Two developers associated with Tripwire Interactive have distanced themselves from the publisher after president John Gibson stated his positive views on Texas' controversial new anti-abortion law. One developer has cancelled all of its contracts with the publisher as a result.
Gibson, Tripwire's co-owner, tweeted that he was "proud" of the US Supreme Court for affirming the law before further going on to say that, while he "doesn't get political often," he felt that it was important to "go on the record as a pro-life game developer".
Proud of #USSupremeCourt affirming the Texas law banning abortion for babies with a heartbeat. As an entertainer I don’t get political often. Yet with so many vocal peers on the other side of this issue, I felt it was important to go on the record as a pro-life game developer.
— John Gibson (@RammJaeger) September 4, 2021
Since then, developers that have worked alongside Tripwire on a number of titles have been quick to set out their own views on the president's comments. Shipwright Studios, which contributed to both Maneater and Chivalry 2, laid out its response to Gibson in a statement, going as far as cancelling its contracts with the company.
"While your politics are your own, the moment you make them a matter of public discourse you entangle all of those working for you and with you," Shipwright Studios said before going on to confirm that it would take actions to "begin the cancellation of [its] existing contracts [with Tripwire] effective immediately."
— Shipwright Studios (@shipwrightstdio) September 5, 2021
In addition to Shipwright, Chivalry 2 lead developer Torn Banner Studios also set out its contrasting views. A statement from the studio reads:
"We do not share the opinion expressed in a recent tweet by the president of Tripwire, publisher of Chivalry 2. This perspective is not shared by our team, nor is it reflected in the games we create. The statement stands in opposition to what we believe about women’s rights." Unlike Shipwright Studios, Torn Banner Studios has not elaborated further as to whether this will affect its relationship with Tripwire going forward.
Texas new anti-abortion law, which was recently upheld by the US supreme court, amounts to a near-total ban on abortions in the state. The law forbids the majority of abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, including those resulting from incest or rape. Enforceable across Texas, the new law allows members of the public to sue clinics that breach the ruling and awards them $10,000 per illegal abortion if they are successful.
Jared Moore is a freelance writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter.