Double Fine confirms it owns all its games’ IP and publishing rights after Xbox split
Double Fine Productions has confirmed it regained full intellectual property and publishing rights to its entire game catalogue following its split from Microsoft earlier in 2026. The studio, which spent seven years under Xbox ownership, now owns or will shortly own the IP and publishing rights to all games developed during that period.
CEO Tim Schafer disclosed this development while appearing on the Kinda Funny Games podcast, clarifying that revenue from sales of these titles—including Psychonauts 2, Keeper, and Kiln—now benefits the studio directly. This ownership transfer enables Double Fine to convert game sales revenue into funding that can extend the studio’s operational runway and support ongoing development.
The development comes as part of a broader trend of Xbox-owned studios reclaiming autonomy following Microsoft’s strategic restructuring. Compulsion Games, developer of South of Midnight, similarly confirmed ownership of their publishing rights this week. These recoveries occur amid ongoing boycott movements against Microsoft and Xbox.
While most games from Double Fine’s Xbox period are now under the studio’s control, some titles reportedly remain with Xbox under their original agreement terms. The clarification addresses fan concerns about whether purchases of these games support the independent studio, with CEO Tim Schafer emphasizing that revenue from most titles now directly funds Double Fine’s future projects.