Rail Simulator

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
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Stumbled across this today and thought some might be interested. Not me as I already spend too much time on the computer and I’d rather “simulate” with my model trains.

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–All aboard! Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS - News) today announced that it will distribute Rail Simulator for the PC in North America. The game was released in Europe in October and will now ship in North America, with a wealth of new content, on January 16, 2008.

Developed by Kuju Entertainment, Rail Simulator is the ultimate experience for train enthusiasts and gamers alike, allowing players to take the controls of historic and contemporary trains on more than 1,000 miles of real-life routes from around the world. New to the North American release is the highly popular Barstow to San Bernardino route alongside all-new Union Pacific locomotives and rolling stock.

Rail Simulator puts players in control of every aspect of the train’s operation and even gives players a track editor to create their own routes and share them with other gamers online. Varying difficultly levels tailor the game to players of all skill levels, from Easy to Full Simulation.

“We’re thrilled to extend our European relationship with EA Partners to include distribution of Rail Simulator in North America,” said Tim Gatland, managing director of Rail Simulator Developments Limited. “The team at Kuju Entertainment has created an incredible product for train enthusiasts of all ages, and the team at EA Partners is helping us reach the widest possible global audience.”

“Kuju Entertainment is the hands-down leader in this category and EA Partners is excited to be distributing Rail Simulator in North America this January,” said David DeMartini, vice president and general manager of EA Partners. "The team at EA Partners is committed to helping studios of all sizes take advantage of EA’s worldwide publishing infrastructure, and we

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I think they are the ones who did the programming for Microsoft but I could be wrong. If so it may be an updated version of the previous Microsoft offering.

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One US route (albiet an interesting one if you’re into UP or BNSF.)[8D] How about Tehachapi or Donner in a cab forward, Antonito to Chama on either the CTS or D&RG, Sherman Hill, anyplace in West Virginia, Horseshoe Curve, the Clinchfield (or N&W/NS) attacking the Blue Ridge…[%-)]

IIRC, that other model railroad magazine had a two-part article on building and operating the (virtual) Gilpin County Tramway. Strikes me as much more interesting than Cajon (if for no better reason than the probability of blizzards…[:-^])

As for me, give me the Kiso Rintetsu out of Agematsu, either steam or diesel, or the JNR Chu-o Nishi Hon Sen that interchanged with the Kiso, and I MIGHT be a happy camper.[^] OTOH, I’d really prefer being able to see the entire scene in three dimensions - as I remember it, not as some programmer imagined it to be.[:-,] Guess I’ll stick to modeling in hard, three-dimensional materials.[swg]

Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)

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Yeah, Kuju was the designer for MSTS…no wonder MSTS 2 never came out…it went to EA…It’s a great partnership and should be a great offering come 1st of the year.