GameSpot may receive revenue from affiliate and advertising partnerships for sharing this content and from purchases through links.

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

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

By on

18 Comments

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.

No Caption Provided

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.

Click To Unmute
Stacking Video Review
  1. Overwatch 2 - Official Gundam Wing Collaboration Gameplay Trailer
  2. Madden 26 & College Football 26 - Official Announcement Trailer | "The Call"
  3. The Crew 2: Offline Mode Update Overview Trailer
  4. Micromega - Official Announcement Trailer
  5. Ghost of Yotei - The Onryos List | Release Date Reveal Trailer
  6. ELDEN RING NIGHTREIGN | Recluse Character Gameplay Trailer
  7. AI:THE SOMNIUM FILES - Sleep For Kaname Date – Intro Trailer
  8. The Hundred Line -Last Defense Academy-: Official Launch Trailer
  9. Tombwater - Playable Demo Reveal Trailer
  10. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered - Official Full Reveal Presentation
  11. DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO - DAIMA Character Pack 1 Gameplay Trailer
  12. Zenless Zone Zero - Vivian Character Demo | "Love Like a Bouquet"

Want us to remember this setting for all your devices?

Sign up or Sign in now!

Please use a html5 video capable browser to watch videos.
This video has an invalid file format.
00:00:00
Sorry, but you can't access this content!
Please enter your date of birth to view this video

By clicking 'enter', you agree to GameSpot's
Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email news@gamespot.com

Costume Quest
Stacking
Join the conversation
There are 18 comments about this story
18 Comments  RefreshSorted By 
GameSpot has a zero tolerance policy when it comes to toxic conduct in comments. Any abusive, racist, sexist, threatening, bullying, vulgar, and otherwise objectionable behavior will result in moderation and/or account termination. Please keep your discussion civil.

Avatar image for SavoyPrime
SavoyPrime

41098

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 56

User Lists: 0

SavoyPrime

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

Upvote • 
Avatar image for advocacy
advocacy

585

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 4

User Lists: 0

advocacy

Costume Quest 2!

Upvote • 
Avatar image for shepowy
shepowy

26

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 12

User Lists: 0

Edited By 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.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for LpcWarrior
LpcWarrior

681

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 0

LpcWarrior

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. )

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Saketume
Saketume

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Saketume

@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.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for HailHellfire
HailHellfire

326

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 6

User Lists: 0

HailHellfire

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

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Hurvl
Hurvl

2224

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By 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.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for King9999
King9999

11837

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 44

User Lists: 0

Edited By King9999

Double Fine's VP has an awesome name!

Upvote • 
Avatar image for USAPATRIOT21
USAPATRIOT21

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

USAPATRIOT21

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

Upvote • 
Avatar image for DrRockso87
DrRockso87

2647

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 0

DrRockso87

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

2 • 
Avatar image for Toysoldier34
Toysoldier34

2384

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 6

User Lists: 0

Toysoldier34

@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.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for DrRockso87
DrRockso87

2647

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 0

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).

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Nezard
Nezard

35

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 0

Nezard

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

2 • 
Avatar image for Kyrylo
Kyrylo

1072

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 3

User Lists: 0

Edited By Kyrylo

I'd like Brutal Legend 2:D

Upvote • 
Avatar image for 2bitSmOkEy
2bitSmOkEy

2713

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 3

User Lists: 0

Edited By 2bitSmOkEy

Make another Grim Fandango pls


Edit: Or Psychonauts. <3

Upvote • 
Avatar image for DrRockso87
DrRockso87

2647

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 0

Edited By 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...

Upvote • 
Avatar image for deactivated-5e90a3763ea91
deactivated-5e90a3763ea91

9437

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 3

User Lists: 13

deactivated-5e90a3763ea91

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

4 • 
Avatar image for AzulSoul
AzulSoul

31

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

AzulSoul

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

Upvote •