Rail Simulator

Rail Simulator (Kuju Rail Simulator) is a train simulation published by Electronic Arts (EA). It was produced by UK based Kuju Entertainment, the company which developed Microsoft Train Simulator (MSTS) with Microsoft. After release of the UK version, support and further development of the title was taken over by Rail Simulator Developments Ltd, who have continued to provide updates, fixes, official expansion packs and new content for RailSim fans. RSDL has also released a much anticipated sequel to the first game, both online and on DVD-ROM.

Features
Steam, diesel and electric traction trains, keyboard or mouse control of throttles, brakes and switches with three control modes for varying player skills. A variety of scenarios are available as well as an exploratory style free roam mode. Cargos and passengers are animated, and weather changes dynamically with time. The game has been criticized by reviewers for not providing enough help for newcomers to train simulation, and lack of complete instructions in the guides.

Editing tools
A complete tool suite is also available to customise content, allowing terrain modeling either by hand using provided tools or via the import of DEM data from NASA; track construction based on a system of straights and arcs, allowing infinitely possible junction configurations, and scenery placement. A scenario editor allows the creation of tasks such as picking up passengers, hauling cargo and shunting wagons around yards. These tools also allow players to build unlimited sizes of layouts, create their own scenery and rolling stock and modifiy the provided content by adding features or reskins.

Expansion packs
Since release of the first edition, RSDL and Just Trains have continually released official expansions to the game, either in disc or download form. These packs add new routes and rolling stock, and upgrade the interface.

The first official expansion to the game adds several scenarios and the famous Class 08 Diesel shunter in 12 liveries to the relatively small selection players had to begin with, as well as numerous scenarios featuring the loco. For European players of the game, this pack also includes the Cajon Pass route with scenarios, which was released in the US copies of the game. Cajon Pass route also came with 3 variants of the ES44AC and SD40-2 EMD locomotives and 11 American freight cars in various colors.

The second pack adds six variants of the British Rail Class 66 Diesel Locomotive and 22 scenarios to the game. Also included is the surviving 14 miles of Rail Network of the Isle of Wight, coming with the Isle of Wight Steam Railway (Complete with Saddle Tank loco "Invincible", Southern 5-plank trucks, and the railway's push-pull coach set), and the Island Line which still operates the British Rail Class 483 Tube commuter trains that are more than 70 years old.


 * Additional packs have been released: one featuring the Class 158 and the other the Class 220 and Class 221 "Voyagers". Railworks also has the Class 380 Desiro and the Class 390 Pendolino as well.

Numerous 3rd Party expansions packs, utilities and individual items are now available via several online locations.

Reception
Since release Kuju Rail Simulator received generally positive reviews from reviewers. IGN awarded 7.0 out of 10, praising the title's attention to its source material. Some jaggy graphics were criticized (with foliage going through the cab instead of bouncing off the windshield, for example) and the fact that only true rail fanatics could ever get any fun out of KRS. The lack of any in-game tutorials was mentioned, with "members of the community ... making video walk-throughs, while lamenting the lack of a thick, fully printed manual."

PC Gamer gave the game a rating of 68, citing the lack of overall activities beyond the Sandbox editing and Scenarios.

Eurogamer gave the game a 6/10 to KRS, at the time comparing it to the older Evening Star video game.

Rail Simulator Developments Ltd (Later RailSimulator.com)
With the release of Rail Simulator in October 2007, Kuju Entertainment finished development and disbanded the RailSim team turning its attention to the next project. Knowing the potential of the RailSim engine, and with backing from Fund4Games who own the rights to the simulator, a new company was set up from some of the core members of the initial development team with the specific aim of fulfilling continued development of the brand and supporting users and 3rd party developers with add-on projects. This company was called Rail Simulator Developments Ltd (RSDL). RSDL have produced two patches to the core simulator (Upgrade Mk1 and Mk2 ), developed and released add-ons, helped the release of 3rd party products, and visited exhibitions to promote the simulation and provide for support users via several community websites.

In April 2009, a take over of RSDL was announced, with the development switching to a new version of the software called RailWorks which would be released on Steam. This change heralded a break from EA being the publisher in Europe and rights over the source code for Rail Simulator being transferred to single ownership by RailSimulator.com.

RailWorks
RailWorks is the official successor to Rail Simulator, announced by Tim Gatland on 26 March 2009 on the official Rail Simulator website. The game was released online on 12 June 2009 and in stores on 3 July 2009 in the DVD-Rom format.

RailWorks is an upgrade to Rail Simulator, containing new rolling stock, tools that had to be separately downloaded, significant graphical advancements such as modification of the existing content, bug fixes, backwards compatibility and the ability to trade elements from the virtual world with other users online. RailWorks will be a universal platform containing all content from the original European release and US release. RailWorks will also make use of Valve's Steam platform to simplify the processes of support and upgrading the product.