Microsoft Train Simulator

Microsoft Train Simulator allows players to operate a selection of trains on various routes within Europe, Asia, and North America. Gameplay features include the ability to couple wagons, start and stop them, as well as operate trains using mouse and keyboard or hardware accessories (e.g. Raildriver) as controls.{{cite web | url=http://compsimgames.about.com/library/products/aafpr_trainsimulator.htm | title=Microsoft Train Simulator | author=Marchelletta, Courtney | website=About.com | publisher=The New York Times Company | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090320023514/http://compsimgames.about.com/library/products/aafpr_trainsimulator.htm | archive-date=March 20, 2009 | url-status=dead | access-date=January 26, 2024}}

The game features six routes in four countries: Austria, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.{{cite book | title=Microsoft Train Simulator - Engineer's Handbook | date=2001 | publisher=Microsoft | pages=76–87 | chapter=The Routes}}

{{Video game reviews

| MC = 84/100{{cite web | url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/microsoft-train-simulator/ | title=Microsoft Train Simulator | website=Metacritic | publisher=Fandom | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231204140543/https://www.metacritic.com/game/microsoft-train-simulator/ | archive-date=December 4, 2023 | url-status=live | access-date=January 26, 2024}}

| CGW = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite magazine | url=https://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_206.pdf | title=Get Onboard (Microsoft Train Simulator Review) | author=Case, Loyd | magazine=Computer Gaming World | publisher=Ziff Davis | issue=206 | date=September 2001 | page=88 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231029203725/https://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_206.pdf | archive-date=October 29, 2023 | url-status=live | access-date=January 26, 2024}}

| EPD = 8/10{{cite web | url=http://www.elecplay.com/review.html?article=6785&full=1 | title=Microsoft Train Simulator | author=MacIsaac, Jason | date=September 25, 2001 | website=The Electric Playground | publisher=Greedy Productions Ltd. | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020821062311/http://www.elecplay.com/review.html?article=6785&full=1 | archive-date=August 21, 2002 | url-status=dead | access-date=January 26, 2024}}

| EuroG = 6/10{{cite web | url=https://www.eurogamer.net/r-trainsim | title=Microsoft Train Simulator | author=Bye, John "Gestalt" | date=July 24, 2001 | website=Eurogamer | publisher=Gamer Network | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010806072401/http://www.eurogamer.net/content/r_trainsim | archive-date=August 6, 2001 | url-status=live | access-date=January 27, 2024}}

| GSpot = 8.2/10{{cite web | url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/train-simulator-review/1900-2772911/ | title=Train Simulator Review | author=Osborne, Scott | date=June 11, 2001 | website=GameSpot | publisher=Fandom | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010624093617/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/stories/reviews/0,10867,2772911,00.html | archive-date=June 24, 2001 | url-status=live | access-date=January 26, 2024}}

| GSpy = 81%{{cite web | url=http://www.gamespy.com/reviews/june01/trainsim/ | title=Microsoft Train Simulator | author=McConnaughy, Tim | date=June 24, 2001 | website=GameSpy | publisher=GameSpy Industries | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020602015723/http://www.gamespy.com/reviews/june01/trainsim/ | archive-date=June 2, 2002 | url-status=dead | access-date=January 27, 2024}}

| GameZone = 8.5/10{{cite web | url=http://pc.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r15855.htm | title=Microsoft Train Simulator Review | author=Lafferty, Michael | date=June 11, 2001 | website=GameZone | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081001235847/http://pc.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r15855.htm | archive-date=October 1, 2008 | url-status=dead | access-date=January 27, 2024}}

| IGN = 8/10{{cite web | url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/06/20/train-simulator | title=Train Simulator | author=Butts, Steve | date=June 20, 2001 | website=IGN | publisher=Ziff Davis | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190521012234/https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/06/20/train-simulator | archive-date=May 21, 2019 | url-status=live | access-date=January 26, 2024}}

| NGen = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite magazine | url=https://archive.org/details/NextGen81Sep2001/page/n91/mode/2up | title=Microsoft Train Simulator | author=Lee, John | magazine=NextGen | publisher=Imagine Media | issue=81 | date=September 2001 | page=90 | access-date=January 26, 2024}}

| PCGUS = 87%{{cite magazine | title=Microsoft Train Simulator | magazine=PC Gamer | publisher=Imagine Media | volume=8 | issue=9 | date=September 2001}}

