Double Fine PsychOdyssey Season 1, Episode 14: Surface Tension

1

The Color of the Sky in Your World

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...

43 min

2

Not in the Cards

The studio kicks off development of the Psychonauts VR game that will bridge the gap between the original Psychonauts and its sequel.

35 min

3

Awesome Toybox

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.

30 min

4

Bringing Back Psychonauts

The studio prepares to announce Psychonauts 2 on a new funding platform, creating both fresh opportunities and complications.

20 min

5

You’re Public Now

Psychonauts 2’s funding campaign is in full effect, but Double Fine finds itself confronting criticisms of previous projects in order to move forward.

24 min

6

Creative Promises

Tim and new lead designer Zak lock themselves in a conference room for months, attempting to define the gameplay and story of Psychonauts 2.

35 min

7

We’ll Know Where It Is

It's a surprising day at the studio as a beloved team member shares personal news.

35 min

8

A Couple Years of a Lot of Work

The Psychonauts 2 team staffs up with both veteran team members and new hires, while attempting to create a prototype of the game experience.

48 min

9

One Shot

Double Fine hires a rookie designer and longtime studio fan to kick off development of a new game level.

51 min

10

Bittersweet Gravity

James finds his footing with the team and Psychonauts 2's first mental landscape takes shape.

36 min

11

Not Doing the Typical

Despite the previous breakthrough, the team struggles to impress Tim, who pushes for even stronger concepts. Meanwhile, Amnesia Fortnight draws near.

38 min

12

Amnesia Fortnight

It's time for Amnesia Fortnight, a two-week game jam meant to invigorate the studio.

64 min

13

I Made a Game

Leaders and team members reflect on the highs and lows of the most recent Amnesia Fortnight.

25 min

14

Surface Tension

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.

37 min

15

Hard to Get Old

Tim celebrates his 50th birthday while publisher Starbreeze puts pressure on the team with an impending visit.

44 min

16

Written into a Corner

A new art director is hired to help smooth out the relationship between the art and design teams.

39 min

17

The Heart of Double Fine

Tim's reception of a major award is made bittersweet by the departure of a founding Double Finer.

36 min

18

What Good Looks Like

Following a major departure from the studio, the team is forced to examine their own processes or risk losing more vital team members.

40 min

19

I Want More of That

A wave of new hires changes the team dynamics at Double Fine and generates fresh ideas for Psychonauts 2.

40 min

20

Brainstormed Out

Asif is given the task of adapting his Amnesia Fortnight project into a full-fledged Psychonauts level.

28 min

21

Much More Drastic Things

With time and money running out, Zak struggles to find the path forward.

62 min

22

Quite an Adventure

The team is shattered and reformed just as they face an uphill battle with delivering their first playable demo for the public.

37 min

23

Always be Closing

Tim struggles to balance his new role as project leader amongst a team of strong personalities.

36 min

24

Best Teeth

The team wraps up their playable demo and has a blast showing the game off to the public for the first time.

26 min

25

A Different Beast

Tim steps up his involvement after some high profile exits from the studio, bringing major changes to the project.

48 min

26

The Amnesia Fortnight Movie

Amnesia Fortnight returns, calming tensions within the studio as everyone takes a much-needed break from Psychonauts.

111 min

27

Villians of Crunch Mode

Issues with the expanding schedule come to a head as the studio attempts to reconcile with its past participation in crunch culture.

64 min

28

You Have a Resume?

Fallout from the scheduling conflict results in more exits from the studio, but others continue to rise and fill leadership roles.

42 min

29

It’s Looking Grim

As pressure mounts to complete the game, a worldwide pandemic suddenly changes everything.

24 min

30

Time Away

The team adjusts to working from home during the pandemic, pushing the release date out even further.

29 min

31

Making the Best of It

Intense political happenings, raging wildfires and general unrest cast a dark shadow over the studio as they struggle to finish Psychonauts 2.

27 min

32

The Journey They’ve Been On

The team pushes closer to Psychonauts 2’s release, fighting to remain true to Double Fine’s values.

97 min

33

We Wrote It Down

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.

94 min