The studio founder says Xbox Game Pass works well for the kind of games Double Fine is known for.
Double Fine’s latest release, The quirky Psychonauts 2, is out now, and Tim Schafer, founder of the studio, considers how it fits into parent company Microsoft’s strategy.
in conversation with GamesIndustry Biz Tim Shafer talked about his vision for the future of Double Fine. He acknowledges concerns about the subscription-based future, but sees them as inevitable. He believes that the work Double Fine has done fits in well with Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass and that it will help them find a wider audience. Thus, developing other original games can compete financially with larger publications.
“I think it’s all going towards subscriptions in some way. I think it’s a really great relationship for Double Fine with the players. We want to do something new, original and amazing, which means the entry barrier for players who don’t know what it is might be higher. And by lowering that hurdle. Financially so that it’s no longer about buying a game for $70, but more about how long it takes to download it because they’re all on Game Pass, I think this is a great opportunity for Double Fine games to find their audience faster.”
Psychonauts 2 is now available for PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and PC, and is available on Xbox Game Pass.