Studio Independence
Ongoing coverage on Studio Independence.
Latest coverage
State Of Decay 3 Was Announced Early To Keep Undead Labs On Microsoft’s Radar
State of Decay 3 developer Undead Labs announced the game early in 2020 to keep the project on Microsoft's radar during an acquisition spree, according to studio boss Philip Holt. The studio has since become independent and employee-owned. Holt explained that the early announcement was a strategic move to prevent the studio from being overlooked amidst Microsoft's acquisitions of companies like Bethesda and Activision Blizzard.
Unlead Labs studio head says they were 'irresponsibly transparent' in preparing staff for layoffs
Undead Labs studio head Philip Holt stated that the studio was 'irresponsibly transparent' in preparing staff for layoffs following its divestiture from Xbox Game Studios. While the exact number of job losses was not confirmed, Holt emphasized that employees were informed about the likelihood of job cuts, which he believes was a courtesy despite the painful nature of the event. The studio is still working on State of Decay 3, with a projected 2027 release.
Bethesda say new underlings Obsidian will retain their "distinct" creative identity, despite no longer being as free to work on their own creatively distinct series
Bethesda's Jill Braff announced that Obsidian Entertainment will now report to Bethesda, impacting its creative independence. While Braff claims Obsidian's distinct identity will remain, the article argues this structural change, especially with Obsidian working on a new Fallout project, will likely dilute their ability to create original series like The Outer Worlds or Pentiment.
Discussing 20 years of Company of Heroes with the team carrying its torch into the future
This article reflects on 20 years of the Company of Heroes real-time strategy franchise, discussing its origins, evolution, and the challenges faced by developer Relic Entertainment. It highlights key titles like the original Company of Heroes, Company of Heroes 2, and the troubled launch of Company of Heroes 3, while also touching on the studio's recent independence and future prospects.
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.
Compulsion Games är nu återigen självständiga
Compulsion Games, the studio behind We Happy Few and South of Midnight, has officially become independent after being acquired by Xbox. The studio has bought itself back, regaining full control over its intellectual property and will now self-publish its titles. CEO Guillaume Provost confirmed the team's desire to remain together and continue development on a new title.
Compulsion Games officially separates from Xbox – "The team told me we would rather eat rocks and drink gasoline than be split up"
Compulsion Games has officially become independent from Xbox, with CEO Guillaume Provost leading a management buyout that returns ownership of the studio and its intellectual properties to the team. Provost emphasized the decision was made to keep the team together, especially after recent layoffs at Xbox. The studio, known for games like We Happy Few, is now focused on securing stable funding and self-sustainability while exploring new partnerships.
EA selling BioWare and Mass Effect would be the best news ever - Reader's Feature
A reader expresses concern over Electronic Arts' financial situation and its potential impact on BioWare and the Mass Effect franchise. The author suggests that EA selling BioWare would be beneficial, allowing the studio to regain independence and potentially revive the Mass Effect series, which they believe is unlikely to continue under EA's current management due to financial pressures.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
Another former Xbox studio is "independently owned, again" after Microsoft shut it down in 2024
Alpha Dog Games, a studio previously shut down by Microsoft in 2024, has reemerged as an independently owned entity. Studio founder Shawn Woods updated his LinkedIn profile to reflect the change, indicating the studio regained independence in May 2025. This follows a trend of studios becoming independent after Microsoft's recent closures and layoffs.
How Leaving XBOX Impacts Studios
Following recent announcements of layoffs at Xbox, Double Fine Productions and Compulsion Games have become independent studios once again. Double Fine Productions has released a statement regarding this change on Bluesky.
Compulsion Games and Double Fine confirm "Independence Day" from Xbox
Compulsion Games and Double Fine have confirmed their return to independent management following significant layoffs and studio divestitures at Xbox. Compulsion Games will retain the rights to its titles, including We Happy Few and South of Midnight, while Double Fine also regains ownership of its games. This news comes as part of broader restructuring within Xbox's gaming division, affecting multiple studios.
Double Fine and Compulsion Confirm Status Following Xbox Cuts, Get to Keep Franchises Such as Psychonauts and South of Midnight
Following significant layoffs by Xbox, Double Fine and Compulsion Games have confirmed they will continue as independent studios. Both companies will retain ownership of their respective franchises, including Psychonauts and South of Midnight.
Xbox confirms mass layoffs, Double Fine Productions and Compulsion Games to go independent
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma announced significant changes, including layoffs affecting 3,200 employees and four studios becoming independent or sold. Compulsion Games and Double Fine Productions are now independent, retaining their IP rights, while Ninja Theory and Undead Labs have been sold to new owners. Sharma cited an unhealthy business model with low profit margins as the reason for these drastic measures.
Report: Xbox was set on splitting with Ninja Theory when unveiling its new project
A report suggests Microsoft planned to separate from Ninja Theory around the unveiling of its new project, Senua. This comes amid broader reports of internal turmoil at Xbox, with multiple studios reportedly negotiating to become independent due to potential shutdowns of less profitable teams. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has indicated a reset for the division, which may include significant cuts and reduced budgets.
