Trainz is back on track!

As announced on the Trainz forum by Tony Hilliam:

"We are very pleased to announce that n3vrf41l Publishing (N3V) have licensed two new versions of Trainz to be released world-wide over the next two years. These two releases will continue the evolution of Trainz from a simple piece of fun software to an in-depth and serious simulation. Trainz is a virtual hobby that combines the raw power of railroads with the digital power of computer simulation. As more and more people become connected via computer, the audience for train simulation continues to grow and as the longest running railroad simulation series, Trainz is set to capitalize on this growth.

"These two new releases will deliver many of the enhancements and additions Trainz fans have been asking for and will reaffirm the position of Trainz as the most flexible and extensible rail simulation platform ever created.

"We have elected to make this initial announcement on the Trainz forums to allow our regular community members the opportunity to comment and give their feedback on our plans. A more detailed public announcement will be made later in June to coincide with the launch of the new TS2009 website and forums as well as the new TrainzExchange community portal and the new TrainzDev site which is designed to further support the content creation community.

See here for the full announcement and thread.

The most important part of the announcement for me is the acknowledgment that virtual railroading is a hobby. This sets VR apart from most computer games, which basically come and go. Virtual railroading requires a different mindset on the part of publishers and developers, one that requires a long perspective and all that that entails. This announcement is a most encouraging development for me. Way to go!!!!!

Al