for you and with you in the discussion. (...) This is unfortunate, but we think that we will harm ourselves, your employees, your partners and the industry as a whole if we continue to leave this without comment. We founded Shipwright thinking that it was time not only to talk, but also to act. We can no longer cooperate with Tripwire with a clear conscience under its current leadership. We are breaking all our existing contracts.
Torn Banner, who developed Chivalry 2, also condemned Gibson. The company noted that it does not share the opinion of the head of Tripwire Interactive, and his point of view is not reflected in the studio’s games.
An equally loud reaction followed from individual developers.
For example, Cory Barlog, the creator of God of War, called the Texas law “a law that brings us closer to some kind of dystopian religious state of Gilead.” And Cliff Bleszinski, Gears of War game designer, asked Gibson to unsubscribe from him.
Megan Zavala, senior concept artist at Unbroken Studios, said: “As a female developer, I know how difficult it is to navigate the industry and I see that many do not understand this. Thank you for your honesty. Now we can all tell our colleagues about it, ban you en masse and never work together.”
Gibson himself has not yet commented on the developers’ statements.