Double Fine Productions has announced that it is laying off 23 members of its staff. The studio, which recently regained its independence after years operating as a first-party Xbox studio, had a headcount of around 90 employees prior to the workforce reduction.
Quick Facts
- Affected Staff: 23 employees laid off
- Previous Staff Count: Around 90 employees
- Studio Status: Recently regained independence from Xbox
- Recent Releases: Keeper (October 2025) and Kiln (April 2026)
Studio Transition and Leadership Response
Double Fine founder Tim Schafer addressed the cuts in a statement shared on social media, emphasizing the difficult nature of the decision for the tightly-knit team.
"Today, Double Fine Productions let go of 23 members of our staff," said Double Fine founder Tim Schafer. "As a small, tightly-knit team, these actions are not taken lightly. Only the survival of our studio would ever make us consider such a painful action. Our transition to becoming an independent company also means becoming a size that we can sustain."
Schafer acknowledged the impact of the departing staff members on the studio's games and overall culture. The leadership team noted that they are working to support each affected person through the transition.
"The people we are losing were all important. They all made an impact on our games and culture, and they will be missed," Schafer added. "We are committed to supporting each affected person as best as we can, and we thank them for their hard work and commitment to the creative spirit we cherish here at Double Fine."
Recent Project Timeline
The workforce reduction follows a period of active project output for the independent developer. Double Fine's most recent game releases include Keeper, which launched in October 2025, followed more recently by Kiln in April 2026.