Double Fine Productions
Double Fine Productions is a San Francisco-based video game development studio founded in 2000 by Tim Schafer, known for narrative-driven adventure games (Psychonauts, Broken Age) and owned by Microsoft since 2019, currently facing potential closure or spin-off.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2000
- HeadquartersSan Francisco, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingSoftware
What Double Fine Productions does
Double Fine Productions is an independent-style video game development studio founded in 2000 by Tim Schafer in San Francisco, California. The studio is recognized for creative, narrative-driven adventure and action games built on hand-animated art styles and puzzle-based mechanics, with a portfolio spanning original IPs (Psychonauts, Broken Age, Brütal Legend, RAD, Keeper, Kiln) and remastered editions of classic LucasArts titles (Grim Fandango, Day of the Tentacle, Full Throttle). It also operates the DFTV video content platform and co-founded the Day of the Devs indie showcase.
Microsoft acquired Double Fine in 2019 as part of its Xbox Game Studios expansion, and the studio now operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary with approximately 42-100 employees. Revenue mechanics combine day-one inclusion on Xbox Game Pass (subscription licensing through Microsoft), direct digital sales across Steam, PlayStation Store, Nintendo eShop, and Microsoft storefronts, low-margin revenue from remaster catalog and merchandise (via Fangamer and iam8bit), and brand-extending content (DFTV, PsychOdyssey documentary). Customer segments are split between Game Pass subscribers and direct-purchase consumers of creative indie and adventure games.
As of mid-2026, the studio is operating under significant existential uncertainty: in April 2026 it launched Kiln, a multiplayer pottery brawler, which drew only 193 peak Steam players in its first 24 hours; in May 2026 workers filed a union petition with the NLRB and CWA; and in June 2026 reports emerged that Microsoft is preparing to close the studio or negotiate a spin-off under new Xbox CEO Asha Sharma's restructuring. The studio's future is materially dependent on the outcome of those negotiations.
Double Fine Productions firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Double Fine Productions
- Legal name
- Double Fine Productions
- Website
- https://doublefine.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2000
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Double Fine Productions is a San Francisco-based video game development studio founded in 2000 by Tim Schafer, known for narrative-driven adventure games (Psychonauts, Broken Age) and owned by Microsoft since 2019, currently facing potential closure or spin-off.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Double Fine Productions industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Video Game Development
- NAICS
- Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71), Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers (711510)
- SIC
- Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Indie Game Studios (MPAFAAAC)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Narrative/Adventure & RPG Game Studios (MPAFAAAL)
Keywords
Where Double Fine Productions is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Francisco
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Double Fine Productions business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Game Sales: Direct game sales through digital storefronts (Steam, PlayStation Store, Nintendo eShop) and physical copies
- Xbox Game Pass Day-One Releases: New releases added to Xbox Game Pass on launch day, providing subscription revenue through Microsoft's licensing agreements
- Remastered Editions: Remastered versions of classic titles like Grim Fandango Remastered, Day of the Tentacle Remastered with enhanced graphics and audio
- Merchandise and Collectibles: Sale of branded merchandise including apparel, collectibles, and the PsychOdyssey documentary box set through Fangamer partnership
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Kiln base game at standard price |
| Subscription | Monthly | Day-one Game Pass availability |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels5 records
Double Fine Productions product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Double Fine Productions is an independent video game development studio that designs, develops, and publishes original narrative-driven video games for console and PC platforms. The studio produces adventure, action, puzzle, and multiplayer titles, and also develops remastered editions of classic LucasArts adventure games. Its games are distributed digitally via Xbox Game Pass, Steam, PlayStation Store, and Nintendo eShop, alongside its own online shop and the DFTV content platform.
Product overview
Double Fine Productions is a video game development studio that creates original action-adventure, platformer, and puzzle games. The company develops games across multiple platforms including PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch. Their portfolio includes original IPs like Psychonauts, Broken Age, Brütal Legend, and their latest release Kiln, alongside remastered editions of classic LucasArts titles such as Grim Fandango, Day of the Tentacle, and Full Throttle. The studio is also known for documentary content through DFTV and PsychOdyssey, as well as merchandise through their Fangamer partnership.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- DFTV (Double Fine TV): The studio's video content platform showcasing game trailers, behind-the-scenes content, developer insights, and the making-of documentary series including PsychOdyssey.
Products and services
- Psychonauts 2 Narrative-driven 3D action-platformer in which players control Raz, a psychic acrobat exploring mental worlds; targeted at single-player adventure game fans.
- Kiln Multiplayer physics-based brawler with pottery and fire-themed combat for up to four players; published under Xbox Game Studios for Xbox and PC audiences.
- Keeper Narrative puzzle-adventure game published by Xbox Game Studios for Xbox consoles and Windows PC, available day one on Game Pass.
- Broken Age Point-and-click adventure game following two interlinked protagonists, Vella Tartine and Shay Volta, in a hand-drawn fantasy world; released on PC, mobile, PlayStation, and Xbox platforms.
- Brütal Legend Heavy-metal-themed action-adventure with real-time strategy elements, starring Jack Black; originally released on consoles and later ported to PC.
- RAD Roguelike third-person action game set in a post-post-apocalyptic radioactive wasteland; published by Bandai Namco across console and PC platforms.
- Grim Fandango Remastered Remastered edition of the 1998 LucasArts film-noir adventure game, re-released on modern PC and console platforms with updated visuals, controls, and audio.
- Day of the Tentacle Remastered Remastered edition of the classic 1993 LucasArts point-and-click adventure, with redrawn art, remastered audio, and modernized UI across PC and console platforms.
