Double Fine’s first game since leaving Xbox is a comedy bus-driving sim called Thank You Bus Driver
Double Fine Productions has announced its first game following its departure from Xbox Game Studios. The project, titled Thank You Bus Driver, is a comedy simulation game that subverts traditional driving sim expectations with absurdist humor and chaotic gameplay mechanics.
Players assume the role of a reckless bus driver tasked with the unconventional goal of reaching their next stop while earning appreciation from passengers—achieved through creative rule-breaking. The gameplay encourages chaotic approaches: driving fast through cornfields as shortcuts, slapping passengers, and tossing rule-breakers off the bus. Players can also pull up maps mid-turn or take unexpected routes across the landscape, prioritizing entertainment and experimentation over conventional traffic rules.
The game is currently listed as “coming soon” on Steam, indicating an initial PC release. The announcement represents a notable creative direction for Double Fine following its exit from Microsoft’s publishing structure, suggesting the studio is embracing indie sensibilities and experimental gameplay concepts that may have been less aligned with Xbox’s broader portfolio strategies.