Bus Driver (video game)

Bus Driver

Bus Driver Cover, Photo by Eric Gingras
Developer(s) SCS Software[1]
Publisher(s) SCS Software
Platform(s) Microsoft Windows, OS X, iOS
Release date(s) March 2007
Genre(s) Vehicle simulation/driving game
Mode(s) Single Player

Bus Driver is a game created by SCS Software using Prism3D engine. The game was completed in March 2007 and, at the time, with a full feature 1 hour demo.

Gameplay

The player selects a route from tiers (described below), and then after a short loading time, the player sees the selected bus either at a bus depot or terminal. After halting at the first stop, the bus must be driven along the correct route (indicated at intersections by orange arrows) whilst obeying all traffic rules and stopping at all bus stops. If the player fails to do so, points will be taken from their score. When the game begins, one tier of routes, which includes six buses, is available. In total, there are six tiers, thirty-six routes and thirteen buses (seventeen in Temsa Edition). In order to unlock the next tier, the player must drive at least four of the routes successfully. As the game progresses, routes become more tedious. The player will lose points if they disobey traffic laws, upset passengers (by braking too hard or causing accidents) or they depart from the bus stop too early, or even if they leave passengers waiting at a bus stop. Conversely, the player will gain points for obeying traffic laws and being punctual.[2]

Despite being a game set in the United States, many of the bus stop names are named after areas of London, including Debden, Collier Row, Feltham, Potters Bar and the terminus Westminster.

Buses

The game contains a variety of buses which are based on real life buses. As a game set in the United States, most of the buses are based on American designs, however, there are some which are based on European designs since the game was made in the Czech republic. The buses included are 3 MCI 102D3 (known as GNR-13 LE, including a jail variant which is known as GNR-13 Eco), a Ford B-Series school bus (known as Toucan), a MCI D4500 coach (known as Gryphon Birdie), 2 NovaBus RTS-06 (known as Niva WS-27 Cityroamer), 2 Setra S415HDH (known as Sista XT), 2 Renault Agora S (known as Remark EU) and a Volvo B7TL Wright Eclipse Gemini double decker (known as Velven 18).[3][4] The Temsa Edition included the Temsa Avenue, Temsa Tourmalin IC, Temsa Opalin, Temsa Safari HD and the Temsa Diamond.

Tiers

The initial game contains five tiers. An additional tier was added in Bus Driver Temsa Edition and in Bus Driver Gold Edition. Each tier contains six different routes. In order to unlock the next tier, the player must drive at least four of the routes successfully. As the game progresses, routes become longer and more monotonous.

Reception

Bus Driver was not designed as a bus simulator, however it is considered one. Reviewers have suggested that an inside view would improve the gameplay, however, the developers have stated that this is because the game was not designed to be an exact simulator.

Realism

The game is considered to contain a high level of realism including, street names, traffic signs, active traffic lights and varying weather conditions. The game also contains 'living roads' intelligently controlled by a sophisticated AI System. This means that the traffic conditions vary and you may have to predict what the traffic will do. The routes have been modelled to look like a realistic fictional American city. Including varying styles such as, modern, old town, residential suburbs, a local harbour and an airport. However, realism is nevertheless lacking in some aspects of the game such as the playing of other traffic and also there not being an interior to the buses.

Downloads

The official bus driver game website[5] used to offer an hour-long demo of the game, but at some point between 2007 and 2013, it was shortened to 30 minutes. As well as this, two bus driver themed wallpapers are available to download via the official website.

Updates

Temsa Edition (v1.1)

In 2008, SCS Software released a version featuring Temsa buses for promotional use.[6] The new features are:

Gold Edition (v1.5)

Sometime near 2010, SCS Software created a patch for the original Bus Driver (v1.0). The patch was entitled "Bus Driver Gold". There are several new features which was brought over from the Temsa Edition of the game though only the Temsa Avenue bus was brought over:

References

  1. ↑ Official Bus Driver Website
  2. ↑ David, Mike (2008-03-25). "Bus Driver Review - PC". GameZone. Retrieved 2008-06-16.
  3. ↑ http://www.busdrivergame.com/help/06_garage_01.html
  4. ↑ http://www.busdrivergame.com/help/07_garage_02.html
  5. ↑ Official Bus Driver Game Website www.busdrivergame.com
  6. ↑

External links

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