In a surprising turn of events that’s sending ripples through the gaming world, Compulsion Games, the studio behind critically acclaimed titles like We Happy Few, has officially severed ties with Microsoft and Xbox. After completing a management buyout, the developers now own the rights to all their original intellectual properties, paving the way for a new era of creative freedom and potentially exciting future projects.
A New Chapter Begins
This move comes after a period of significant upheaval at Microsoft, where announced layoffs impacted numerous studios. While Double Fine, the creators of Psychonauts, has also regained its independence, Ninja Theory and Undead Labs have been acquired by unknown entities. Arkane, the studio behind Dishonored, is currently thrashing out the terms of their exit in accordance with French labor law.
“We’re confirming we’re getting all of our publishing rights back,” Compulsion CEO Guillaume Provost told Gamesbeat this week. While it will take time to transfer ownership of existing games on platforms beyond Steam, such as Switch and PlayStation, the future looks bright for Compulsion.
Provost’s Vision for the Future
While details about the management buyout remain confidential, Provost emphasized that it could have been far worse. “Everything is relative,” he said. “Compared to all of us losing our jobs on July 6, this is a pretty good deal. I would say the exit was gracious on Microsoft’s part.” Microsoft has even provided Compulsion and Double Fine with “runway” (financial assistance) to support their transition into independence.
Provost acknowledged that the studio’s workforce has been impacted by the uncertainty, but expressed gratitude for the team’s dedication. “I did this deal for the team first and foremost,” he explained. “I asked the team, ‘Do you want to stay together?’ The team told me we would rather eat rocks and drink gasoline than be split up.”
Looking ahead, Provost is exploring various opportunities, including potential collaborations on other licenses, while the rest of Compulsion continues work on an unannounced project they were developing for Microsoft before the Xbox reset-alypse. He stressed the importance of careful planning and resource management. “I just want to make sure that we’re setting the team up for success,” he said. “We’re going to take things slow. We’re going to meet with everyone.”
Provost drew parallels to Compulsion’s founding in 2009, during a global recession. “Starting ventures when times are tough means the companies start to build the right bones,” he said. “They understand the need for being thrifty and lean because of the economic context. I think we’ll have really solid bones.”
While some might cringe at talk of lean management, it’s undeniably exciting to see Compulsion Games embark on this new chapter, free from corporate constraints and ready to explore uncharted creative territories. With a strong foundation and a passionate team, the future looks promising for this beloved studio.
Source: Rock Paper Shotgun
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