| PCZone = 80%{{cite magazine | url=https://archive.org/details/PC_Zone_Issue_106_2001-09_Dennis_Publishing_GB/page/n71/mode/2up | title=Microsoft Train Simulator | author=Presley, Paul | magazine=PC Zone | publisher=Dennis Publishing | issue=106 | date=September 2001 | page=72 | access-date=January 27, 2024}}

| rev1 = The Cincinnati Enquirer

| rev1Score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite news | url=http://cincinnati.com/freetime/games/reviews/072501_trainsim.html | title='Train Simulator' on the right track | author=Saltzman, Marc | date=July 25, 2001 | newspaper=The Cincinnati Enquirer | publisher=Gannett Company | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010811133615/http://cincinnati.com/freetime/games/reviews/072501_trainsim.html | archive-date=August 11, 2001 | url-status=dead | access-date=January 26, 2024}}

}}

The game received "favorable" reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic. John Lee of NextGen said of the game, "All aboard for HO scale fans, trainspotters, and nostalgic rail buffs. Train haters, however, may prefer the old cliché, 'Run for the roundhouse, boys. They can't corner you there.'"

The game sold 191,952 units in the U.S. by the end of 2001, which drew revenues of $8.7 million.{{cite web | url=https://cat.nyu.edu/current/news/media/marklesimcity.pdf | title=Markle Forum on Children and Media | author=Bradshaw, Lucy | date=January 31, 2002 | website=Maxis | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040619191112/https://cat.nyu.edu/current/news/media/marklesimcity.pdf | archive-date=June 19, 2004 | url-status=dead}} These numbers rose to 330,000 units ($11.6 million) in the U.S. by August 2006. This led Edge to rank it as the country's 54th-best-selling computer game released in the 21st century in 2006.{{cite magazine | url=http://www.edge-online.com/features/top-100-pc-games-21st-century/5/ | title=The Top 100 PC Games of the 21st Century (Page 5) | author=Edge staff | date=August 25, 2006 | magazine=Edge | publisher=Future Publishing | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121017165827/http://www.edge-online.com/features/top-100-pc-games-21st-century/5/ | archive-date=October 17, 2012 | url-status=dead | access-date=January 26, 2024}}

Internationally, the game received a "Silver" sales award from the Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA),{{cite web | url=http://www.elspa.com/?i=3942 | title=ELSPA Sales Awards: Silver | website=Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090221154943/http://www.elspa.com/?i=3942 | archive-date=February 21, 2009 | url-status=dead}} indicating sales of at least 100,000 units in the UK.{{cite web | url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/elspa-i-wii-fit-mario-kart-i-reach-diamond-status-in-uk | title=ELSPA: Wii Fit, Mario Kart Reach Diamond Status In UK | author=Caoili, Eric | date=November 26, 2008 | website=Game Developer | publisher=Informa | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170918063107/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/112220/ELSPA_Wii_Fit_Mario_Kart_Reach_Diamond_Status_In_UK.php | archive-date=September 18, 2017 | url-status=live | access-date=January 26, 2024}} In the German market, the Verband der Unterhaltungssoftware Deutschland (VUD) presented it with a "Gold" certification in early 2003,{{cite web | url=http://www.vud.de/presse/januar2003.php3 | title=VUD-SALES-AWARDS Januar 2003 | language=de | date=January 2003 | website=Verband der Unterhaltungssoftware Deutschland | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030422013331/http://www.vud.de/presse/januar2003.php3 | archive-date=April 22, 2003 | url-status=dead}} for sales of at least 100,000 units across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.{{cite magazine | url=https://www.gamepro.de/artikel/vud-gold-awards-2003,1290773.html | title=VUD-Gold-Awards 2003 | language=de | author=Horn, André | date=January 12, 2004 | magazine=GamePro Germany | publisher=Webedia | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180718145345/https://www.gamepro.de/artikel/vud-gold-awards-2003,1290773.html | archive-date=July 18, 2018 | url-status=live}}

