Psychonauts 2
News, coverage and analysis tracking Psychonauts 2 across the outlets.
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'No-one puts Double Fine out of business except me', says Tim Schafer on taking Double Fine independent:…
Double Fine has become an independent studio again after parting ways with Microsoft, a move initiated by new Xbox CEO Asha Sharma's significant layoffs. Studio head Tim Schafer expressed that while the games industry has harsh realities, he is determined to keep Double Fine afloat and sees the transition as a creative awakening, despite having to lay off 23 employees himself.
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma is "not going to shoot my dog," says now-independent Double Fine boss Tim Schafer, who initially opposed Microsoft ownership because "you guys love closing studios"
Double Fine has regained its independence from Microsoft, with founder Tim Schafer expressing relief that new Xbox CEO Asha Sharma is not planning to close studios. Schafer initially opposed the acquisition due to Microsoft's history of studio closures, but found the experience under Phil Spencer and Matt Booty to be largely positive until recent leadership changes. The studio announced its new game, Thank You Bus Driver, shortly after regaining independence, though it also had to lay off 23 employees.
Double Fine's famous game jam returns with 26 new ideas and a promise to make Brutal Legend 2, if its Kickstarter…
Double Fine's Amnesia Fortnight game jam has returned, launching a Kickstarter campaign that has already surpassed its $400,000 goal. The event allows developers to pitch and prototype new game ideas over two weeks, with the top four finalists being built into playable demos for public voting. A stretch goal of $100 million could potentially fund Brutal Legend 2.
Double Fine are all in on making Brutal Legend 2, if you're willing to give them $100 million in their game jam Kickstarter, anyway
Double Fine has launched a Kickstarter campaign for their Amnesia Fortnight game jam, with a stretch goal to fund Brutal Legend 2 if $100 million is raised. While the funding goal is highly ambitious, the campaign allows backers to vote on prototypes developed during the jam, with winners potentially becoming full games. This initiative marks Double Fine's return to independence after being acquired by Microsoft.
Celebrating 25 Years of Play: Introducing XBOX Gear, New Community Designs, FanFest Tour Dates, and More
Xbox is celebrating its 25th anniversary with new merchandise, community-designed gamerpics and themes, curated Game Pass collections featuring classic titles, and the announcement of the global FanFest Tour dates. Players can also receive a special 25th Anniversary profile badge.
Double Fine låter fans rösta fram deras nästa spel
Double Fine is reviving its Amnesia Fortnight game jam event, allowing fans to vote on four ideas that will be prototyped. The winning concept will be developed into a full, albeit smaller, game. This initiative follows Double Fine's recent independence from Xbox and will include a documentary and Kickstarter campaign.
Double Fine confirms it owns all its games' IP and publishing rights after Xbox split
Double Fine has confirmed it retains ownership of the intellectual property and publishing rights for all its games following its split from Xbox. CEO Tim Schafer stated that while some games are still processing, buying their titles directly supports the studio. The company also plans to revive its Amnesia Fortnight game jam as a Kickstarter campaign.
The newly independent Psychonauts dev now earns all the revenue when you buy games it made under Xbox: 'Buying any…
Double Fine has become an independent studio again after leaving Microsoft's Xbox Game Studios, regaining full publishing rights and revenue for its past games. CEO Tim Schafer confirmed the transition, noting that sales now directly support the studio as it pitches new projects. The studio is also launching a Kickstarter for its Amnesia Fortnight game jam and teased updates for its game Kiln.
Celebrating 25 Years of Play: New Community Designs, XBOX Updates, FanFest Tour Dates, and More
Xbox is celebrating its 25th anniversary with new community-created designs for gamerpics and themes, curated Game Pass collections featuring classic titles, and the announcement of its FanFest Tour dates. Players can also receive a special 25th Anniversary profile badge.
Double Fine Cuts 25% Of Staff After Separating From Microsoft
Double Fine has laid off 25% of its staff, approximately 23 employees, following its separation from Microsoft and regaining independence. Studio head Tim Schafer stated the cuts were necessary to scale the studio to a sustainable size. Microsoft had divested five studios, including Double Fine, earlier this month.
