The rail so far… roadmap of Railway Empire: Closed Beta to Complete Collection (2017-2020)

[Skybreaker]

Tycoons!
Whether you’re a new or experienced tycoon, have a look at what’s been achieved since the launch of Railway Empire back in early 2018.

Railway Empire in Numbers

• 13 free, big content updates
  
• 8 DLCs
  
• A total of 83 historically authentic locomotives
  
  • 41 in the base game
    
  • 42 in DLCs
• 100 years of Steam-revolution (1830 - 1930)
  
  • With hundreds of historically authentic inventions

Pre-purchase and Closed Beta on Steam/frequent updates to closed beta and release of Railway Empire

• 10th Nov. 2017:
  
  • Launch of Railway Empire Pre-Purchase on Steam and Closed Beta.
• 1st Dec. 2017:
  
  • First community-requested feature arrives on beta: pause function
• 15th Dec. 2017:
  
  • Adding more modes to closed beta for beta-players.
• 17th Jan. 2018:
  
  • Added even more modes to the closed beta, as well as some community-requested features and improvements, particularly in the areas of usability and balancing.
• 26th Jan. 2018:
  
  • Railway Empire launches!
• 15th Feb. 2018:
  
  • First free update to the full game: Adding a fully-fledged scenario as well as many new smaller features, improvements balancing and bug fixes.
• 5th Mar. 2018:
  
  • Introducing Public Beta test-branch for owners of Railway Empire to experience updates, before they go live, as well as giving them the chance to provide feedback.
• 26th Mar. 2018:
  
  • Free Update 1.2 releases: Adding a community-requested transcontinental update, which adds a North America map and a centennial era feature, also requested by the community, along with several improvements and tweaks.
• 26 Apr. 2018:
  
  • Free Update 1.3 releases: Adding community-requested random map generator as well as more updates and fixes.
• 7th May 2018:
  
  • Free Update 1.4 released on the public beta branch: Introducing Enhanced AI and x-crossings to the game, another Community-requested feature.
• 8th June 2018:
  
  • Release of Free Update 1.4 for Railway Empire.

Mexico DLC

Release: 8th June 2018
Alongside free update 1.4, we also released our first DLC for Railway Empire.

About:
Discover the diversity of Mexico - take on new and challenging missions in the arid northern regions all the way to the dense jungles in the south of the country. Boost Mexico’s economy in the new scenario by building a thriving infrastructure and exporting to the USA.

Features:

• New scenario: “Viva Mexico!” (1873-1893)
  
• Map expansion: Mexico (available in Free Game and Sandbox modes)
  
• New goods (e.g. coffee and sugar) and more than 24 new cities
  
• New engines: Fairlie (0-6-6-0) and Stirling (4-2-2)
  
• Explore the world of Railway Empire in a new exclusive night mode

More free updates for Railway Empire*

• 3rd July 2018:
  
  • Free update 1.5 ‘Transport Update’ released on the public beta branch - adding warehouses, more adjustments and bugfixes for the base game and DLC.
• 17th Aug. 2018:
  
  • Free Update 1.5 ‘Transport Update’ released for Railway Empire.

The Great Lakes DLC

Release: 17th August 2018
Alongside free update 1.5, we released our second DLC.

About:
Dominated by forest and tundra, Canada in the 1860s is sparsely populated and only a few settlements have managed to develop into larger towns. Bridge the distance between the British colonies and reach economic independence by creating a track infrastructure for the Great Lakes region.

Features:

• New scenario: Dominion Day (1860-1880) - The British North American Act
  
• Map expansion: The Great Lakes region (available in Free Game and Sandbox Modes)
  
• New engines: Achilles (0-4-0) and Canadian (2-8-0)
  
• New tradeable goods (e.g. fur and winter clothing) and 19 new cities
  
• Enhanced weather system for all northern regions in the game
  
• Explore the world of Railway Empire in the exclusive night mode

More free updates for Railway Empire players

• 5th Sep. 2018:
  
  • Free update 1.6 ‘Staff and character update’ released on the Public beta branch - adding new characters along with some more improvements and bugfixes for base game and DLCs.
• 19th Oct. 2018:
  
  • Free Update 1.6 ‘Staff and character update’ released for Railway Empire

Crossing the Andes DLC

Release: 19th October 2018
Alongside free update 1.6, we also released our third DLC for Railway Empire.

About:
Take on new journeys in the depths of South America in the early 20th century, where a hoard of exotic new resources are ripe for the picking and plans for crossing the Andes by train are drawing attention from investors far and wide. Unforgiving mountains and relentless jungle terrains will make this challenge a tough one for even the most experienced tycoons.

