The Bus Driver Simulator Launches in Early Access

Today marks the Early Access release of The Bus, a city bus simulator developed by German team at TML-Studios that will offer a virtual version of Berlin recreated in 1:1 scale.

The game will be available for purchase on Steam. The devs expect that the title will spend about 8-16 months in Early Access.

Early Access development will be divided into three phases. The first of them, marked with the number 1.0, will start with the release on Steam's Early Access. The version available for purchase today will offer the TXL bus line with different routes and a free gameplay mode. We will be able to drive two variants of buses (articulated and solo) and enjoy such mechanics as ticket sales or passenger transport with getting on and off.

In phase 2.0, we'll get modding tools, including a route editor, support for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One controllers, and free-to-play multiplayer. Lines 100 and 200 will be added to the game with different routes and two new varieties of vehicles. AI-controlled buses will be added to the streets, and virtual Berlin will feature a meticulously recreated depot on Indira-Gandhi Street with connections to all bus lines.

Phase 3.0 of Early Access will expand the gameplay with economic elements. We will be able to estaablish our own bus company, hire employees and buy vehicles. Players will have to take care of the technical condition of their fleet, earn money on ticket sales and properly balance investments with income. The economic mode will offer solo or multiplayer gameplay. In addition, we'll get Line 245 with different routes, trams controlled by artificial intelligence, audio effects in the form of stop announcements and passenger conversations, and a transport hub, i.e. an area for free movement between Berlin Central Station and Potsdamer Platz, along with the Tiergarten tunnel. In addition, there will be a tutorial.

1. The Bus in Steam's Early Access
2. The Bus - official website

Before deciding to buy the game, it is worth getting acquainted with its system requirements. However, the devs point out that the provided spacs are only for the Early Access version of The Bus, so they may change in the future.

The Bus PC - minimum system requirements

1. Processor: Intel Core i5 4460
2. RAM: 8 GB
3. Graphics Card: Nvidia Geforce GTX 950 or Radeon R9 280
4. DirectX version: 11
5. Disk space: 25 GB
6. Operating System: Windows 7 / 8 / 10 64-bit

The Bus PC - recommended system requirements

1. Processor: Intel Core i7 9700K
2. RAM: 16 GB
3. Graphics Card: Nvidia Geforce RTX 2060 or Radeon RX 5600XT
4. DirectX version: 12
5. Disk space: 25 GB (SSD recommended)
6. Operating system: Windows 10 64-bit