Double Fine used to be known for two things: CEO Tim Schafer and his ridiculously great games made at LucasArts and amazing ball of amazingness Psychonauts. Nowadays, Double Fine is home to a lot more games after a change of direction following the troubled development of Brutal Legend saw the studio quickly release multiple smaller games instead of one huge one.
Stacking, Costume Quest and Iron Brigade came out of that turbulent time, but unfortunately the rights for most of these games are still with their original publishers, one of which was the now defunct THQ. “We’re still trying to get the rights to Costume Quest and Stacking,” Tim Schafer said. “We can still make more of those games. We still have the IP, but we’d love to have all of the IP and distribution rights in house.”
The Evolution of Double Fine
Double Fine’s journey has been nothing short of fascinating. Initially, the studio was heavily reliant on the creative genius of Tim Schafer, who had already made a name for himself with iconic titles at LucasArts such as Grim Fandango and Full Throttle. The studio’s first major success, Psychonauts, was a critical darling, praised for its imaginative world and quirky characters. However, the commercial performance did not match the critical acclaim, leading the studio to rethink its strategy.
The development of Brutal Legend, a game that combined action-adventure elements with real-time strategy, was fraught with challenges. Despite its unique concept and star-studded voice cast, including Jack Black, the game struggled to find a publisher and faced numerous delays. This period of uncertainty forced Double Fine to pivot towards smaller, more manageable projects.
Impact of Smaller Games
The decision to focus on smaller games proved to be a turning point for Double Fine. Stacking, Costume Quest, and Iron Brigade were all products of this new approach. Each game showcased the studio’s knack for innovation and storytelling. Stacking, for instance, was a puzzle-adventure game that utilized Russian nesting dolls as a core gameplay mechanic. Costume Quest, on the other hand, was a charming RPG centered around Halloween, capturing the essence of childhood imagination and adventure. Iron Brigade combined tower defense with mech-based combat, offering a unique blend of genres.
Despite their success, the rights to these games remained with their original publishers. THQ, which published Costume Quest and Stacking, eventually went bankrupt, complicating the situation further. “We’re still trying to get the rights to Costume Quest and Stacking,” Tim Schafer said. “We can still make more of those games. We still have the IP, but we’d love to have all of the IP and distribution rights in house.”
The struggle to reclaim these rights highlights the complexities of the gaming industry, where creative control often clashes with business realities. For Double Fine, owning the full rights to their games would mean greater creative freedom and the ability to re-release or remaster these titles for new audiences.
The studio’s resilience and adaptability have been key to its longevity. By embracing smaller projects, Double Fine not only survived a turbulent period but also expanded its portfolio, proving that innovation and creativity can thrive even in challenging circumstances. The success of these smaller games also paved the way for the eventual release of Psychonauts 2, a long-awaited sequel that has been met with much anticipation.
In conclusion, Double Fine’s journey from a studio known for a few iconic titles to a diverse game developer is a testament to its ability to adapt and innovate. The ongoing efforts to reclaim the rights to Costume Quest and Stacking underscore the studio’s commitment to its creations and its desire to bring these beloved games back to the forefront. As the gaming industry continues to evolve, Double Fine remains a beacon of creativity and resilience.
Source GameInformer
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