Auran Games, developer of the long running Trainz franchise, today announced that Beta Testing had commenced for the new Trainz Simulator 2009: World Builder Edition (TS2009). Over 1,000 registered members from TrainzDev.com have been invited to join the initial testing group and more testers would be invited in the coming weeks.
"We're thrilled to have reached our Beta milestone, and the early feedback from testers has been extremely positive" said Tony Hilliam, CEO. "We have built up a fantastic community over the past 8 years since Trainz began and everything is pointing towards Trainz 2009 being our best ever version."
"Trainz is an evergreen product with more than a million units sold since the first release in 2001," said Graham Edelsten, Director of N3VRF41L Publishing. "We're extremely happy to be publishing the 2009 version and look forward to welcoming thousands of train fans of all ages. Half our customers are aged over 50 and that gives Trainz a very special place in the gaming market. It really is more of a hobby than a game and that's one reason why we have built up a 300,000 strong online community."
The Trainz Simulator 2009: World Builder Edition contains everything you need to build or operate your own railroad and includes dozens of routes and hundreds of locomotives from around the world. You can drive steam diesel or electric locomotives using controls in the fully 3D cabs or use a simple speed controller for easier train management.
The 2009 World Builder Edition includes a major upgrade in the graphics capabilities, new content management tools and a host of new features in the famous "Surveyor" module. It will be followed early in 2009 by "Engineers Edition" (TEE) which will deliver new content and new routes, plus a range of new Driver-specific features. Content from previous versions in 99% compatible and users will be able to import and upgrade their favourite routes and locos.
Pre-orders for TS2009 are live on the Auran website at www.auran.com/shop . All pre-order receive an invitation to the Beta plus a range of 20% and 60% discount vouchers on the Auran store.
Trainz Simulator 2009: Engineers Edition will be available from retail outlets in Q1 2009.
More information can be found at www.TS2009.com