All articles tagged with #double fine
Double Fine has officially regained ownership of its IP and publishing rights from Microsoft after becoming an independent studio. In a interview with Kinda Funny Games, Tim Schafer explained that the IP transfer is complete (with Microsoft potentially holding some transitional rights) and urged fans to support the studio by purchasing its games, including Psychonauts, Kiln, and Keeper, to help extend its runway.
Double Fine is reviving its Amnesia Fortnight game jam as a live Kickstarter event on August 31, where backers will vote on which of four prototype ideas the studio should develop into a full game, with a documentary by 2 Player Productions; the move aims to secure runway and maintain independence after being spun off from Xbox amid recent corporate restructuring, with the studio retaining IP and publishing rights.
Double Fine launches Amnesia Fortnight 2026, a livestreamed game jam in which Kickstarter backers vote on which of the studio's ideas become four prototypes and, ultimately, which one becomes a small final game; 2 Player Productions will film the process for a new documentary as the studio pursues its post-independence direction after layoffs earlier in the year.
Double Fine confirms it now owns, or will soon own, the IP and publishing rights to all games it made during its seven-year stint under Xbox, with some titles still temporarily licensed to Xbox as transfers finalize. Tim Schafer said the IP is returning to the studio and the publishing rights will follow, and the company plans to revive its Amnesia Fortnight game jam as a Kickstarter campaign later this year. This comes amid Xbox's broader restructuring and earlier layoffs, signaling a clearer path to independence and future projects.
Double Fine is officially independent from Microsoft, reclaiming IP ownership and signaling a new phase with publishing rights returning to Compulsion. Tim Schafer outlined a Kickstarter-backed Amnesia Fortnight and a live, backer-driven game jam to prototype new ideas. However, the studio laid off 23 employees, and the prior union push appears withdrawn with little update, leaving the studio’s long-term future uncertain as it seeks new deals.
Double Fine announced it has fully reacquired the IP and publishing rights to its Xbox-era games, including Psychonauts and Kiln, following its separation from Microsoft. While some titles may still show Microsoft branding during the transition, Schafer says sales now directly support the studio's runway. The studio is planning a major Kiln update with a price drop and is reviving Amnesia Fortnight as a Kickstarter-backed live game jam to help fund future projects.
Double Fine, after exiting Xbox and returning to independence, laid off 23 employees (from about 90 pre-cut) to secure short-term viability as it charts a post-Xbox path; studio head Tim Schafer described the move as painful but necessary while Xbox noted the transition to independent management.
Double Fine—one of five studios spun off from Xbox during a restructuring—announced 23 layoffs as it transitions to independence, stressing the actions are painful but needed to sustain the studio and pledging support for affected employees. The split left Compulsion Games likewise independent, while Ninja Theory and Undead Labs were sold, and Arkane’s future remains uncertain in France. Double Fine’s recent release is Kiln (April 2026), following earlier Xbox-era titles like Psychonauts 2 (2021) and Keeper (2025).
Double Fine, the Psychonauts 2 developer, is becoming an independent studio after being spun off from Xbox, with 23 employees laid off during the transition; Xbox confirms Double Fine will retain its IP and catalog as it enters its next chapter.
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.
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.
Bloomberg reports several Microsoft-owned Xbox studios—including Double Fine, Compulsion Games, and Ninja Theory—are negotiating buybacks to regain independence to avert closures, amid a broader leadership and budget reset under new Xbox leadership. The Verge and Kotaku corroborate that some studios are at risk and that staff have been briefed on potential shutdowns, signaling a potentially drastic reconfiguration of the Xbox lineup.
After rumors of Xbox studio closures circulated, Double Fine posted a single emoji on X and BlueSky, sparking widespread speculation; the post has drawn 400k+ views as fans await official confirmation from Microsoft.
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.
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.