Psychonauts
News, coverage and analysis tracking Psychonauts across the outlets.
Latest coverage
'No One Puts Double Fine Out of Business Except for Me' — Tim Schafer Explains How He Kept Double Fine Afloat After Leaving Xbox
Tim Schafer, founder of Double Fine, discussed how he managed to keep the studio afloat after Xbox divested it during a recent restructuring. Schafer expressed a strong sentiment about his efforts to prevent the studio's closure.
Double Fine will finally make Brutal Legend 2, but only if its new Kickstarter campaign reaches an almost impossible $100m
Double Fine has announced a Kickstarter campaign for 'Amnesia Fortnight 2026, Indie Reboot,' which includes a stretch goal to develop Brutal Legend 2 if the campaign reaches an ambitious $100 million. The studio recently regained independence after being owned by Xbox.
Double Fine will finally make Brutal Legend 2, but only if its new Kickstarter campaign reaches an almost impossible $100m
Double Fine has announced plans to develop Brutal Legend 2, contingent on their new Kickstarter campaign for 'Amnesia Fortnight 2026, Indie Reboot' reaching an ambitious $100 million goal. The studio recently regained independence after being acquired by Xbox. The campaign aims to fund a two-week game jam and documentary, with Brutal Legend 2 serving as a highly improbable stretch goal.
After Being Ditched by Xbox, Double Fine Says It'll Make Brütal Legend 2 If Its Amnesia Fortnight 2026 Kickstarter Raises an Impossible-Sounding $100 Million
Double Fine has launched a Kickstarter campaign for its Amnesia Fortnight 2026 event, stating it will develop Brütal Legend 2 if the project raises an ambitious $100 million. This announcement follows the studio's separation from Xbox.
Double Fine made Brutal Legend free for a fitting 666 minutes in tribute to Tim Curry, who played the game's…
Double Fine made Brutal Legend available for free for 666 minutes in tribute to the late voice actor Tim Curry, who voiced the villain Doviculus. The studio also mentioned that this tribute mirrors a similar offer made last year for Ozzy Osbourne. The article also touches on Double Fine's recent independence from Xbox and their return to Kickstarter for future projects.
"Buying any of our games helps support the studio": Psychonauts studio Double Fine are the latest former Xbox-owned studio to get the rights to their games back
Double Fine Productions, the studio behind Psychonauts, has regained the publishing rights to its games from Microsoft. CEO Tim Schafer confirmed the transfer, stating that sales of their games now directly support the studio. The studio also announced the return of their Amnesia Fortnight game jam, with a Kickstarter launching August 31st to fund the initiative.
Double Fine Owns IP and Publishing Rights for All of Its Games Following Xbox Split, Psychonauts Studio Confirms
Double Fine Productions, the developer behind Psychonauts and Brutal Legend, has confirmed it has regained the intellectual property and publishing rights for all its games previously released under Microsoft. This follows the studio's split from Xbox.
Free from Xbox, Double Fine returns to Kickstarter to ask fans what its next "small" game should be
Double Fine Productions, now independent from Xbox, is launching a Kickstarter campaign for "Amnesia Fortnight 2026." This project will involve a two-week game jam where backers can vote on which of the studio's ideas will be developed into prototypes and potentially a new small game. The process will be documented by 2 Player Productions, and CEO Tim Schafer confirmed the studio has regained publishing rights to its intellectual property.
There isn't an official Lego Xbox, so Mattel just said "fine, I'll do it myself"
Mattel Brick Shop has released a 3,509-piece, 1:1 scale replica of the original Xbox console and its 'Duke' controller to celebrate the console's 25th anniversary. The model features interactive lights and sounds, and opens to reveal dioramas from Halo: Combat Evolved, The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind, and Psychonauts.
The Original Xbox Is Back, And This Time You Have To Build It Yourself
Mattel is releasing a 1:1 scale replica of the original Xbox console, featuring 3,509 pieces, realistic lights and sounds, and a buildable Duke controller. The replica also includes three dioramas themed around Halo: Combat Evolved, Psychonauts, and The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind, with shipping expected in October. This release coincides with Xbox's 25th anniversary amidst a turbulent period for Microsoft's gaming division, marked by layoffs and revenue declines.
Double Fine cuts staff, Xbox's revenue decline, and Leon Kennedy pays off - Patch Notes #63
Double Fine has laid off 23 employees following its transition to independence from Xbox. Meanwhile, Xbox reported a $1.7 billion revenue decline for fiscal year 2026, attributed to decreased content, services, and console sales. The article also touches on the erosion of institutional knowledge due to layoffs and the continued sales success of Capcom's Resident Evil series.
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 Announces Layoffs For 23 Employees Following Xbox Split
Double Fine Productions, developer of Psychonauts, has laid off 23 employees following its separation from Xbox. Studio founder Tim Schafer stated the move was necessary for the studio's sustainability as an independent company. Xbox confirmed the return of intellectual property and runway for future games to Double Fine and other divested studios like Compulsion Games, Ninja Theory, and Undead Labs.
On Sale
Several games are currently on sale on Steam, with significant discounts available. Psychonauts is 90% off, Forever Skies is 60% off, Stoneshard is 35% off, and Drug Dealer Simulator 2 is 51% off.
Double Fine is independent again, but they’ve had to make layoffs
Double Fine has become an independent studio again, branching off from Xbox. This transition involved layoffs affecting 23 team members, which studio head Tim Schafer stated was necessary for the studio's survival and to achieve a sustainable size. An Xbox spokesperson confirmed Double Fine's full divestment, with the studio retaining its IP and catalog.
Double Fine Productions confirms layoffs after Xbox divestment
Double Fine Productions has confirmed layoffs affecting 23 employees as the studio seeks to ensure its future following its divestment from Xbox. Studio head Tim Schafer announced the staff reductions in a social media message. The studio recently released the party brawler Kiln.
Xbox Speaks Out After Double Fine Lays Off 25 Percent of Staff in Transition to Independent Status
Double Fine, known for the game Psychonauts, has laid off 25.6% of its staff. This comes three weeks after Xbox revealed its own significant restructuring efforts. The studio is transitioning to an independent status.
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.
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.
Zenimax omorganiseras för att fokusera på sina stora varumärken
ZeniMax Media is undergoing a significant restructuring to concentrate on its major franchises like The Elder Scrolls, Fallout, Wolfenstein, Doom, and Quake. This reorganization follows recent layoffs at Xbox and involves some studios becoming independent or being sold, though ZeniMax itself retains its studios.
