Twisted Pixel Games is a video game developer based in Austin, Texas. Originally a contractor, Twisted Pixel now releases games based on their own intellectual properties such as The Maw and 'Splosion Man. The company uses their own proprietary engine, known as BEARD, to power their games. On October 12, 2011, it was announced that Twisted Pixel had become part of Microsoft Studios. However, Twisted Pixel was separated from Microsoft and become an independent company again starting from September 30, 2015.