Bus Driver (video game)

Infobox VG
title= Bus Driver


caption= Bus Driver Cover
developer= SCS Software
publisher= SCS Software
distributor= SCS Software
designer= SCS Software Artists
series=
engine=
picture format=
version= 1.00
released= March 2007
genre=Vehicle simulation game
modes=Single Player
ratings= 3+, E
platforms= Windows
media=
requirements= Windows:
*OS: Windows 98/ME/2000/XP/Vista
*CPU: 1.0+Ghz
*RAM: 256 MB+
*HDD: 300 MB
*Video: OpenGL 1.3 compatible 64MB AGP with hardware T&L
*Sound: DirectX compatible
input= Keyboard, Mouse and Joystick

"Bus Driver" is a game created by SCS Software using OpenGL. The game was completed in March 2007 and with a full feature 1 hour demo.

Realism

Bus Driver is a game based on real life road rules and laws and is extremely educational.

Gameplay

Players must first choose a route to drive. in buses such as a prison bus, school bus, double decker and coach. While choosing, a map of the city along with the route will appear. Above the map, it will show the bus' number (depending if it's a public bus or not) and the name of the place it goes to including a description of its route. In the bottom of the map, it shows what type of district the bus goes through, the weather and temperature. Then, he must drive the bus by using the arrow keys. The player then must stop at all stops to get to a final destination. Between stops, the player must signal to change lanes in order to avoid traffic and other obstacles. When the game begins, one tier of routes, which includes six buses, is available. In total, there are five tiers, thirty routes and twelve buses. In order to unlock the next tier, the player must drive at least half of the buses successfully. As the game progresses, routes become harder. The player will lose points if they disobey traffic laws or upset passengers (by breaking too hard or causing accidents). When driving a bus, in the bottom left screen it shows a map with bus stops, under that it shows the distance to the next stop. Next to that, it shows the time and next to the time, it shows the number of people in the bus and that are going to leave. In that same screen it shows how many people are sitting and/or standing and an either happy, medium, frowned,or angry face. Conversely, the player will gain points for obeying traffic laws and being punctual.cite web| url = http://pc.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r33992.htm| title= Bus Driver Review - PC | author = David, Mike| publisher = GameZone| date = 2008-03-25| accessdate = 2008-06-16]

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 said this is because the game was designed for players to simply drive buses, and not to be an exact simulator. The realism of this game is generally considered good. Players are shown moving traffic, street names, traffic signs, active traffic lights,and buildings that may include advertisements. The game also features different types of weather - the sky's condition such as black, grey, or cloudy. Players also see snow, rain, trees blowing in the wind, and lightning or the afternoon sun. When the passengers enter the bus, you don't see them moving you just see them disappearing inside and sitting or standing(if the bus is full). If the player crashes or "overbrakes", the player hears screams and the passengers become upset.

It is important to drive the bus carefully if it is raining or snowing in a route or even if there are standing passengers. When the bus you're driving stops at a bus stop, a small screen appears that says the name of the place you're in, the time you got there, the name of the place(s) you're going to pass by and your destination including the time you're expected to get there in.

However, on the routes in which you have to transport prisoners, there are no penalties for overbraking or driving on the wrong side, but you are still punished for collisions.

Bus routes

In the game there are a total of 30 routes. When the game starts, there is only 1 tier available with six buses in it. In total there are 5 tiers. The routes get harder one after the other in the same tier. Each route is of course different for a reason. Some may be because of the type of place the player must drive in (some routes may be in cities, mountains, old modern towns, suburbs and many more places), the weather,the time of day, and route length.

Downloads

On the official bus driver game site there is a 1 hour-long game demo. Also, other available downloads are two bus driver wallpapers.

References

External links

* [http://www.scssoft.com SCS Software website]
* [http://www.busdrivergame.com Bus Driver website]
* [http://www.cosmosgaming.com/articles.php?id=1170&articletype=review Bus Driver Review at Cosmos Gaming]
* [http://www.gameplasma.com/reviews.php?do=view&id=417 Bus Driver Review at GamePlasma]