Double Fine Productions Regains IP and Publishing Rights for Microsoft Games

Double Fine Productions has officially regained the intellectual property (IP) and publishing rights for all its games previously released under Microsoft following its separation from the Xbox division. During a conversation with Kinda Funny Games, CEO Tim Schafer addressed fan concerns and clarified how purchasing their older titles directly supports the studio’s future.

Key Developments and Future Plans

Schafer stated that the return of IP and publishing rights allows Double Fine to continue its creative work. He emphasized that buying any of their previous games contributes significantly to extending the studio’s “runway,” a crucial factor considering recent restructuring at Microsoft. The studio also revealed its Amnesia Fortnight 2026, a crowdfunding campaign launching an August 31st game jam with a potential prototype game for backers.

Xbox’s Commitment and Kiln’s Progress

Xbox CEO Asha Sharma previously announced that Double Fine and Compulsion Games would retain their IP and a “runway” for future projects as part of a broader organizational shift. Despite the layoffs impacting Xbox teams, Double Fine’s situation has improved dramatically. Regarding Kiln, Schafer confirmed that the studio is still developing updates for the 2026 pottery-based multiplayer game, promising “new maps and modes” and a price reduction, stating, "we're crazy."

Looking Ahead

While Schafer mentioned “other projects” currently in development, details remain scarce. With control over assets from games like Keeper, Psychonauts 2, and Kiln, Double Fine’s future appears considerably more secure and creatively vibrant following this pivotal shift.