Double Fine has announced its latest game, Thank You Bus Driver, a chaotic bus-driving simulation that will launch on October 14. This release comes just months after the studio regained its independence following a split from former owner Xbox.
Thank You Bus Driver is described as a black-and-white driving game where players assume the role of a town's bus driver. The objective is to complete daily routes while adhering to rules and maximizing passenger gratitude. The game will be available on Steam, GOG, and Itch.io.
Adding a signature Double Fine twist, players will need to enforce rules, which includes using a freakishly long arm to slap passengers who misbehave. The game also incorporates elements reminiscent of Paper, Please.
This release also signifies Double Fine's first game as an independent studio since Xbox's corporate restructuring, which led to the spin-off of several first-party studios and widespread layoffs. Double Fine itself reduced its workforce by a quarter following the separation from Microsoft.
Thank You Bus Driver will be released under Double Fine Action Labs, a new label intended for smaller, experimental games that can be developed and released more rapidly. The studio's new Amnesia Fortnight Kickstarter campaign is also expected to contribute another title to this label.
Studio founder Tim Schafer stated there was no animosity between Xbox and Double Fine. He expressed support for Game Pass, believing it could encourage players to try the kind of unique games Double Fine produces. Regarding the fragility of the games industry and job losses, Schafer commented that while people are playing games and companies are making money, he was unsure of the cause, suggesting "someone is being greedy somewhere."