What you need to know
- Tripwire Interactive CEO John Gibson recently shared his support of an anti-abortion law in Texas, U.S.
- The support, given via Twitter, drew backlash from game developers, including companies that have deals with Tripwire Interactive.
- Following the outcry, Tripwire Interactive shared on Monday that Gibson was out, with a new interim CEO in place.
Tripwire Interactive CEO John Gibson is out, with Alan Wilson appointed as interim CEO, the company confirmed on Monday. This follows Gibson's comments on Twitter supporting a recent Texas anti-abortion law.
"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," Gibson wrote.
These comments drew immediate ire from game developers, including several public statements of disavowal from teams whose games are published by Tripwire Interactive. Tripwire Interactive publishes games like the shark role-playing game Maneater, as well as the recent Medieval combat title Chivalry 2, which has sold over one million copies and is rapidly becoming one of the best Xbox multiplayer games available.
"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," wrote Torn Banner Studios, developer of Chivalry 2.
"The comments given by John Gibson are of his own opinion, and do not reflect those of Tripwire Interactive as a company. His comments disregarded the values of our whole team, our partners and much of our broader community," Tripwire Interactive notes in its press release. "Our leadership team at Tripwire are deeply sorry and are unified in our commitment to take swift action and to foster a more positive environment."
Tripwire also notes that interim CEO Wilson will be holding a town hall and other meetings to address the concerns of Tripwire Interactive employees and partners alike.
