Bus-Simulator 16 - FAQ

Content:

Technical Questions/Purchase/Installation
Help during the game
Controls
Mods

1. Technical Questions/Purchase/Installation

My game loads very slowly. What can I do?

Players with weaker hardware configurations should expect longer loading times, sometimes lasting several minutes. We are working on optimizing this issue, and have for example already split the loading of the city in order to enable faster access to your company management options.

My game stutters. What can I do?

Lower hardware configurations can lead to sporadic stuttering in the game. If your game often stutters or experiences breaks in the frame rate, then you should set the graphics settings to lower values. Some options reduce the burden on specific hardware elements more than on others. We have created the following table to give you a good overview.

Please find an example of how to use this table below:

You notice stuttering in the game. The weakest hardware component in your game is your graphics card. This suggests that you should deactivate the bus mirror update option and decrease the first person FOV before lowering the quality level or the resolution of your game.

I have a laptop with a good graphics card, but the game only works when I set the quality level to the lowest setting. What can I do?

The game is likely accessing your on board graphics card. Force it to use the nVidia graphics chip instead. Here is a guide that will explain how to do this: » click

What kind of computer do I need to be able to play Bus Simulator 16?

Your PC must fulfill the following minimum system requirements in order for you to play the game:
- Windows 7/8/10 64-bit
- Processor: Intel Core i3 with 3.3 GHz / AMD Phenom II X4 960T with 3.0 GHz or a comparable processor
- RAM: 4 GB
- Graphics card: GeForce GTX 470 (1 GB VRAM) or a comparable graphics card
- DirectX 9
- Hard drive: 4.5 GB free hard drive space
We recommend the following configuration:
- Windows 7/8/10 64-bit
- Processor: Intel Core i5 with 3.4 GHz / AMD FX-8320E with 3.2 GHz or a comparable processor
- RAM: 8 GB
- Graphics card: GeForce GTX 660 (2 GB VRAM) or a comparable graphics card
- DirectX 9
- Hard drive: 4.5 GB free hard drive space

Can I also play the game on a Mac?

Yes, and your Mac must fulfill the following minimum system requirements in order for you to play the game:

Folgende Minimal-Voraussetzungen muss Dein Mac erfüllen:
- OS: Mac OS X 10.10
- Processor: Core i5 or a comparable processor
- RAM: 8 GB
- Graphics card: Intel Iris Pro 5200 or a comparable graphics card
- Hard drive: 4.5 GB free hard drive space
We recommend the following configuration:
- OS: Mac OS X 10.10
- Processor: Core i7 or a comparable processor
- RAM: 16 GB
- Graphics card: AMD Radeon R9 M395X (4 GB VRAM) or a comparable graphics card
- Hard drive: 4.5 GB free hard drive space

In which languages can I play the game?

Upon release, the game supports the following languages: German, English (US), French, Italian, Spanish, Czech, Dutch, Hungarian, Japanese, Polish, Portuguese (Brazil), Russian, Turkish

I have a 32-bit system. Can I play the game?

Unfortunately not. Bus Simulator 16 is optimized for 64-bit systems.

Are there any other requirements needed to play the game?

The game installation process requires that you access Steam once in order to activate your key. After that, you can start Steam in offline-mode and play Bus Simulator 16 without an internet connection. However, you will need an internet connection to use multiplayer mode and to have your achievements logged in the leaderboards.

How do I install the game from my DVD?

This product requires your acceptance of the Steam Subscriber Agreement (SSA). You have to activate the product online by registering for a Steam account and agreeing to the SSA. Installation requires an internet connection for authentication, as well as the Steam client (included with the game DVD).

Installation on your PC

Please make sure your computer is connected to the internet before you begin installing Bus Simulator 16. Place the DVD in the DVD drive of your computer. During the installation process, your disk will be verified one time online, and an activation file that asks for a product code will be downloaded. You can find this code on the reverse side of your handbook or in the sale confirmation email from your online sales portal.

After you place the DVD in the drive, a window will appear on the screen. Follow the instructions to install the game and choose the location where you would like the game to be installed. If the program does not start automatically, double click on the My Computer icon on your Windows Desktop. Then double click on the symbol for the disk drive to open the disk drive window, and then click on the installation file “setup.exe.”

