Microsoft has acquired Double Fine Productions, the company announced during the Xbox E3 2019 briefing. The acquisition continues Microsoft’s expansive studio grab to bolster its Xbox Game Studios roster first revealed at last year’s E3. Double Fine joins 15 other studios including Ninja Theory, Rare, inXile Entertainment, Obsidian, and The Coalition among others.
The developer is known for titles such as Psychonauts, Brütal Legend, remasters of classics such as Grim Fandango and Day of the Tentacle. Double Fine CEO, Tim Schafer, took to the stage with his unique brand of good humor and affability. Doing so did a lot to quell any fears that the studio would go down the same disastrous root as other fated Microsoft acquisitions, notably Peter Molyneux’s Lionhead Studios and its untimely demise.
The acquisition news was also an opportunity for Double Fine to showcase the much-anticipated platformer Psychonauts 2 with a new trailer. As quirky and bizarre as the original, Psychonauts 2 is primed to return with the same zany gameplay, story, and characters. Protagonist Raz must track down the missing boss of the international psychic espionage organization while contending with a band of murderous villains intent on foiling his plans.
Psychonauts 2 lands on PC, Xbox One, Mac, and PS4, which is surprising given Microsoft is usually unwavering when it comes to its studios releasing on rival Sony’s console. The release is still on track for the end of 2019.