During last month’s massive round of Microsoft layoffs and the CEO Asha Sharma’s “Xbox reset”, it was revealed that developers Double Fine Productions and Compulsion Games would be let go and return to independence. There has been some confusion over the last month as to when the transfer of IP and publishing rights for the studios’ games would be complete, but now Double Fine has confirmed the situation and outlined its future plans.

Double Fine Productions was originally founded in 2000 by LucasArts veteran Tim Schafer. The studio was acquired by Microsoft in 2019 and developed the critically acclaimed Psychonauts 2, the underrated gem Keeper, and a unique pottery based online brawler, titled Kiln, under the Xbox Game Studios banner.

Independence Day

Studio head Tim Schafer appeared on the Kinda Funny Games Daily podcast to clarify details regarding the studio’s future following its break away from Microsoft. According to Schafer, Double Fine has completed acquisition of all of its IP and publishing rights from Microsoft. He revealed that Keeper and Kiln will receive permanent price drops in the next week, with the latter also receiving a new content update as part of its seasonal roadmap.

Furthermore, Schafer revealed that Double Fine’s game jam event, Amnesia Fortnight, will return. The event and its accompanying documentary film will be funded via a Kickstarter launching on August 31. It will allow backers to participate in votes for project pitches to potentially be developed into a fully featured, small-scale Double Fine game.

Finally, Double Fine has revealed that it will return to Seattle’s PAX West event for the first time in seven years. Schafer’s blog post announcing the studio’s participation also teases that a new, previously unannounced title will be playable at the event along with rare merch, various members of the development teams, and an art gallery dedicated to its classic titles.

It seems that Double Fine’s return to independence has bolstered a renewed commitment to its relationship with its community, something that defined its identity during the 2010s with past Amnesia Fortnight events and the Double Fine Adventure campaign. Hopefully it gives the studio the runway needed to achieve greater heights in the second phase of its independence.