Starbreeze invest $8m into Double Fine’s Psychonauts 2

Starbreeze have put $8m into Psychonauts 2, making the Swedish company the biggest stakeholder in the forthcoming sequel to the cult classic Psychonauts.

Double Fine took to crowdfunding service Fig and raised nearly $4m in January 2015 to produce the keenly awaited sequel to the brain-bending platformer. Those backing the game via Fig are going to have their revenue share paid out before Starbreeze can recoup their investment.

Once the distribution fees, platform costs and revenue shares for the Fig backers have been sorted out, Starbreeze will be entitled to 85% of the revenue generated by Psychonauts 2 until they recoup their investment, although once they’ve recovered their initial investment, their share will drop to 60% of the revenue.

Bo Andersson-Klint, Starbreeze’s CEO, said in a statement: "We’re very proud to be able to add this prominent collaboration to our publishing business," before referencing several of Tim Schafer’s work in the industry.

"Starbreeze is the perfect partner for Double Fine and our backers on Psychonauts 2," Double Fine’s Tim Schafer added beneath "Their expertise in not just developing and publishing games, but supporting them after launch will be a great benefit for players of the game."

Double Fine will retain their ownership of the IP in the deal. Psychonauts 2 is planned for 2018.