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

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.

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.