Psychonauts
News, coverage and analysis tracking Psychonauts across the outlets.
Double Fine is unionising at Xbox Game StudiosDouble Fine, the developer of Psychonauts, has filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board to unionize with the Communications Workers of America. This move involves 42 employees and follows similar unionization efforts within Microsoft's gaming divisions, including Activision Blizzard and Zenimax. While Microsoft has historically taken a neutral stance on unionization, the company has faced delays in collective bargaining with previously formed unions.- Workers for Xbox studio Double Fine are forming a unionWorkers at Xbox studio Double Fine, known for the Psychonauts series, are forming a labor union. The employees are organizing with the Communications Workers of America.
First-party Xbox studio Double Fine is unionizingFirst-party Xbox developer Double Fine, known for the Psychonauts series, has filed to unionize under the Communications Workers of America. The union would represent 42 employees, and the company leadership is requesting voluntary recognition from Microsoft, which has adopted a neutral stance.
The 10 best RPGs for kids if you're looking for family-friendly gaming sessionsThis guide highlights ten role-playing games suitable for children, focusing on family-friendly experiences. The selection includes titles like Monster Hunter Stories 3, Costume Quest 2, and Pokemon Let's Go Pikachu/Eevee, emphasizing accessible gameplay and engaging narratives for younger players across various modern platforms.
Slay the Spire 2 "may not be perfectly balanced yet," Half-Life writer and Valve veteran Erik Wolpaw says, but with 1,500 hours in the first game he has no doubt Mega Crit will pull it offValve writer Erik Wolpaw, known for his work on Half-Life 2 and Portal, shared his thoughts on Slay the Spire 2, stating that while it may not be perfectly balanced yet, he has confidence in developer Mega Crit. Wolpaw, who has over 1,500 hours in the original Slay the Spire, is currently playing the sequel extensively, both solo and in co-op.
Double Fine Productions and its new pottery-inspired game Kiln don’t just break the mold – they smash it to piecesDouble Fine Productions is developing Kiln, a unique party brawler inspired by pottery where players create and then destroy ceramic vessels as fighters. Founded by Tim Schafer, the studio emphasizes a kind and experimental culture, with Kiln originating from an internal game jam. The game will launch on April 23, 2026, for multiple platforms including Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and Steam, and will be available on Xbox Game Pass.
How Double Fine balances fun with pottery sculpting in KilnDouble Fine Productions' upcoming multiplayer game Kiln blends pottery sculpting with objective-based online combat. Lead designer Lauren Scott and lead artist Jared Mill discussed the challenges of balancing player expression in pottery creation with fun, accessible gameplay mechanics, including refining collision detection and simplifying simulation elements. The game evolved significantly from its initial concept during Double Fine's Amnesia Fortnight event.
Some takes don't age: Back in 2009, a creative director warned about the risks of 'obsessively self-referencing' existing hit gamesIn a 2009 interview, Paul Barnett, then creative director of Warhammer Online, criticized the industry's tendency towards 'design memes' and 'obsessive self-referencing,' warning that replicating successful formulas stifles innovation and funding for new ideas. He also discussed the distinction between games as art, design, and business, emphasizing the importance of the business aspect for long-term studio sustainability.
Kiln Hands-on Preview - Throwing clay and throwing handsKiln is a multiplayer pottery-themed brawler from Double Fine where players create vessels on a pottery wheel that determine their in-game abilities. The game involves teams of four protecting their kiln while trying to extinguish the enemy's flame. Kiln is set to release on PC and Xbox Series X/S on April 24.
Game Pass Might Get New Subscription Tier With Only Xbox Game Studios Titles – RumorA rumor suggests Microsoft is planning a new, lower-priced Game Pass tier codenamed 'Triton' that would exclusively feature titles from Xbox Game Studios. This potential tier aims to attract a broader customer base by focusing solely on first-party content. The article also touches on past criticisms of Game Pass price increases and potential partnerships with services like Netflix.
Psychonauts and Keeper developer's Game Pass party game Kiln gets a release date, and it's coming really very soonDouble Fine has announced that its new multiplayer party brawler, Kiln, will be released on April 23rd for PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Steam, and will be available day one on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. The game features a unique pottery-themed twist where players sculpt their characters on a pottery wheel to use in online arenas.