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| 'All Aboard' for the World's Most Exciting Train Experiences Via the PC |
Microsoft to Debut Train Simulation Software at National Model Railroad
Association's National Train Show
REDMOND, Wash., July 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT)
today announced that it will release "Microsoft(R) Train Simulator," a
software program designed to simulate the thrills of the railways on the
personal computer, in the spring of 2001. Attendees at the National Model
Railroad Association's (NMRA) National Train Show next week in San Jose,
Calif., will be the first to see an early version of the software and
experience the excitement and adventure of "Microsoft Train Simulator."
"Train Simulator" aims to bring the most true-to-life virtual train
experience to the PC. Working in cooperation with six of the world's leading
railroads, Microsoft is re-creating hundreds of miles of routes with realistic
scenery, equipment and operations. Using multiple camera angles, players can
take on the role of an engineer, passenger or bystander.
Lifelike engineer's control panels, scenery and weather; and accurate
elevations and terrain data mirror real-world train travel. Player activities
can include anything from keeping passenger time schedules while managing
unforeseen barriers and negotiating freight through mountain passes in winter
storms to navigating some of the world's busiest commuter lines.
"Microsoft Train Simulator" comes from the simulations group at Microsoft
distinguished for developing the world's best-selling PC-game software,
"Microsoft Flight Simulator." Long synonymous with exacting standards of
quality and realism, the simulations group at Microsoft is dedicated to
providing both flight and rail fans with experiences that are "as real as it
gets."
"Our 18-year commitment to simulations continues with 'Microsoft Train
Simulator,'" said Mike Geertsen, product planner in the simulations product
unit at Microsoft. "We are excited to create a product that brings the thrill
of trains and railroading to the general public and allows train enthusiasts
and modelers to extend their hobby onto their personal computers."
Players can operate nine different trains, ranging from steam locomotives
and modern diesels to high-speed electric "bullet trains," as they travel any
of six famous rail routes from around the globe. These routes include both
historic and contemporary rail operations.
The six railroads included in "Microsoft Train Simulator" are listed
below:
-- Amtrak. Players can race up and down the busy northeastern corridor of
the United States as the "bullet train" comes to America with Amtrak's
new Acela high-speed train.
-- Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway. Users experience the challenges
and awesome power of moving today's freight through the spectacular
Marias Pass and along the southern border of Glacier National Park in
Montana.
-- The Flying Scotsman Railways. Enthusiasts chug along some of England's
most beautiful countryside in the late 1920s in what is arguably the
world's most famous steam locomotive.
-- Kyushu Railway Co. Users explore the mountainous Hisatsu line on
Japan's southern island of Kyushu.
-- Odakyu Electric Railway. Players navigate one of the busiest commuter
lines out of Tokyo or take in the breathtaking scenery of Mt. Fuji.
-- The Venice-Simplon Orient Express. Participants visit the Austrian Alps
in the 1930s for the ultimate in romantic European steam train travel.
As it did with the "Flight Simulator" series, Microsoft developed
"Microsoft Train Simulator" with open architecture and tools, and designed it
as a train-simulation platform for home entertainment. These features enable
enthusiasts and third-party developers to customize and extend the product by
creating new trains, routes, scenery, world objects and challenges.
The NMRA National Train Show takes place Aug. 4-6 at the San Jose
Convention Center. Attendees can test-drive "Microsoft Train Simulator" at
booth 592-594. More information about the train show can be found on the
NMRA's Web site at http://www.nmra.org/ .
Scheduled for broad availability in spring 2001, "Microsoft Train
Simulator" will deliver unparalleled realism, enabling PC users to accurately
re-create railroading adventures from a desktop. "Microsoft Train Simulator"
is being developed in conjunction with United Kingdom-based Kuju
Entertainment. More information on Kuju Entertainment is available on the Web
at http://www.kuju.com/ .
More information about "Microsoft Train Simulator" and the participating
railroads is available on its official Web site at
http://www.microsoft.com/games/trainsim/ .
Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software, services
and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company
offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people
through great software -- any time, any place and on any device.
NOTE: * The information contained in this document relates to a
prerelease software product that may be substantially modified before its
first commercial release. Accordingly, the information may not accurately
describe or reflect the software product when first commercially released.
This document is provided for informational purposes only, and Microsoft makes
no warranties, express or implied, with respect to this document or the
information contained in it.
Microsoft is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corp. in the United
States and/or other countries.
The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the
trademarks of their respective owners.
SOURCE Microsoft Corp.
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CONTACT:
press only, Joy Nestor, 415-433-5381, or
joy.nestor@edelman.com, or Brian Kemp, 206-223-1606, or
brian.kemp@edelman.com, both of Edelman Worldwide, for Microsoft;
or for Railways: Rick Remington of Amtrak, 215-349-2735, or
remingr@amtrak.com; or Richard Russack of Burlington Northern
Santa Fe Railway, 817-352-6425, or richard.russack@bnsf.com; or
Peter Butler of Flying Scotsman, 44-1234-240-046, or
ukmpbutler@aol.com; or Karen Prothero of Venice-Simplon,
44-171-805-5064, or karen.prothero@orientexpress.com; or Odakyu
Electric Railway, 1-8-3, Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku, Tokyo
160-8309, Japan
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