When Killing Floor launched as a mod for Unreal Tournament 2004, few could have imagined that a gritty wave-based shooter would morph into one of the most iconic co-op franchises in modern gaming. But Tripwire did more than build a hit—they evolved! They didn’t stay comfortable as a talented mod team (and this is no smoke against mods). They transformed into a full-fledged studio. And in doing so, they showed the entire gaming community what’s possible when you treat modding as a launchpad, not a finish line.
This kind of evolution is one SDGT Entertainment has been championing for over a decade. There’s nothing wrong with being a modder—it’s an incredible space to sharpen your skills, test your chemistry with collaborators, and build proof of concept. But... when you put your best into building someone else’s IP—like the countless hours poured into remaking Super Mario 64—you run the risk of watching your passion vanish with a takedown notice. It’s no shade toward Nintendo... because they’re legally protecting their property—but it is a reality that talented devs have learned the hard way.
Tripwire made a smarter play: they took the DNA of their mod, repackaged it into a fresh universe, and walked into the industry like a badass... with their own IP! That gave them full freedom to expand, hire, iterate, and grow a fanbase that’s now excited for Killing Floor 3—a blood-soaked, tactically rich nightmare set in 2091. And they did it on their own terms!
So to all modders reading this: Don’t trash your efforts! Reshape them. Build something original that reflects your skill and vision. Tap into free tools like Unreal Engine, train with resources offered by Epic Games and other dev-friendly companies + courses. Every major studio started somewhere. Tripwire started in the trenches—just like many of you. We're no different!
Stay passionate, stay strategic, and keep building. We look forward to checking out your game one day... just like we’re doing with Killing Floor 3 today!
The best games from this year's Gamescom (for me), were all the more challenging games that showcased the latest and greatest in the gaming industry. From the creepy-cute platformer Little Nightmares 3 to the highly anticipated Black Myth: Wukong, there is something for every gamer. Other notable titles include Killing Floor 3, Starfield, COD MW3, Fort Solis, Tekken 8, Assassin's Creed Mirage, and Warhammer 40,000: Darktide. And let's not forget about the new gameplay from Mortal Kombat 1 and the thrilling sequel Alan Wake 2. With such a diverse lineup, it's clear to me that Gamescom 2023 has delivered. So, grab your controller and get ready for an unforgettable gaming experience as we bid farewell to Summer and make our way forward.
Here's my list of the best games from Gamescom 2023!
Embark on a new adventure in the unique world of Little Nightmares. In Little Nightmares III, you follow the journey of Low & Alone, as they search for a path that could lead them out of the Nowhere. Face your childhood fears together with a friend in online co-op, or solo with an AI companion.
Black Myth: Wukong is an action RPG rooted in Chinese mythology. You shall set out as the Destined One to venture into the challenges and marvels ahead, to uncover the obscured truth beneath the veil of a glorious legend from the past.
It’s 2091 and megacorp Horzine has produced the ultimate army: an obedient horde of bioengineered monsters called zeds. Now, join the rebel group Nightfall in this co-op action/horror FPS that puts you and your teammates in a battle for the future of humanity.
Responding to an unusual alarm call from a remote mining base, Jack arrives at the dark and desolate Fort Solis. With storm warnings imminent, he heads inside to make desperate contact. As the night grows longer, events escalate, spiral out of control and the mystery of what happened to the crew begins to reveal itself. The storm is approaching, limiting Jack’s escape as he looks to hold out until morning arrives.
Experience the story of Basim, a cunning street thief with nightmarish visions, seeking answers and justice as he navigates the bustling streets of ninth-century Baghdad. Through a mysterious, ancient organization known as the Hidden Ones, he will become a deadly Master Assassin and change his fate in ways he never could have imagined.
32 fighters with next-gen visuals will collide in Tekken 8! Both new and returning characters are stunningly portrayed in high-detailed character models built from the ground up - featuring every drop of sweat and ripped muscles for an immersive experience. The roster includes iconic fighters like Paul Phoenix, King, Marshall Law, and Nina Williams, and sees the return of Jun Kazama to the story for the first time in 25 years since her disappearance in Tekken 2.
Players will be able to challenge their opponents on 16 battle stages with intense destruction and interactive stage elements. TEKKEN 8 continues the tragic saga of the Mishima and Kazama bloodlines and their world-shaking father-and-son grudge matches. In this latest chapter, Jin Kazama will seek to defy his fate as he faces his father Kazuya Mishima causing war and destruction across the globe.
Take back the city of Tertium from hordes of bloodthirsty foes in this intense and brutal action shooter. Warhammer 40,000: Darktide is the new co-op-focused experience from the award-winning team behind the Vermintide series. As Tertium falls, Rejects Will Rise.
Discover a reborn Mortal Kombat Universe created by the Fire God Liu Kang. Mortal Kombat 1 ushers in a new era of the iconic franchise with a new fighting system, game modes, and fatalities! Pre-order now to get the playable Character Shang Tsung.
Alan Wake went missing in 2010. He was a best-selling writer based in New York City. On a vacation in the Pacific Northwest with his wife, Alice Wake, he came face to face with a force of supernatural darkness. It brought Wake's writing, a horror story, to life. He fought this dark presence and managed to banish it back to where it came from, a nightmarish dark place hidden under a caldera lake outside the small town of Bright Falls. Wake wrote an ending to his horror story and with that freed his wife from the darkness under the lake but became trapped there himself.
Alan Wake is not dead, although he has wished he was many times. For 13 years he's been a prisoner in the Dark Place, where his nightmares, his fears, and his stories manifest as reality around him. For 13 years, he has been fighting to stay sane and write a story that would change reality around him in order for him to escape. So far, he has failed.
Gamescom 2023 showcased a pretty impressive lineup of games that left us eagerly anticipating most releases, and we agree that fingers are crossed that they're all released bug-free.
