Thinking about buying a game from the Railroad Tycoon series? This is a great place to start. Here you can find specifications for each game and detailed descriptions about each title. Also, there are links to where you can purchase Sid Meier's Railroad's, Railroad Tycoon 3, and Railroad Tycoon II: Platinum (Amazon.com) and download Railroad Tycoon Deluxe.
PURCHASE SID MEIER'S RAILROADS FROM AMAZON.COM
Sid Meier's
Railroads! marks the return of the watershed title in simulation/strategy gaming
that launched the popular "tycoon" genre, and inspired a new
generation of games. Sid Meier's Railroads! comes home to its original creator,
the legendary Sid Meier, who, together with his team at Firaxis Games, will take
this game to a whole new level of fun!
The greatest railroad building game of all time is back in a vibrant 3D world
delivering exciting multiplayer options, in-game customization tools,
streamlined interface and unmatched gameplay, that's easy to learn yet
challenging to master. Combining the best of real-world and model railroads, Sid
Meier's Railroads! puts you in charge of building the greatest rail empire in
the nation - managing trains, cargo and your bottom line - while engaging in
all-out corporate warfare against rival tycoons, slick entrepreneurs, and robber
barons!
Real-time action - lay track, route the trains, and the world comes to
life. Cities and industries grow up around you as you service them, hauling raw
materials to market and carrying manufactured goods away; Cargos are loaded onto
train cars and passengers shuffle between cities.
Easy to get started - laying track is as easy as clicking and dragging.
Bridges, tunnels, railroad stations and switches sprout up automatically where
they're needed.
Challenging to master - with a new market system that tracks supply and
demand and complex random events that can cause a boom or bust at any time,
players must stay on their toes at all times or risk obsolescence, financial
collapse, or hostile takeover.
It's all about the trains! - over 30 trains to use, from the primitive
0-4-0 Planet (NOT INCLUDED IN GAME) to the Super powerful 4-6-6-4
Challenger (ALSO NOT INCLUDED), from the classic diesels to ultra-modern
bullet trains.
LocoBuilder - customize your train liveries, from color schemes to custom
logos.
We've got the goods - over 20 different goods to harvest, produce, and
sell, and 30 unique industries, from lumber mills to war factories, each with
detailed, unique animations.
Scenario and map editor support - enables user-created maps and
scenarios. Want to create a race to complete a transcontinental railroad in 30
years using only steam engines? No problem!
Something for everyone - build your dream train layout in train table
mode, or challenge historical giants like Cornelius Vanderbilt, J.P. Morgan, and
others in single-player scenarios.
Multiplayer - Ruthless real-time LAN and Internet play. Engage in
economic warfare and buy out your rivals!
Official Web Site - To see the game in action, stop by the official
Sid Meier's Railroads! site.
Minimum System Requirements
Operating System: Windows 2000/XP
Processor: Pentium 4 1.4 GHz or AMD Athlon equivalent
Memory: 512 MB RAM
Hard Disk Space: 2 GB Free
Video: DirectX 9.0c-compatible 64 MB video card with hardware pixel & vertex
shaders
Sound: DirectX 7-compatible sound card or higher
DirectX: DirectX version 9.0c (included) or higher
(SMR Game Info taken from Firaxis Games website)
PURCHASE RAILROAD TYCOON 3 FROM AMAZON.COM
OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE
GATHERING AND POPTOP ANNOUNCE "RAILROAD
TYCOON 3" FOR PC
Latest in the Award-Winning Series On Track for Fall 2003
BALTIMORE, MD - April 4, 2003 - Computer and video game publisher Gathering and developer PopTop Software, Inc., subsidiaries of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.
(NASDAQ-TTWO), today announced "Railroad Tycoon(tm) 3" for PC.
The third game in this multimillion-selling series is building up a full head of steam for its launch this autumn. This time the graphical locomotion driving the game will be in stunning 3D, creating breathtaking environments and a real flavor of the Golden Era of Railroading right through to modern day railroading enterprises.
