City Transport Simulator News

Welcome to the ninth edition of our 'Pic of the Week' for City Transport Simulator: Tram! In case you missed it last week: We officially unveiled the StadtRegioTram!

https://www.youtube.com/embed/ARYsxeg9x3U?si=syj9xuMlroKy4Yi-





Today, we're taking a look back at the summer of 2023 when we had the incredible opportunity to visit Stern & Hafferl in Gmunden to explore their StadtRegioTram, capture videos and photos, and experience the vehicle firsthand. From research to recording original sounds for CTS: Tram.

[h2]The Journey to Vorchdorf[/h2]



The journey began early in the morning, as it took about 4 hours to travel from Vienna to the Vorchdorf train station, and our appointment was already at 9 am. After arriving in Lambach, Upper Austria, by S-Bahn, we took a beautiful train provided by Stern & Hafferl to the Vorchdorf station (Shoutout to our colleagues at Dovetail!)

Upon arrival, we were warmly greeted by a Stern & Hafferl staff member. After a brief introduction, we were invited to explore the interior of the tram. Each detail we discovered impressed us more than the last as we familiarized ourselves with every button and mode in the driver's cabin.

In the meantime, we began capturing pictures and videos of the passenger area, but the most challenging task was recording the sounds. Despite the scorching 36-degree heat, we had to turn off the air conditioning to capture authentic sounds. It was definitely one of the hottest days of the year, especially inside a tram that was fully exposed to the sun with all doors closed. But at least we could enjoy the beautiful view during the ride.



[h2]3D Scans as Assistance[/h2]

In addition to taking pictures and sounds, we also conducted a 3D scan of the interior to create a detailed model as a reference. Although the quality wasn't suitable for the game, it provided accurate measurements and dimensions, ensuring authenticity in our depiction.



[h2]Implementing the StadtRegioTram[/h2]

After capturing all the photos and sounds inside, we repeated the process for the exterior. We also went directly to the station to view the tram from above, ensuring accuracy in CTS: Tram. Afterwards, we received a tour of the station and workshop, where we got to see some truly beautiful and old vehicles. After nearly 4 hours of exploration, it was time to return. Working with Stern & Hafferl was truly a pleasure, and we left with a treasure trove of photos and videos.

Bringing a tram to life in CTS: Tram is no small task. It requires extensive research, attention to detail, and a deep understanding of the vehicle's functionality. From creating precise 3D models and materials to ensuring that every button and feature works as intended, it's a task we're proud of.



CTS: Tram is set to release in 2024, and we're excited to share these exciting developments with our community. Stay tuned for more in-depth insights into the development process, exclusive features, and exciting updates. Join the discussion on our Steam Forum, Discord Server, and explore our social media channels (YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook).

Sign up for the CTS: Tram newsletter, where we'll share exclusive insights, behind-the-scenes content, and much more – click here to join our mailing list!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2604480/City_Transport_Simulator_Tram/

Welcome to this exclusive first look at things to come, which was part of Dovetail Games' Festival of Rail.

As you might already know, CTS: Tram is taking place in Tramau, our vision of a transit-friendly city inspired by cities in southern Germany.
Tramau's development includes a rich backstory dating back to the 11th century with the construction of the Tramau cathedral, giving it the feel of a real city.



On top of features like Day & Night Cycles and the ability to design your own liveries, City Transport Simulator: Tram offers different ways to play.

Immerse yourself in the day-to-day of a tram driver with career mode. Level up and spend your limited resources wisely to create your own lines, using various stations across the city.

Or would you like something more free-form? Try the Sandbox mode to create lines along the many stations in Tramau. Build the line network of your dreams, without resource limitations.

And if you're new to Tram simulation, don't worry! Easy Play Mode is perfect for beginners. It features simplified controls and provides frequent assistance to help you get started and familiarise yourself with the different trams.



Speaking of trams, CTS: Tram will feature various trams from Austria and Germany, like the slick ULF from Vienna and the classic R2.2b from Munich. These trams have been built completely from scratch specifically for CTS: Tram with great care for detail. And announced exclusively during the Dovetail Direct live stream, we're adding a third tram to our roster too.

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

Well, there it is, the StadtRegioTram from Gmunden in Austria. We worked directly with Stern & Hafferl to craft a highly realistic recreation for CTS: Tram using sounds directly recorded on location and hundreds of photographs used as reference material. We are looking forward to seeing you all take it for a ride along Tramau’s picturesque streets.

If you would like to learn more about City Transport Simulator: Tram, make sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok and join our Discord where we post regular updates, like the Pic Of The Week segment, highlighting different aspects of the game.

City Transport Simulator: Tram is now available to wishlist on Steam.

