View source for Software:Fernbus Simulator

{{short description|2016 vehicle simulation video game}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Fernbus Simulator
| image = Fernbus cover.jpg
| caption = Cover art of the game featuring a MAN Lion's Coach
| developer = TML-Studios
| publisher = Aerosoft
| series = 
| engine = {{ubl
 |Unreal Engine 5
 |<!--Unreal Engine 5-->
 }}
| platforms = {{ubl
 |[[Software:Microsoft Windows|Microsoft Windows]]
 |Xbox Series X/S
 |[[Engineering:PlayStation 5|PlayStation 5]]
 }}
| released = '''Windows'''<br/>25 August 2016<br/>'''PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S'''<br/>February 28, 2023
| genre = Vehicle simulation
| modes = [[Software:Single-player video game|Single-player]]
}}
'''''Fernbus Simulator''''' is a bus simulator game developed by TML-Studios and published by Aerosoft for [[Software:Microsoft Windows|Microsoft Windows]]. The game is powered by [[Unreal Engine|Unreal Engine 5]] and was released on 25 August 2016 worldwide.

==Gameplay==
[[File:Meinfernbus flixbus bus.jpg|thumb|left|200px|The game simulates the Flixbus.]]
''Fernbus Simulator'' is set in {{wipe|Germany}}, offering a route network of approximately 20,000 kilometres and 40 German cities that is built in a scale of 1:10.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.welt.de/motor/news/article157881984/Fernbus-Simulator.html|title=Fernbus-Simulator|language=de|work=Welt|date=28 August 2016|accessdate=14 May 2020|archive-date=1 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160901063600/https://www.welt.de/motor/news/article157881984/Fernbus-Simulator.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
More city routes were released as DLCs, expanding the map to the following countries: Austria, {{wipe|Switzerland}}, {{wipe|France}}, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Belgium, [[Place:Czech Republic|Czech Republic]] and {{wipe|Denmark}}.
The game features quite the same gameplay of the similar-genre video game ''[[Software:Euro Truck Simulator 2|Euro Truck Simulator 2]]'', which includes construction sites, traffic congestion, police patrols and traffic collision, with dynamic weather and day-night cycle are available in the game.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.heute.at/s/fernbus-simulator-von-aerosoft-macht-euch-zum-buslenker-17051101|title=Fernbus Simulator von Aerosoft macht euch zum Buslenker|language=de|website=heute.at|date=29 August 2016|accessdate=14 May 2020|archive-date=7 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201007172659/https://www.heute.at/s/fernbus-simulator-von-aerosoft-macht-euch-zum-buslenker-17051101|url-status=live}}</ref> The game also provides various  licensed buses from [[Company:MAN SE|MAN]], VDL, Scania, and Neoplan that Flixbus uses for their fleet, allowing players to drive on highly detailed [[Engineering:Autobahn|German motorways]].<ref name="product">{{cite web|url=https://www.aerosoft.com/de/buslkw/fernbus-simulator/1147/fernbus-simulator|title=Fernbus Simulator|language=de|work=Aerosoft|accessdate=14 May 2020|archive-date=19 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200519234619/https://www.aerosoft.com/de/buslkw/fernbus-simulator/1147/fernbus-simulator|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Development and release==
''Fernbus Simulator'' is developed by a German-based game studio TML-Studios, the developers of the ''[[Software:City Bus Simulator|City Bus Simulator]]'' series and the ''World of Subways'' franchise.<ref name="product"/> It is powered by Unreal Engine 5 of [[Company:Epic Games|Epic Games]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://steamcommunity.com/games/427100/announcements/detail/976540585698719965|title=Worldwide Fernbus Coach Simulator launch on August 25th|work=[[Software:Steam (service)|Steam]]|date=25 August 2016|accessdate=14 May 2020|archive-date=7 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201007172711/https://steamcommunity.com/games/427100/announcements/detail/976540585698719965|url-status=live}}</ref> The game was released on 25 August 2016 for [[Software:Microsoft Windows|Microsoft Windows]].<ref>{{cite web|first=Tim|last=Stone|url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2016/08/05/the-flare-path-topical-titbits-3/|title=The Flare Path: Topical Titbits|work=Rock, Paper, Shotgun|date=5 August 2016|accessdate=14 May 2020|archive-date=6 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160806151615/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2016/08/05/the-flare-path-topical-titbits-3/|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Downloadable content ==

