Double Fine has clawed back full ownership of its intellectual property and publishing rights following the studio's separation from Xbox earlier this year, according to CEO Tim Schafer. The confirmation came during a Kinda Funny Games appearance, where Schafer addressed fan concerns about whether purchases of titles like Psychonauts 2, Keeper, and Kiln actually reach the studio. Some games still display Microsoft branding temporarily due to processing delays, but the transfer is underway.
The move follows broader Xbox restructuring announced by CEO Asha Sharma in July, which included roughly 3,200 role reductions across the division and the divestiture of several studios. Double Fine, acquired by Microsoft in 2019, had already laid off about 23 staff members—roughly a quarter of its team—to reach a sustainable size as an independent entity. Schafer emphasized that buying the back catalogue now directly supports the studio and helps extend its financial runway.
Looking ahead, Double Fine plans to revive its Amnesia Fortnight game jam tradition as a Kickstarter campaign running from August 31 through much of September, allowing backers to vote on which prototype becomes the next project. Compulsion Games, also spun out in the same restructuring, has similarly retained its IP rights. Schafer noted the transition preserves the studio's history while opening new paths forward.