{
  "id": 5799548,
  "title": "Double Fine's first game post-Xbox split is a goofy bus driving sim all about slapping passengers who don't follow the rules and doing a good job",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/05/double-fines-first-game-post-xbox-split-is-a-goofy-bus-driving-sim",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-09-05T17:01:43.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Rock Paper Shotgun",
    "slug": "rock-paper-shotgun",
    "url": "https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/double-fines-first-game-post-xbox-split-is-a-goofy-bus-driving-sim-all-about-slapping-passengers-who-dont-follow-the-rules-and-doing-a-good-job"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Double Fine, formerly a subsidiary of Xbox, has released their first game since breaking ties with the console giant. The new title is \"Thank You Bus Driver,\" an amusing bus driving simulation. Players are tasked with driving passengers to their destinations while enforcing a set of quirky rules, such as prohibiting sleeping, toenail clipping, and emitting foul odors. Failure to adhere to these rules results in the player slapping the offending passenger. The game maintains a balance between adhering to the rules and reaching each stop within a time limit. New rules may be introduced randomly, adding an extra layer of challenge. With each successful trip, players earn \"thank yous,\" granting them more time to complete the next stop. Additionally, the game offers various collectibles for the dashboard, different town variations to explore, and more. The whimsical yet engaging nature of Thank You Bus Driver has generated positive reactions, and the game does not yet have a release date but can be added to a Steam wishlist.",
  "summary": "It's been a couple of months since Double Fine parted ways from Xbox, and they've been busy getting to work since that split. There's that game jam Kickstarter they recently launched that has Brutal Legend 2 as a stretch goal (just ignore the fact that stretch goal is $100 million). And now, the once again indie studio has announced their first game post-Xbox: Thank You Bus Driver, a very silly…",
  "key_points": [
    "\"Thank You Bus Driver\" is Double Fine's first game post-Xbox split",
    "Players drive passengers while enforcing quirky rules",
    "Slapping passengers for rule violations is core gameplay mechanic"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Polygon",
        "title": "Double Fine reveals its first post-Xbox game as Tim Schafer declares no one will shut the studio down but him",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/05/double-fine-reveals-its-first-post-xbox-game-as-tim-schafer-declares",
        "published": "2026-09-05T16:47:57.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}