LOTUS-Simulator:

LOTUS is a public transport simulator for the PC. The player slips into the role of a driver of any transport carrier (like bus or train). In addition, LOTUS is extensible by any walkable and drivable map and any vehicle you can think of.

Currently LOTUS is being developed. Its progress is constantly published on Facebook and the LOTUS website. Now some key points concerning yet published details:

What is LOTUS?

• L - Leitstelle, which is headquarters in English
• O - Omnibus-, trolley bus- and guided bus simulator
• T - Tram simulator
• U - Underground simulator
• S - Suburban train simulator
• ...and simulator for every related transport carrier

Who do I play in LOTUS?

• Driver
• Shunter
• Dispatcher
• Scheduler and tour planner
• Vehicle constructor
• Map creator
• Landscaper and urban planner

When and how is LOTUS released?

• LOTUS is being developed until it's done - we do not set a release date!
• LOTUS is obtainable as a download on Steam.
• There will be boxed LOTUS versions, too.
• LOTUS is currently in Early Access state!
• The different transport carrier classes will be unlocked by modules, which can be purchased individually.
• The modules will be finished consecutively. Currently the modules "Rails of LOTUS" and "Streets of LOTUS" are available - and hence you can drive Trams, Trains and Busses!

Technical information

• Initially, LOTUS will be released for Windows.
• Mac OS X and Linux releases are scheduled, but do not have a high priority for us.
• The graphics engine is based on OpenGL and can be replaced by e.g. Vulkan subsequently.
• LOTUS will be released for 32- and 64 bit systems.

• Vehicles and scenery objects can be created explicitly with Blender and 3ds Max - implicitly every application, which exports X3D files in the right standard can be used.
• Textures can be used when they are in *.bmp or *.dds (DXT1, DXT3 or DXT5) format.
• The scripting language, especially for vehicles, is Pascal.

Yet revealed features

• Operate and drive any vehicle at physically and techincally perfection - implementation and operation from the smallest switch to the most complex gear unit
• Photo real maps and landscapes with countless objects and buildings
• Drive with friends and collegues in the Multiplayer!
• Real daytime-, seasons- and weather effects
• Building and creation of own maps and schedules
• Import of any mean of transportation
• Real technical defects on vehicles
• VR compatible (via OpenVR interface, currently e.g. HTC Vive and Oculus Rift)
• Plugin interface, e.g. to communicate with self-built hardware, like driver's desks
• Vehicle control with mouse, keyboard, wheel and pedals, game controller or hardware interface
• Realistic AI traffic
• Realistic passenger behaviour
• Ticket selling and other passenger interactions
• 360° screenshots

Which standard content comes along with LOTUS?

• The content will be released one by one and not at once.
• Standard content is very Berlin-oriented and can be extended in any dimension, worldwide or fictional.
• With every module we provide an appropriate small test map with short loading times.
• The following list of the extent of LOTUS standard content is provisional and subject to permanent changes.
• Vehicles:
• Bus: MAN Lion's City DD (double decker)
• Tram: GT6N (MAN/AEG, articulated railcar, 6 axles, standard gauge, low-floor)
• Underground: class F and class A3
• Suburban train: class 481
• Routes in Berlin:
• Bus: line 100
• Tram: line M1
• Underground: lines U7 and U2
• Suburban train: line S5
• more to come...

Trivia...

• What does the L stand for? Much space for specuLation! ...and Leitstelle (headquarters). :)
• What does the plane imply? Future!
• How do you want to call LOTUS players? Lotians? The suggestion box is opened and hungry!
• Which system requirements do you recommend for LOTUS? The eldest PC in our team was bought in 2009. OpenGL 3.3, 4 GB DDR2 RAM, 2,7 GHz 4 core CPU, 512 MB graphics cache. This system runs LOTUS smoothly, which is why its data can serve as a temporary reference.