Tim Schafer Discusses Double Fine’s Shift to Independence and Support for Game Pass
- Tim Schafer, founder of Double Fine Productions, shares insights on the studio’s shift to independence.
- Schafer remains optimistic about Game Pass, highlighting its accessibility for unique games.
- Acknowledging industry challenges, he expresses hope for a resurgence in game development.
Tim Schafer, the founder of Double Fine Productions and renowned designer behind titles such as Day of the Tentacle and Psychonauts, recently discussed his studio’s transition back to independence and his perspective on the Game Pass subscription service in an interview with the BBC.
When asked about the factors leading to Microsoft parting ways with Double Fine, Schafer reflected on the studio’s initial mission, stating, “Our mission in the beginning – seven years ago – was to really support Game Pass and fill it with as much goodness as we could.” He noted that the studio had made their back catalogue and about 13 new titles available on Game Pass, but acknowledged a change in Xbox’s strategy, emphasizing, “Their model I think is changing. They’re going in a different direction with fewer, larger IPs.” This shift, he indicated, did not align with Double Fine’s approach of creating multiple smaller IPs, leading to their decision to separate.
Schafer expressed his continued support for Game Pass, describing it as “a great idea” that offers players the chance to explore more unconventional games without the barrier of high prices. “If you’re sitting in a store and holding a disc, and it costs $70, and it’s about a walking lighthouse, there’s a barrier there,” he explained. He hopes for the service’s success moving forward.
While praising Xbox for allowing Double Fine to maintain its creative identity during their partnership, Schafer mentioned that he has no regrets about the collaboration. He noted, “They let us completely be ourselves,” which allowed the studio to expand on its creative vision.
On broader industry issues, Schafer shared concerns about ongoing job losses in game development, saying, “I don’t understand the economics of making games.” He remarked on a cycle of layoffs and rehiring, stating, “It’s been down for four years and I don’t know why,” suggesting that someone might be “greedy somewhere.” Despite these challenges, he expressed hope for an eventual recovery, highlighting the ongoing excitement and creativity, especially within the indie game sector. “I hope it is a cycle and it bounces back,” he remarked.
Currently, Double Fine is engaged in Amnesia Fortnite, a game jam where the team is creating four smaller-scale games, voted on by the public through Kickstarter. Among the projects are a city builder featuring moving structures that combat monsters, and a cooperative multiplayer dungeon crawler titled Bard Crawl.
News Courtesy of Eurogamer
