Double Fine wins retail rights for Costume Quest and Stacking

Double Fine has won back the retail rights to its previously digital-only titles Costume Quest and Stacking.

The deal for publishing and distribution rights was struck between developer Double Fine and publisher Nordic Games, which acquired the rights from THQ during its bankruptcy auctions.

Along with a physical retail release for Costume Quest and Stacking, Double Fine is also going to issue another release of Psychonauts, which although once had a retail release before has been digital only for quite some time.

'I am pleased that we have regained full control over Costume Quest and Stacking, following a daring and top secret midnight raid on the Nordic Games headquarters,' said Double Fine head honcho Tim Schafer.

The retail releases will be issued for Windows and Mac platforms during the first half of 2014.

'Double Fine is dedicated to controlling its own IP and we will continue working to bring all associated rights back in-house wherever possible,' said Double Fine business development vice-president Justin Bailey.

Specific details of the deal between Double Fine and Nordic Games are unclear but Nordic Games managing director Klemens Kreuzer stated that the company wanted to support independent developers like Double Fine in taking control of their own distribution channels.

During THQ's bankruptcy auctions, Nordic Games also picked up the rights to the Darksiders and Red Faction franchises. It is allegedly considering arranging a third-party to develop sequels for these.

Double Fine's most recent venture, Spacebase DF-9 recently launched on Steam Early Access. The game started life as a prototype developed during the company's Amnesia Fortnight game jam and hit headlines by managing to recoup its $400,000 worth of investment in a single fortnight.