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Tim Schafer

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EGamers.io

Double Fine Lays Off 23 Staff Just Weeks After Splitting From Xbox

Double Fine Productions has laid off 23 employees, approximately 25% of its workforce, just weeks after announcing its return to independence from Xbox. Studio founder Tim Schafer stated the decision was necessary for the company's survival and ability to continue operating. The company has pledged to support the affected workers.

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Gamedeveloper.com

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.

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Eurogamer

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.

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Games Industry

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.

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Gaming Bolt

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.

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The Sixth Axis

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.

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Wolfs Gaming Blog

Double Fine Announces Layoffs As It Goes Independent From Xbox

Double Fine has announced layoffs affecting 23 team members following its separation from Xbox. Studio head Tim Schafer stated the decision was made to ensure the studio's future as an independent entity.

Rock Paper Shotgun

After gaining independence from Xbox, Double Fine are laying off a quarter of their staff

Double Fine Productions has laid off 23 employees, approximately 25% of its staff, following its recent split from Xbox and return to independent operations. Studio head Tim Schafer stated the decision was made for the survival of the studio as it transitions to a sustainable size. Xbox confirmed Double Fine is now fully independent and manages its own operations.

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Shack News

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.

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PC Gamer

'Only the survival of our studio would make us consider such a painful action': Tim Schafer announces Double Fine layoffs just 3 weeks after Xbox cut it loose

Double Fine Productions has laid off 23 employees just three weeks after Xbox allowed the studio to become independent. Studio head Tim Schafer stated the layoffs were necessary for the studio's survival, emphasizing the need to scale down to a sustainable size. This move follows a broader restructuring by Xbox that also saw Compulsion Games spun off.

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Retro Gamer

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.

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Gamedeveloper.com

'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.

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FZ.se

Monkey Island: En tillbakablick

This article analyzes the groundbreaking humor and design of the Monkey Island series, particularly The Secret of Monkey Island. It highlights how Lucasarts, through creators like Ron Gilbert, Tim Schafer, and Dave Grossman, innovated the point-and-click adventure genre with postmodern, self-referential comedy and puzzles that integrated humor into gameplay. The analysis also touches upon the evolution of the series' art style and narrative through its sequels, including Return to Monkey Island.

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Tech Raptor

Xbox Moves On From 4 Studios and Layoffs Off Thousands of Others

Xbox has announced significant restructuring, impacting over 1600 employees and planning for another 1600 over the next two fiscal years. Four studios—Double Fine Productions, Compulsion Games, Ninja Theory, and Undead Labs—will become independent or be acquired by new entities, retaining their intellectual property. Numerous other studios, including Zenimax Online, Id Software, Obsidian, and Bethesda Game Studios, are also undergoing substantial layoffs as Xbox refocuses on its major franchises like Call of Duty, The Elder Scrolls, Fallout, Halo, and Minecraft.

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Two Average Gamers

Xbox Layoffs 2026: What Microsoft's Reset Means for Average Gamers

Microsoft's Xbox division has undergone a massive restructuring, cutting approximately 3,200 jobs in fiscal year 2027 and shuttering or spinning off five studios, including Ninja Theory and Arkane Lyon. This move comes despite Microsoft's overall profitability, with Xbox reportedly struggling with low profit margins and a failed attempt to achieve a 30% accountability margin. The article analyzes the business decisions, including Game Pass accounting and price hikes, that led to these layoffs and discusses the implications for gamers, including potential changes to hardware strategy and game exclusivity.

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Gamespot

Xbox Layoffs, Studio Closures, And Spin-Offs: Everything Announced Today

Microsoft has announced significant layoffs and studio restructuring within its Xbox division, impacting 3,200 employees over the current financial year, with 1,600 layoffs starting immediately. Several studios, including Compulsion Games and Double Fine Productions, are transitioning back to independent management, while others like Ninja Theory and Undead Labs are seeking new ownership. The company cited financial underperformance and a need to reset its strategy, focusing investment on higher-priority games and core IPs.

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Gamedeveloper.com

Double Fine documentary’s bittersweet epilogue highlights need for safe workplaces

An epilogue to the Double Fine Psych Odyssey documentary highlights the need for healthier workplace environments in game development. It examines how leadership, including CEO Tim Schafer, grappled with past issues and the impact on employees like Anna Kipnis, emphasizing lessons learned to foster a more supportive culture.

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Nintendo Life

Multiple Xbox Studios Reportedly In Active Negotiations With Microsoft To Avoid Closure

Multiple Xbox game studios, including Compulsion Games, Ninja Theory, and Double Fine, are reportedly in active negotiations with Microsoft to avoid closure. Some studios may be given the opportunity to go independent or find a new buyer. Employees at Ninja Theory have been informed of potential closure, and Arkane Studios is also reportedly concerned about its future.

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PC Gamer

Double Fine, Ninja Theory, and more Xbox studios reportedly at risk of closure

Microsoft's Xbox division is reportedly considering closure for several studios, including Double Fine and Ninja Theory, as part of a "reset" under new CEO Asha Sharma. While some studios like Double Fine are in negotiations to spin off, job losses are expected. This comes after a period of significant studio acquisitions by Microsoft, including Bethesda and Activision Blizzard.

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Games Industry

Xbox is reportedly considering closing South of Midnight studio, Compulsion Games, with Double Fine and Ninja Theory also allegedly at risk

Xbox is reportedly considering closing several of its game development studios, including Compulsion Games, the developer of South of Midnight, and potentially Double Fine and Ninja Theory. Leadership at Compulsion Games is reportedly in negotiations regarding the studio's future, amidst broader reports of potential layoffs and restructuring within Microsoft's gaming division.

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