GoKawiilDouble Fine releases Thank You Bus Driver, its first game since leaving Xbox
Double Fine Productions has launched Thank You Bus Driver, a $5 chaotic driving game and the debut release from its new experimental label, Double Fine Action Labs. Players enforce increasingly absurd passenger rules while racing a bus against the clock, available on Steam, Epic Games Store, Itch.io, GOG, Humble Store, and Game Jolt. Separately, One More Level has released Valor Mortis, a $40 first-person Soulslike set during the Napoleonic Wars, starring a corrupted Napoleon voiced by Vincent Cassel, available on Steam, Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and Game Pass.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
Launching a small, low-priced experimental title so soon after departing Xbox suggests Double Fine may be testing a leaner, more independent production model going forward. One More Level's pivot from the fast-paced Ghostrunner series to a slower, narrative-driven Soulslike indicates studios are willing to diversify genres rather than stay tied to a signature style, which could reduce creative risk for them while giving players more varied options.
- Double Fine Action Labs debuts with Thank You Bus Driver, a $5 experimental game following the studio's Xbox exit.
- Valor Mortis from One More Level is a first-person Soulslike set in a corrupted Napoleonic War, featuring Vincent Cassel.
- Both games are available across multiple platforms, with Valor Mortis also included in Game Pass subscriptions.
Steam Deck OLED — Since Thank You Bus Driver is Steam Deck Verified, it's a perfect pick-up-and-play title for a handheld like the Steam Deck OLED. It's great for diving into quirky indie gems and chaotic short sessions like this one, letting you squeeze in a few bus routes anywhere you go.
See Steam Deck OLED on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: engadget.com — Kris Holt, 2026-10-17
Published there as: “Double Fine's first post-Xbox title, first-person Soulslikes and other new indie games worth checking out”
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