Welcome to this week's "Pic of the Week" for City Transport Simulator: Tram! This time, we're taking a lighter approach, offering you some impressions of Tramau and our trams. Consider it a breather before we dive into something bigger.

Speaking of which, Dovetail's Festival of Rails has kicked off today! In addition to daily livestreams there will be a special Dovetail Direct event on Sunday, February 11th, 2024, at 20:00 UTC+1, and City Transport Simulator: Tram will be part of the action, bringing you exciting updates and new announcements (...maybe even a new tram?).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARYsxeg9x3U



CTS: Tram is set to release in 2024, and we're eager to share these exciting developments with our community. Stay tuned for more in-depth insights into the development process, exclusive features, and thrilling updates. Join the conversation on our Steam Forum, Discord server, and explore our social media channels (YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook).

Sign up for the CTS: Tram newsletter, where we'll share exclusive insights, behind-the-scenes content, and much more – click here and join our mailing list!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2604480/City_Transport_Simulator_Tram/

Welcome to the seventh "Pic of the Week" for CTS: Tram. This week we shine the spotlight on the newest addition to the virtual streets – our tram drivers! We've not only enhanced their features but also executed a game optimization that will cause a significant increase in performance.





We've finally added tram drivers! Our tram drivers are a dynamic part of the cityscape, brought to life using the same cutting-edge Metahuman technology that breathes realism into our passengers. This time, we've introduced not only male but also female tram drivers, adding a new layer of diversity and authenticity to the virtual city.

[h2]All About Optimization[/h2]

In a significant breakthrough, our development team has been hard at work optimizing the models and materials of both our tram drivers and passengers, achieving a remarkable 7x reduction in drawcalls. For those unfamiliar, a drawcall is a set of commands that instruct the graphics processing unit (GPU) on how to render a specific object in a scene, encompassing both geometry and materials.



This substantial enhancement goes beyond visual appeal, because it significantly improves performance. The details and features of the tram drivers have been refined, and even the two remaining materials underwent heavy optimization, marking a comprehensive overhaul that elevates the overall quality of our simulation.

[h2]Customization on the Horizon?[/h2]

As we continue to evolve CTS: Tram, the question of customizable characters as tram drivers has entered the conversation. While it remains a topic on our big idea list, the development of such a system poses a challenge that requires careful consideration.

We understand the desire for player agency and personalization, but balancing it with a seamless and immersive experience is our top priority. No promises have been made yet, but it's an exciting possibility that we're exploring with dedication.



CTS: Tram is set to release in 2024, and we're eager to share these exciting developments with our community. Stay tuned for more in-depth insights into the development process, exclusive features, and thrilling updates. Join the conversation on our Steam Forum, Discord server, and explore our social media channels (YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook).

Sign up for the CTS: Tram newsletter, where we'll share exclusive insights, behind-the-scenes content, and much more – click here and join our mailing list!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2604480/City_Transport_Simulator_Tram/

Welcome to our sixth "Pic of the Week" for CTS: Tram. This week, let's put the spotlight on our trams again – specifically the Matrix Display!





A matrix display, in the context of a tram, refers to a display board comprised of an array of individual LEDs or flipdots, arranged in a grid. They are used to convey real-time information about the line number and destination to passengers. As we empower players with customizable options, such as line numbers and more, our challenge was to dynamically generate displays while upholding accuracy, mirroring real-world tram experiences.

[h2]Developing the Matrix Logic[/h2]

The way this was done was with various different fonts that we created specifically for the matrix displays. In total there were 8 fonts created for the R2.2b tram and a whopping 15 fonts created for the ULF tram. These are needed to display various lengths of words, which needs different sized fonts, that can also fit two rows, like "Willkommen in Tramau".



So, whereas previously our developers had to meticilously put every single destination permamently into the game, we programmed the CTS: Tram matrix logic in a way, that, after getting the chosen destination from the game, automatically chooses the right font according to length of the destination. This not only streamlines the process but also establishes a foundation for a more efficient and adaptable system for our matrix displays.



[h2]Types of Matrix Displays[/h2]

The ULF tram features an LED matrix display, offering a modern aesthetic, while the R2.2b sports a flipdot display, providing a distinct visual charm. While funtioncality wise they work the same, they are visually completely different systems. Our intricate design of flipdots ensures not only visual fidelity up close but also optimal performance, staying true to the authenticity of the real R2.2b tram.



CTS: Tram is set to release in 2024, and we look forward to sharing all the details with you. Stay tuned for a lot more exciting information. Head over to our brand-new Steam Forum, Discord server, and our social media channels (YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook). Let us know what you think and become part of the CTS: Tram community.

Sign up for the CTS: Tram newsletter, where we'll share exclusive insights and more – click here and join our mailing list!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2604480/City_Transport_Simulator_Tram/