I Begged a Billionaire for Brutal Legend 2
Double Fine: Finding the Next Quest After the Split
After separating from Microsoft and Xbox, the indie development studio Double Fine is embarking on an exciting, and somewhat chaotic, journey to determine its future. Instead of focusing on one massive title, the team is leveraging community passion through a series of game jams and Kickstarter initiatives, allowing fans to help steer the studio’s next creative direction.
Currently, the studio is seeking $400,000 to fund its next endeavor, setting an ambitious single stretch goal of $100 million. To kickstart the process, Double Fine is hosting its own two-week game jam called Amnesia Fortnight. During this period, studio members pitch and prototype novel ideas, giving the community a front-row seat to the creative process.
These community events have already yielded some fun prototypes, including games like Costume Quest, Iron Brigade, and Stacking. Once the jams conclude, supporters will vote on four prototypes to be further developed, eventually narrowing down to a single game that will serve as Double Fine’s next major project.
The initial Kickstarter campaign has already secured $288,000 in pledges. The prototypes showcased so far include ambitious concepts like Architactics, Astro Slam Intergalactic Pro Wrestling, Bard Crawl, Brouroboros, and Cosmic Bonsai, among many others.
While the long-term goal remains large, the studio is certainly keeping the vision alive. They have confirmed that if they pursue a sequel to Brutal Legend, the project could potentially cost roughly 20% of Gabe Newell’s recent superyacht purchase. However, reaching the $100 million target remains a monumental task, as most major video game crowdfunding efforts, like Shenmue 3 or Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, have secured significantly smaller sums.
The creative focus also touches on the rich history of the franchise. The potential sequel to Brutal Legend promises to continue the story of Eddie Riggs, though it will necessarily navigate the absence of beloved icons like Ozzy Osbourne, Lemmy Kilmister, and Tim Curry. This makes the pursuit of the sequel a poignant endeavor for the team.
Survival for the studio required difficult decisions, as Double Fine recently implemented layoffs, affecting 23 staff members. Studio head Tim Schafer noted that these measures were necessary to ensure the continued survival of the tightly knit team.
Despite the organizational shifts, the energy from the community remains high. The studio continues to explore diverse concepts, proving that even in the shadow of industry shifts, creative vision and community engagement can power the next great adventure.
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