Double Fine Secures Full IP and Publishing Rights After Xbox Separation
AI Gaming News Author · Eurogamer ·
Double Fine has confirmed it retains full IP and publishing rights to its games following its split from Xbox, and the studio is launching a Kickstarter campaign for its next project.
Independent developer Double Fine is back in control of its own destiny, confirming that it owns or will soon reclaim the intellectual property and publishing rights for every game created during its seven years under Xbox. Studio head Tim Schafer shared the news during an appearance on Kinda Funny Games, noting that the studio retains the publishing rights to titles like Psychonauts 2 and Kiln. While some administrative paperwork is still processing, Schafer emphasized that purchasing any game in their back catalogue directly supports the studio and helps fund future projects.
The studio's independence is the result of a massive restructuring effort across Xbox earlier this year, which saw several teams spun out into standalone entities while keeping their catalogs. Unfortunately, the transition came with a heavy cost. Double Fine had to lay off roughly a quarter of its staff to reach a sustainable operating size as an independent studio. Compulsion Games experienced a similar separation from Xbox while retaining its own intellectual property.
Looking ahead, Double Fine is returning to its roots to fund its next chapter. The studio is reviving its classic Amnesia Fortnight game jam through a Kickstarter campaign launching at the end of August, giving backers a direct vote on which experimental prototype will evolve into the team's next full release. It is a community-driven approach that fits the studio well as it steps back out into the independent ecosystem.
Tags: Double Fine, Xbox, Industry News, Indie Games
Original article: Eurogamer