Dear Community,
we have an exciting announcement for you!
As you know, we have been working hard for many months on the creation of the Add-On Munich Tram, in close coordination with the LOTUS development team.
The LOTUS Simulator itself has been available for several months now and has already invited many customers to experiment and try it out. Above all, however, it has aroused the curiosity to find out what content will be possible and sparked the anticipation of being able to drive a real replica of a route with a suitable vehicle in full line operation.
It is exactly this experience that we want to make possible for you with Munich Tram for the first time for the LOTUS Simulator! We are happy to announce that we will launch the Early Access version of Munich Tram as the first add-on for the LOTUS Simulator!
This gives you the opportunity to enjoy the tram driving experience on a complete route in the LOTUS Simulator already now.
Why Early Access and what can be expected?
Many of you want to enjoy a real tram ride experience as soon as possible and explore the city on a challenging route. We want to make this possible for you at a sensible point in time when we have finished the essential contents of the route and nothing stands in the way of driving pleasure.
Since the LOTUS Simulator itself is still in the Early Access phase and therefore under development, we cannot yet integrate all the features and gameplay of the finished product. We make the highest demands on our finished product, which, however, still needs its time. Our add-on will grow directly with LOTUS and will be constantly updated with new functions and a comprehensive gameplay.
Therefore, we use all possibilities which the LOTUS Simulator base offers us so far and enable you to fully utilize them with our add-on.
You can expect a lovingly designed and detailed tram model of the R2.2b of the MVG and a completed route 28, which will lead you from the Sendlinger Tor to the Scheidplatz.
From the very beginning you can use the route 28 completely with all stops - the built-in IBIS and the corresponding announcements already work perfectly!
We have also already placed all the traffic lights and traffic signs on the entire route in detailed research and thus offer you an extremely realistic basis. You will be thrilled by the decorations of the stops and the quality of our house objects!
And of course we have one or two other highlights for you, which we will tell you at the start. ?
The Early Access is meant for all those, who already want to discover the driving fun with the Munich tram and want to look forward to new features, contents & details in very short time intervals and regular updates and thus have a longer play fun.
When will Early Access start and what is the next schedule?
Early Access will start in the 1st quarter of 2019. First with tram R2.2b and line 28.
Line 27 will be added in the course of the 2nd quarter of 2019:
There will be an extended IBIS and CAD/AVL integration by fall 2019, as well as timetable-connected AI rail traffic.
We will implement a special gameplay and offer the possibility for cross-platform use with smartphones and tablets. We will announce more about this in spring!
The final product with all features should be finished by the end of 2019 depending on the functionality of the LOTUS Simulator and will be further developed and supplemented.
How much does the add-on cost and is there a difference to the final release version?
The add-on costs € 29.99 and is available on the game platform Steam from the time of the Early Access start. You have the advantage that you can use the game early and explore the track. The price is identical to the final release version.
All those who have already bought the add-on for Early Access will get all updates in between and the final release version automatically and free of charge via Steam at the earliest possible time and thus have an added value compared to those who buy the final release version first.
In addition, by purchasing the Early Access version you support us developers and make it possible for us to develop further products in the future.
What will the final product include?
Our product Munich Tram - Route 27 & 28 will include the following:
- Tram R2.2b of MVG with fully functional cockpit and detailed interior design
- Route 27: Sendlinger Tor – Petuelring
- Route 28: Sendlinger Tor - Scheidplatz
- Over 370 highly detailed building objects
- Highly detailed streets and scenery design
- Various AI vehicles
- Original announcements
- Timetables and new gameplay
How is the community involved in Early Access development?
We will be in direct contact with you throughout Early Access via our social media channels and the LOTUS forum, where we will receive your feedback, wishes, suggestions and also your opinion on our questions. We look forward to a lively exchange with you!