Double Fine Ships Thank You Bus Driver Weeks After Leaving Xbox

Double Fine isn't wasting any time as an independent studio. Only a few months after parting ways with former owner Xbox earlier this summer, the Psychonauts developer is about to put out its first game since going its own way.

That game is Thank You Bus Driver, a wacky driving sim that is due to launch in roughly two weeks. The quick turnaround suggests the project was well along in development before the split was finalized, giving the newly independent team something to ship right away instead of a long stretch of silence.

The timing matters for a studio with Double Fine's history. Founded by Tim Schafer, the developer spent years as a fiercely independent name, known for crowdfunding adventure games and building a loyal following, before Microsoft brought it into the Xbox family in 2019. Returning to independence puts it back in charge of its own release schedule, publishing decisions and creative direction.

Thank You Bus Driver fits the studio's reputation for quirky, personality-heavy games. A driving sim built around the everyday job of piloting a bus is an unusual pitch, and it leans into the offbeat humor that has long defined the developer's output.

For fans, the release is an early sign of how Double Fine plans to operate on its own. A fast, low-drama debut as an indie again would show the team can keep making games at pace without the backing of a platform holder. How the game is received, and where it ends up being sold, will be worth watching as the studio charts its next chapter.

With launch only a couple of weeks away, more details on platforms, pricing and features should surface soon.