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News just coming out of E3, Double Fine Productions founded by Tim Schafer has been acquired by Microsoft. Specifically, they're now part of Xbox Game Studios.

I'm sure most of you know Double Fine Productions, who are responsible for developing games like: Psychonauts, the upcoming Psychonauts 2 (which is supposed to release for Linux), The Cave, Broken Age, Costume Quest, Day of the Tentacle Remastered, Grim Fandango Remastered and plenty more.

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This does mean their future titles are less likely to be released for Linux, but it shouldn't affect Psychonauts 2 which was crowdfunded on Fig and advertised a Linux version back then. If we hear anything concerning Psychonauts 2, we will let you know as we've emailed them today to find out. Updated: They've confirmed on Twitter, that Psychonauts 2 is still planned for Linux.

This is on top of Obsidian Entertainment, inXile Entertainment, Ninja theory, Compulsion Games, Undead Labs and more who Microsoft previously acquired. With the recent Stadia reveal from Google, perhaps this is Microsoft's way of fighting back? To keep a ton of games locked to their systems?

For those wanting to see some of Psychonauts 2, here's their brand new trailer from E3:

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It also has a Steam store page up you can wishlist/follow it on.

Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Tags: Microsoft, Misc
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34 comments
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WorMzy Jun 9, 2019
Oh well, Microsoft loves Linux right, so presumably all Double Fine releases will now have day one Linux support. \o/
DrMcCoy Jun 9, 2019
This does mean their future titles are less likely to be released for Linux

They even specifically mention that in the video (with different audio quality too, so it seems that was edited in later):

Going forward, we will be focusing on Xbox Game Pass and PC
Liam Dawe Jun 9, 2019
https://twitter.com/DoubleFine/status/1137829847131013120

Psychonauts 2 still confirmed for Linux.
PlayX Jun 9, 2019
https://twitter.com/DoubleFine/status/1137829847131013120

Psychonauts 2 still confirmed for Linux.

Remember "We Happy Few"


Last edited by PlayX on 9 June 2019 at 9:21 pm UTC
jordicoma Jun 9, 2019
I still don't trust Microsoft.
Will be future games to linux?
Double Fine is/was one of my favorite game developers...
It ruined my day that news...
Liam Dawe Jun 9, 2019
https://twitter.com/DoubleFine/status/1137829847131013120

Psychonauts 2 still confirmed for Linux.

Remember "We Happy Few"
Which last I heard was still coming, they gave it to an external studio to give it proper attention.
DrMcCoy Jun 9, 2019
Which last I heard was still coming, they gave it to an external studio to give it proper attention.

And that worked quite well for Giana Sisters: Twisted Dreams, right?
Avehicle7887 Jun 9, 2019
The thing with these indies joining large companies is always the same in their videos "We're pleased and happy to be taking this step, we'll retain our creative bla bla bla and so forth". But the truth is another, they're lying to their fans and customers right to their face.

The reason why inXile is making a native port of Bard's Tale 4 is because it was part of the crowdfunding campaign. Psychonauts 2 was also crowdfunded which is most likely the reason why a Linux version is still happening (hopefully).

These companies may retain their creativity freedom but on which platform is released is the publisher's choice and Microsoft doesn't care about the 5% (Included Mac users too) of non Windows users. When it comes to Linux they only care in the server and cloud space because that's where it suits them, not the desktop.


Last edited by Avehicle7887 on 9 June 2019 at 9:56 pm UTC
Jahimself Jun 9, 2019
Well bye bye Tim Schaffer, your games were great. You supported linux, but joining the most evil forces of the universe for the futur of mankind, is a no go for me. If I was abble to get all my games from your studio refunded, I would do it right away. Good luck in your trip into hell.
Whitewolfe80 Jun 9, 2019
Honesty not surprised Tim Shaffer has proven time and time again he cannot manage money why broken age took ages to be a complete game because he spent all the money on the first part and had to get financing to finish up the project. So him going with a company with the size and resources of MS and taking his company with him from a purely business point of view makes sense. I would not trust fig given fig requires no demos or proof that a project exsists before you can back a project.
Termy Jun 9, 2019
This does mean their future titles are less likely to be released for Linux

They even specifically mention that in the video (with different audio quality too, so it seems that was edited in later):

Going forward, we will be focusing on Xbox Game Pass and PC

Well, Linux is PC, more than anything else ;)
But yeah, i doubt MS-Studios will release Linux-Ports :/
Tchey Jun 9, 2019
Well, the money is certainly good... and that's it. RIP good studio.
GustyGhost Jun 9, 2019
eldaking Jun 9, 2019
Oh well, Microsoft loves Linux right, so presumably all Double Fine releases will now have day one Linux support. \o/

They do love Linux, the server OS that they use for their cloud services. They contribute to the kernel and all. They don't feel threatened by Linux, because they develop a desktop OS and in decades Linux was never able to really compete with Windows on desktop. But they want their desktop OS to be convenient for developers, so that people that develop for servers don't have to use a server OS on their desktops, thus they created WSL. :|

I don't think we will see Microsoft actively push software for Linux any time soon. But I don't think there is going to be any overt hostility against it either - sabotaging Linux probably would have a bigger PR cost than actual strategic gain. They might even allow some software to be ported occasionally (like the crowdfunded games) just because it shouldn't really be a big risk for them; it's not like at this point they need to draw away crowds from Linux to Windows.

Hopefully they are making a big mistake and it costs them everything. :D
Asu Jun 9, 2019
we can only hope...
Liam Dawe Jun 9, 2019
Article title updated to reflect the confirmation, new trailer added in.
Sir_Diealot Jun 9, 2019
If it is to counteract Stadia... Stadia uses Linux, so they might actually discourage Linux ports since they are one step towards the game running on Stadia?
elmapul Jun 10, 2019
wich means, by buying their games we will be giving money to microsoft...
doomiebaby Jun 10, 2019
Well bye bye Tim Schaffer, your games were great. You supported linux, but joining the most evil forces of the universe for the futur of mankind, is a no go for me. If I was abble to get all my games from your studio refunded, I would do it right away. Good luck in your trip into hell.

well i wasn't gonna put it quite that way, but... well yeah .w. i think more than a few of us feel similarly. no, ms does not love linux like we love linux
Purple Library Guy Jun 10, 2019
Well, double fuck.
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