Features:

• 3 new scenarios covering the early history of railway pioneers in the Andes.
  
• Map expansion: South America region (available in Free Game and Sandbox modes)
  
• More than 10 new goods including llama wool and guano, and 34 new cities to discover
  
• New engines: Kitson-Meyer (0-8-6-0) and Garratt (2-6-0-0-6-2)
  
• Explore the world of Railway Empire in the exclusive night mode

More free updates for Railway Empire

• 7th Nov. 2018:
  
  • Free update 1.7 ‘stock market update’ released on the public beta branch - adding new staff member, community-requested dynamic platform change-feature among many other things for both base game and DLCs.
• 14th Dec. 2018:
  
• Free Update 1.7 ‘stock market update’ released for Railway Empire

Great Britain & Ireland DLC

Release: 14th December 2018
Alongside free update 1.7, we also released our fourth DLC for Railway Empire.

About:
England - Home of the first steam engines is experiencing an age of unprecedented progress and technological innovations. Expand your rail network across the British Isles as streets and canals cannot cope with the burgeoning requirements of industrial city centers. Build respect and social standing among those who have their doubts in locomotives as the future of transportation. Prevail against competing railway companies to gain prosperity and fame.

Features:

• New scenario – Transport Revolution (1830 - 1850)
  
• Map expansion: Great Britain & Ireland (available in Free Game and Sandbox Modes)
  
• 10 historical engines like the Rocket (0-2-2) or Firefly (0-2-0)
  
• 13 new tradeable goods (e.g. cider and whisky) and 45 new cities
  
• New songs and reworked city buildings

More free updates for Railway Empire

• 7th Jan. 2019:
  
  • Free Update 1.8 ‘Community update #1’ released on the public beta branch - adding new railway buildings, improvements and fixes for the base game and DLCs.
• 1st Mar. 2019:
  
  • Free Update 1.8 ‘Community update #1’ released for Railway Empire.

Germany DLC

Release: 1st March 2019
Alongside free update 1.8 ‘Community update #1’, we also released our fifth DLC for Railway Empire.

About:
Marked by the revolts and rebellions of the March Revolution, the German petty states are on the brink of economic collapse. However, with the appearance of the first private trains, cross-border connections are increasingly growing, linking the larger cities and creating industrial centers that will lift the troubled country. In the Railway Empire - Germany DLC you will be a central part of this movement. Strengthen your influence as a railway magnate within Germany and exploit new building grounds by acquiring valuable concessions.

Features:

• New scenario - Patchwork (1850 - 1870)
  
• Map expansion: Germany (available in Free Game and Sandbox modes)
  
• 10 historical engines such as the Adler and the Rhein
  
• More than 12 new tradeable goods (e.g. canned kraut and cuckoo clocks) and 59 new cities
  
• New songs and reworked city buildings as well as an update of the characters and German signaling signs
  
• Exclusive ‘concession’ feature:The map is divided into sections. Buy concessions to gain access to new building grounds (also available on the full North American map).

More free updates for Railway Empire

• 15th Mar. 2019:
  
  • Free Update 1.9 ‘Community update #2’ released on the public beta branch - adding new features, improvements and fixes for the base game and DLCs.
• 24th May 2019:
  
  • Free Update 1.9 ‘Community update #2’ released for Railway Empire.

France DLC

Release: 24th May 2019
Alongside free update 1.9 ‘Community update #2’, we also released our sixth DLC for Railway Empire.

About:
In the wake of Emperor Napoleon III’s exile, the French monarchy has collapsed for the second time, and the Third Republic has taken its place. In the Railway Empire – France DLC you will decide your country’s industrial future. Either take sides with a militaristic general and increase the strength of France’s borders in anticipation of a new war or help the minister of public work to rebuild the infrastructure of the country and undertake the controversial new “Eiffel Tower” project.

Features:

• New scenario – Into a new time (1874-1890)
  
• Map expansion: France (available in Free Game and Sandbox modes)
  
• 10 historical engines such as the Coupe Vent (4-4-0) and Forquenot (2-4-2)
  
• More than 12 new tradeable goods (e.g. wine and soft cheese) and 31 new cities
  
• ‘Concession’ feature: The map is divided into sections. Buy concessions to gain access to new building grounds (also available on the full North American map)
  
• New songs and updated characters

*N.B. there have been even more updates/hotfixes released on PC and consoles that have not been mentioned, because of being small and/or just minor additions/hotfixes to bigger updates mentioned in this schedule.

