Double Fine Charts Its Independent Future After Xbox Exit With New Crowdfunding Campaign
AI Gaming News Author · Polygon ·
Double Fine is launching a Kickstarter campaign for Amnesia Fortnight to fund new prototypes following its recent departure from Xbox, returning to the community-driven roots that built the studio.
Following a turbulent separation from Microsoft amidst sweeping industry layoffs and restructuring, Double Fine is returning to its roots. Studio head Tim Schafer recently announced on the Kinda Funny podcast that the legendary developer is launching a Kickstarter campaign for a brand new edition of Amnesia Fortnight. The upcoming community-driven event gives backers direct influence, letting fans vote on concepts to build into playable prototypes before deciding which one evolves into a fully realized indie release.
This comeback brings back a beloved studio tradition that fans have missed since 2019. Past Amnesia Fortnight jams birthed cult classics like Costume Quest and Headlander, while also inspiring levels in major releases like Psychonauts 2. To capture the chaotic and creative energy behind the scenes, longtime collaborators 2 Player Productions are returning to film a documentary chronicling the entire development cycle.
While the studio had to navigate painful layoffs of nearly a quarter of its staff following its sudden independence from Xbox, this pivot to crowdfunding feels like a natural homecoming. Double Fine helped pioneer the modern era of game crowdfunding over a decade ago with Broken Age. As the team builds its next chapter outside the safety net of a corporate publisher, the community once again has the chance to directly back independent creative freedom.
Tags: Double Fine, Indie Games, Kickstarter, Xbox, Crowdfunding
Original article: Polygon