As part of their first big layoff, Microsoft let go 5,000 employees including nearly all of the Microsoft Flight Simulator team. Fans of MS Train Simulator might be aware that the next release of Train Simulator, due in a couple of years, would be running on the Flight Simulator platform whose future is now rather bleak. Microsoft insists the Flight Sim product will continue even after the ACES studio was closed, but no mention was made of Train Simulator.
Here’s the news from the MSTS Insider:
http://tsinsider.com/Articles/AboutTS2/AboutAces.aspx
From the article:
“As a result of this difficult decision, development of the next version of Train Simulator is being postponed for an indefinite period.”
From that, I’d say it’s doubtful it will ever be made, at least in the near future. I remember when the original MSTS2 was announced in 2003, and it seemed it was cancelled almost as quickly as it was announced. It was five years before they ever tried again. It’s too bad, I was really looking forward to this release. It sounded awesome, especially the “World of Rails” feature.
The plans for MSTS to use the new MS Flight Simulator X engine got a lot of people excited.
I guess that won’t ever happen.
What a shame. [:(]
I was looking forward to this game. I’ve never played the MS version but I am familiar with the Trainz games and it provided a nice introduction into the very basics of railroading for me (signals, switching, etc.). Although it’s strictly entertainment, it was enjoyable nonetheless.
Really disapointing news; as I’m sure that’s as close as I’ll ever get to being behind the controls.