The Legacy of A-Train: Modern Transport Sims Still Owe It All to A-Train
As the transport simulation genre continues to thrive in modern gaming, it’s important to remember where it all began. A-Train’s influence can still be seen in today’s transport sims, from Cities: Skylines to Transport Fever and beyond. But what is it about A-Train that has had such a lasting impact on the genre? Let’s explore how modern transport sims continue to owe much of their success to the foundation laid by A-Train.
Fun Fact: The mechanics introduced in A-Train—such as managing transport systems, balancing economies, and integrating transport with urban growth—are now staples in the genre, showing how revolutionary A-Train was for its time.
1. The Core Principles of Transport Management
One of A-Train’s greatest legacies is its focus on the management of transport systems. While modern games have added more complexity and variety, the core principle of A-Train—that efficient transport is vital to city growth—is still a central theme. Whether it’s running an efficient rail network or optimizing a city’s bus routes, the idea that transportation is key to economic success remains a core part of modern simulation games.
Quote to Ponder: “Good planning is half the battle.” – Unknown. A-Train taught players that planning transport networks and cities with precision leads to success, a lesson that modern games continue to embrace.
2. Creating Dynamic Economies
A-Train was one of the first games to integrate a dynamic economic system where transport networks directly impacted the growth of a city. This system of balancing revenue, expenses, and supply/demand is still evident in modern transport simulators. Today’s games may have more complex economic systems, but they all stem from the same foundational idea that A-Train introduced decades ago.
3. Complex Logistics and City Integration
Modern games like Transport Fever and Cities: Skylines have expanded upon A-Train’s idea of integrating logistics into city management. While A-Train focused on trains as the primary mode of transport, today’s games allow players to manage buses, subways, ferries, and even airplanes. The complexity of integrating multiple transport systems into a cohesive city infrastructure is something that A-Train set the stage for, and it’s still a major part of the genre today.
Final Thoughts
While A-Train may have been a product of its time, its legacy continues to shape the modern transport simulation genre. The game’s pioneering mechanics, such as transport logistics, city-building integration, and economic management, remain key pillars of the genre. Today’s games owe much to A-Train’s innovative design, proving that even decades later, A-Train is still a game that has shaped the way we play and think about simulation games.