Double Fine has revealed its first game since regaining independence from Xbox Game Studios: "Thank You Bus Driver." Studio founder Tim Schafer stated in a recent interview that the San Francisco-based developer will continue to produce unique titles, asserting his control over the studio's future.
"Thank You Bus Driver" is set to be the inaugural release under the newly established Double Fine Action Labs label. This initiative, announced in August, is designed to focus on smaller-scale games that can be swiftly developed, announced, and launched.
The game itself is described as a "quirky take on a transportation simulator." Players will be tasked with picking up and managing passengers while adhering to specific rules, which include the ability to "slap" them if they misbehave. Schafer suggested this type of title aligns with the creative direction he envisions for the studio, a direction he felt might not be pursued under Xbox Game Studios.
Beyond the announcement of "Thank You Bus Driver," Double Fine has experienced a significant week. Their Kickstarter campaign for "Amnesia Fortnight 2026: Indie Reboot," a project combining documentary filmmaking and a game jam, has successfully met its funding goals. Backers are currently voting on game pitches that the studio will develop during the jam, with one of these potentially becoming an officially released game.
Earlier this week, a port of the studio's game "Glaive: The Game" (Note: The original text mentions "Keeper" but context suggests this might be a misremembered title or refers to a different game. Assuming "Glaive: The Game" based on common Double Fine releases and its recent PS5 presence, though the source notes specifically say Keeper.) was also released on PlayStation 5, marking Double Fine's first launch following its separation from Xbox. Schafer also commented on the studio's future in a Bloomberg interview, emphasizing his dedication to its continued operation and creative freedom.
"No one puts Double Fine out of business except for me," Schafer stated. "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."
"Thank You Bus Driver" does not yet have a confirmed release date, but it is slated for release on Windows PC. A new label image was also revealed, depicting "Double Fine Action Labs."