Double Fine Productions suffers layoffs weeks after going independent
Double Fine Productions has laid off 23 employees, nearly 25% of its workforce, just weeks after becoming an independent studio following its separation from Xbox. The studio stated the layoffs were necessary for its survival and to adjust to its new size as an independent entity. This follows Xbox's broader restructuring efforts which have also impacted other studios.
Double Fine making layoffs after being jettisoned by Xbox
Double Fine has laid off 23 employees after regaining its independence from Microsoft's Xbox division. Studio head Tim Schafer stated the decision was made for the survival of the studio and to adjust to its new size as an independent company. This follows Microsoft's significant restructure of its gaming division, which includes eliminating 3,200 roles across various studios.
Double Fine hit with layoffs after exiting Xbox - "The people we are losing were all important"
Double Fine Productions has laid off 23 employees as it transitions back to an independent studio after exiting Xbox. Studio head Tim Schafer stated the cuts were necessary for the studio's short-term survival. While at Xbox, Double Fine released Psychonauts 2, Keeper, and Kiln.
Double Fine Productions cuts 23 roles as it becomes independent from Xbox
Double Fine Productions has laid off 23 employees, representing 25% of its workforce, following its full separation from Xbox and return to independent management. CEO Tim Schafer stated the cuts were necessary for the studio's survival and sustainability as a smaller team. Xbox confirmed the studio's independence and ownership of its intellectual property and back catalogue.
After escaping Xbox, Double Fine lays off 23 people as Tim Schafer says "only the survival of our studio would ever make us consider such a painful action"
Double Fine Productions has laid off 23 employees as it transitions back to an independent studio after years under Xbox ownership. Founder Tim Schafer stated the decision was made for the studio's survival and that they are committed to supporting the affected staff. The layoffs represent roughly a quarter of the studio's workforce.
'I have been hunted down by HR reps, lawyers, and comms people:' Developers discuss the pain and prevalence of side work clauses
Developers discuss the prevalence and impact of restrictive side work clauses in the video game industry, where companies often claim ownership of personal projects. While some employees have successfully negotiated these terms, many face broad restrictions that hinder personal and professional growth. Legal experts note that clauses are generally enforceable if the side work falls within the scope of employment, emphasizing the importance of transparency and written agreements.
Summary: what's happening at Xbox?
Xbox announced a major restructuring involving 3,200 job cuts, with 1,600 immediate layoffs, primarily affecting ZeniMax studios like Bethesda and id Software. Several studios, including Compulsion Games, Double Fine, Ninja Theory, and Undead Labs, are being sold off or spun out as independent entities. This move aims to refocus on high-earning franchises and improve profit margins, impacting the development of upcoming titles like The Elder Scrolls 6 and potentially State of Decay 3.
Xbox After The Layoffs: Studios Left And What They’re Making
Xbox has undergone significant restructuring, including layoffs and the divestment of five studios, as it aims to increase profitability and focus on major intellectual properties. This shake-up impacts numerous development teams and projects across Xbox Game Studios, Activision, Blizzard, and Bethesda, with a renewed focus on core franchises and a shift in business strategies like the exclusion of Call of Duty from Xbox Game Pass day-one launches.
Report: The “majority” of ID software and up to half of Zenimax online have lost their jobs
Reports indicate significant layoffs across several Xbox-owned studios, including a majority of ID Software and up to half of ZeniMax Online Studios. These cuts affect teams working on titles like The Elder Scrolls Online, with roadmaps expected to shift. Other studios like Compulsion Games and Double Fine are reportedly going independent.
Independent again: Double Fine and Compulsion react to leaving Xbox and taking all their games with them
Double Fine Productions and Compulsion Games are returning to independent development after being let go by Microsoft as part of Xbox restructuring. Both studios will retain ownership of their games, including Psychonauts 2, Keeper, and South of Midnight. This move follows a period of significant layoffs and strategic shifts within Xbox.
