{
  "id": 2557499,
  "title": "Double Fine confirms it owns all its games' IP and publishing rights after Xbox split",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/double-fine-confirms-it-owns-all-its-games-ip-and-publishing-rights",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-22T10:33:31.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Eurogamer",
    "slug": "eurogamer",
    "url": "https://www.eurogamer.net/double-fine-ip-publishing-rights-xbox-split"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Double Fine has officially confirmed that it now owns the intellectual property and publishing rights to all the games it developed during its time under Xbox. This change came about following the studio's split from Microsoft earlier this year. CEO Tim Schafer addressed this during a Q&A session on Kinda Funny Games, in response to a fan's query about whether purchasing Double Fine's back catalogue would directly benefit the studio financially. Schafer confirmed that the transfer of IP and publishing rights has been successfully returned to Double Fine, although he noted that there might be a delay in the process for some titles. He emphasized that any purchase of their games would help support the studio, turning that money into revenue which would aid in extending their financial runway. Schafer also announced that Double Fine's next project would be reviving its Amnesia Fortnight game jam, but instead of hosting it as a traditional event, it will be conducted as a Kickstarter campaign. Backers will have the ability to vote on which prototype they want to see developed as the studio's next full project. This event is scheduled to take place from August 31st through most of September. This development marks a significant milestone in Double Fine's journey post-Xbox restructuring. In July, Xbox CEO Asha Sharma announced a company-wide reorganization that affected around 3,200 positions across the division. Several studios, including Double Fine, were spun back out into independence while retaining their IP and back catalogues. At the time of the transition, Double Fine also underwent a reduction in its workforce, laying off approximately a quarter of its 90-person team. They justified this decision as necessary to achieve a sustainable size. Compulsion Games, known for titles such as We Happy Few and South of Midnight, also severed ties with Xbox during the same restructuring process and has similarly confirmed its ownership of its intellectual property.",
  "summary": "Double Fine has confirmed it owns – or will shortly own – the intellectual property and publishing rights to every game it made during its seven years under Xbox following the studio's split from Microsoft earlier this year. Read more",
  "key_points": [
    "Double Fine now owns IP and publishing rights to all its games from Xbox era.",
    "CEO Tim Schafer confirmed ownership during Q&A session.",
    "Next project will be Kickstarter-funded Amnesia Fortnight revival."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}