In a surprise announcement at Microsoft’s E3 2019 press conference, we learned that Microsoft has acquired Double Fine Productions as a new addition to Xbox Game Studios. Microsoft has also acquired the rights to the upcoming Psychonauts 2, which had previously been held by Starbreeze.
The first Psychonauts had originally been planned as an Xbox exclusive to be published by Microsoft, but the deal was cancelled. Psychonauts 2 will still be released for the PS4 and PC in addition to the Xbox One, as planned. A new trailer was shown at the press conference as well.
The trailer largely takes place inside the mind of Dr. Loboto, an insane dentist who served as one of the main antagonists of the first game. In addition to showing off a twisted, dental-themed world and some of Raz’s psychic powers, it also hints at new plot points that might involve the curse on Raz’s family, as implied by showing the hand at the end.
Psychonauts 2 should release in 2019, although there is no specific release date yet.
For full transparency, I backed Psychonauts 2 on Fig because of how much I enjoyed the original Psychonauts and am looking forward to the sequel.
