Eisenbahn.exe
The Eisenbahn.exe series is a series of paid model railway simulations for the PC. The series is published by Trend Redaktions- und Verlagsgesellschaft mbH from Buggingen, and the individual programs are developed by the Polish software studio Soft-Pro . The series consists of versions 1.0 to 15.0 of Eisenbahn.exe professional (EEP) and its predecessor Eisenbahn.exe european class . Individual versions are also called Railroad Simulator 2012 , Railroad Simulator 2013 or rail X indicated.
Basic concept
The Eisenbahn.exe series is software for the virtual construction of a model railway system , with which a model railway system can be planned, built and then used by trains , trams , motor vehicles , aircraft and ships . For this purpose, appropriate editors are provided for the site, the traffic route system and the building. Several steam , diesel and electric locomotives as well as passenger and freight cars are available for the formation of trains , which can be inserted and coupled as required in the track plan .
As with conventional model railway construction, the focus is on creating and changing layouts and observing operations, while the program for example-like driving along routes, for example, lacks many functions.
The concept is roughly comparable to e.g. B. with the free RailSim II from Japan, which however focuses more on driving.
Eisenbahn.exe european class
| Eisenbahn.exe european class | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | Software Untergrund GmbH & Co KG | ||
| Publisher | Software Untergrund GmbH & Co KG | ||
| Erstveröffent- lichung |
1998 | ||
| platform | Windows 95 , Windows 98 , Windows 2000 | ||
| genre | Train simulation | ||
| Subject | Modelling | ||
| Game mode | Single player | ||
| control | Keyboard , mouse | ||
| system advantages preconditions |
166 MHz CPU , 32 MB RAM memory , 3D graphics card , CD-ROM - drive |
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| medium | 1 CD-ROM | ||
| Age rating |
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The first game in the series, Eisenbahn.exe european class (EEEC) , was released in 1998 and received consistently good reviews.
Gameplay
- In 2D mode , a landscape can be formed from an empty, rectangular map by inserting elevations and depressions. Then it is time to lay tracks, roads and waterways. These traffic routes are later the routes on which all rolling stock moves. Finally, the system is equipped with stations , buildings, trees, bushes and other accessories. During this work, an overview of the construction progress of the system can be obtained in the additional 3D view .
- After the system has been completed, all rolling stock such as locomotives, vehicles, ships or aircraft are used in the 3D area on the corresponding traffic routes.
All turnouts can be switched manually in the three-dimensional view as well as in the 2D mode. All rolling stock is controlled manually in 3D mode, there is no automatic mode.
EEEC offers the possibility of selecting and defining camera positions. The camera can be positioned anywhere in the 2D view. As a further option, the camera can also be stationed on rolling stock. In this ride-on view, the view is updated periodically and aligned with the selected rolling stock.
Gold edition
In addition to the full version of Eisenbahn.exe European Class, the Gold Edition, released in 2003, contains the following add-ons with a total of 340 new models:
- Volume 1: Locomotive and wagon construction Wuppertal
- Volume 2: Locomotive and wagon construction Wuppertal
- Volume 3: Local Transport
- Volume 5: Modern ÖBB
- Volume 7: Deutsche Reichsbahn
ViewEEEC
ViewEEEC is a private further development of EEEC, in which almost all models from EEEC can still be used, but in which automatic operation is possible, as both switches and train-influencing signals can be controlled via contact points. The graphics have been improved compared to EEEC, so with ViewEEEC it is also possible to ride in the driver's cab.
Eisenbahn.exe professional
Eisenbahn.exe professional (EEP) came onto the market for the first time in 2001 and has been continuously developed. The trademark of the sales versions was the packaging in a relief box made of sheet metal. Today, EEP is available in standard DVD packaging or as a download. An empty metal box can be purchased from Trend for a fee.
Version 2 to 6
| Eisenbahn.exe professional | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | Up to EEP 4: Software Untergrund GmbH & Co KG From EEP4: Soft-Pro |
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| Publisher | Trend Redaktions- und Verlagsgesellschaft mbH | ||
| Erstveröffent- lichung |
2001 | ||
| platform | Windows 98 , Windows ME , Windows 2000 , Windows XP , Windows Vista | ||
| genre | Train simulation | ||
| Subject | Modelling | ||
| Game mode | Single player | ||
| control | Keyboard , mouse | ||
| system advantages preconditions |
800 MHz CPU , 128 MB RAM memory , 400 MB hard disk space , 8 MB -3D- graphics card , DVD-ROM - drive , DirectX 8.1 with Shader 1.1 support |
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| medium | 1 DVD-ROM , (DVD only required for installation, game can be run without DVD) or as a download on the Internet | ||
| language | German | ||
| Age rating |
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A rectangular system was designed in 2D in EEP. Rails, roads and trams were laid using a graphic 2D editor. The landscape consists of a 2D + height model which can be supplemented by a 3D object in the form of real estate or plants. In 3D, the trains were then added to the layout, which was then used in an automatic mode, which tries to maintain a specified speed and adheres to signals, or a manual mode, in which the pulling and braking force could be set individually for each vehicle in the train set to be driven.
