Tech Blog

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Back in 2007, Victoria BC-based online sketch comedy troupe LoadingReadyRun thought of a novel way to raise funds for Child's Play -- force themselves to repetitiously play the world's most boring video game ever created, Desert Bus.  The game is part of the unreleased title Penn & Teller's Smoke and Mirrors for the Sega CD.

Unquestionably this simulation driving game is so shockingly drab and uneventful that even the most staunch gamer would seriously contemplate quitting after just minutes of game time.  I've provided a YouTube clip above to give you a small taste of the supreme drudgery this game has to offer.

Knowing full well how boring this game is, the team at LoadingReadyRun saw an opportunity to capitalize on the infamy surrounding this game and created their very own charitable event called Desert Bus For Hope.  The premise: using live web stream technology, continuously play Desert Bus around the clock while soliciting online donations from philanthropic viewers, sponsors and people who just want to see them suffer. 

There's an interesting twist however: the more money they raise, the more hours they play.  To get the bus driving for the first hour requires a donation of only $1, and each additional hour requires that donations increase by 7% over the previous hour.  Thus the more time they play, the higher the donation is required for another hour to be added.

This year's Desert Bus For Hope began on November 20, 2009 and lasted a full 5 days and 16 minutes.  The team raised an astounding $132,608.94 in total, far exceeding their $100k goal for 2009.  That's a full 88% over last year's donation total of $70,423.  In their inaugural year, the group raised $22,805.

To get a sense of just how boring this game is consider the following description:

Desert Bus is 16-bit simulator that has the player drive a completely empty bus between Tucson, Ariz. and Las Vegas in real time at a maximum speed of 45mph.  A one-way trip takes a full eight hours to complete, and the game cannot be paused.  If the player manages to complete the road trip, they're given 1 point and given the option to make the return trip to Tucson for another point.  There is no scenery of interest as you drive, and you will never see other traffic or signs of life.  The bus' tire alignment is slightly off, causing it to constantly veer to the right, and forcing the player to tap left on the d-pad to drive a straight path. If the bus veers off the highway it will sputter and stall, resulting in the bus being towed back to Tucson, also in real time.

I must say, combined, these elements describe the worst game idea of all time.  I've never had the misfortune of playing Desert Bus and I'm happy to keep it that way.

The LoadingReadyRun team scored more than 10 points during the event, and there was at least one bus crash over the 135 hours they played.

Their charity of choice, Child's Play, aims to improve the lives of sick children by providing them with video games and toys through their network of 60 hospitals around the world.

Congratulations to the team at LoadingReadyRun and everyone who donated, sponsored and supported their event.  

Message Edited by PaulH on 11-29-2009 11:13 PM