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The Bus - DLC Hamburg - Developer diary

This week, we are taking a look at one of the most famous and at the same time most complex buildings in the Hanseatic city: Hamburg Central Station.
With over 500,000 passengers a day, it is one of the busiest train stations in Europe - and is therefore also a central part of the route network in The Bus DLC - Hamburg City.



In the simulation, the bus routes run along the Steintorwall and Steintordamm - i.e. directly alongside the main station.
The bus stops are located directly at the pedestrian exits to the platforms, which makes for a particularly realistic transfer scenario.
Even though many of the platform details are not directly visible from above, it was important to us to recreate them true to the original in order to make the atmosphere of the location tangible.

As always, the images shown are from a development phase that has not yet been finalized.
The overhead line is currently still being reworked, as are the platform areas, which will later be supplemented with suitable decorations and other objects.
In the finished game, regional trains, Metronom trains and even a few long-distance trains will be seen there alongside suburban trains - some of which will be visible from the street, making them a real eye-catcher in the cityscape.

A look at the history of the main station shows how deeply rooted this transportation hub is in urban life:
The station was opened in 1906 and replaced several smaller terminus stations.
The imposing steel and glass hall construction was an architectural masterpiece in its day - and remains so to this day.
The track layout is characterized by its central location: connections branch out from here in all directions - from the city centre to the suburbs, from northern Germany to the south.

This networking is also noticeable in the simulation. The area around the main station represents a kind of heart of the route, both in terms of passenger flows and from a transport planning perspective.
The digital implementation is correspondingly complex - with a particular focus on the street space, the traffic mix and the characteristic surroundings.

The replication of the track areas and the central station is one of the larger implementations in the Hamburg City-Map.
We already have an entry about the central station in the developer diary, which is linked below.

Our goal is to create the most vivid, detailed image of Hamburg Central Station possible - a place that millions know and that you can experience in a completely new way in The Bus.

As always, we welcome your questions and suggestions at:
[email protected]

See you next time - and have fun on your virtual commute through Hamburg!

Your Halycon Media Development

Last chance before the phase 3.0 price!

Update 3.0 offers you many possibilities: A multiplayer, the new Galaxis Urban and many other improvements.
How do you like the new bus so far? 🤔🚌

From 28 April, the price will be adjusted to €38.99 as part of Early Access Phase 3.0. For you, this means: grab it quickly for €32.95! 😍



The Bus Update Phase 3.0

Update 3.0 of The Bus is here and officially heralds the start of Phase 3 of the Early Access period - the last one before the full release!

Watch the trailer here:

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]
This new update adds a free multiplayer mode to the simulator. From now on you can drive through Berlin together with friends! You can now also explore virtual Berlin with the new Galaxis Urban bus and use the Aerosoft Truck & Bus Wheel System to control it. Have fun!



You can find a detailed list with all the changes in the following:

Changelog 0.22.82357 EA
  • Added Multiplayer Free Play
  • Upgrade to Unreal Engine 5.4
  • New bus added: Galaxis Urban
  • Added support for Aerosoft Truck & Bus Wheel System
  • Reworked keybinds for gears, wipers, indicator and light switch
  • Reworked device assistant to allow for multiple devices
  • Increased 32 button limit for devices
  • Added new passenger spawn system
  • Fixed stop names in navi using wrong format
  • Removed tour finished popup
  • Passengers no longer wait for money to be collected
  • Updated construction near Turmstrasse
  • Fixed button selection mode
  • Added option to configure maximum wheel rotation
  • Added option to turn off turn signal reset
  • Level Art Fixes
  • Performance optimizations**

** Please, be aware that the impact of performance optimisations varies from system to system due to hardware configurations, installed software, and other programs running in the background

🚌 The Galaxis Urban is ready for launch – releasing on April 16!

🚌 The Galaxis Urban is releasing on April 16!



It comes with some exciting features: In the vehicle selection menu, you can choose whether the bus has a fast-charging roof module or not. Fast-charging stations are available at the end terminals Zoologischer Garten/Hertzallee and Michelangelostraße.



There are also some nice little details: The front panel can be opened to manually operate the front door. Plus, there are plug-in connectors on the front and door side – currently non-functional, but a great visual detail! 🔋⚡



🚌 The Bus – Phase 3 launches on April 16! Multiplayer, New Bus & More!

Hey everyone! 👋

April 16 is the day: The Bus enters Early Access Phase 3 – and it’s bringing a free update!
💥

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

🚦 Here’s what’s coming your way:

Multiplayer is now official!
The long-awaited multiplayer mode is leaving beta and becomes an official part of the main game!
You can now cruise through Berlin together with your friends!

A brand-new vehicle is joining the lineup: the Galaxis Urban!

Modern, quiet – and packed with exciting features:
Optional fast-charging roof module
Fast-charging stations at terminal stops (Zoologischer Garten/Hertzallee & Michelangelostraße)
Plug-in charging ports at the front and door side (not functional yet – but still cool, right?)
Front panel opens to reveal door controls
A real head-turner – and it’s all included for free in the update!

Technical upgrade & tons of improvements


With Phase 3, you’ll also get: Performance boosts & bug fixes
…and lots of small optimizations to make your driving experience even smoother


⚠️ Note: Price increase possible
With the transition to the new phase, a price increase might be on the horizon.
So if you’re still thinking about it – now’s a great time to hop on board! 😉


🎯 Looking ahead
Phase 3 is the final Early Access phase before the full release, which is still planned for 2025.
Of course, more info to come soon!


We’re super excited to hear your feedback – and especially to see your multiplayer rides through the capital! 🚍
Let us know in the comments which feature you’re most looking forward to! 👇