Double Fine has unveiled its first game since parting ways with Xbox: Thank You Bus Driver, a humorous job simulator that puts players in the role of a bus driver tasked with ensuring passengers adhere to a set of peculiar rules. The game challenges players to ferry passengers to their destinations while simultaneously monitoring for infractions such as sleeping, clipping toenails, or generally being unpleasant.
The core gameplay loop involves balancing the need to reach stops within a time limit against the necessity of enforcing rules. Players must use their rearview mirror to observe passengers, but turning to administer a slap—the game's method of rule enforcement—risks veering into oncoming traffic. This creates a tension between prompt service and maintaining order onboard.
Adding to the challenge, new rules can be introduced at random, requiring constant vigilance. Successful rule enforcement yields more "thank yous" from passengers, which in turn grant the player more time for subsequent legs of the journey. Players can also earn dashboard trinkets and unlock different town environments to explore.
Thank You Bus Driver does not yet have a release date but is available to wishlist on Steam. The announcement comes as studio head Tim Schafer recently discussed Double Fine's split from Xbox with Bloomberg, describing the studio's determination to remain independent.
"No one puts Double Fine out of business except for me," Schafer stated, reflecting on the period of uncertainty following the separation from Microsoft. "I’m going to shoot it. But I’m not going to shoot it because it’s going to do great. A lot of people want to walk the dog."