Double Fine 'optimistic' about buying Stacking, Costume Quest rights off THQ

February 28, 2013 5:55AM PST

Double Fine looking to buy console distribution rights to downloadable titles; studio currently owns the IP and distribution rights on PC.

Double Fine has said it is "optimistic" about regaining the distribution rights for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions of downloadable adventures Stacking and Costume Quest from bankrupt games publisher THQ.

The studio, which is helmed by games veteran Tim Schafer and responsible for Psychonauts, Brutal Legend, and, eventually, Kickstarter success story Double Fine Adventure, already owns the IP rights to both Stacking and Costume Quest and the PC distribution rights, but lacks the distribution rights for the consoles, meaning it loses out financially for each copy of the game sold.

"Double Fine owns the IP rights to Costume Quest and Stacking," vice president of Double Fine business development Justin Bailey said to Polygon.

"THQ retained limited distribution rights that we bid on during the previous process to reclaim them prior to their expiration. We are optimistic about regaining these distribution rights, as this process has already demonstrated that when there are parties interested in specific assets, those assets are worth more when sold separately."

THQ is holding a new auction for its remaining assets on April 1, and it seems likely Double Fine will attend. Stacking and Costume Quest are part of a 36-title lot, alongside Supreme Commander, Worms 2, and Nexuiz. The beleaguered company managed to offload many of its IPs, including Saints Row, Homefront, and WWE, earlier this month.

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18 comments

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SavoyPrime ranger

Makes sense that they would want the console distribution rights back. I think it will work out for them.

advocacy

Costume Quest 2!

shepowy

Wow, didn't think I'd feel bad about buying Stacking when it was on sale on PSN for £1.99, but realising Double Fine doesn't get any of that money has put a dampener on things for me. I mean it's not that much money, but Schafer needs to get his lunch money from somewhere.

LpcWarrior

1 Like

Both games were fun, although Costume Quest was my favorite. I'd love to see a sequel....for any of the double fine games. (Psychonauts, Brutal Legends, Iron Brigade, Grim Fandango. All deserve a sequel. )

Saketume

1 Like

@LpcWarrior If it was made by anyone else costume quest would have sucked.

But it didn't suck it was awesome because you can just tell how much these guys love to make games.

They can still remember how it is to be a kid and it really shows in their productions. That in turn makes me feel like a kid on christmas eve (or in this case halloween). Genius!

Psychonauts was even better. The Milkman level was some of the best stuff I've seen in a game.

HailHellfire

i wish them the best of luck & hope that they get the distribution rights that they desire...

Hurvl

The article link for Double Fine Adventure is almost one year old, but I'll give them one year more before I question when and if Double Fine Adventure will come out. I'm not interested in the game itself, but since it's one of the earliest major Kickstarter successes, it will sort of set a standard for other kickstarter gaming projects.

King9999

1 Like

Double Fine's VP has an awesome name!

USAPATRIOT21

I thought stacking was kind of slow and ended up quitting it.

DrRockso87

2 Like

Please make another Costume Quest!! Stacking was cool but Costume Quest I loved!

Toysoldier34

1 Like

@DrRockso87 When it came out I had been looking forward to it since I heard about it. Then when it came out I downloaded it and started playing on my PS3. Didn't top playing until I had finished the entire game and gotten every trophy, I wasn't expecting to play through the night but it was just that good.

DrRockso87

@Toysoldier34 @DrRockso87 I think one of the reasons why I loved it so much was the combat. Yes, it's simple but very enjoyable and addicting. It's similar combat to Super Mario RPG (timed attacks).

But the charm, characters, setting, gameplay, etc. Ugh, I would do anything for a sequel!! I even picked up the DLC and 100% that too (all trophies in game and DLC).

Nezard

2 Like

Hope Double Fine get the rights back, Tim is such a crazy-genius and deserve the money of its work.

Kyrylo

I'd like Brutal Legend 2:D

2bitSmOkEy

Make another Grim Fandango pls

Edit: Or Psychonauts. <3

DrRockso87

@2bitSmOkEy He needs the rights from LucasArts/Disney first for another Grim Fandango.

Hopefully some day he'll try to acquire them. I mean, LucasArts/Disney isn't doing anything with the licence...

Ovirew

4 Like

This is what I've been anxious about. I hope Double-Fine gets full rights to their games.

AzulSoul

1 Like

Cool cool, fine fine, get it, get it.

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