- Full Throttle Remastered Remastered edition of the 1995 LucasArts point-and-click biker adventure, with updated art, sound, and developer commentary across PC and console platforms.
Quantifiable outcome
- Psychonauts 2 received critical acclaim and multiple awards including BAFTA recognition
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Double Fine Productions
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Double Fine Productions technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Double Fine Productions partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Microsoft / Xbox Game StudioscoreDouble Fine was acquired by Microsoft in 2019 and operates as part of Xbox Game Studios. The studio's games are released day-one on Xbox Game Pass. The studio is reportedly under review for potential closure or spin-off as part of Xbox's 2026 restructuring under new CEO Asha Sharma.
- FangamerminorFangamer serves as the primary merchandise partner for Double Fine, selling branded apparel including the Golden Two-Headed Baby shirt, PsychOdyssey box set, and other collectibles through their online storefront.
- iam8bitminoriam8bit is a merchandise partner offering Double Fine branded products including apparel and collectibles.
- Day of the DevscoreDay of the Devs is an indie game showcase event co-founded by Double Fine. The studio regularly showcases upcoming titles including Kiln at Day of the Devs events, providing playable demo opportunities for fans.
- Communication Workers of America (CWA)minorWorkers at Double Fine filed a union petition with the NLRB in May 2026 in conjunction with the CWA, covering approximately 42 employees. Microsoft agreed to remain neutral and not interfere with organizing efforts.
- PlayStation (Sony)minorDouble Fine games are available on PlayStation platforms including PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 through the PlayStation Store. Titles like Kiln, Broken Age, and Day of the Tentacle Remastered are available on PlayStation.
- NintendominorDouble Fine titles are available on Nintendo Switch through the eShop, including Broken Age and Day of the Tentacle Remastered.
- Valve (Steam)minorSteam serves as the primary PC distribution platform for Double Fine games, with open betas and pre-orders available through the Steam storefront.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Double Fine Productions competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Supergiant Games: Independent narrative-driven game studio behind Bastion, Transistor, Hades, and Pyre. Directly comparable as a small, critically acclaimed, hand-crafted narrative/adventure studio with a similar team-size profile.
- Campo Santo: Acquired by Valve in 2018, developer of Firewatch. Comparable as a small narrative-first studio under a larger parent, sharing the indie-creative-with-platform-distribution structure.
- Asobo Studio: French studio behind A Plague Tale and the Microsoft Flight Simulator reboot. Comparable narrative-action studio with a Microsoft publishing relationship (similar to Double Fine's Xbox ownership).
- Playdead: Independent Danish studio behind Limbo and Inside. Directly comparable as a small, narrative/art-driven adventure studio with critically acclaimed hand-animated aesthetic.
- Moon Studios: Award-winning indie studio behind Ori and the Blind Forest and Ori and the Will of the Wisps, published by Xbox. Directly comparable as a Microsoft-published narrative platformer developer at a similar team scale.
- Remedy Entertainment: Finnish studio behind Max Payne, Alan Wake, and Control. Comparable narrative-action developer with strong art direction and a multi-title IP portfolio, though larger and publicly traded.
- Dontnod Entertainment: French narrative-driven studio behind Life is Strange and Tell Me Why. Closely comparable as an indie-style narrative adventure developer with multiple award-winning IPs.
- Lucasfilm Games (LucasArts heritage): Original home of Tim Schafer and the IP basis for Double Fine's remasters (Grim Fandango, Day of the Tentacle, Full Throttle). Comparable as a narrative/adventure game creator with the same franchise DNA.
Broad incumbents
- Naughty Dog: PlayStation-owned narrative action-adventure studio behind Uncharted and The Last of Us. Comparable as a narrative-adventure-first studio under a major platform owner, though at substantially larger scale.
Emerging players
- Thunder Lotus Games: Independent studio behind Jotun and Spiritfarer with distinctive hand-animated art direction. Comparable as a small studio with similar artistic sensibility and adventure-game pedigree, though with shorter IP history.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Double Fine Productions social profiles
Digital presenceDouble Fine Productions financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Double Fine Productions leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Double Fine Productions funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Double Fine Productions M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Double Fine Productions
What does Double Fine Productions do?
Double Fine Productions is an independent video game development studio that designs, develops, and publishes original narrative-driven video games for console and PC platforms. The studio produces adventure, action, puzzle, and multiplayer titles, and also develops remastered editions of classic LucasArts adventure games. Its games are distributed digitally via Xbox Game Pass, Steam, PlayStation Store, and Nintendo eShop, alongside its own online shop and the DFTV content platform.
Is Double Fine Productions a public or private company?
Double Fine Productions is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Double Fine Productions founded?
Double Fine Productions was founded in 2000. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Double Fine Productions based?
Double Fine Productions is headquartered in San Francisco, United States, in the North America region.
How does Double Fine Productions make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Game Sales are the primary driver. The others are xbox Game Pass Day-One Releases, remastered Editions and merchandise and Collectibles.
Who are Double Fine Productions's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Supergiant Games, Campo Santo, Asobo Studio, Playdead, Moon Studios, Remedy Entertainment, Dontnod Entertainment and Lucasfilm Games (LucasArts heritage). Naughty Dog is listed as a broad incumbent. Thunder Lotus Games is listed as an emerging player.
Does Double Fine Productions have an API?
No public API is recorded for Double Fine Productions.
What industry is Double Fine Productions in?
Double Fine Productions's product category is Video Game Development. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAFAAAC, Indie Game Studios, with a secondary code of MPAFAAAL, Narrative/Adventure & RPG Game Studios. Its NAICS code is 71 and its SIC code is 7812.