The Maw

Twisted Pixel Games / March 9, 2009 / Rated Everyone 10+

Data last updated July 24, 2026

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0 playing now on Steam $9.99 on Steam 3 DLC available View on Steam →

Released

2009

Publisher

Microsoft Studios

Time to beat

~1 hrs

Community

614

The pinnacle of alien evolution, Maw is a cowardly fat blob concerned mostly with snacking and lounging. He can, however, absorb the traits of anything he eats, is virtually indestructible, and can grow to unlimited size. If he wasn't a danger to all life in the universe, he'd make the perfect pet. In this action/adventure game, he's the best friend of our hero Frank, and only by working together can Maw eat their way to freedom. The Maw was honored with the Audience Choice Award in the 2008 PAX-10 showcase of independent games, and is a finalist at this year's Independent Games Festival for Technical Excellence.
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Full featured 3D action/adventure
Winner of the 2008 PAX 10 Audience Choice Award
Finalist in the 2009 Independent Games Festival
Unstoppable and insatiably hungry Maw that grows to limitless proportions
Cinemas with lots of personality and humor throughout the entire buddy-comedy storyline
Versatile leash for manipulating creatures and objects
Eight levels with varying puzzles and traps to overcome
Five unique creatures that instill Maw with five unique powers
Interactive soundtrack by award-winning composer Winifred Phillips
Additional levels available as downloadable content

Twisted Pixel Games, LLC was an American video game developer based in Austin, Texas. Originally a contractor, Twisted Pixel released games based on its own intellectual properties such as The Maw and 'Splosion Man. The company used its own proprietary engine, known as Beard, to power its games. On October 12, 2011, it was announced that Twisted Pixel had become part of Microsoft Studios. However, Twisted Pixel separated from Microsoft, and became an independent company again on September 30, 2015. In November 2021, the company was acquired by Meta Platforms and became a subsidiary of Oculus Studios. As a result of layoffs at Reality Labs, Twisted Pixel was closed in January 2026.