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Compulsion Games

All articles tagged with #compulsion games

business1 day ago•4 min saved

Double Fine Regains IP Rights After Exiting Xbox Game Studios

Double Fine Productions has regained ownership of its IP and publishing rights after spinning out from Xbox Game Studios, with Compulsion Games also separating from Xbox. Tim Schafer says the transfer is underway and aims to keep publishing without Microsoft branding. The studio will host Amnesia Fortnight 2026, a live game jam to develop prototypes (backed by a Kickstarter campaign) to stabilize finances after last month’s layoffs of 23 staff, with Kiln cited as a prototype that grew into a full project.

via GamesIndustry.biz|

#amnesia-fortnight #business #compulsion-games

business3 days ago•5 min saved

Compulsion Games goes independent, regains IP after leaving Xbox

Compulsion Games has become independent from Xbox Game Studios, with leadership buying the studio and its staff to pursue independence. The studio regains ownership of its IP (Contrast, We Happy Few, South of Midnight) and its publishing rights, and plans to become self-sustaining while exploring partnerships. Some staff left during the transition, and Microsoft had previously laid off about 20% of the team, but CEO Guillaume Provost says the exit was gracious and the move keeps the team intact.

via GamesIndustry.biz|

#business #compulsion-games #independence

business5 days ago•5 min saved

Compulsion Games regains independence, buys back IP from Microsoft

Compulsion Games completed a management buyout to separate from Microsoft and reclaim ownership of its IP, with publishing rights returning to the studio. CEO Guillaume Provost says the team will operate independently, pursuing a sustainable path, exploring collaborations, and gradually transferring titles to all stores as the transition proceeds. Some staff changes occurred, but the core team remains to build a self-sustaining studio.

via GamesBeat|

#business #compulsion-games #independent-studio

technology11 days ago•6 min saved

Compulsion Games Goes Independent, Publishes South of Midnight on Steam Amid Xbox Shake-Up

Compulsion Games is now listed as the publisher of South of Midnight on Steam, signaling its full detachment from Microsoft's Xbox division during a major restructuring that has seen several studios become independent. The studio retains rights to Contrast, We Happy Few, and South of Midnight and plans to continue as an independent developer; however, broader layoff activity affects up to 1,600 roles by next summer, and some storefronts still show Microsoft/Xbox as publisher on other platforms.

via Eurogamer|

#compulsion-games #independence #south-of-midnight

news12 days ago•13 min saved

South of Midnight Finds Its New Freedom After Compulsion Goes Independent

Compulsion Games’ independence from Xbox means South of Midnight is now fully owned by the studio and listed on Steam with profits going to Compulsion, removing previous barriers to trying the game; the author, a longtime fan, celebrates its Southern Gothic Black storytelling and accessibility and urges players to give it a shot.

via Kotaku|

#bds-boycott #compulsion-games #indie

news1 month ago•13 min saved

Compulsion Games Goes Independent, Seeks Partnerships After Xbox Shake-Up

Compulsion Games, the studio behind South of Midnight, is looking for development partnerships after being spun off from Xbox. In a LinkedIn post, the studio invites other studios to collaborate on new projects, highlighting the need for partnerships as funding for ambitious games remains scarce and publishers focus on deals that protect their investments.

via Kotaku|

#compulsion-games #independent-studios #layoffs

business1 month ago•3 min saved

Compulsion Games Goes Independent and Seeks Outside Collaborations

Days after Compulsion Games regained independence from Microsoft amid Xbox layoffs, the studio says it is open to collaborating on external projects and helping to develop memorable experiences, while retaining IP rights to South of Midnight, We Happy Few and Contrast; the move highlights a volatile industry climate where indie studios seek funding and publishing opportunities as publishers trim staff.

via Eurogamer.net|

#business #collaboration #compulsion-games

gaming1 month ago•5 min saved

Indie Comeback: Compulsion Games and Double Fine Reclaim Independence from Xbox

Compulsion Games and Double Fine announce they will return to independent management after their time with Xbox, retaining ownership of Contrast, We Happy Few, and South of Midnight. This follows Xbox's July 6 layoffs of 3,200 staff and the divestment of five studios, with Ninja Theory and Undead Labs in acquisition and Arkane Lyon entering a consultation period. Both studios express gratitude to Xbox and anticipate the next chapter as independent entities.

