Tripwire Interactive

Tripwire Interactive is a video game developer and publisher based in Georgia, United States. Its work spans tactical first-person shooters, cooperative survival horror, action role-playing games and independent publishing. Alongside its internally developed games, the company supports external developers through its Tripwire Presents publishing division.

Founded in February 2005 by members of the international modding team behind Red Orchestra: Combined Arms, Tripwire grew from the Unreal Tournament modding community into a commercial studio. Its first commercial release, Red Orchestra: Ostfront 41-45, arrived on Steam in March 2006 and established its focus on grounded tactical combat. The release of Killing Floor in 2009 expanded that foundation into cooperative survival horror, creating a franchise that continued with Killing Floor 2 and Killing Floor 3.

The studio's development history also includes Red Orchestra 2: Heroes of Stalingrad, co-development of the Rising Storm games, and the virtual reality title Killing Floor: Incursion. In 2020, Maneater broadened its portfolio with a satirical open-world action-RPG built around an evolving bull shark. The report records more than 14 million players for that game.

Development and publishing

Tripwire combines game engineering, design, combat systems, audio direction, quality assurance and ongoing live operations. Its technical experience includes Unreal Engine 3, 4 and 5, with projects reaching PC, console and virtual reality markets. Its publishing work adds product marketing, distribution and development support for independent studios bringing games to multiple platforms.

Tripwire Presents has published games developed by separate studios, including Torn Banner Studios' Chivalry 2, Digital Lode's Espire games and Sweet Bandits Studios' Deceive Inc. These publishing relationships complement Tripwire's internal production work.

Embracer Group acquired the company in August 2022 and retained it as a standalone operating subsidiary following the divestment of Saber Interactive in March 2024. As of November 2026, Tripwire continues supporting Killing Floor 3, developing Maneater 2 with Demiurge Studios for a projected 2027 release, and expanding its publishing slate.