Every railroad system has to start somewhere, and from small beginnings each piece of track laid takes the player closer to their financial destination, posing the question, "Do you have what it takes to become a Railroad Tycoon?"
"The Railroad Tycoon series continues to evoke the passion people have for steam and modern day locomotives, as well as the strategy gamers' desire for a significant challenge," said Kelly Sumner, President of Gathering, "'Railroad Tycoon 3' builds on the popular features and successes of the franchise, and will deliver one of the best Tycoon experiences in the market."
"We are proud to announce a successor to the series that is worthy of the Railroad Tycoon name," said Phil
Steinmeyer, CEO of PopTop and Lead Designer of 'Railroad Tycoon 3.' "'Railroad Tycoon 3' takes the franchise to the next level with a cutting edge 3D engine that smoothly scales from 'eye in the sky' views of an entire continent down to super detailed close-ups of beautifully modeled trains, buildings and landscapes."
About Railroad Tycoon 3
Players of Railroad Tycoon 3 begin the game with a modest sum of capital at the beginning of the Golden Era of Railroading and expand their empire into major cities, while purchasing the latest locomotives, forcing competitors into bankruptcy, and exploiting the stock market to become the ultimate Railroad Tycoon.
As well as the 25 challenging scenarios to recreate magnificent feats of railroading history from around the world, players can also lay down track, complete with tunnels, bridges, and overpasses, then pick from more than 40 locomotives - from the original Planet and Norris 4-2-0 to monstrous late steam engines like the 4-6-6-4 Challenger to the ultra-modern EuroStar bullet train. Players will haul over 35 different cargos between more than 150 different buildings, in a dynamic and fluctuating economy. Manipulating Railroad Tycoon 3's realistic stock market with margin buying, short selling, hostile takeovers and mergers, players can build up a massive fortune and even prosper by running their railroad into bankruptcy.
"Railroad Tycoon 3" will have multi-player support, including an integrated chat and matchmaking service. The game's soundtrack features some of the best blues, bluegrass and Americana musicians in the nation, playing authentic music that even modern music enthusiasts will enjoy.
The success of the Railroad Tycoon series is world-renowned. The series has received Time Magazine's 1999 Technology Buyer's Guide Winner award and 4.5 stars plus the Editor's Choice award from Computer Gaming World. USA Today called Railroad Tycoon II, "a worthy addition to any sim library," awarding it 4 out of 4 stars.
About Take-Two Interactive Software
Headquartered in New York City, Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. is an integrated global developer, marketer, distributor, and publisher of interactive entertainment software games and accessories for the PC, PlayStation., PlayStation.2,
Xbox, Nintendo GameCube and Nintendo Game Boy Advance. The Company publishes and develops products through its wholly owned subsidiary labels: Rockstar Games, Gotham Games, Gathering, Joytech and Global Star. The Company maintains sales and marketing offices in Cincinnati, New York, Toronto, London, Paris, Munich, Vienna, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Milan, Sydney, and Auckland. Take-Two's common stock is publicly traded on NASDAQ under the symbol
TTWO. For more corporate and product information please visit our website at www.take2games.com.
All trademarks and copyrights contained herein are the property of their respective holders.
GAME DESCRIPTION
Railroad Tycoon ™ 3 is the third game in this multimillion-selling, world-renowned series. The Railroad Tycoon series continues to evoke the passion people have for steam and modern day locomotives, as well as the strategy gamer’s desire for a significant challenge. Railroad Tycoon 3 builds on the popular features and successes of the franchise and seeks to improve and innovate them to provide the greatest gameplay experience of the franchise so far.
RT3 also won the Wargamer.com award for Best of Show at the 2003 E3 convention.
