Over the coming weeks, we want to talk about and show you more from Train Sim World 3. We are creating a short series of dev-blogs that will give you more details and insights into the new features coming with Train Sim World 3, highlighting the hard work that’s gone into building them! This week we talk about the all-new Training Center, UI changes, and what’s happening to all the add-ons you currently own for Train Sim World 2. Read on to find out more and watch the dev-blog to hear from the Dovetail Games team:
A new place to learn
Operating a train is tough and the trains in Train Sim World 3 are as close to the real thing as we can get. This is why we have introduced the new Training Center, a safe environment where you’ll be able to learn how to drive the locomotives featured in Train Sim World 3. You will practice on a brand-new route, inspired by the Wildenwrath Test Track - albeit with our own scenery - and all Train Sim World 3 owners will have access to this. This route is ‘free-roam’ in nature and the first of its kind in Train Sim World 3 as you have complete freedom to drive round the test track, walk about the complex, or even just sit on a bench and soak up the atmosphere. Not to forget it even has ‘Off the Rails’ mode permanently enabled! For new players, Off the Rails mode allows you to drive any train on any route, free from restrictions such as electrification, era, even country!
Having this new ‘onboarding’ process will help new players get more enjoyment out of the different styles of locos available. The Training Center is the perfect place to learn without the pressures of signalling and other traffic on the line, giving you have the freedom to learn at your own pace. There are nine locos available included in the Standard Edition from the three routes, giving you a wide variety of driving experiences from the get-go in the Training Center.
Your Content
When we announced Train Sim World 3, we shared that your Train Sim World 2 collection would be coming with you when you make the jump to Train Sim World 3. On September 6th, you will no longer see Train Sim World 2 on your preferred platform store page, and you will only see Train Sim World 3, the new editions and most of the add-ons from Train Sim World history*. This doesn’t mean Train Sim World 2 will disappear from your library, it just means you won’t be able to purchase it in store. The three routes included in Train Sim World 2 (Bakerloo Line, Schnellfahrstrecke Köln-Aachen and Sand Patch Grade), as well as New Journeys Expansion will also be available to purchase separately shortly after launch, if you don't already own them. Going forward we are also removing the ‘Preservation Collection’ branding and introducing a new Train Sim World Compatible logo on previously released add-ons.
When you see the Train Sim World Compatible logo you will know that that particular add-on will work within Train Sim World 3. Plus, your favourite Train Sim World 2 routes can look forward to the brand-new dynamic weather system. Other new features such as the volumetric clouds and new lighting effects are exclusive to the Train Sim World 3 core routes and add-ons released after September 6th.
Looking further forward from Train Sim World 3 you will no longer be required to own a certain route in order to purchase a new loco add-on. With the Training Center in mind, we want players to have the freedom to practice with any train released after Train Sim World 3 has launched. We will be able to explain more on this in the future.
New UI
Train Sim World 3 will bring a refreshed UI built from scratch, making it much easier to jump into the action when you load up the game. The development team have made a whole host of changes including new search and filter functions, meaning you can search for the route or loco you want to experience by selecting different options such as regions, diesel, electric and more. You can also sort your collection based on newest-oldest, A-Z alphabetical and vice versa. However, your last played route/train will always be the first on the list, and second will be the newest add-on in your collection.
We also now give you the option to select your train first, then choose the route on which you would like to travel. As your collection grows this may yield more opportunities for you to use your favourite trains in more places.
If you’re having one of those days where you aren’t sure what route you want to explore you can try Train Sim World 3’s new quick-play mode. Pressing the quick play button randomly selects a scenario or service you haven't completed depending on the length of service you chose from the add-ons you have installed, this new mode could introduce you to a route that you own and haven’t explored before!
Previously the livery designer page was just an unsearchable list of text-only selections, now it has all the same search and filtering functions as per gameplay selection, and a visual representation of the rail vehicles you will be editing. Also, this can be found under the Creators Club button on the main menu, you no longer have to select a route in order to access the creation tools
Be sure to watch the Railfan TV team tonight on Twitch and YouTube at 19:00 pm UTC with the first Q&A stream of the Train Sim World 3 era. They will be answering your questions that you submitted on our forums plus also showing you the new UI (and menu music!) in action.
You can also look forward to our first Train Sim World 3 gameplay stream starting at 19:00 UTC, August 18. JD will be joined by Lukas and together they will be showcasing the first of the three Train Sim World 3 routes, Kassel-Würzburg.
Train Sim World 3 Standard Edition and Deluxe Edition are available to pre-order now on Steam, PlayStation, Xbox (Deluxe Only) and Epic Games Store. When you pre-order on your selected store you will have 4-day Early Access to Train Sim World 3 as well as a bonus decal pack to use within the livery editor to share on Creators Club, the home of player customization in Train Sim World.
*The following Train Sim World 2020 Add-Ons: CSX GP40-2, Northeast Corridor New York, and Amtrak SW1000R & Metroliner Cab Car will not be available for Train Sim World 3
