URGENT UPDATE: Double Fine Productions’ head, Tim Schafer, has confirmed that fans of the Psychonauts franchise should not expect a third installment anytime soon. In a recent interview with IGN at Gamescom, Schafer revealed that the studio is focusing on new projects rather than sequels.
Schafer stated, “I’m working on other stuff,” emphasizing that the studio’s current direction involves creating original intellectual properties. This announcement comes as a disappointment to many fans who were hoping for news on Psychonauts 3 during the highly anticipated gaming event.
The decision to prioritize original projects follows the extensive development of Psychonauts 2, which involved considerable time and resources. “The studio is doing multiple projects right now and they’re all original IPs, because we did Psychonauts 2 and that will hold us for sequels for a while,” Schafer explained.
While a sequel to Psychonauts is off the table, fans can look forward to one of Double Fine’s new titles, Keeper, which is scheduled for release on October 17. Described by Schafer as “a weird, but chill experience,” Keeper features a unique premise where players control a walking lighthouse accompanied by a pet bird named Twig. This surreal puzzle game promises around six to eight hours of gameplay and is designed to be a deep, high-fidelity experience.
Schafer noted that Keeper will be available for wishlist on Steam and will also launch on Xbox. Despite its deviation from the Psychonauts universe, the game maintains a similar artistic style that fans of the franchise may appreciate.
This is not the first time Schafer has dampened hopes for a third Psychonauts game. The PsychOdyssey documentary released last year highlighted the substantial effort behind the sequel, illustrating the team’s hesitance to undertake another lengthy development cycle for a third game.
With this latest announcement from Schafer, it is clear that Double Fine is committed to exploring new narratives and experiences. Fans of the studio will need to adapt to a future without immediate sequels, focusing instead on original content that promises to showcase innovation and creativity.
Stay tuned for further updates on new releases and developments from Double Fine Productions as the gaming community eagerly awaits the arrival of Keeper this fall.