=== Map expansions ===
TML has released several map expansion [[Software:Downloadable content|DLC]] packs that include new countries.
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Name
!Included content
!Release date
!Price (without discount)
|-
|Usedom
|The seaside resort of Ahlbeck and the town of Usedom
|14 November 2017<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fernbus Simulator - Usedom on Steam |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/686280/Fernbus_Simulator__Usedom/ |access-date=2023-12-24 |website=store.steampowered.com |language=en}}</ref>
|Free
|-
|Austria / Switzerland
|Countries of {{flag|Switzerland}} and {{flag|Austria}}
|5 April 2018<ref>{{Cite web |title=Save 20% on Fernbus Simulator - Austria/Switzerland on Steam |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/612261/Fernbus_Simulator__AustriaSwitzerland/ |access-date=2023-12-24 |website=store.steampowered.com |language=en}}</ref>
|{{Currency|19.95|EUR}}
|-
|Rennsteig
|Adds Rennsteig to Central {{flag|Germany}}
|25 April 2019<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fernbus Simulator - Rennsteig on Steam |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/937720/Fernbus_Simulator__Rennsteig/ |access-date=2023-12-24 |website=store.steampowered.com |language=en}}</ref>
|Free
|-
|France
|Country of {{flag|France}}
|18 October 2019<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fernbus Simulator - France on Steam |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/654120/Fernbus_Simulator__France/ |access-date=2023-12-24 |website=store.steampowered.com |language=en}}</ref>
|{{Currency|24.95|EUR}}
|-
|Rhine Gorge
|Rhine Gorge area
|21 October 2019<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fernbus Simulator - Rhine Gorge on Steam |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/1121090/Fernbus_Simulator__Rhine_Gorge/ |access-date=2023-12-24 |website=store.steampowered.com |language=en}}</ref>
|Free
|-
|Luxembourg
|Country of {{flag|Luxembourg}}
|12 December 2019<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fernbus Simulator - Luxembourg on Steam |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/1140662/Fernbus_Simulator__Luxembourg/ |access-date=2023-12-24 |website=store.steampowered.com |language=en}}</ref>
|Free
|-
|Netherlands
|Country of {{flag|Netherlands}}
|15 December 2020<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fernbus Simulator - Netherlands on Steam |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/1140661/Fernbus_Simulator__Netherlands/ |access-date=2023-12-24 |website=store.steampowered.com |language=en}}</ref>
|{{Currency|9.95|EUR}}
|-
|Bavarian Castle
|Famous 19th-century bavarian castle
|18 December 2020<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fernbus Simulator - Bavarian Castle on Steam |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/1471310/Fernbus_Simulator__Bavarian_Castle/ |access-date=2023-12-24 |website=store.steampowered.com |language=en}}</ref>
|Free
|-
|Belgium
|Country of {{flag|Belgium}}
|20 May 2021<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fernbus Simulator - Belgium on Steam |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/1140660/Fernbus_Simulator__Belgium/ |access-date=2023-12-24 |website=store.steampowered.com |language=en}}</ref>
|{{Currency|9.95|EUR}}
|-
|Czechia
|Country of {{flag|Czechia}}
|7 April 2022<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fernbus Simulator - Czechia on Steam |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/1446991/Fernbus_Simulator__Czechia/ |access-date=2023-12-24 |website=store.steampowered.com |language=en}}</ref>
|{{Currency|9.95|EUR}}
|-
|Denmark
|Country of {{flag|Denmark}}
|26 June 2023<ref>{{Cite web |title=Save 20% on Fernbus Simulator - Denmark on Steam |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/1446990/Fernbus_Simulator__Denmark/ |access-date=2023-12-24 |website=store.steampowered.com |language=en}}</ref>
|{{Currency|14.95|EUR}}
|-
|Poland
|Country of {{flag|Poland}}
| colspan="2" |TBA<ref>{{Cite web |last=Klimaschutz |first=BMWK-Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und |title=Fernbus Simulator - DLC Polen |url=https://www.bmwk.de/Redaktion/DE/Artikel/Wirtschaft/Games/Games-Projekte/fernbus-simulator-dlc-polen.html |access-date=2023-12-24 |website=www.bmwk.de |language=de}}</ref>
|}