So-called contact points were available for setting the signals and points, which could set a signal or a point in a specified position when driving on the Zugspitze. Since these functions are very primitive, so-called circuits were developed, usually street bangs without any focus on the optics, with the sole aim of controlling the logic of the system and on which (fast) cars (!) Usually drove. Time delays, automatic routes depending on track occupancy and the like could be controlled.
A loading function enables containers or other goods to be loaded onto trucks or freight wagons using a crane and transported to another location in the facility.
Version EEP 4.0 appeared on the market in November 2005. From this version on, software underground was no longer responsible for programming , but the Eastern European software studio Soft-Pro . The version made enormous progress in the area of plant automation. Contact points can contain time delays, can be triggered when the train closes, and options have been created so that contact points are only triggered by vehicles with certain timetables. New types of contact points, which also influenced the speed or direction of travel of vehicles, replaced software bugs that were previously exploited for this purpose. A so-called timetable has also been introduced, which makes it possible to switch signals depending on any fast running time. All in all, these measures have significantly reduced the size of the circuits.
EEP4 was one of the first games to use online activation as DRM, which generated a lot of criticism. The activation was later canceled with a software update and the DRM server switched off.
Version EEP 5.2 was released towards the end of 2006. It brought a number of detail improvements, including the possibility of installing driver's cabs, for which only a few models were set up until recently.
Trend decided to expand the program with so-called plugins in the future . The plugins had to be purchased separately in one of the two web shops (around € 10–20 each, while the program cost around € 50). The total of 5 plugins that were released brought not only some additional graphic effects such as fire, smoke and snow, but also options for region-related weather. In automation, they made it possible to equip contact points with individual preconditions and subsequent dependencies. In plug-in 4 the possibility was created to automatically fill the 2D + height map with suggested values when creating a new system. Another new feature was the ability to carry out many of the machining operations previously made in 2D in a 3D editor. With plug-in 5, the 3D engine has been improved a bit. Trend later decided not to rely on a main program with numerous optional plugins, but to use the plugins as a preview of future EEP versions. The application of the plugins has been adapted accordingly.
At that time, however, the point of criticism of EEP was the 3D engine, which was not one of the most modern of its kind. Trend therefore still released version 6.0, in which all 5 previously published plugins were integrated and started developing a new graphics engine.
3D models in EEP were offered for a fee by licensed designers via two web shops. These designers also provide a small number of their models (approx. 5%) free of charge on their homepages. There was also a separate design program. Later, a private version, the home nostructor, was also available for private designers, whose models, however, with the help of limitations in the textures, cannot be passed on.
The overall consequence of this distribution policy was that there was no freeware community as with other railway games - e.g. B. Microsoft Train Simulator or Trainz - and that there is almost only German-language new content.
From version 7
| Eisenbahn.exe Professional | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | Soft-Pro | ||
| Publisher | Trend Redaktions- und Verlagsgesellschaft mbH | ||
| Erstveröffent- lichung |
2010 | ||
| platform | Windows XP , Windows Vista , Windows 7 | ||
| genre | Train simulation | ||
| Subject | Modelling | ||
| Game mode | Single player | ||
| control | Keyboard , mouse , gamepad | ||
| medium | 1 DVD-ROM , Internet download | ||
| language | German , English | ||
| copy protection | Internet activation (account bound) Activation limit: 2 (up to 8 = 5) |
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| Age rating |
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Version 7.1 of EEP has been sold since September 2010. For this version, the graphics engine has been completely rebuilt and effective copy protection has been built into the software.
The graphics support shadows and lighting effects, among other things.
As of version 7, EEP has to be activated via the Internet and is linked to a user account. There was also an activation limit of five activations per year. If EEP7 had to be activated more than five times, Trend had to activate further activations. This can mean that if Trend does not agree to any further activation, EEP can no longer be used by the buyer. Since EEP9 the activation limit has been reduced to two.
Copy protection was also built into the 3D models. They can only be used with the EEP program that the user has purchased. This means that neither the main program nor any additional material can be sold, given away or otherwise passed on as soon as it is registered with an account with Trend. The old format for 3D models was no longer implemented in the software. Originally, all models from EEP up to version 6 were to be abandoned unless the designer revised them for EEP 7. After numerous protests and indications that some people had previously spent a lot of money in the EEP shop, however, a model converter was offered for sale by Trend that can be used to convert the models. However, the price of this converter was almost as high as that of EEP7. After protests by some designers who objected to the conversion of their models from EEP6 to EEP7, the models of these authors were locked in the model converter and can no longer be converted.
