The software giant announced it is in active negotiations to provide several of its acquired game studios with the unparalleled creative freedom of no longer receiving direct deposits.
Microsoft confirmed Tuesday that it is preparing to separate from several Xbox division subsidiaries, including Double Fine and Compulsion Games, framing the impending loss of financial support as a bold new chapter for the creators. According to internal memos, the studios will be granted the rare opportunity to go independent, unconstrained by the creative limitations of Microsoft’s three-trillion-dollar market capitalization and comprehensive healthcare plans.
The developers, who were purchased by Microsoft during a massive acquisition spree, will soon be able to experience the agility and nimble decision-making that only comes from not knowing how the server hosting bills will be paid next month.
We realized that providing these visionary creators with a steady paycheck and IT infrastructure was actually stifling their raw indie spirit.
The transition back to the independent sector will allow Double Fine to return to its historic roots of asking fans to fund its operations via multi-year crowdfunding campaigns. Negotiators for Xbox are reportedly working around the clock to ensure the developers are safely disconnected from the corporate software licenses before the end of the fiscal quarter.
Industry analysts praised the move, noting that Microsoft’s long-term strategy of purchasing critically acclaimed studios, looking at them in mild confusion for four years, and then releasing them back into the wild has consistently proven to be an effective way to optimize quarterly spreadsheets. At press time, Compulsion Games was reportedly embracing its newfound operational agility by researching the bulk pricing of instant ramen.