Double Fine confirms it owns all its games’ IP and publishing rights after Xbox split
Double Fine Productions has secured ownership of all intellectual property and publishing rights to its game catalogue following its separation from Microsoft's Xbox division earlier in 2026. Studio leader Tim Schafer announced that whilst the formal transfer is still being processed, the studio now controls the rights to titles developed during its seven-year tenure under Xbox, including recent releases and in-development projects. This means revenue from player purchases directly supports the independent studio's operations and runway extension.
The studio's independence was part of Xbox's broader restructuring that trimmed the division by approximately 3,200 positions. Double Fine itself reduced its workforce by roughly a quarter to achieve financial sustainability. Moving forward, the studio plans to leverage this independence by launching a crowdfunded iteration of its Amnesia Fortnight game jam through Kickstarter, allowing community supporters to vote on which prototype concept receives full development resources.
- Double Fine Productions has regained ownership of all intellectual property and publishing rights to games developed during its seven years under Xbox; studio head Tim Schafer confirmed the transition is underway and money from game sales now flows directly to the independent studio.
- The studio is launching Amnesia Fortnight as a Kickstarter campaign from late August onwards, where supporters can vote to determine which game prototype receives full development—part of Double Fine's restructuring after laying off approximately 25% of its 90-person workforce.