Tripwire Interactive CEO resigns amid backlash after supporting abortion ruling

Video game development studio, Tripwire Interactive, which is famed for titles like Chivalry 2 and Killing Floor 2, recently announced that the company's CEO, John Gibson, has "stepped down" effective immediately. This follows after Gibson faced significant public backlash in response to a controversial tweet he made earlier, regarding the U.S. Supreme Court ruling against abortion in Texas.

Tripwire Interactive CEO resigns amid backlash after supporting abortion ruling

In an official statement, Tripwire Interactive indicated that they have appointed a new interim CEO, Alan Wilson, "as the company moves forward". The company indicated that they are "deeply sorry" and "are unified in [their] commitment to take swift action and to foster a more positive environment."

The company also noted that Gibson's comments were not representative of the company but were that "of his own opinion". "His comments disregarded the values of our whole team, our partners and much of our broader community," the company added.

According to the statement, Gibson "stepped down as CEO of Tripwire Interactive" and has been replaced by the co-founding member and Vice President, Alan Wilson, who will act as the interim CEO.

"Alan will work with the rest of the Tripwire leadership team to take steps with employees and partners to address their concerns including executing a company-wide town hall meeting and promoting an open dialogue with Tripwire leadership and all employees," the statement read.

This comes just a day after Gibson's inflammatory statements. In his initial controversial tweet, Gibson proclaimed to support the U.S. Supreme Court ruling to ban abortion providers from terminating fetuses once a fetal heartbeat can be detected.

Gibson's tweet read: "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."

These events arguably come as a result of several boycotts against the company, including Shipwright Studios, which was a development partner on Chivalry 2 and Maneater, immediately rescinding their dealings with the company.

While Tripwire Interactive announced that Gibson would "step down" it's still unclear whether or not he will continue to work at the company.

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Header image via Tripwire Interactive.