=== Vehicle add-ons ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Name
!Included content
!Release date
!Price on [[Software:Steam (service)|Steam]] (without discount)
|-
|Neoplan Skyliner
|Neoplan Skyliner bus
|23 March 2017<ref>{{Cite web |title=Save 20% on Fernbus Simulator - Neoplan Skyliner on Steam |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/569700/Fernbus_Simulator__Neoplan_Skyliner/ |access-date=2023-12-24 |website=store.steampowered.com |language=en}}</ref>
|{{Currency|14.95|EUR}}
|-
|Comfort Class HD
|5 variants of the Setra ComfortClass HD (unlicensed)
|29 November 2017<ref>{{Cite web |title=Save 20% on Fernbus Simulator - Comfort Class HD on Steam |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/724420/Fernbus_Simulator__Comfort_Class_HD/ |access-date=2023-12-24 |website=store.steampowered.com |language=en}}</ref>
|{{Currency|12.95|EUR}}
|-
|VDL Futura FHD2
|6 variants of the VDL Futura FHD2
|25 April 2019<ref>{{Cite web |title=Save 20% on Fernbus Simulator - VDL Futura FHD2 on Steam |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/724440/Fernbus_Simulator__VDL_Futura_FHD2/ |access-date=2023-12-24 |website=store.steampowered.com |language=en}}</ref>
|{{Currency|14.99|EUR}}
|-
|MAN Lion's Intercity
|3 variants of the MAN Lion's Intercity
|October 2019<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fernbus Simulator - MAN Lion's Intercity on Steam |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/1026740/Fernbus_Simulator__MAN_Lions_Intercity/ |access-date=2023-12-24 |website=store.steampowered.com |language=en}}</ref>
|{{Currency|9.95|EUR}}
|-
|BB40
|[[Engineering:Toyota Coaster|Toyota Coaster]] mini-bus (unlicensed)
|2 December 2019<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fernbus Simulator - BB40 on Steam |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/1121030/Fernbus_Simulator__BB40/ |access-date=2023-12-24 |website=store.steampowered.com |language=en}}</ref>
|Free
|-
|MAN Lion's Coach 3rd Gen
|4 variants of the MAN Lion's Coach 3rd Gen
|28 August 2020<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fernbus Simulator - MAN Lion's Coach 3rd Gen on Steam |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/1154770/Fernbus_Simulator__MAN_Lions_Coach_3rd_Gen/ |access-date=2023-12-24 |website=store.steampowered.com |language=en}}</ref>
|{{Currency|12.95|EUR}}
|-
|Scania Touring
|3 variants of the Scania Touring
|5 December 2020<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fernbus Simulator - Scania Touring on Steam |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/1158120/Fernbus_Simulator__Scania_Touring/ |access-date=2023-12-24 |website=store.steampowered.com |language=en}}</ref>
|{{Currency|12.95|EUR}}
|-
|W906
|[[Engineering:Mercedes-Benz Sprinter|Mercedes-Benz Sprinter]] mini-bus (unlicensed)
|29 May 2020<ref>{{Cite web |title=Save 20% on Fernbus Simulator - W906 on Steam |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/1250730/Fernbus_Simulator__W906/ |access-date=2023-12-24 |website=store.steampowered.com |language=en}}</ref>
|{{Currency|7.95|EUR}}
|-
|VDL Futura FDD2
|2 variants of VDL Futura FDD2 [[Engineering:Double-decker bus|double-decker]] bus
|9 February 2021<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fernbus Simulator - VDL Futura FDD2 on Steam |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/1370010/Fernbus_Simulator__VDL_Futura_FDD2/ |access-date=2023-12-24 |website=store.steampowered.com |language=en}}</ref>
|{{Currency|14.95|EUR}}
|-
|Altano TX
|3 variants of Van Hool Altano TX (unlicensed)
| rowspan="3" |20 December 2023<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fernbus Simulator - Altano TX on Steam |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/2294411/Fernbus_Simulator__Altano_TX/ |access-date=2023-12-24 |website=store.steampowered.com |language=en}}</ref>
| rowspan="3" |{{Currency|14.95|EUR}}
|-
|Altano TDX
|Van Hool Altano TDX20 & TDX 21 (unlicensed)
|-
|Astromega
|Van Hool Astromega TDX25 & TDX 27 (unlicensed)
|}

