Tim Schafer announces Double Fine’s first game after joining Xbox, asserting that only he can decide the studio’s fate.

Double Fine, having regained its independence from Xbox Game Studios in July, has announced its first game since the split: Thank You Bus Driver. Studio founder Tim Schafer recently shared that the team will continue to create unique and unconventional games like this one and Keeper, emphasizing that only he has the power to shut down Double Fine.

In August, the San Francisco studio introduced a new label called Double Fine Action Labs. Drawing inspiration from recent indie successes like Peak, this initiative will focus on smaller-scale projects that can be quickly developed and released. Thank You Bus Driver will be the inaugural title under this label, perfectly aligning with its mission.

Thank You Bus Driver offers a quirky twist on the transportation simulator genre, where players must manage the chaotic task of picking up and driving passengers while enforcing rules—complete with the option to slap rule-breakers. This kind of offbeat creativity seems unlikely to fit within the portfolio of Xbox Game Studios, making it a clear signal of the direction Double Fine is heading.

In addition to the announcement of Thank You Bus Driver, it’s been a significant week for Double Fine. Their Kickstarter campaign for the documentary and game jam Amnesia Fortnight 2026: Indie Reboot has already exceeded its funding goal. Backers are currently voting on which game pitches will be developed during the jam, with one of them set to become an official release. Some developers from Double Fine are also celebrating at PAX West this weekend, showcasing Thank You Bus Driver and selling merchandise.

Earlier this week, a port of Keeper was quietly released on PS5 during a State of Play event, marking Double Fine’s first launch since parting ways with Xbox. In a recent interview, Schafer made it clear that he has no intention of shutting down the studio, asserting that only he will make that decision.

“No one puts Double Fine out of business except for me. [Xbox CEO] Asha’s not going to shoot my dog. 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.”

As this new chapter for Double Fine unfolds, it promises to be an exciting journey. Currently, Thank You Bus Driver does not have a release date and is expected to launch exclusively on Windows PC.