The game sold one million units by 2005,{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/gamesblog/2005/jun/24/eatakesthetr | title=EA takes the train | author=Stuart, Keith | date=June 24, 2005 | newspaper=The Guardian | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151005020902/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/gamesblog/2005/jun/24/eatakesthetr | archive-date=October 5, 2015 | url-status=live}} and, despite its age, is still very popular and has a large, active community.{{cite magazine | url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2014/09/06/gears-of-war-39-s-rod-fergusson-on-the-franchise-39-s-past-and-his-optimism-for-the-future.aspx | title=Gears Of War's Rod Fergusson On the Franchise's Past And His Optimism For The Future | author=Hilliard, Kyle | date=September 6, 2014 | magazine=Game Informer | publisher=GameStop | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230410235821/https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2014/09/06/gears-of-war-39-s-rod-fergusson-on-the-franchise-39-s-past-and-his-optimism-for-the-future.aspx | archive-date=April 10, 2023 | url-status=live | access-date=January 26, 2024}}

The game was nominated for the "PC Simulation" award at the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences' 5th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards, which ultimately went to Microsoft Flight Simulator 2002.{{cite web | url=http://www.interactive.org/awards/IAA-5/winners.asp | title=5th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards: Winners | website=Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040603022924/http://www.interactive.org/awards/IAA-5/winners.asp | archive-date=June 3, 2004 | url-status=dead | access-date=January 27, 2024}}

{{clear}}

The game also included a route and activity editor that enabled users to create and modify routes, trains, and activities.{{cite book | title=Microsoft Train Simulator - Engineer's Handbook | year=2001 | publisher=Microsoft | pages=89–90 | chapter=The Editor and Tools}} Additionally, the game also allowed for mod support to add and change routes, trains, cargo, scenery, etc. Over 30,000 mods have been created and are mostly hosted on community sites such as [https://www.trainsim.com TrainSim.com], UKTrainsim.com, and ElvasTower.com.{{cite web | url=https://www.trainsim.com/forums/forum/microsoft-train-simulator/msts-general-discussion/115924-msts-add-on-web-sites | title=MSTS Add-On Web Sites | date=May 18, 2010 | website=TrainSim.com | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126234953/https://www.trainsim.com/forums/forum/microsoft-train-simulator/msts-general-discussion/115924-msts-add-on-web-sites | archive-date=January 26, 2024 | url-status=live | access-date=January 27, 2024}} MSTS BIN, a community mod aimed at adding features and fixing old MSTS, was released in 2006.{{cite web | url=http://mstsbin.uktrainsim.com/ | title=MS train simulator upgrade | website=MSTS BIN | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230930070038/http://mstsbin.uktrainsim.com/ | archive-date=September 30, 2023 | url-status=live | access-date=January 27, 2024}}

{{Main article|Microsoft Train Simulator 2}}

On May 7, 2003, Microsoft announced that it would be developing a sequel called Microsoft Train Simulator 2;{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} it was first demoed to the public at E3 on May 15.{{cite web | url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/train-simulator-2-impressions/1100-6028191/ | title=Train Simulator 2 Impressions | author=Calvert, Justin | date=May 15, 2003 | website=GameSpot | publisher=Fandom | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121008180742/http://uk.gamespot.com/train-simulator-2/previews/train-simulator-2-impressions-6028191/ | archive-date=October 8, 2012 | url-status=live | access-date=January 27, 2024}} Seemingly, its main improvements were the addition of people to the game (e.g. passengers waiting at the stations, people operating the new locomotive roster, etc.) and turntables. It was being developed by Kuju Entertainment, the original MSTS creators. Despite restructuring efforts at Kuju, the project was handed over to Microsoft Game Studios on August 18, 2003.{{cite web | url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/microsoft-takes-over-train-sim-2/1100-6073580/ | title=Microsoft takes over Train Sim 2 | author=Parker, Sam | date=August 18, 2003 | website=GameSpot | publisher=Fandom | archive-url=https://archive.today/20130123235734/http://uk.gamespot.com/pc/sim/trainsimulator2/news.html?sid=6073580&mode=recent | archive-date=January 23, 2013 | url-status=live | access-date=January 27, 2024}}

This project was ultimately halted, as the following statement on April 24, 2004, from Microsoft confirmed:

