Just in time for Steam Next Fest, developer stillalive studios updates its transit sim to let you and three friends navigate the streets of Ashtree together.
Driving a bus is usually a solitary profession—just you, the wheel, and a hundred passengers wondering why you’re five minutes late. But today, Saber Interactive and the developer, stillalive studios, are changing the schedule.
Just days after announcing a massive John Wick game, Saber is pivoting to a slightly more peaceful (but no less chaotic) form of transportation. The publisher has released a major update for the Bus Bound free PC demo on Steam, officially adding online co-op multiplayer for the first time.
Released as part of the ongoing Steam Next Fest celebrations, this update allows up to four players to form a company, get behind the wheel, and keep the city moving together.
The Buddy System on the Boulevard
The addition of multiplayer transforms the Bus Bound experience from a meditative solo sim into a coordinated logistical challenge. According to the announcement, players can “work together collaboratively to run routes from morning to nighttime shifts – rain or shine.”
While the press release doesn’t specify if players can sit in the passenger seat and heckle the driver, it confirms that multiple buses can hit the streets of Ashtree simultaneously. This means you can coordinate schedules, cover multiple districts, and accelerate the city’s upgrade as a team.
New Neighborhoods and Shiny Fleets
The update isn’t just about networking code; it adds significant content to the map. The district of Ashtree, the first area players’ service, has been upgraded with new landmarks, including the University and the Hall of Fame. Furthermore, players can now unlock and explore a portion of a brand-new neighborhood called The Strings.
To service these new stops, the garage has been expanded. The demo now features:
- The Bluebird Sigma: A classic workhorse.
- New Flyer Industries’ Xcelsior Clean Diesel: For the modern transit authority.
- Horizon 40ft Diesel: An all-new addition to the fleet.
- Letenda Electrip: An unlockable bonus bus (previously seen at the end of the original demo) for those who master the routes.
The Fine Print: Host Rules
For groups planning to dive in tonight, there is one crucial caveat to keep in mind regarding progression. The developers have noted that “Multiplayer demo progress contributes only to the host’s progress.”
While joining players can still enjoy the driving and the chaos, they won’t carry route unlocks or company upgrades back to their own single-player save files. It’s a common limitation in demos, but one worth noting before you spend four hours grinding upgrades for a friend’s company.
Available Now
Bus Bound is shaping up to be a cozy yet complex entry in the vehicle simulation genre. With the full release slated for later this year on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, this demo offers the best look yet at the final product.
You can grab the update right now on Steam. Whether you want to run a tight ship with professional efficiency or just see how many traffic jams you and your friends can cause in a single intersection, the driver’s seat is waiting.
Watch the Demo Update Trailer: YouTube Link
Download the Demo: Steam Store Page