Installation on your Mac

In order to play Bus Simulator 16 on your Mac system, you will require a Steam account. If you do not have a Steam account, you can set one up for free. The STEAM® client is included with the game. Please follow the steps to install Steam and set up a Steam account.

In order to activate your game via Steam, do the following:
1. Open Steam and sign in with your account.
2. Click on the tab “games” and then on the subheading “Activate a product on Steam…”
3. Follow the product activation steps and enter your product key at the end.
Then Bus Simulator 16 will automatically be downloaded and installed.

I bought a product key online – what now?

Now you will need a Steam client, which is available for download directly from the Steam website: http://store.steampowered.com/about/

Double click on the downloaded file to install the client and set up a Steam account. You will have to accept the terms of the Steam Subscriber Agreement (SSA).

Now log into the Steam client with your account with your password.

In order to activate your game in Steam, please do the following:
1. Open Steam and log into your account.
2. Click on the heading “Games” and then the subheading “Activate a Product in Steam…”
3. Follow the steps to activate the product and enter your product key at the end.
4. Afterwards, Bus Simulator 16 will automatically be downloaded and installed.

How do I uninstall the game?

Open your Steam client and select the library. Right clicking on the entry for Bus Simulator 16 in your Steam library will open a menu. Now click on “Delete Local Data” and confirm the action to delete the game from your hard drive.

My computer fulfills all of the minimum system requirements, and I was able to install the game, but it does not start. What can I do?

Please update all of your drivers and install any available Windows updates.

I require technical support. Is this available?

You can contact our technical support at helpdesk@astragon.de.

Where can I find digital game manuals?

Open your Steam client and switch to your library. Right-clicking on the entry for Bus Simulator 16 will open a menu. Click on “Show Manual” to open the handbook for Bus Simulator 16.

Does Bus Simulator 16 support gamepads and steering wheels, and if so, which ones?

Bus Simulator 16 is optimized for Logitech Wheels, but supports a large number of steering wheels additionally, such as:
- Logitech: G27, G29, Driving Force GT
- Saitek: Farming Simulator Controller
- Hama: Racing Wheel "Thunder V18"
- Speedlink: Drift o.z. Racing Wheel, Darfire Raceing Wheel
- XBOX 360 Controller
- XBOX One Controller

Does Bus Simulator 16 support the force feedback functions of my sterring wheel?

Bus Simulator 16 has been optimized for steering wheels, which support XInput interface. If your steering wheel supports XInput, you can enjoy all force feedback functions of your steering wheel. If not, you can of course play the Bus Simulator 16 without any problems.

At the moment we are testing diverse steering wheels and will publish our conclusions and recommendations for optimizing your steering wheel for the Bus Simulato 16 in a sticky post on steam on a regulary base.

How do I get to know, if my steering wheel supports XInput?

We recommend to ask the producer of your steering wheel, if it supports XInput or not.

Do I have to be online all the time in order to play?

No, you only have to be online once during installation in order to activate your key. Afterwards, you can also start Steam at any time in offline-mode and play Bus Simulator 16.

Do your track user data and what are you doing with it?

Of course we treat your data responsible. Please find additional information in our privacy policy.

2. Help during the game

What exactly do I have to do in the game?

The game focuses on the operation of various buses. Gameplay will involve mastering the vehicle controls, obeying traffic rules, and reacting to exceptional situations as best possible: waiting for passengers who arrive too late at the bus stop, opening jammed doors in the bus, and driving detours around construction areas and traffic jams to avoid delays. The comprehensive management section will allow you, among other things, to create your own route network, coordinate bus lines, and provide for the efficient planning of routes for hired drivers. Furthermore, you will have the opportunity to make changes to your motor pool, i.e. buy, sell, and customize your buses with paint and decals.

Can I set up multiple profiles?

Immediately after starting the game, you can choose to load an existing company or create a new one. There is no limit to the number of active companies you can run at one time.

What are the initial steps I need to take in the game?

You can name your new company in the start menu and decide whether you want to run your company under realistic conditions, including the risk of bankruptcy, or if you would rather focus on driving and not deal with the financial issues.

We recommend that you play the tutorial when you start Bus Simulator 16 for the first time. This will give you an overview of the game controls as well as the usual responsibilities of a bus driver. In addition to getting to know your new workplace, the beautiful city of Sunny Springs, you will also receive a number of useful tips and tricks.

