Double Fine Boss Says 'We Never Actively Tried To Make A Game We Thought Was Going To Lose Money'
Double Fine returned to independent operations because changing priorities from Xbox CEO Asha Sharma forced the split. Studio head Tim Schafer previously maintained that the company never intentionally developed titles expected to lose money and asserted that only he possesses the authority to put the studio out of business. The studio is now focused on autonomy after leaving the Xbox Game Pass platform.
What changed
Tim Schafer attributed the move to independence to the shifting vision of Xbox CEO Asha Sharma.
Live updates
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Tim Schafer Links Double Fine Independence to Xbox CEO Vision
Double Fine returned to independent operations because changing priorities from Xbox CEO Asha Sharma forced the split. Studio head Tim Schafer previously maintained that the company never intentionally developed titles expected to lose money and asserted that only he possesses the authority to put the studio out of business. The studio is now focused on autonomy after leaving the Xbox Game Pass platform.
Why it matters
Microsoft acquired Double Fine in 2011 before selling it back to its original owner in 2021. This transition follows a period of integration with Microsoft's ecosystem. The shift to independence marks a strategic move away from corporate oversight.
What is confirmed
- Tim Schafer stated Double Fine never actively tried to make a game they thought would lose money.
- Double Fine is operating independently after its tenure with Microsoft.
- Microsoft acquired Double Fine in 2011 and sold it back to its original owner in 2021.
Still unconfirmed
- Asha Sharma's shifting vision for Xbox forced Double Fine to go independent.
What to watch next
- Further statements from Microsoft or Asha Sharma regarding the Double Fine split
- Official announcements regarding Double Fine's upcoming independent project pipeline
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (6)
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Tim Schafer asserts control over Double Fine's business survival
Double Fine boss Tim Schafer stated that only he has the power to put the studio out of business. This follows previous comments where Schafer denied that the studio ever intentionally developed games they expected to lose money. The remarks come as the studio operates independently after its tenure with Microsoft, which acquired the company in 2011 and sold it back to its original owner in 2021. Schafer is now focused on the studio's autonomy after departing the Xbox Game Pass platform.
Why it matters
Double Fine's shift back to independence marks a significant change in its funding and distribution model. The studio's experience with Microsoft's subscription service informs its current approach to risk and profitability.
What is confirmed
- Tim Schafer is the boss of Double Fine.
- Microsoft acquired Double Fine in 2011 and sold it back to its original owner in 2021.
- Double Fine left the Xbox Game Pass platform.
What to watch next
- Future financial reports regarding Double Fine's independent profitability
- New project announcements from the studio under its current ownership model
confidence 100%Sources used for this update (4)
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Double Fine Boss Says Studio Never Actively Tried To Make A Game To Lose Money
Double Fine Productions boss Tim Schafer says the studio never set out to make a game it thought would lose money. Schafer made the comments in reference to the studio's experience with Microsoft's Xbox Game Pass and its decision to leave the platform. The studio is now independent again after being acquired by Microsoft in 2011 and then sold back to its original owner in 2021.
Why it matters
This matters because it sheds light on the challenges and considerations game developers face when working with subscription-based services like Xbox Game Pass. Double Fine's experience and decision to leave Xbox Game Pass highlight the tensions between game developers' creative goals and the business models of platform holders. The studio is known for developing niche games like Psychonauts and Broken Age.
What is confirmed
- We never actively tried to make a game we thought was going to lose money.
- Double Fine Productions was acquired by Microsoft in 2011 and sold back to its original owner in 2021.
- Tim Schafer initially opposed Microsoft ownership because "you guys love closing studios".
What to watch next
- Future game releases from Double Fine Productions
- Changes to Xbox Game Pass and its impact on game developers
- Potential new business partnerships for Double Fine Productions
confidence 85%Sources used for this update (9)
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