Double Fine Goes Independent: All Revenue from Your Purchases Now Supports the Studio Directly
Double Fine Productions, the beloved studio behind titles like Psychonauts, has officially stepped into the independent game development arena after parting ways with Xbox earlier this year. CEO Tim Schafer shared some exciting news on the Kinda Funny podcast, revealing that the studio now retains full publishing rights for all its games created under Microsoft. This means that when you buy a game like Psychonauts 2 or Keeper, all the revenue goes directly to support Double Fine.
Although Steam still credits Xbox Game Studios as the publisher for these titles, Schafer explained that this is just a temporary situation, as these changes take time to process. He emphasized, “When people buy our games, it helps support the studio,” which is fantastic news for fans wanting to back their favorite developers.
Looking ahead, Double Fine is gearing up to launch a Kickstarter campaign later this month for its annual Amnesia Fortnight game jam. This event has previously birthed fan-favorites like Costume Quest and Stacking. The entire process will be documented, and backers will play a crucial role in deciding which game concept gets developed into a small title.
Schafer mentioned that the funds from the Kickstarter and ongoing game sales will provide the studio with “as much runway as possible” while they pitch new projects to potential publishers. It’s worth noting that the studio recently laid off 23 employees, aiming to reach a sustainable size after Microsoft’s structural changes that also impacted its workforce significantly.
In addition to these developments, Schafer teased an upcoming update for Kiln, their multiplayer pottery brawler, which will include new maps and modes along with a price drop. Plus, if you’re not into competitive play, definitely check out Keeper—a stunning adventure game featuring a sentient lighthouse and a quirky bird. According to reviews, it’s one of the most visually captivating games out there!
With Double Fine carving its own path, it’ll be exciting to see what the future holds for this iconic studio!
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