In Bus Simulator 16, you will have a number of opportunities to earn money and expand your motor pool. The most important thing is the completion of missions, which will be shown in your overview map. Your tutor Ben will always be available to help you out and explain the mission requirements.

In your first mission, you will learn the basics of running a successful bus company and discover the possibilities that Bus Simulator 16 offers.
- Drive on the existing route
  
  You have to drive every route that you create with the aid of the route editor in order to activate it and allow other drivers in your company to drive it for you. At the beginning of the game, you have to drive the existing routes once. Right click on the route in the route editor and then click on drive. Now you can choose between starting with your first bus from the depot or the quick start option, which will immediately put you at your first bus stop with the engine running. Drive all of your routes, just as you learned in the tutorial, and get your passengers to their destinations safely in order to complete your first task.
- Paint your bus
  
  Switch to your bus depot (the bus icon in the menu) and click on “customize.” In the menu that opens, you can paint your bus and place decals. As you increase your level, you will have access to additional colors, decals, and even advertising banners, which will noticeably increase your weekly income.
- Expand the existing route by adding additional stops and then driving the route
  
  In order to complete this task, click on the pen beside your first route in the route editor. Now you can work on the route. To add stops, just click on the corresponding stop on the map, and it will automatically be added to your route. To change the order of the stops, just click on a stop in the list and drag and drop it into the desired position. You will notice that the route editor automatically adjusts bus routes. When you are happy with your route, click on Finished and then drive the route.
- Customize your bus with decals
  
  In order to complete this task, go to the bus menu, click on a bus, and click on customize. When the design menu opens, click on decals. Now choose a shape and a color and then click on the spot on your bus where you want to place it.
Congratulations! You have mastered the first mission. As a reward, you get your second bus and access to the residential area.

Is there a tutorial?

We recommend that you play the tutorial when you start Bus Simulator 16 for the first time. You will be asked if you would like to play the tutorial immediately after the creation of a new company. This will give you an overview of the game controls as well as the usual responsibilities of a bus driver. In addition to getting to know your new workplace, the beautiful city of Sunny Springs, you will also receive a number of useful tips and tricks.

How do I save my game progress?

Your game progress will be automatically saved after each completed trip and every action in the management menu.

How do I create routes?

Switch to the city map screen and click on create route. Now click on the stops you want to add on the city map. Keep in mind that this route needs at least three stops. As soon as you click on save, you will be given the opportunity to drive the route in order to activate it. You have to drive a route at least once in order to add it to your active route network. You can assign a driver to an active route with the +- keys. Keep in mind that the better your results, the more money your driver will collect. It pays to drive the route several times in order to improve your results.

How do I change routes?

Switch to the city map screen. You can now adjust a route by clicking on it and then on the pen. You can now add stops by clicking on the map or remove them from the route. You can also change the order of stops by dragging and dropping them in the list. You can also click on the name of the route in order to change it to suit your taste. Keep in mind that as soon as you change a route, you have to drive it at least once in order to restore it to the active route network.

How do I activate routes?

When you create a new route or edit an existing one, you have to drive it at least once in order to add it to your active route network. You can assign a driver to an active route with the +- keys. Keep in mind that the better your results, the more money your driver will collect. It pays to drive the route several times in order to improve your results.

How do I buy and sell buses?

Switch to bus menu. Here you will have an overview of your own buses and can tweak them visually or sell them. Clicking on the “dealer” tab will take you to the bus shop. Here you will find all of the buses that you have unlocked thus far for sale.

What is the maximum number of buses I can own?

There is no upper limit to the number of buses you can own.

How can I tweak the appearance of my buses?

Yes, you can.

Switch to the bus menu and click the “Customize” button for one of your buses. Now the customizing menu will open. Here you can change the color of your buses and decorate them with decals. As your reputation level rises, you will have access to new colors, decals, and advertising banners. Using advertising on your buses will earn you significantly more money per week. Note: You have numerous slots for decals and advertisements, so you can have more than one decoration on your bus. Additionally, you can apply a single design to every bus from the same type.

How do I hire workers?

Switch to the employee menu and click on the “Applications” tab. You will now see a list of all available applicants who can be hired by clicking on them.

How do I assign my routes to my hired drivers?

Switch to the city map screen. Beside an active route you will see a +- sign. Click on this and choose the employee who you want to drive the route from now on. Keep in mind that the driver will also need a free bus in order to drive the route.