More free updates for Railway Empire

• 24th Oct. 2019:
  
  • Free Update 1.10 ‘Halloween & Challenges’ released - adding new features, improvements and fixes for the game.
• 13th Dec. 2019:
  
  • Free Update 1.11 'Christmas Update' released - adding seasonal christmas decorations, new Challenge-map and more to the game.

Northern Europe DLC

Release: 13th Dec 2019
Alongside free update 1.11‘Christmas Update’, we also released our seventh DLC for Railway Empire.

About
The Northern Europe expansion sees players aid the Swedish Parliament with constructing a new national railroad to continue the country’s far-reaching industrial advancements along the lakes and sprawling rivers that were first used by freight ships to provide goods and supplies to Northern Europe.

Features

• New scenario: Hibernation (1853-1870)
  
• Map expansion: ‘Northern Europe’ (available in Free Game and Sandbox modes)
  
• 3 historical engines: Odin (2-2-2), Prins August (2-4-0) and SJB II (4-6-0)
  
• 10 new tradeable goods (e.g. crisp bread and brown cheese) and 30 new cities
  
• ‘Concession’ feature: The map is divided into sections. Buy concessions to gain access to new building grounds (also available on the full North American map)
  
• Snow: Enhanced weather system for all northern regions in the game
  
• New regional soundtrack

Abother bunch of free updates for Railway Empire

• 5th Mar. 2020:
  
  • Free Update 1.12 ‘Challenge 3 - Great Plains Update ’ released - adding new Challenge-map, improvements and fixes for the game.
• 8th Apr. 2020:
  
  • Free Update 1.13 'Challenge 4 - Thunder across the prairie Update' released - adding new Challenge-map and more to the game.

Down Under DLC

Release: 8th Apr. 2020
Alongside free update 1.13‘Challenge 4 - Thunder across the prairie’, we also released our eighth DLC for Railway Empire.

About
During the first half of the 19th Century, the colonial territories of Australia are sparsely populated and consist primarily of coastal cities and a few smaller farming settlements in the remote outback. However, a series of events is set to spark an industrial revolution, one that will usher in an era of change for Australia and secure a lucrative future for the fledgling nation. In Railway Empire Down Under DLC, it is up to you to tame the unforgiving outback and expand your railway network across its wild terrain and beyond. Your railway will ultimately be the key to laying the foundations for flourishing cities and to connecting remote mining settlements to coastal metropolises. Are you ready to face the sun-scorched landscape of Australia’s Red Centre?

Features

• New scenario: ‘Pioneering Spirit’ (1830-1930)
  
• Map expansion: ‘Down Under’ (available in Free Game and Sandbox modes)
  
• Explore new territories: New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Victoria
  
• 3 new historical engines: Heisler (0-8-0). C30 (4-6-0) and Class S (4-6-2)
  
• New goods to trade: seafood, Rail-O-Mite and canned beer)
  
• 52 new cities to discover
  
• New music, reworked city buildings and unique mission structures (e.g. Sydney Harbour Bridge)
  
• Unique ‘Settlement’ feature for pre-determined locations
  
• More freedom to establish new cities and personalise economic systems

Railway Empire – Nintendo Switch™ Edition

Release: 19th June 2020
In Railway Empire – Nintendo Switch™ Edition, extend and manage your rail network on the go! Explore the Mexico, The Great Lakes and Crossing the Andes DLCs, unlocking new scenarios on regional maps, additional soundtracks, locomotives as well as the new Night and Snow mode.

Features

• Includes the Mexico, The Great Lakes and Crossing the Andes DLCs
  
• Exploit the economic opportunities of the United States in an extensive campaign
  
• Lead your empire to success by establishing a comprehensive rail network and optimizing the transportation of passengers and goods
  
• Master challenges and objectives through a range of scenarios, or create the perfect railway network in Construction mode without any financial pressure
  
• Acquire over 40 historically accurate locomotives and more than 30 different wagons, all with their own strengths and weaknesses
  
• Invest in over 300 new technologies across five different eras to progress and maximize the potential of your rail network
  
• Compete with up to three rival companies and sabotage their efforts with bandits and spies

Railway Empire – Complete Collection

Release: 7th August 2020
Collecting more than two years of comprehensive updates and improvements alongside eight expansive and feature-packed DLCs set across a thrilling variety of locations, Railway Empire – Complete Collection provides endless hours of entertainment for aspiring rail tycoons.

