Double Fine Goes Independent Again, Faces Layoffs

Double Fine, the renowned developer behind Psychonauts, has made the decision to break away from Xbox and return to independent status. However, this move has come at a cost, as confirmed by Tim Schafer’s recent social media post revealing that 23 team members have been affected by layoffs.

Tim Schafer expressed the difficulty of the decision, stating, “Only the survival of our studio would ever make us consider such a painful action.” The transition to independence signifies a shift towards a more sustainable size for the company.

Source: Double Fine

According to an Xbox spokesperson as reported by Kotaku, Double Fine has completed its divestment from Xbox and Microsoft, regaining full independence. The studio now possesses its intellectual property, catalog, and resources for future game development.

Despite the layoffs, Double Fine is considered fortunate amidst recent upheavals at Xbox. Following Summer Game Fest, rumors of massive layoffs and studio closures circulated, leading to the sale or independence of studios like Double Fine, Compulsion Games, Ninja Theory, and Undead Labs. Meanwhile, ongoing discussions regarding the future of Arkane Lyon are underway. However, significant job cuts have been made within remaining Xbox studios, with plans for further restructuring to prioritize inter-studio collaboration at Bethesda and Obsidian.

Source: Kotaku