What are missions?

Missions are offered regularly after you have achieved a given level of game progress. They appear as windows in your city overview, and will be explained by your tutor, Ben. In these cases, you will have to complete various tasks that may also require you to make adjustments in the management of your bus company. Fulfill these tasks and you will receive very attractive rewards such as new bus models or access to new city sectors.

What are challenges?

After you achieve reputation level 12, you will be offered random challenges. These will appear in the route menu, and promise heaps of money. The tasks themselves can be very diverse:
- Improve your reputation rating on one route
- Increase your advertising revenue with banners on your buses
- Increase the number of drivers in your pay
- Buy two modern buses

What are fun missions?

There are two fun missions hidden in the game that will allow the opportunity you to use your bus in a completely different way. Can you find them? And will you be able to master them?

How do I unlock additional city sectors and buses?

Complete missions in order to unlock new city sectors. In order to unlock additional bus models, you will have to earn reputation points while driving your routes and raise your reputation level.

What sort of leaderboards are there, and where can I see them?

In the following leaderboards, you can compare yourself to other players:
- Richest Player (singleplayer mode):
  Earn the most money with your company in order to climb to the top.
- Richest Player (multiplayer mode)
  Start a public company, invite your friends, and work together to lead your company to the top.
- Best Start-ups (singleplayer mode)
  Earn the most reputation points within a month with your company to reach the top position.
- Best Start-ups (multiplayer mode)
  Start a public company, invite your friends, and work together to earn the most reputation points within a month. Top Earner (both modes)
- Top Earner (both modes)
  Earn the most money on your routes within a two-week period.

How do I earn money in the game?

In Bus Simulator 16, you will have a number of opportunities to earn money:
- Create routes and drive them. Because your passengers buy tickets, you will generate income with every trip. To avoid having to make hundreds of journeys in order to unlock the next bus, the results of each completed journey will be applied to an entire workweek.
- Hire workers and assign them to drive your active routes. Their earnings from each completed journey will automatically be added to your weekly total. Keep in mind that the earnings of hired drivers will be calculated based upon your own best trip on a given route. If your results were negative, then your employees will not bring in any revenue. It is recommended that you drive a given route yourself and earn a profit at least once, and consider driving it several times in order to improve your results. This will in turn increase the revenue generated by employees assigned to the route.
- With time, your employees will gain experience and produce better results. Tip: In order for this to happen, however, they must of course be assigned to active routes.
- Add advertising banners to all of your buses. You can find these by going to your motor pool and clicking the “Customize” button. Tip: You will constantly unlock new advertising banners and spaces in the course of the game, so it pays to regularly add new decals to your buses.

Does it make sense to drive routes several times?

Absolutely, as the results attained by your employees are based on your most successful trip on a given route. If you improve your own record, your drivers will deliver better results as well. Tip: Make your route public. It is possible for another driver to improve your results on a given route...

How do I gain the most possible reputation points?

To put it simply, make your passengers as comfortable as possible and get them to their destinations on time. This includes, for example, activating kneeling before opening the doors at a stop, or using your turn signal before pulling out into moving traffic. Attend to and fulfill the various wishes of your passengers as quickly as possible and stick to your schedule, and you will have a good chance of getting a 5-star rating for a given trip. But keep in mind that although your passengers want you to get them to their destinations on time, they will not like it if you barrel down the road at high speeds in the process.

3. Controls

How do I change the controls?

You can always press the Escape button to reach the main menu. Now click on the options menu and then on the “Controls” tab. In this menu, you can change your input device or the key assignment.

How do I use the cockpit elements with the mouse?

By pressing and holding the right mouse button in the game, you can freeze the camera position and access a mouse pointer. Interactive panels will also be displayed. If you move the mouse pointer over these panels, you will see tooltips informing you about the function of each interactive panel. This will help you maintain an overview of available functions, even in scenes such as the cockpit where many functions are shown.

How do I get into my bus?

Stand right in front of the front door of your bus and hold down the right mouse button. If you stand close enough, you will be able to press the button to the left of the door and open the door.

How do I leave the driver’s seat?

Press C or hold the right mouse button and use the left mouse button to click to the right, beside the driver’s cabin.

How can I increase the size of my rear-view mirror view?