Features

• Build and expand a wide-ranging rail network to connect stations and transform remote locations into booming urban metropolises
  
• Immerse yourself as the ambitious leader of a railway company and set tracks across 100 years of history and multiple countries
  
• Contains all content updates and available DLC: Mexico, The Great Lakes, Crossing the Andes, Great Britain & Ireland, France, Germany, Northern Europe and Down Under
  
• Enhanced weather system and Night Mode
  
• Includes all regional soundtracks, unique city buildings and characters
  
• Test your skills in 15 unique scenarios and 4 challenge maps, or experience the true pioneering spirit and seamless possibilities of the Free and Sandbox modes
  
• Take advantage of the strengths and weaknesses of more than 80 historically accurate locomotives and assign them to your rail routes
  
• Compete with up to three rival companies, sabotaging their efforts with bandits and spies

[신윤섭]

What will be next?

[Alex [GER]]

Part 2 with more game experience for strategy?

[DeathMaster]

It has come a long way and improved so much over time, thanks for the continued support guys. Can we expect another roadmap or is this the end of the line?

[vonHolzminden [GER]]

Ja. Vielen Dank für das tolle und sehr fesselnde Spiel. Auch die DLC´s haben toll dazu gepasst. Das Entwicklerteam hat tolle Arbeit geleistet.
Jetzt wäre vielleicht tatsächlich Zeit für einen 2. Teil mit mehr technischen Erneuerungen/Innovationen. Ich wäre auf jeden Fall wieder dabei.

[❤ Lillian Gish ❤]

I'd like to see these DLCs:

Russia

Japan

China

Australia and New Zealand

[serenity]

Paris-Berlin, give us a chance for modding. I´ll do it, promised

Up to now you have done a very good service, since the beginning. My compliments.

I hope the journey doesnt end here.
whatever you decide, be sure I am (we are) interested in going on.

[daddy_felix]

Great job! I haven't touched any dlcs (so far), still dealing with the base game.
Is it just me or does this post sound like a goodbye letter? If so, I really hope you are working on Railway Empire 2...

[mav12222]

@daddy_felix The "so far" in the title makes me think that this isn't the end of support/DLC for RE

[Gwotyng]

According to the achievement stat only 0.2% of the people have bought the latest DLCs...


This post feels like the devs are crying "We have done so many things for you, why don't you just buy the DLCs?"

[Skybreaker]

Hi everybody and hallo zusammen!
Thank you for your passion and dedication for Railway Empire. Because without you, this would have not been possible!
Please keep it up!

Regarding more roadmaps and/or updates, I cannot make any promises, but we will have a look.

-cheers

[SamFisher]

Originally posted by Gwotyng:

According to the achievement stat only 0.2% of the people have bought the latest DLCs...
:lunar2019shockedpig:

This post feels like the devs are crying "We have done so many things for you, why don't you just buy the DLCs?:lunar2019crylaughingpig:"

Just so you know how accurate your statistics and conclusions are...

I bought 4 DLCs and got only few achievements for finishing them.

Great Lakes - I won :) and got the achievement.

Mexico - I played twice, but I lost twice so no achievements.

I'm currently playing the Andes DLC. First scenario I won, second I will fail, since I was too confident and chose Trainiac on the beginning :).

After this I'm going to play 3rd scenario in Andes or Great Britain DLC.

I'm going to buy the other two DLCs as well, but since I have little time to play games and quite a big backlog of them, I'm not in hurry here.

[Motör]

Thank you so much for the best Railway System Simulation since Rail Road Tycoon. I always compare it with Transport Fever. But this isnt fair. Transport Fever is a more "realistic" "heavy mathematics" simulation and Railway Empire is a livefull, colored wonderful allround railway story. So we will enjoy this year Transport Fever 2 in the end of this year. But you guys definetly have to deliver another Railway Experience in the next years. There are not so many studios are able to do!

[Empty1958]

This game has kept me occupied (too much) since it first came out. It has shown to be flexible enough to allow for different levels of management and styles of play. It seems the devs listen. Lots of community driven changes. It would be great to see a version 2 with expanded time frame and a bit more flexibility building the buildings. I love a medium paced strategy game.

[SamFisher]

It will probably never happen, but it would cool to have a bigger game expansion or even as a sequel that adds more eras to the game up to current day / year.

[coenvijge]

Thanks, thanks, thanks. A great game. Played it a lot and sure will return often. Now I started a trip in France. Good wine!. Thanks, thanks, thanks and go on with the good work. If I have the time I sure will follow wherever you go. (I would like to see Italy ;-) ).