Double Fine founder and CEO Tim Schafer has addressed the perception that the studio intentionally develops niche games that are unlikely to be profitable. In an interview with Bloomberg, Schafer pushed back against the idea that the studio gambled on unconventional ideas without broad appeal, stating, "We never actively tried to make a game we thought was going to lose money."
Schafer specifically mentioned the game "Kiln" (referred to as "Keeper" in the notes), suggesting that it possessed mass-market appeal, even if it was perceived as an "art house thing." He expressed a belief that the game could have resonated with players beyond the typical gaming audience if it had reached them.
This discussion arises amid broader conversations about the future of Xbox and its Game Pass service, which has seen significant layoffs. While Xbox CEO Asha Sharma cited dwindling profits as a reason for these changes, others have pointed to a strategy that prioritized keeping the Game Pass library stocked with new releases, potentially at the expense of profitability.
The reasoning behind Game Pass, Schafer noted, was to drive subscriber growth and create predictable revenue rather than rely on the traditional hit-driven gaming market. This strategy aimed to attract individuals who might not typically engage with games beyond mainstream titles like "Madden" and "Call of Duty," by exposing them to a wider variety of genres and experiences.
Despite the challenges faced by this strategy, Schafer remains optimistic about "Kiln," which recently saw a shadow drop release on PlayStation 5. He indicated that Double Fine will be seeking opportunities for ports and remasters while simultaneously working on its next set of projects.