=== Football Team Bus DLC ===
This game expansion/mode has been released on August 30, 2018. In this mode, which is unlockable by purchasing ''Fußball Mannschaftsbus'' DLC, players have choose one of 18 football clubs based on the German football league and drive its players to their guest matches. All of the stadiums were recreated to the smallest details, and there is also a repaint for MAN Lion's Coach bus. Player's job is to manage the allocated budget wisely until the end of the season so that the team bus can be maintained, cleaned, and the team can be supplied with sufficient snacks and beverages.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Save 20% on Fernbus Simulator - Football Team Bus on Steam |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/729490/Fernbus_Simulator__Football_Team_Bus/ |access-date=2023-12-24 |website=store.steampowered.com |language=en}}</ref>

== Modding ==
Currently, players are able to make liveries for vehicles and publish them on Steam Workshop.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Steam Community :: Fernbus Simulator |url=https://steamcommunity.com/app/427100/workshop/ |access-date=2023-12-24 |website=steamcommunity.com |language=en}}</ref> In 2017, TML had released closed beta testing version of the modding editor for Fernbus Simulator, which was supposed to allow players to make new vehicles, maps and expand existing ones,<ref name="Modding in Closed Beta!">{{Cite web |date=2017-06-08 |title=Modding in Closed Beta! |url=https://www.tml-studios.de/forum/index.php?thread/1299-modding-in-closed-beta/ |access-date=2023-12-24 |website=TML-Studios Community |language=en}}</ref> but this project was postponed indefinitely for, according to their team member, "major technical issues".<ref name="Modding in Closed Beta!"/>

==Reception==
The game is well-sold on the [[Digital distribution|digital distribution]] platform [[Software:Steam (service)|Steam]], but often comes in criticism and gets a mixed rating.<ref>{{cite web|first=Rhonda|last=Bachmann|url=https://www.pcgameshardware.de/aerosoft-GmbH-DE-Firma-18089/News/Fernreise-Simulator-Steam-1205945/|title=Fernbus Simulator: Aerosofts Fernreise-Simulator mit starkem Steam-Einstieg trotz Kritik|website=pcgameshardware.de|language=German|date=26 August 2016|accessdate=14 May 2020|archive-date=19 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170919233923/https://www.pcgameshardware.de/aerosoft-GmbH-DE-Firma-18089/News/Fernreise-Simulator-Steam-1205945/|url-status=live}}</ref> The game is often used to compare with ''[[Software:Euro Truck Simulator 2|Euro Truck Simulator 2]]'' and ''[[Software:American Truck Simulator|American Truck Simulator]]'', and gets praised on the design of the game in terms of atmosphere, motorways, residential areas and detailed bus cockpit.<ref>{{cite web|first=Mick|last=Schnelle|url=https://www.gamersglobal.de/test/fernbus-simulator|title=Fernbus Simulator test|language=German|website=gamersglobal.de|date=1 September 2016|accessdate=14 May 2020|archive-date=4 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160904010025/https://www.gamersglobal.de/test/fernbus-simulator|url-status=live}}</ref> However, bugs, missing textures, insufficient to reality and a lack of long-term motivation makes the game widely criticised.<ref>{{cite web|author=Marco|url=https://gptimes.de/der-fernbus-simulator-im-test/|title=DER FERNBUS SIMULATOR IM TEST|language=German|website=gptimes.de|date=26 August 2016|accessdate=14 May 2020|archive-date=31 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160831135850/https://gptimes.de/der-fernbus-simulator-im-test/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links ==

[[Category:Single-player video games]]
[[Category:Unreal Engine games]]
[[Category:Windows games]]

{{Sourceattribution|Fernbus Simulator}}