Xbox Cuts: Double Fine and Compulsion Games Confirm Independence

Following the recent announcement of significant job cuts by Xbox, two prominent game development studios, Double Fine and Compulsion Games, have issued public statements confirming their status as independent studios. While neither company will be shut down, they will also not be part of Xbox Game Studios going forward.

According to Xbox CEO Asha Sharma, the job cuts will affect 3,200 employees this year. However, the impact of this move on Double Fine and Compulsion Games’ workforces remains unclear. Both studios have previously been part of Xbox Game Studios, having been purchased by Microsoft as part of its acquisition spree aimed at bolstering the Xbox Game Pass catalogue.

Double Fine, founded by legendary LucasArts developer Tim Schafer in 2000, is known for a string of indie hits such as Psychonauts, BrГјtal Legend, Costume Quest, and the highly successful Kickstarter project Broken Age. Over the past 12 months, the studio released its first new games for several years, including the colorful adventure Keeper and multiplayer pottery brawler Kiln, though neither found widespread success.