Double Fine Archives

AppWizard

July 12, 2026

Obsidian game director is sick of hearing bad takes about the state of the studio: ‘The through line from KotOR2 to our current games is pretty clear’

Microsoft has restructured Xbox, resulting in significant layoffs affecting thousands of employees and the disbanding of four game studios, including Double Fine and Compulsion Games returning to indie status, while Ninja Theory and Undead Labs were sold. Obsidian Entertainment, initially thought to be unaffected, also faced layoffs but is reportedly developing a new Fallout game with Josh Sawyer as director. A member of Obsidian's leadership, Adler, expressed frustration over misconceptions about the studio's evolution, emphasizing that key figures from its past successes remain. He reassured fans that the core essence of Obsidian is unchanged, despite recent challenges. Adler acknowledged the emotional toll of the layoffs and expressed support for departing employees. Anticipation for Obsidian's new Fallout title is growing.

AppWizard

July 9, 2026

17 years later, Minecraft is finally adding somewhere to sit

Minecraft's latest update introduces cushions, allowing players to sit in the game for the first time since its launch 17 years ago. Cushions can be crafted using three Wool Slabs of the same color and are available in 16 color variants. The update also features straw beds, which are single-use and allow players to sleep without setting a spawn point, crafted from three Hay Bales to make four beds. The update, version 26.40.30, includes new abandoned camps in the Pale Garden and Flower Forest biomes and improvements to the Dappled Forest. Additionally, Microsoft announced significant layoffs affecting over 3,200 jobs across various Xbox-owned studios, marking a major restructuring in the industry.

AppWizard

July 7, 2026

Microsoft needs to “reset Xbox,” says Asha Sharma, as the company lays off 3,200 employees

Xbox plans to reduce its workforce by approximately 3,200 employees by the end of the fiscal year on June 30, 2027, with an initial layoff of around 1,600 positions. CEO Asha Sharma expressed concerns about the company's health and announced a transition of four studios to new management. Xbox is facing financial challenges, operating at margins significantly lower than comparable entities, and the expected growth of Game Pass has not occurred. Compulsion Games and Double Fine Productions will return to independent status, retaining ownership of their intellectual properties. Ninja Theory and Undead Labs will also join new ownership structures. Bethesda is refocusing on its major franchises, and there are no cancellations of first-party games due to these reductions. Compulsion Games and Double Fine Productions expressed gratitude for support during this transition.

Winsage

July 6, 2026

My plea to Xbox fans of the divested studios — put your money where your mouth is

The Xbox community is reacting to the announcement of a restructuring that will eliminate 3,200 roles within Xbox. CEO Asha Sharma has introduced a strategy to mitigate losses, with Compulsion Games and Double Fine operating independently, while Ninja Theory and Undead Labs will seek new publishing partners. No projects have been canceled, and no studios have closed. State of Decay 3 is no longer required to launch on Xbox Game Pass, which may also apply to future Ninja Theory projects. Undead Labs must decide whether to launch titles on Xbox Game Pass or independently. Players are encouraged to support studios by purchasing games at retail prices. State of Decay 3 is gaining popularity on the Steam Most Wishlisted games list, highlighting interest in mid-sized and experimental games. The success of these studios now depends on community support.

AppWizard

June 25, 2026

It’s not layoffs, but you can see them from here: Numerous Compulsion Games employees are looking for new jobs

Developers at Compulsion Games, the studio behind South of Midnight, are signaling their intent to seek new job opportunities amid impending layoffs. Many employees have updated their LinkedIn profiles to indicate they are "open to work," and studio leadership has allowed them to explore external job prospects. Reports indicate that at least a dozen employees, out of a workforce of approximately 90, are actively seeking new roles. This trend is occurring alongside broader concerns within the Xbox gaming division, where other studios may also face closures as part of an initiative acknowledging that Microsoft has overextended itself through acquisitions, potentially leading to significant layoffs and canceled projects.

AppWizard

June 15, 2026

Xbox is reportedly closing South of Midnight studio Compulsion Games after bragging about its award-winning developers earlier this year

Compulsion Games, known for titles like We Happy Few and South of Midnight, may be facing imminent closure as Microsoft’s gaming division undergoes significant layoffs and restructuring. Reports indicate that Compulsion and Double Fine are in negotiations to potentially spin off to avoid shutdown. Employees have expressed concern over job security, with many searching for new opportunities. Compulsion Games, founded in 2009 and based in Montreal, received critical acclaim for its recent title, South of Midnight, which won several awards. Despite previous praise from Xbox executives for the studio's achievements, the future remains uncertain amid corporate changes.

AppWizard

June 15, 2026

Xbox Game Studios head and chief of staff step down as ‘Xbox reset’ looms

Craig Duncan has announced his departure from the role of head of Xbox Game Studios after a tenure of just over a year and a half. He previously led Rare and guided the development of Sea of Thieves for nearly 13 years. His promotion in 2024 placed him in charge of all Microsoft’s gaming studios, including Double Fine, Halo Studios, inXile, Obsidian, Playground Games, and The Coalition. Concerns have been raised about the sustainability of Xbox's rapid studio acquisitions, with speculation about upcoming restructuring efforts and significant layoffs anticipated, potentially affecting studios like Compulsion Games, Double Fine, and Ninja Theory.

AppWizard

March 27, 2026

Xbox Game Pass Confirms 5 Day-One Games for April 2026

Microsoft's Xbox Game Pass will release five day-one games in April 2026, with no new releases in the first two weeks. The games include: - Replaced: A cinematic side-scrolling platformer exclusive to Xbox Series X, releasing on April 14. - Hades 2: The highest-rated game of 2025, launching on Xbox Series X on April 14, after its success on Nintendo Switch and PC. - Kiln: A team-based multiplayer party brawler from Double Fine Productions, releasing on April 23, with an open beta for PC from April 9 to April 11. - Vampire Crawlers: The Turbo Wildcard: A roguelite deckbuilder spin-off from Poncle, releasing on April 21. - Aphelion: A sci-fi action-adventure game with stealth elements from Don’t Nod, releasing on April 28. All games will be available on Xbox Series X and PC, but not on Xbox One.

AppWizard

January 7, 2026

Just when you think there’s no room for shooters to innovate, here’s one where your health is literally your framerate

FPS Quest links player health to framerate, causing framerate drops as the character takes damage. Players can upgrade weapons and manipulate the game environment to boost framerate and health, such as replacing a 3D gun with a 2D sprite or altering level geometry. One upgrade can increase framerate by 10 fps at the cost of removing structural columns, which eliminates cover. This mechanic encourages a balance between alterations and game stability.

AppWizard

January 3, 2026

The Worst Optimized PC Games of 2025

In 2025, several high-profile games have been criticized for poor optimization and disappointing performance. The most poorly optimized titles include: - Rise of the Ronin: The PC version struggles to maintain satisfactory performance at ultra settings, with graphics not meeting system requirements. - Keeper: Built on Unreal Engine 5, it fails to achieve 60 FPS in native 4K at maximum settings, even with a GeForce RTX 5090. - The Outer Worlds 2: Performance drops significantly with ray tracing enabled and requires a CPU with high IPC, only efficiently utilizing four threads. - Borderlands 4: Launched with subpar optimization, performance issues persist despite updates. - Monster Hunter Wilds: Required multiple patches to achieve acceptable frame rates and stability. - Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2: Notable for severe stuttering, one of the worst in recent releases. - Oblivion Remastered: Criticized for poor performance and appears abandoned without necessary fixes.