Vehicle sims

SCS Software has released Euro Truck Simulator in Germany and announced release dates for other countries:

Currently, the game is being localized into several European languages. Euro Truck Simulator has already been shipped to stores in Germany on August 6th. Release date in Poland is August 20. The street date in the UK is August 29. Other territories should follow shortly.

As a keen biker (I own a 2006 Triumph Tiger), I was interested to read of the University of Nottingham’s motorcycle research simulator:

A state-of-the-art motorcycle simulator capable of giving us valuable information on rider and road safety, motorcycle design and motorcycle engineering is currently under construction at The University of Nottingham.

The simulator — which is the first of its kind in the world — will consist of a Triumph motorcycle mounted on a unique rig designed and built at the University. This interactive moving platform will then be linked to driving simulation software that will project different scenarios onto huge screens in front of and behind the motorcycle, recreating a realistic riding experience for the motorcyclist.

This unique system will allow engineers to study aspects of motorcycle ergonomics and rider human factors — a relatively new research area. This covers all aspects of motorcycling, from motorcycle design and rider equipment to rider behaviour and competence and road safety.

You can read the full post here.

The Euro Truck Simulator web site has posted a batch of new screenshots of their upcoming simulator.

From the buzz around the Net, I’d say this is shaping up to be one very popular title. I, for one, am really looking forward to giving it a try. I’m an avid flight simulator nut and this sounds pretty much like a ground-based version, but with more “purpose”.

Bus Simulator 2008 has been released. I’m not quite sure who would want to spend their time driving a bus around without getting paid, but then that’s from someone who’s happy sitting in a virtual cockpit flying nowhere in particular for hours on end, so who am I to say!

There’s a free downloadable demo you can try out.

Welcome to Megacity and welcome to your new job: bus driver!

Get behind the steering wheel of one of the many different bus models and master one of the countless tracks in the fictional city Megacity.

Features

• 18 different tracks in a huge megacity
• 34 different missions
• 8 different bus models in 4 classes, downloadable buses via internet
• Tycoon elements (ad spaces, buying/renting of buses, ticket prices, promotion offers etc.)
• huge city model with traffic, pedestrians and lots of details
• different camera views including bus driver view (cockpit view)
• help system for beginners
• highscore list and online highscore system
• different daytimes and weather conditions
• easy to use interface

I’ve often been curious as to why there is such a lack of “normal” driving simulator, i.e. non-racing vehicle sims. Euro Truck Simulator seems to be just the thing I was thinking of.

From the site:

Euro Truck Simulator is a European first – A truck simulation game in a European setting, with European long haulage trucks! Drive cargos from Rome to Berlin to Madrid to Prague – and many more cities – in realistic vehicles. Euro Truck Simulator is a faithful reproduction of driving trucks on the European road.

The official site has recently updated their screenshot gallery and, I must admit, it looks gorgeous.

No release date yet, but I’ll be keeping an eye on it. Hopefully there will be a demo soon. I think I could lose days to this one!