via GamesIndustry.biz|

#compulsion-games #double-fine-productions #gaming

gaming1 month ago•32 min saved

Double Fine and Compulsion go indie, keep their IP after Xbox reshuffle

Microsoft’s Xbox is restructuring and spinning off four studios; Double Fine Productions and Compulsion Games will become independent studios, retaining ownership of their IP and catalogs, while Ninja Theory and Undead Labs move to new ownership with funding for their next games; Arkane is assessing options, and both Double Fine and Compulsion have publicly affirmed their plans to continue making unique games under their own management.

via The Verge|

#compulsion-games #double-fine #gaming

business1 month ago•3 min saved

Compulsion Games Staff Allowed to Seek Other Jobs Ahead of Xbox Layoffs

Bloomberg reports that staff at Compulsion Games’ South of Midnight division have been given permission to openly seek new jobs ahead of anticipated Xbox layoffs in July; no dismissals have occurred yet, but leadership reportedly expects job losses, with potential outcomes including studio closure or spin-off under new ownership; other Xbox studios like Ninja Theory and Double Fine are in similar negotiations.

via Rock Paper Shotgun|

#business #compulsion-games #layoffs

business2 months ago•1 min saved

Xbox’s Studio Reset Sparks Uncertain Futures for Core Teams

Bloomberg reports Microsoft is negotiating with Compulsion Games, Double Fine, and Ninja Theory to avert closures as Xbox undergoes a company-wide reset with layoffs and leadership changes; Ninja Theory canceled Mara while still pursuing Hellblade’s Senua project, Compulsion’s South of Midnight may be shut down, and executives Craig Duncan and Louise O’Connor left with Matt Booty set to take over Duncan’s duties.

via 80 Level|

#business #compulsion-games #double-fine

gaming2 months ago•88 min saved

Xbox Shakeup Threatens Several Studios as Independence Talks Continue

A Bloomberg report cited by Windows Central says multiple Xbox Game Studios teams—led by Double Fine and Ninja Theory—are “at risk of being shuttered” and are in “active negotiations to spin off” from Xbox, with Compulsion Games and others in a similar position as Microsoft rolls out a broad 100‑day “Xbox reset” that could include layoffs; some studios may attempt to become independent or be bought out, while staff are being allowed to seek other opportunities.

via Windows Central|

#compulsion-games #double-fine #gaming

business2 months ago•4 min saved

Xbox weighs shuttering Compulsion Games in wider studio overhaul

Microsoft is reportedly considering closing Compulsion Games (South of Midnight) as part of a broader Xbox studio crisis, with Double Fine and Ninja Theory also at risk; leadership is negotiating the studio’s fate, and Bloomberg says several Xbox studios may be folded or spun off to avoid total collapse, while layoffs and leadership exits, including Craig Duncan and Louise O’Connor, are part of the shakeup; South of Midnight has recently won major awards.

via GamesIndustry.biz|

#business #compulsion-games #double-fine

gaming2 months ago•17 min saved

Xbox Studios on the Brink: Some to Become Independent, Others Face Closure

Reports suggest several Xbox Game Studios are at risk of closure or may be spun off as independent entities, including Compulsion Games, Double Fine, and Ninja Theory. The moves appear tied to portfolio consolidation and Game Pass economics, sparking concern for staff and what this means for Xbox’s upcoming lineup.

via Push Square|

#compulsion-games #double-fine #gaming

gaming2 months ago•16 min saved

Xbox in talks over Compulsion Games’ future amid shutdown rumors

Rumors that Xbox could shut down Compulsion Games circulated, but Kotaku later reported leadership is negotiating with Microsoft about the studio’s fate; no details have been disclosed and Microsoft did not comment. Compulsion, known for South of Midnight and We Happy Few, reportedly employs around 100 people; the latest title was praised creatively but had limited commercial impact. The outcome remains unconfirmed.

via Pure Xbox|

#compulsion-games #gaming #kotaku