{{blockquote|Microsoft Game Studios has halted the Windows-based game "Train Simulator 2.0." The decision to halt "Train Simulator 2.0" was made some time ago and was based on a long, hard and difficult look at our business objectives and product offerings. We remain focused on the simulations category with successful, platform-driving franchises such as "Microsoft Flight Simulator."{{cite web | url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/train-simulator-2-canceled/1100-6094833/ | title=Train Simulator 2 canceled | author=Calvert, Justin | date=April 29, 2004 | website=GameSpot | publisher=Fandom | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090130115830/http://uk.gamespot.com/pc/sim/trainsimulator2/news_6094833.html | archive-date=January 30, 2009 | url-status=live | access-date=January 27, 2024}}}}

On January 19, 2007, Microsoft announced the relaunch of the Microsoft Train Simulator project. This time the game was being developed in-house by Aces Game Studio (Microsoft Game Studios) known for its long line of Microsoft Flight Simulators, as a part of the "Games for Windows" initiative. The game would have used the Microsoft Flight Simulator X graphics engine, and it was planned to be compatible with both Windows Vista and Windows XP. A post on "The Little Wheel Goes in Back" blog, written by one of the developers, on August 23, 2007, suggested the working title was "Train Simulator 2".{{cite web | url=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/archive/blogs/tdragger/guter-tag-von-leipzig | title=Guter Tag von Leipzig! | author=tdragger | date=August 23, 2007 | website=Microsoft | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090313022159/http://blogs.msdn.com/tdragger/archive/2007/08/23/guter-tag-von-leipzig.aspx | archive-date=March 13, 2009 | url-status=live | access-date=January 27, 2024}}

{{third-party|section|date=August 2022}}

File:Open Rails-logo.png

MSTS is compatible with the open source project Open Rails, created by followers of MSTS,{{cite web | url=http://www.openrails.org/ | title=Open Rails - Free train simulator project | website=Open Rails | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240101052445/https://www.openrails.org/ | archive-date=January 1, 2024 | url-status=live | access-date=January 27, 2024}} which hosts a collection of third party digital content. MSTS's development ended in 2009; however, community support for MSTS led to the creation of a third party team which created Open Rails.

Open Rails uses the GPL license, and the project has progressed from providing legacy support for MSTS to adding new features. Open Rails supports modern graphics processors, which allows it to achieve increased frame rates compared to MSTS.

A form of Open Rails was used in several studies about the real life operation of railroads, such as in a 2016 study analyzing the impact of cyber attacks on railroads.{{cite book |doi=10.1109/TENCON.2016.7847966 | chapter=Secure Rails: Towards an open simulation platform for analyzing cyber-physical attacks in railways | title=2016 IEEE Region 10 Conference (TENCON) | year=2016 | author1=Teo, Zhan-Teng | author2=Tran, Bao Anh N. | author3=Lakshminarayana, Subhash | author4=Temple, William G. | author5=Chen, Binbin | author6=Tan, Rui | author7=Yau, David K. Y. | pages=95–98 | isbn=978-1-5090-2597-8 | s2cid=24841299}}

[https://trainsim.com TrainSim.Com] was the first community to embrace MSTS in 2001, and has an active support community as well as a file library of user created content for the game.{{cite web| title=Trainsim.com About Us| url=https://www.trainsim.com/forums/articles/help/2284134-about-us |date=January 2024}} Over 50,000 files ranging from entire routes to individual locomotives and cars are available to use with the legacy MSTS game and with Open Rails. As of August 2024, new content is still being developed for the game.{{cite web | title=Trainsim.com New Files | url=https://www.trainsim.com/forums/articles-newfiles-redir | date=August 19, 2024}}

Additional communities, such as [https://UKTrainSim.com UK TrainSim], also emerged, however many of these have since closed down.{{cite web | url=https://www.uktrainsim.com/index2.php?form_news=readreport&form_report=1937 | title=UKTrainSim Formal Closure | date=January 27, 2023 | website=UKTrainSim | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230730214118/https://www.uktrainsim.com/index2.php?form_news=readreport&form_report=1937 | archive-date=July 30, 2023 | url-status=dead}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{webarchive | url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040610014042/http://www.microsoft.com/games/trainsimulator/ | date=June 10, 2004 | title=Official website}}
• {{moby game|id=/4233/microsoft-train-simulator/}}

{{Microsoft Flight Simulator}}

Category:2001 video games

Category:Kuju games

Category:Microsoft games

Microsoft Train Simulator

Category:Single-player video games

Category:Train simulation video games

Category:Video games developed in the United Kingdom

Category:Windows games

Category:Windows-only games