Key information
Desert Bus is a simulation game intentionally designed to be monotonous and tedious. Unlike typical racing titles, it tasks players with driving a bus from Tucson to Las Vegas across a barren desert in real-time. The journey takes 8 hours without music, traffic, or interesting scenery.
The game features punishing mechanics that prevent players from leaving the controls. The bus is limited to 45 miles per hour and has a steering drift to the right. If the vehicle touches the desert sand, the engine stalls, forcing the player to wait for a tow truck to return them to the starting point in real-time.
Upon reaching the finish line, the game rewards the player with only 1 point and the option to drive back for another 8 hours. Despite its design as a satirical product, it has become a legendary tool for philanthropy.
Since 2007, the comedy group LoadingReadyRun has used the game for the Desert Bus for Hope marathon. This event encourages donations for the Child’s Play charity, with the duration of the gameplay increasing based on contributions. The initiative has successfully raised millions of dollars annually.
