John Gibson, the president of Tripwire Interactive, posted a controversial Tweet over the weekend claiming he was “proud” of the US Supreme Court and backed the anti-abortion laws that were recently put in place in the state of Texas.
The law bans abortions more than six weeks after conception, but does not rely on the police to enforce the law. Instead, any citizen can bring a $10,000 lawsuit against any other person who they accuse of helping a woman to get an abortion. The lawsuits are not aimed at the women themselves, but anyone helping the woman, such as someone who drove the woman to a clinic, can be hit with the $10k lawsuit.
The law is controversial not least because women may not even know they are pregnant after six weeks. It also means those who have been raped may have to bear the child of their rapist.
President Joe Biden launched a scathing attack on the Supreme Court’s ruling, which did not impose an injunction due to the unique design as a piece of legislation. “Rather than use its supreme authority to ensure justice could be fairly sought, the highest court of our land will allow millions of women in Texas in need of critical reproductive care to suffer while courts sift through procedural complexities,” he said.
Tripwire Interactive was founded in 2005 to create a standalone game of their Unreal Tournament 2004 mod Red Orchestra: Combined Arms. Since then they have gained popularity with their co-op zombie shooter series Killing Floor, Shark RPG Maneater, and have published several games, including the popular Chivalry 2.
The industry has been quick to react to the statement from John Gibson, putting the studio’s reputation and working relationships in jeopardy. Shipwright Studios, which worked on Maneater and Chivalry is cancelling all contracts with the company.
Torn Banner Studios, developers of Chivalry 2, have also condemned the tweet.
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.
— Torn Banner Studios (@TornBanner) September 6, 2021
There are also hundreds or replies to the Tweet from gamers who will no longer be buying Tripwire’s games, and women who rightly point out that men have no business dictating to them what they can and cannot do with their own bodies.
thanks for letting me know that your „pro-life“ attitude seems to end at the pregnant persons life.
I just deleted maneater off my steam library and am never gonna touch a game of yours on my livestream ever again.
it should always be the pregnant persons CHOICE of what to do.
— Baso ?️?✨ (@BasoStream) September 5, 2021
Yes, I know we’re a gaming site and this is heavy reading for a Monday morning, but it’s important.
Nate
I agree, it is an important gaming related news story. President of gaming company gives a frankly evil piece of legislation vocal support. As a middle-aged white man myself, I find these middle-aged white men absolutely baffling in their disregard for what, in my mind, are basic human rights.
MrYd
Well, that’s a bit of a bugger then. I was interested in Chivalry 2, and it’s currently on sale. And the developers have clearly stated sensible opinions on the matter.
But if I buy it, that’s money going to the publishers, and ultimately the bloke that seems to be a bit of a cockwomble. (I’m trying to be polite here)
Might just have to wait and see what happens. It’s not like there’s not a million other things in the current sale that are published by people who haven’t (so far) outed themselves as a massive arse trumpet.
stigdu
Not sure how anyone with a common sense of proper ethics and humanity can agree to this law being upheld.