KEY FEATURES (Right out of the Box, however, many additional features are available for free download throughout the Railroad Tycoon Community)
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Cutting edge 3D engine that smoothly scales from 'eye in the sky' views of an entire continent down to super detailed close-ups of beautifully modeled trains, buildings and landscapes
-
25 challenging scenarios to recreate magnificent feats of railroading history from around the world
-
Players can also lay down track, complete with tunnels, bridges, and overpasses
-
40+ locomotives
-
Over 35 different cargos
-
More than 150 different buildings
-
A dynamic and fluctuating economy
-
Realistic stock market with margin buying, short selling, hostile takeovers and mergers
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Multi-player support, including an integrated chat and matchmaking service
-
Soundtrack featuring 90 minutes of blues and bluegrass music.
DEVELOPER'S
HISTORY
PopTop Software Inc. is a
premier developer of computer strategy games. PopTop has dedicated itself
to create exciting games that everyone can enjoy - easy to learn, hard to
master, lots of gameplay value, and minimal violence. In 1998,
PopTop released Railroad Tycoon™ II, and several follow-ups and ports have
followed in the last 2 years. In April 2001 PopTop released the hit
Tropico, in which you are the ruler of a small island nation, working to make
your nation prosper, and your own personal Swiss Bank account grow as well.
PopTop has down some work with other developers in both artist and
production roles. PopTop assisted
Triumph Studios in Age of Wonders 2, and helped Frog City produce Tropico 2:
Pirate Cove. The company is
currently fully committed to the Railroad Tycoon™ 3 project.
PopTop software was merged with Firaxis Games in 2006.
PURCHASE RAILROAD TYCOON II: PLATINUM FROM AMAZON.COM
About Railroad Tycoon II (Taken from Manual)
Since the invention of the wheel, man has been obsessed with finding faster and more efficient ways of transporting people and goods to distant destinations. The ancient Romans used ruts or grooves in their roads to improve the flow and speed of traffic. In the 1600’s, miners laid down wooden planks on which they led horse-drawn carts to lighten their workload, and increase the speed at which they could extract coal and other raw materials from the mines. However, few things changed the world as dramatically and as quickly as did the introduction of steam power in the 1700’s, and the invention of the steam-powered locomotive in 1804.
Initially replacing the horse for freight work and thus earning the long-lived moniker "the Iron Horse," the steam locomotive and the railways on which they ran revolutionized the means of transportation and inspired visionary entrepreneurs and generations of song writers. Virtually overnight, it became feasible to haul cargo over great distances, and the railroad industry quickly became a cash cow for landowners and the railroad barons themselves. For the first time, long-distance travel was a reality, and new industries, folklore, and legends were created to cater to the needs and dreams of a more mobile population.
Railroad Tycoon II takes you back to this momentous period in human history. You slip into the role as chairman of your own railroad, and it is your job to be better, faster, and just plain smarter than your competitors. Good business sense is a must, but so is a healthy dose of guts to go for the glory of building and ruling your own iron empire.
As your fledgling empire grows, you’ll have the chance to bring rail travel to the cities of your choice, supplying them with the goods they need. You’ll also be given various tasks whose completion depends upon your ability to think faster than your competitors, make allies out of enemies, and above all, satisfy your shareholders. The stock market is another area where you can pad your fortune, or grind your rivals into dust. You can even hire managers—each with unique bonuses that contribute to your success—to assist you with everyday operations. There are as many ways to accomplish your goals as there are individuals playing the game, and each scenario won’t play the same way twice, resulting in a fresh game play experience every time. Once you’ve mastered the role of chairman, you’ll be ready to take on other players in multiplayer mode, or even design your own maps and remake history as you see fit, in the extensive map editor provided with this detailed, addictive, and highly entertaining game.
Railroad Tycoon VS. Railroad Tycoon II (Taken from Manual)
Railroad Tycoon II is the sequel to the award-winning simulation Railroad Tycoon. Although it does include many of the same features that have been updated in various ways, there are some major differences in the two games. Railroad Tycoon II features:
• Better graphics—Designed to run in 1024 x 768 resolution, Railroad Tycoon II is a much more visually impressive game than its predecessor.
