Double Fine Owns IP and Publishing Rights for All of Its Games Following Xbox Split, Psychonauts Studio Confirms

Double Fine Productions has confirmed that it now owns the intellectual property and publishing rights for its full catalogue after separating from Xbox. Studio head Tim Schafer said the transfer returned the company’s game IP and publishing control, meaning the independent developer will receive revenue from purchases of titles made during its time under Microsoft. Some digital storefronts still list Xbox Game Studios as publisher for games including Psychonauts 2 and Keeper, but Schafer said the administrative changes were still being processed.

The confirmation expands on Double Fine’s July announcement that it had become independent again after seven years within Xbox Game Studios, with ownership of its games returned to the studio. The developer, founded by Schafer in 2000 and known for Psychonauts, Brütal Legend and Broken Age, is also preparing an Amnesia Fortnight Kickstarter campaign. The campaign is intended to fund a public game jam and documentary, with backers helping select prototypes for development into a smaller game as the studio pursues its next projects.