Double Fine Regains IP and Publishing Rights for All Games After Split From Xbox, CEO Says

# What happened

Double Fine Productions confirmed it has regained ownership of the intellectual property and the publishing rights for all games it released while under Microsoft. CEO Tim Schafer said the transfers have come back to the studio, though some storefronts or listings may still show Microsoft while processing completes.

# Why this matters now

For Double Fine specifically, the studio's transition back to independence was followed by layoffs that affected roughly 25% of its staff. Regaining IP and publishing rights changes where sales revenue flows, which Schafer says will support ongoing operations and project development.

# What Double Fine is doing next

The studio announced an Amnesia Fortnight 2026 Kickstarter. The campaign funds a game jam that begins Aug. 31 and runs through most of September. Backers will be able to choose which ideas move into prototyping, with one chosen to become a small finished game. The documentary production company 2 Player Productions will film the process.

Schafer also said the studio is working on updates for Kiln, the 2026 pottery-based multiplayer game. He mentioned new maps and modes and said the studio plans a price drop for Kiln. Schafer noted that there are other projects in progress, but did not provide details.

# Practical implications for players and supporters

• Buying Double Fine games will now route revenue to the studio rather than Microsoft. Schafer explicitly encouraged purchases as a way to support the studio and extend its runway.

• Kickstarter offers a direct way to support the studio and participate in which prototypes get made. The campaign also includes documentary coverage of the jam.

• Kiln players can expect new content and a price reduction in the near term.

# Context and background

Double Fine is known for titles such as Psychonauts, Psychonauts 2, Brutal Legend, Keeper, and Kiln. The studio had been under Microsoft's Xbox umbrella before negotiating terms that returned its IP and publishing rights. The Xbox restructuring that enabled these returns was part of a larger corporate reorganization that affected many studios.

Schafer discussed these developments during an interview on the Kinda Funny Games Daily show. He emphasized that the paperwork can take time to reflect the legal changes and reiterated that purchases help the studio financially.

# Short next steps for readers

If you want to support Double Fine directly: buy its games on platforms where they're available, consider backing the Amnesia Fortnight 2026 Kickstarter, and watch for Kiln updates and the announced price change.