Kinda Funny Games Daily: Video Games News Podcast
Kinda Funny Games Daily: Video Games News Podcast

Double Fine’s Future REVEALED W/ Tim Schafer - Kinda Funny Games Daily 08.21.26

August 21, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

When Tim Schafer walked into the Kinda Funny studio holding a physical newspaper to prove he was alive and not an AI-generated deepfake, he was making a point: Double Fine is back in the real world, independent again after seven years under Microsoft. The studio emerged from Xbox ownership with its IP rights returned, a modest financial runway, and a plan to stay alive by doing what it has always done best—making small, weird, creative games with the community watching.

The Indie Reboot: Amnesia Fortnight 2026

The centerpiece of Double Fine's new independence is a Kickstarter campaign launching August 31st for "Amnesia Fortnight 2026: Indie Reboot." This is not a new game announcement—it's a process. The studio will run a public game jam where every employee gets to pitch an idea. Backers will vote to narrow the field to four prototypes, then vote again on which one gets polished into a full (small) release. Two Player Productions will film the whole thing for a documentary series, continuing the tradition that began with the original PsychOdyssey.

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What you'll learn

  • 1 (04:19) **Double Fine's Future Revealed: Independent Again** - Tim Schafer announces Double Fine is independent after seven years under Xbox and launches a new Kickstarter campaign
  • 2 (07:05) **Runway, Risk, and the New Reality** - Schafer explains the financial runway Double Fine has and why the Kickstarter is essential
  • 3 (11:14) **How You Can Support Double Fine Right Now** - Schafer outlines concrete ways fans can help the studio survive and thrive
  • 4 (12:44) **The Realities of Going Independent Again** - Schafer compares the stability of being under Xbox to the freedom of being independent
  • 5 (14:59) **What Games Are Actually in Development?** - Schafer gives a realistic picture of current projects and priorities
  • 6 (17:46) **The Cult Classic Dilemma** - Schafer reflects on having a diverse catalog versus being tied to one mega-franchise
  • 7 (19:12) **Small Games, Big Ambitions: The "Friend Slop" Opportunity** - Schafer discusses the market for small, polished multiplayer experiences

+ Full timestamped outline available in the app

Show Notes

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Head to http://kindafunny.com/porty to grab the limited edition Portillo plushie!

Tim Schafer joins me to talk about Double Fine’s future, 2XKO is ending development, and Dave Bautista is officially Kratos in God of War.


Thank you for the support!


Run of Show - 00:00:00 - Start
00:02:23 - The Future of Double Fine
00:35:29 - Ad
00:37:35 - Riot fighting game 2XKO is officially ending development
00:47:17 - Dave Bautista Officially Set as Kratos in ‘God of War’ TV Series
00:50:13 - FromSoftware Gives Up On Today’s The Duskbloods Network Test After Two Hours Of Failed Logins
00:53:22 - Microsoft and Discord subpoenaed over GTA VI gameplay leaks
00:57:57 - Wee News!
01:00:13 - SuperChats & You‘re Wrong

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Kinda Funny Games Daily: Video Games News Podcast

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