Fictions
CompanyUnited States
Documents about Fictions
Jason Schreier21 min
How Double Fine Survived The Xbox Bloodbath
Double Fine Productions, the San Francisco-based studio led by Tim Schafer, has returned to independence following a seven-year tenure under Microsoft’s Xbox division.
- After seven years under the Xbox umbrella, Double Fine has returned to independence following a shift in Microsoft's corporate strategy under Sarah Bond, which prioritized higher profit margins over the studio's niche, quirky output.
- The transition to independence involved a grueling negotiation process in June 2026, resulting in Double Fine securing ownership of its intellectual property and necessary runway capital, though the studio was forced to lay off 23 employees.
- Double Fine is pivoting to a 'Double Fine Action Labs' model, focusing on smaller, experimental titles and rapid prototyping to mitigate the financial risks associated with high-budget game development.
Jason SchreierSep 2026
Jason Schreier19 min
The Video Game Publisher That Lost Its Entire Staff Overnight
The video game industry experienced a significant organizational collapse in 2024 when the entire staff of Annapurna Interactive resigned simultaneously.
- In September 2024, the entire 25-to-26-person staff of Annapurna Interactive resigned simultaneously following a breakdown in negotiations between leadership and owner Megan Ellison regarding the company's strategic direction.
- The mass resignation was triggered by a power struggle involving the return of Hector Sanchez, a former executive who had previously left the company following allegations of inappropriate behavior, whom Ellison rehired as president of interactive and new media.
- The former Annapurna Interactive team formed a new publishing entity called Fictions, which subsequently secured the rights to manage and release the remaining game portfolio from Take-Two Interactive's shuttered indie label, Private Division.
Jason SchreierAug 2026