Double Fine's releasing its next game, Thank You Bus Driver, just months after splitting from Xbox

Thank You Bus Driver is a black-and-white comedy simulation where players take on the role of a bus driver trying to navigate a town. The goal is to deliver passengers to their destinations within a time limit while maintaining order and collecting gratitude. In a signature Double Fine twist, players will also act as enforcers, using freakishly long arms to slap unruly passengers to keep the peace.

This release marks Double Fine's first game since regaining its independence following Xbox's corporate restructuring. As part of the studio's new direction, they are launching Double Fine Action Labs, a label dedicated to producing "weird, little games" that can be completed much faster than traditional projects. Another entrant in this format is expected to emerge from the upcoming Amnesia Fortnight Kickstarter campaign.

Founder Tim Schafer recently stated that there is no ill will between the studio and Xbox. He expressed support for the Game Pass subscription service, noting that it helps players discover experimental games that might be a harder sell in physical retail. However, Schafer remained uncertain about the recent wave of industry layoffs, suggesting that such job losses occur despite the fact that people are playing games and making money.

The game will be available on Steam, GOG, and Itch.io.