In a move that signals a new chapter for the beloved studio, Double Fine Productions has confirmed it now owns – or will shortly own – the intellectual property and publishing rights to every game it created during its seven years under Xbox. This comes after the studio’s split from Microsoft earlier this year as part of a wider restructuring.
Double Fine’s Independence: A New Era
CEO Tim Schafer confirmed the news on Kinda Funny Games, answering fan questions about whether acquiring Double Fine’s back catalogue – including critically acclaimed titles like Psychonauts 2, Keeper, and Kiln – would actually benefit the studio financially. “I saw a question there: ‘Do you guys make the money on games?’” Schafer said. “The transfer of the IP came back to us, and we get the publishing rights back to all our games.” While some games remain with Xbox temporarily, Schafer explained that this is simply due to ongoing processing. He emphasized that “buying any of our games helps support the studio,” allowing them to reinvest in future projects and extend their operational runway.
Amnesia Fortnight Returns, Powered by Backers
Looking ahead, Double Fine is reigniting a beloved tradition: Amnesia Fortnight. This game jam, previously held internally, will now be resurrected as a Kickstarter campaign. Backers will have the power to vote on which prototype developed during the jam becomes the studio’s next full-fledged project. This innovative approach not only involves the community but also provides Double Fine with valuable funding for development.
Restructuring and Reorganization
Double Fine’s move to reclaim its IP is part of a larger trend following Xbox’s reorganization, announced by CEO Asha Sharma in July. This restructuring affected approximately 3,200 roles across the division and saw several studios, including Double Fine, spun back out into independence while retaining ownership of their intellectual property and game libraries. While this move allowed studios like Double Fine to regain control, it also resulted in layoffs. Approximately a quarter of Double Fine’s 90-person team was let go as part of the transition, a necessary step to “reach a size that we can sustain.” Compulsion Games, the studio behind We Happy Few and South of Midnight, similarly confirmed its retention of IP following the same restructuring.
Activision Cracks Down on Cheat Sellers
In a separate development, Activision has taken a proactive stance against cheat sellers. The company posted footage of one of its legal representatives serving a cease-and-desist order at the Ohio home of Elocarry, a notorious seller of cheats for various multiplayer games, including Call of Duty. This direct action underscores Activision’s commitment to maintaining fair gameplay and combating cheating within its online communities.
Modern Warfare 4 Beta and Future Plans
The second beta weekend for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 is currently underway, offering a broader audience access to multiplayer gameplay, a campaign mission, and a Warzone battle royale experience. The first session saw high player numbers on Steam and elsewhere, despite being primarily available to pre-order customers. Modern Warfare 4 launches on October 23rd on PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and Switch 2. The full game will feature 12 6v6 multiplayer maps, a significant increase from the four available in the beta. Activision also highlighted improvements to its anti-cheat system, RICOCHET, during the beta weekend, emphasizing lower infection rates and improved response times.
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