• Full-motion video—As an enhancement to game actions, full-motion video clips are included at various stages.
• More engine and cargo types—With over 60 available engines and 34 cargo types, you’ll never run out of options when building your empire.
• A stronger financial market system—Railroad Tycoon II’s economic model is as close to the real world as possible, allowing you to even adversely affect your competitors’ stock by short selling and other robber baron tactics.
• Deeper industry webs—More types of cargo are produced, leading to advanced economic relationships between destinations.
• Territories—Your rights in certain areas will depend upon your railroads relationships within the area. So be good to your neighbors!
• More time periods—The game encompasses the years 1804 to 2020, allowing you to experience the early growth in steam engine railways, the power of diesels, and the modern era of electric engines.
• Nearly twice as many chairmen—Play as any of 40 chairmen, from Otto von Bismarck to William Wheelwright.
• Managers—Select from 40 managers with their own operational bonuses.
• Campaigns—An 18-scenario campaign, starting with simple scenarios, then moving up to more sophisticated and challenging scenarios when you’re ready.
• More configuration options—Set up the game the way you want it to play, even select and play maps separate from the Campaign mode.
• Sandbox mode—Play with no economic model active, with all the time and resources in the world. This is great for learning basic railway design as well as industry relationships.
• Multiplayer modes—Compete against other human players over a local area network (LAN) or the Internet.
• CD quality music—Upgraded sound system, including appropriate music to set the mood for industrial domination of your rivals.
• 3D map environment—View actual terrain features, including trees, hills, and rivers, and rotate the map in any direction to better view your holdings.
• Full editor for maps and events—Build (or import) custom maps, and script every detail down to available computer opponents and timeline events.
DOWNLOAD RAILROAD TYCOON DELUXE FROM THE SID MEIER'S RAILROADS! OFFICIAL SITE
Railroad Tycoon (RRT) and Railroad Tycoon Deluxe (RDX) are exciting strategy games of empire building, operation, and market manipulation. It is a commercial product of MicroProse Software and was originally designed for MS-DOS on an IBM PC or Apple Macintosh.
The game was authored primarily by Sid Meier, who went on to write Civilization and other great games. Bruce Shelly also helped with the design and is known for his previous contribution to Avalon Hill's 1830 railroad board game. The game borrows elements of 1830 and combines them with elements of the PC Empire war game to provide a strategy game that can consume hours of play.
Railroad Tycoon pits a single player against 3 simulated players. You are given some initial money and must build a successful railroad corporation. You spend your money building the track and stations. Then you buy and schedule trains that earn money by collecting cargos at resource centers and delivering them to stations with matching demands. A changing economic cycle and a growing population over time, keep things from becoming static. On the financial side of Railroad Tycoon, it allows you to raise money by selling bonds and investing in the stock of your company and your competitors. If you can manage to gain greater than 50% of your competitor's stock you can also operate their railroad and take their profits. You can also manipulate your competitor's stock values to your advantage or their detriment. At the end of 100 years you are rated on your financial accomplishments.
Railroad Tycoon was released in 1990. Railroad Tycoon Deluxe was released in 1993. Railroad Tycoon Deluxe plays basically the same as Railroad Tycoon, but has greatly enhanced graphics and additional scenarios.
Most discussions are geared to the original game and applies to both.
Original Game Materials: Manual, Technical Supplement, Distribution diskettes, Economic charts
The game is copy protected by a challenge to identify a locomotive by sight. The locomotives are pictured and described in the Manual. A frequent player or rail fan can memorize this. The less initiated can make
a crib sheet by noting the wheel arrangements (eg: 2-4-2) also given and explained in the manual. Failure to pass the challenge results in only being able to play with 2 trains.
(Special Thanks for the above RT1 game info goes to David Mitton, April 5, 1994)
Kurt's Railroad Tycoon Fan Station, 2009-2010