Trainsimulator 2012

[RSPaul]

I am delighted and extremely excited to announce Railworks 3: Train Simulator 2012 will be launched on the 23 September 2011. Over the year’s the community has been a fantastic support to RailSimulator.com, making RailWorks 2 a worldwide success last year not least because the wealth of add-ons allowed players to make the game truly their own. I hope you’ll be as excited and proud as I am when you see what has been achieved with Train Simulator 2012, It really does bring Train Simulation bang up to date with a plethora of new simulation features and cutting edge visuals and sound. Visit http://www.trainsimulator2012.com for more details.

[BNSF650]

Awsome that looks really good.

[Samwolf]

Sounds like the best thing since the 30 round magazine!!!

Even more than I was hoping for, Sept 23rd can't come soon enough!!

[Trainguy76]

Hi Paul, It looks really good.

I'll be the first to ask the basic questions,

1. Is there no update from RW2 to (RW 3 I guess?) this time.
2. Is compatability with RW2 content to be expected.
3. Is it recommended that RW2 rolling stock developers who plan to get TS 2012 wait?

[harryadkins]

Go to the website and read the FAQ. It's impressive!

http://www.railsimulator.com/microsite_ ... index.html

[redwhiteandblack]

I am blown away by the advances illustrated in the screenshots. I awaited this announcement with guarded expectations; I expected a more or less revised lighting system and perhaps super-elevation. What is shown here is truly incredible.

Hats off to the team at Railsimulator.com.


Ryan

[philmoberg]

This is outstanding news!

[shicoe30]

SUPER DUPER PUMPED FOR THIS! Looks awesome guys! Especially pumped for the banked curves for some reason, but kudos guys, really, outstanding! Judging by the cover, I'm presuming we're getting some new ATSF F units or what?

[PapaXpress]

I read the FAQ and I have a few questions for RSPaul (and team).

Will custom RW2 routes need to be upgraded to take advantage of RW3 improvements? If so will there be a tool that will help us with this? If we are currently working on a route, is there anything we should probably stay away from doing to help make the migration to RW3 smoother?

[Chessie8638]

If those screens aren't pre-rendered, then well... d*%! that looks good.

[MontanaRails]

This is huge!

Right from the Official FAQ:

Across the sim, an extraordinary number of innovations and changes have been made to improve the player experience
right from the beginning. We have taken into account the requests and wishes raised by RailWorks 2 users since last
autumn in order to create the train simulation experience that train‐simmers have been waiting for. Key upgrades
include:
Gameplay

Multiple‐source dynamic lighting: allows streetlights & headlights to illuminate the ground and nearby objects
Extended terrain draw distance and terrain shadows
Multiple‐headed consists to allow consists to be powered by different types of traction
Particle effects on locomotive windows – e.g. rain drops
Working wipers which clear away rain drops
Improved skies with stars and moving clouds
Water with depth and reflections of nearby objects and terrain
Depth of field can be switched on to give a camera focus effect
Soft shadows mimic real daylight shadows
Consist speed limits realistically enforced
Improved track unevenness and cab camera movement increasing with speed
Smoothing of vertical curves on tracks.
New, user interface and loading screens
Superelevation creates accurate simulation of curved tracks

Editing & building

Improved browser list and functionality plus other improvements to the asset editor
New stopping point feature to simplify scenario creation
New way of simplifying display of editor features
New way of authoring marshaling of AI trains – particularly useful in yards
Ability to lay blocks of assets
Improved terrain modeling and better import tool
Ability to preview lofts in the asset editor

The popular RS Career System, Cab Control and world editor remain in place with enhancements.

[RSPaul]

Hi all, thank you so much for the comments.

I am getting so many questions about the lighting etc that I thought I would give a bit more info.

Their are parts of TS2012 that we have aimed specifically to improve US siming (they work across the board of course) but we really tried to think through how we could improve the US content.

So firstly the lights are "Real" they light up the landscape and cast shadows etc, all the things they didn't do before.

Secondly we have worked hard on the underlying Physics, so now trains can be HUGE, I think we got up to two miles long (not sure exactly). It did take over 4 minutes to pass me:-)

Thirdly track specific wagon and cab sway, as you watch the train pass, or indeed look behind you from the cab you can see the wagons rocking on the points or any bad track. That I have to say looks awesome (if I may).

Finally we have sorted out the multiple engines, now you can have Dash 9's, ES44 anything actually you want lashed together... and if one breaks down... well you got a problem.


Lots, lots more but that's what got me going.

[RSPaul]

PS. Nope absolutely nothing pre-rendered, this is in game photos.

[thecanadianrail]

[Chessie8638]

PS. Nope absolutely nothing pre-rendered, this is in game photos.

Thanks for the quick response! Can't wait to crank those graphics up when it's released. Also glad we are getting the "Train Simulator" brand back. Always thought Microsoft had a copyright on it. Anyway, will be waiting eagerly.

EDIT: Will have to build a shortline route with some bad track to see the swaying in full effect.