Microsoft Train Simulator Information

Microsoft Train Simulator simulates the experience of being a train conductor.

Microsoft Train Simulator is a Windows PC simulation game that simulates the experience of being a train conductor. This train simulation game was developed by Kuju Entertainment and released in 2001. The player is given control of a train and a schedule to follow. The game has six unique train routes, each with its own unique challenges.

Gameplay

Players in Kuju Entertainment's Microsoft Train Simulator are placed into the control cab of a train. The player is tasked with starting and stopping the train, coupling wagons to the train, and maintaining a schedule. There are a variety of challenges that can vary based on which train route is being played. For example, a player using a steam locomotive has to watch the condition of the boiler to ensure it does not explode.

Routes

This train simulator has six different routes for players to experience. The Amtrak route is a bullet train located in the northeastern United States. The Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway features a diesel locomotive route in Montana. The Flying Scotsman Railways is a steam locomotive in England. The Kyushu Railway Company is an electric train route in southern Japan. The Odakyu Electric Railway is a commuter train based in Tokyo. The Venice Simplon-Orient Express is a steam locomotive in the Austrian Alps.

Aesthetics

Microsoft Train Simulator is a PC simulation game, which means that significant detail was given to the graphics and sound of the game. The unique scenery of each route is replicated by the game. Each train has its own unique sounds based on the actual train. The control cab of each train is also replicated with precise detail. The controls and gauges in the train cab are functional, and indicate the various details of the condition of the train.

Customization

The game allows a user to add his own trains, challenges, and routes to the game. This can be used to replicate other real world train routes or entirely unique ones. These trains, routes, and challenges can be fully played like the actual official routes included in the game. It is also possible for users to trade add-ons with other players over the Internet by trading the files created by the game when an add-on is created.

Awards

Kuju Entertainment received a GameSpy Best of E3 award for Microsoft Train Simulator as the best simulation game at E3 2001. The runner up was AquaNox from Fishtank Games, an underwater combat simulation game.

References

• Microsoft.com: Train Simulator
• GameSpy.com: E3 Awards
• Microsoft Train Simulator: Info