Press F1 or hold the right mouse button and click on the rear view mirror with the left mouse button.

How do I get to cashier view?

Press CTRL or use your mouse wheel to zoom into the cockpit. Now hold the right mouse button and click on the ticket machine.

How do I use the ramp

In your MAN and bendy busses you have a button on your dashboard. The smaller and cheaper busses have a button on the outside of the bus next to the ramp, which you have to push.

4. Mods

What all can I mod in the game?

In Bus Simulator 16, you can change buses and landscapes to suit your own taste. You can also acquire new user-created vehicles and 3D objects from the Steam Workshop and integrate them into your game. Additionally, we have created four modding videos that should ease your entry into professional modding. To this end, you can find a texture package with all of the textures in the game on your DVD or in the Steam Community Hub. Have fun building your own Sunny Springs!

Additionally we offer you the possibility to integrate your own musics into the game.

Are any instructions for modding available?

We have made a number of diverse tools and instructions available in the Steam Workshop. These should make your entry to the world of modding easier.

Modding Tutorials and Texture Pack

We have created four video tutorials for enthusiastic tinkerers. These are available through the Steam Workshop. You can find them on the description pages of the 4 mods provided by astragon Entertainment:
Furthermore, we have made all of the textures present in the city available in a texture pack included on the DVD.

http://steamcommunity.com/app/324310/workshop/

Modding Documentation

You can also find modding documentation from stillalive studios with an example mod in your installation directory: Steam\steamapps\common\Bus Simulator 16\Modding\

Where can I download the texture pack and the modding documentation?

Both can be found in the Steam Workshop for Bus Simulator: Steam-Workshop

How to integrate your own music in the game

To be able to integrate your own music into the Bus Simulator 16 please open the Steam workshop and subscribe to "your_own_music" mod. This will download and install the mod on your computer. In the next step please start your game and activate the mod in the modding section of the start menu. Afterwards you only have to copy your music into the folder
\Steam\steamapps\workshop\content\324310\632734470\your_own_music\your_music\.
Now you can play your own music by activating the radio at your ride.

Bus-Simulator 16 - FAQ

Content:

1. Technical Questions/Purchase/Installation

My game loads very slowly. What can I do?

My game stutters. What can I do?

I have a laptop with a good graphics card, but the game only works when I set the quality level to the lowest setting. What can I do?

What kind of computer do I need to be able to play Bus Simulator 16?

Can I also play the game on a Mac?

In which languages can I play the game?

I have a 32-bit system. Can I play the game?

Are there any other requirements needed to play the game?

How do I install the game from my DVD?

Installation on your PC

Installation on your Mac

I bought a product key online – what now?

How do I uninstall the game?

My computer fulfills all of the minimum system requirements, and I was able to install the game, but it does not start. What can I do?

I require technical support. Is this available?

Where can I find digital game manuals?

Does Bus Simulator 16 support gamepads and steering wheels, and if so, which ones?

Does Bus Simulator 16 support the force feedback functions of my sterring wheel?

How do I get to know, if my steering wheel supports XInput?

Do I have to be online all the time in order to play?

Do your track user data and what are you doing with it?

2. Help during the game

What exactly do I have to do in the game?

Can I set up multiple profiles?

What are the initial steps I need to take in the game?

Drive on the existing route

Paint your bus

Expand the existing route by adding additional stops and then driving the route

Customize your bus with decals

Is there a tutorial?

How do I save my game progress?

How do I create routes?

How do I change routes?

How do I activate routes?

How do I buy and sell buses?

What is the maximum number of buses I can own?

How can I tweak the appearance of my buses?

How do I hire workers?

How do I assign my routes to my hired drivers?

What are missions?

What are challenges?

What are fun missions?

How do I unlock additional city sectors and buses?

What sort of leaderboards are there, and where can I see them?

How do I earn money in the game?

Does it make sense to drive routes several times?

How do I gain the most possible reputation points?

3. Controls

How do I change the controls?

How do I use the cockpit elements with the mouse?

How do I get into my bus?

How do I leave the driver’s seat?

How can I increase the size of my rear-view mirror view?

How do I get to cashier view?

How do I use the ramp

4. Mods

What all can I mod in the game?

Are any instructions for modding available?

Modding Tutorials and Texture Pack

Where can I download the texture pack and the modding documentation?

How to integrate your own music in the game