Double Fine has announced Thank You Bus Driver, its first game following its separation from Xbox in July. According to Polygon, the simulation puts players in the role of a bus driver tasked with transporting passengers to their destinations while enforcing conduct rules, including the ability to slap those who don't comply.
The reveal marks the studio's return to independence after seven years under Microsoft's ownership. As reported by GamesRadar, co-founder Tim Schafer declared in a Bloomberg interview that no one will shut down Double Fine except himself, reaffirming the studio's commitment to continuing development of creative and unconventional experiences.
Schafer also addressed criticism about games created during the Xbox period. According to Adrenaline, he stated that both Keeper and Kiln were developed with genuine commercial intent, rejecting claims that the studio deliberately worked to generate losses for the manufacturer. "I think people can say that Keeper is this kind of artistic game that no one expects to succeed," he said. "But for me, it's the kind of game that someone who doesn't usually play games can love."
Double Fine is also planning a Kickstarter campaign centered on game jams with ambitious stretch goals, including Brutal Legend 2.
