Tim Schafer
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Shinji Mikami to be inducted into the AIAS Hall of Fame later this week
Shinji Mikami, the acclaimed creator of Resident Evil, will be inducted into the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame. Over his 30-year career, Mikami has also contributed to titles like Devil May Cry and The Evil Within, and currently leads Unbound Inc. The induction ceremony will take place during the 30th anniversary of the D.I.C.E. Awards.
'I Really Want Game Pass to Work' — After Navigating the Xbox 'Reset,' Double Fine Boss Tim Schafer Is Indie Once Again
Following a period of restructuring at Xbox, Tim Schafer, head of Double Fine Productions, discusses his return to an independent development path. In an interview with IGN, Schafer shared his thoughts on the future of the studio.
'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.
Tim Schafer says Double Fine's unique games can be commercial hits if they can find their audience
Tim Schafer, head of Double Fine Productions, believes the studio's unique games have mass market appeal and can be commercial hits if they find the right audience. Despite recent titles like Keeper and Kiln not being profitable, Schafer argues against the 'arthouse' label and emphasizes the importance of creative freedom for the team's survival and motivation.
Tim Schafer: "No one puts Double Fine out of business except me"
Tim Schafer, head of Double Fine Productions, discussed the studio's efforts to regain independence from Microsoft following significant layoffs. He stated that the studio's mission changed after new leadership took over at Xbox, leading to the decision to part ways. Schafer emphasized the importance of creative problem-solving and keeping the team alive amidst industry challenges.
Double Fine's first game post-Xbox split is a goofy bus driving sim all about slapping passengers who don't follow the rules and doing a good job
Double Fine Productions, now independent after splitting from Xbox, has announced its first post-Xbox game, Thank You Bus Driver. This silly job simulator tasks players with driving passengers while enforcing rules, including slapping rule-breakers, all within a time limit. The studio also announced a game jam Kickstarter with Brutal Legend 2 as a high-tier stretch goal.
'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.
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.
Keeper PS5 Trophy Listing Indicates Impending Release – Rumor
A PlayStation Trophy listing for the adventure game Keeper suggests an impending release on PlayStation 5, following its original launch on PC and Xbox Series X/S. The article also touches on Double Fine Productions' recent independence from Microsoft, the studio's subsequent layoffs, and the positive reception of Keeper despite its niche appeal.
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.
I Am Begging One Cool Billionaire To Take Up Double Fine’s Offer To Fund Brutal Legend 2
Double Fine is seeking $100 million in pledges to fund Brutal Legend 2 through a Kickstarter campaign, following its split from Microsoft. The studio is also running a two-week game jam called Amnesia Fortnight to prototype other game ideas, with some chosen by supporters for further development. The article notes that Double Fine recently underwent layoffs affecting 23 employees.
Brütal Legend is available free in honor of Tim Curry
Double Fine is offering Brütal Legend for free for a limited time to honor the late actor Tim Curry, who voiced the villain Doviculus. Curry also had roles in Gabriel Knight, Red Alert 3, and Dragon Age: Origins. This follows a similar free giveaway in tribute to Ozzy Osbourne.
Double Fine Productions regains ownership of IP and publishing rights following independence from Xbox
Double Fine Productions has regained ownership of its intellectual property and publishing rights following its separation from Xbox. The studio also announced its fifth Amnesia Fortnight event, a game jam where employees create prototypes, with this year's iteration launching on August 31 and featuring a Kickstarter campaign for one of the developed ideas. This move comes after Double Fine and Compulsion Games were spun out of Xbox Game Studios amidst recent layoffs.
"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 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.
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.
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.
Xbox Revenue Fell by 10 Percent in Last Quarter
Microsoft's Xbox division experienced a 10 percent revenue decrease last quarter, coinciding with significant layoffs across the division. While overall Microsoft revenue increased by 18 percent due to cloud services like Azure, the Xbox content and services segment, along with the Windows OEM and Devices division, saw declines. As part of restructuring, Xbox divested four studios: Compulsion Games, Double Fine Productions, Undead Labs, and Ninja Theory.
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.
