Starbreeze Publishing will publish Psychonauts 2, the anticipated sequel currently in development at Double Fine Productions, in 2018, the company announced. Starbreeze will invest $8 million USD to bring the game to PC and other console platforms through digital distribution.
The company will be a “major investor” in the project, which has also been funded by Double Fine itself, as well as through a successful Fig campaign. Starbreeze will be able to recoup 100 percent of its full investment, including marketing costs, with an initial revenue share of 85 percent after distribution and platform fees, and Fig crowdfunding revenue share. Starbreeze share of revenues will become 60 percent after the investment is recouped.
Here’s an overview of the game:
Psychonauts 2 is a third-person action/adventure platformer where players control Razputin Aquato – a newly graduated Psychonaut with powerful psychic abilities – as he delves into the minds of others. The player will use Raz’s PSI powers, such as telekinesis, pyrokinesis, and levitation, in combination with Raz’s acrobatic platforming skills, to explore the mental worlds of the game’s eccentric characters.
The story of Psychonauts 2 picks up directly after the events of the first game, and the VR adventure Psychonauts in the Rhombus of Ruin, but players will not need to have played those games to follow the events of Psychonauts 2. In this new story, Raz arrives at Psychonaut headquarters, excited to finally become an official Psychonaut, but soon finds himself torn between the laws of the Psychonauts, his loyalty to his friends, and a secret mission that could undo everything for which he has fought so hard.
And here are comments from Starbreeze and Double Fine:
Bo Andersson-Klint, CEO of Starbreeze
“Many of us gamers who’ve grown up during 70’s and 80’s have at some point come across the great games from Double Fine and Tim Schafer. Games like Grim Fandango, Day of the Tentacle, Full Throttle, and Brutal Legend are all in the list of personal all time favorites for many of us. We’re very proud to be able to add this prominent collaboration to our Publishing business. Starbreeze is looking forward to support Double Fine in bringing the new and exciting game Psychonauts 2 to young and old gamers world wide”
Tim Schafer, President and CEO of Double Fine Productions
“Starbreeze is the perfect partner for Double Fine and our backers on Psychonauts 2. Their expertise in not just developing and publishing games, but supporting them after launch will be a great benefit for players of the game.”
Watch some new footage below.