Strategy First picks up Trainz

Canada-based game publisher Strategy First has announced a publishing agreement with Australian game developer Auran--the creator of the 1997 real-time strategy game Dark Reign--to release its upcoming model railroad simulator, Trainz. The game will let players design and build virtual worlds for a variety of trains. The game features hundreds of textures and objects, trains from more than 20 countries, and a number of realistic sounds. Trainz is designed to replicate many aspects of model railroading, including building track layouts and environments, as well as driving the trains using a virtual DC controller. In addition, players can control the locomotives from the engineer's point of view.

Trainz is scheduled for release in the first quarter of 2002. For more information, visit the official Trainz Web site.