E3 2019: 7 Ups & 6 Downs From Microsoft's Conference

3. Microsoft Has Bought Double Fine Productions

Psychonauts 2
Double Fine

Microsoft shocked the world at last year's E3 when they confirmed that they had acquired four third-party studios (including Ninja Theory and Playground Games) and also created a fifth, The Initiative.

Well, the company took another bold step forward by confirming that they have acquired Double Fine Productions, the dev team behind classics such as Grim Fandango, Psychonauts and Broken Age.

Double Fine's impossibly likeable founder Tim Schafer took to the stage briefly to crack jokes about being forced to make Halo spin-off games until the end of time, before confirming that Microsoft were effectively giving him free rein to make whatever he wanted.

Right now, that's of course the upcoming Psychonauts 2, which as a result of the partnership will be launching day-and-date on Xbox Game Pass. Fantastic.

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Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes). General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.