Original title
Double Fine PsychOdyssey
Released
2/10/2023
Origin country
US
Genre
Documentary
Production companies
2 Player Productions
Status
Returning series
Number of seasons
1
Number of episodes
33
2 Player Productions and Double Fine Productions present Double Fine PsychOdyssey, an unprecedented documentary experience seven years in the making. Ten years after the release of their flagship video game Psychonauts, Double Fine Productions returns to its most celebrated franchise with Psychonauts 2. Now facing the pressure to produce a worthy sequel, the studio must confront overly ambitious designs, poor morale, technical challenges and financial woes, all during a turbulent span of time for the world. Double Fine PsychOdyssey is the direct continuation of the acclaimed series Double Fine Adventure, and offers even deeper insight into the passion, humor, and heartbreak of video game development.
2 Player Productions and Double Fine Productions present Double Fine PsychOdyssey, an unprecedented documentary experience seven years in the making. Ten years after the release of their flagship video game Psychonauts, Double Fine Productions returns to its most celebrated franchise with Psychonauts 2. Now facing the pressure to produce a worthy sequel, the studio must confront overly ambitious designs, poor morale, technical challenges and financial woes, all during a turbulent span of time for the world. Double Fine PsychOdyssey is the direct continuation of the acclaimed series Double Fine Adventure, and offers even deeper insight into the passion, humor, and heartbreak of video game development.
From the crew and studio behind ‘Double Fine Adventure’ comes a brand new feature length documentary diving into the fast-paced world of game design and the fresh challenges that come with turning ideas into reality. Double Fine Productions (known for Psychonauts, Broken Age, Brütal Legend and more!) regularly take a two week break to collect their thoughts but the work doesn’t entirely stop. In a process called “Amnesia Fortnight,” anyone and everyone at the studio can pitch a game concept. The goal: turn those ideas into working prototypes. In 2019, during their work in Psychonauts 2, Double Fine held another Amnesia Fortnight. The result? New projects embodying the studio’s ethos of comedic adventures and unique games.
Artist Michael Firman has long been a collaborator with Double Fine Productions. Michael has created stylish portraits of the team, graphic support for the Amnesia Fortnight documentaries, and the animated story recap at the start of Psychonauts 2. For the PsychOdyssey, Michael was contracted to produce an opening title animation that would subtly change to represent each episode and the passage of time in the studio. This supercut presents just a small highlight of his total work on the series alongside the scenes that inspired him. The featured music track is "Illusions" by series composer Orange Drink, found on the second volume of his expansive PsychOdyssey soundtrack release.
On the ten-year anniversary of Psychonauts, Double Fine veterans reflect back on the turbulent production. Tim decides it might be time to return to the Psychonauts universe...
The studio kicks off development of the Psychonauts VR game that will bridge the gap between the original Psychonauts and its sequel.
Rhombus of Ruin gets a pair of new project leads. Tim invites his most trusted artists to the studio to help brainstorm for Psychonauts 2.
The studio prepares to announce Psychonauts 2 on a new funding platform, creating both fresh opportunities and complications.
Psychonauts 2’s funding campaign is in full effect, but Double Fine finds itself confronting criticisms of previous projects in order to move forward.
Tim and new lead designer Zak lock themselves in a conference room for months, attempting to define the gameplay and story of Psychonauts 2.
It's a surprising day at the studio as a beloved team member shares personal news.
The Psychonauts 2 team staffs up with both veteran team members and new hires, while attempting to create a prototype of the game experience.
Double Fine hires a rookie designer and longtime studio fan to kick off development of a new game level.
James finds his footing with the team and Psychonauts 2's first mental landscape takes shape.
Despite the previous breakthrough, the team struggles to impress Tim, who pushes for even stronger concepts. Meanwhile, Amnesia Fortnight draws near.
It's time for Amnesia Fortnight, a two-week game jam meant to invigorate the studio.
Leaders and team members reflect on the highs and lows of the most recent Amnesia Fortnight.
Frustration from Amnesia Fortnight carries back over into Psychonauts 2 as the team struggles to see eye to eye on the execution of the newest level concept.
Tim celebrates his 50th birthday while publisher Starbreeze puts pressure on the team with an impending visit.
A new art director is hired to help smooth out the relationship between the art and design teams.
Tim's reception of a major award is made bittersweet by the departure of a founding Double Finer.
Following a major departure from the studio, the team is forced to examine their own processes or risk losing more vital team members.
A wave of new hires changes the team dynamics at Double Fine and generates fresh ideas for Psychonauts 2.
Asif is given the task of adapting his Amnesia Fortnight project into a full-fledged Psychonauts level.
With time and money running out, Zak struggles to find the path forward.
The team is shattered and reformed just as they face an uphill battle with delivering their first playable demo for the public.
Tim struggles to balance his new role as project leader amongst a team of strong personalities.
The team wraps up their playable demo and has a blast showing the game off to the public for the first time.
Tim steps up his involvement after some high profile exits from the studio, bringing major changes to the project.
Amnesia Fortnight returns, calming tensions within the studio as everyone takes a much-needed break from Psychonauts.
Issues with the expanding schedule come to a head as the studio attempts to reconcile with its past participation in crunch culture.
Fallout from the scheduling conflict results in more exits from the studio, but others continue to rise and fill leadership roles.
As pressure mounts to complete the game, a worldwide pandemic suddenly changes everything.
The team adjusts to working from home during the pandemic, pushing the release date out even further.
Intense political happenings, raging wildfires and general unrest cast a dark shadow over the studio as they struggle to finish Psychonauts 2.
The team pushes closer to Psychonauts 2’s release, fighting to remain true to Double Fine’s values.
Double Fine reflects on the launch of Psychonauts 2 and the PsychOdyssey documentary series while looking to the future and a return to smaller projects.
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