The new models can only be purchased in the Trend-Verlag shop, the independent shop only offers models up to EEP6.
The model railway layouts built by the user with the program remained without copy protection and can still be exchanged between different users.
Since the copy protection measures had not been discussed with the community or the designers, and efforts were made to convince them of the usefulness of the measures, Trend lost part of the community and the designers who were still using the EEP Version 6 with new models in the independent shop.
There was also criticism of the publisher Rondomedia, who had published its own version of EEP7 under the name "Railway Simulator 2012", but without pointing out that this version must also be linked to an account and activated.
EEP7 was again extended by 5 plugins, which restored functions from the plugins of version 5 or added new functions. The functions included, for example, swirling dust, functioning flashing lights in road vehicles or animated speedometers in rail vehicles.
EEP8 was published on November 4, 2011. The version has been divided into a cheaper base and a more expensive Expert version with more functions. The Expert version contains roughly the same scope as EEP7 + PlugIn 1 - 5, the basic version roughly EEP7 without plugIns. An upgrade to the Expert version is possible. The publisher Rondomedia had again published its own functionally identical version of EEP8 under the name "Railway Simulator 2013".
With EEP8 it was found that the activation introduced with EEP7 leads to a mess with the registration numbers with each version update, through which the product activation can make the models purchased in the shop unusable. Specifically, Trend sends the customer a new registration number when upgrading from EEP7 to EEP8, although in this case it is intended that the customer should continue to use the number from EEP7 in this case. If the customer uses this registration number, the copy protection of the models already purchased strikes. The problem occurs relatively frequently and to this day with every upgrade to a new EEP version, the misleading instructions have only been improved marginally until today (status: version 12). If you have entered the wrong (new) number, you have to reset the software using the service hotline.
EEP8 was extended by 2 plug-ins.
EEP9 was published on October 26, 2012. For the first time there is a native 64-bit version, initially only in the Expert version, which is around 50 euros more expensive than the professional version. The plug-ins 1 & 2 of EEP8 are contained in EEP9. The 64-bit versions can only use around 6 GB to this day (as of EEP 12). The newly introduced level of detail (LOD) and the increasingly detailed models also use this memory requirement. It was criticized that the prices of models z. T. were twice as expensive.
The plug-in for EEP9 in the form of a 3D mode via color filter glasses ( Anaglyph 3D ) was criticized as being out of date state of the art.
In the meantime, several small bugs had accumulated in EEP since version 7 that had not been fixed.
On November 15, 2013 Eisenbahn X (previously known as EEP 10, partly this name is still used by Trend) was published. The EEP9 plugins are included in Eisenbahn X. With EEPX, a new graphical user interface and the possibility of creating circuits with automated tools have been introduced.
After the publication it was found that the program crashed for a large part of the users for no apparent reason, sometimes even at the start. There was a part of the users who had no problem with the program, while with the other part the crashes were so frequent that using the program was not possible even after reinstallation. As later became known, Trend was warned several times about the crashes in the beta phase, but stuck to the release date of Railway X. There was no significant feedback from Trend on the issue either during beta or after it was released. The error could initially only be relocated with 5 patches and only after about half a year could be corrected with a noticeable portion. The new surface was also received mostly negatively and had to be optimized.
Due to the sharp criticism, Trend had to reform its public relations work. In addition, Trend began again to improve the automation of the model railway system with the two plugins and thus to implement long-desired features: With Plugin 1, support for routes was integrated into the program, in Plugin 2 the program was expanded to include a script language based on Lua . The introduction of a language was seen in the community as a major step towards more complex automation on systems. Code generators were created to help you get started. The choice of scripting language also has disadvantages, however, for example, avoiding compilation errors as far as possible can make it more difficult for users who are generally inexperienced in programming to diagnose errors.
Eisenbahn.exe 11 was released on November 28, 2014. For the first time, Lua was available to all users. The interface between the script and the main program has been expanded step by step. This was also continued in the three plugins. In addition, classic innovations were also introduced. For example, road junctions were introduced in plugin 1 that can be more detailed. The community criticized, however, that they cannot be adapted to local installation situations and are therefore hardly usable. Furthermore, with Plugin 2 the possibility of virtual shadow stations was created, with which one can take a train from the layout and use it again. The possibility of modeled shadow stations had existed for a long time.
Eisenbahn.exe 12 was released on November 26, 2015. In one plug-in so far (as of May / June 2016), Trend is once again dedicated to improving graphics.
Version 13 of EEP was published on October 26, 2016. Among other things, the performance of the graphics engine has been optimized.
Version 14 of EEP was published on October 19, 2017. One of the main changes this time concerns the graphic display. With version 14, the physics engine nVidia PhysX was introduced.
Version 15 of EEP was published on November 15, 2018. Among other things, models that can be labeled and loaded and approx. 750 new basic models are now available and the command set for the Lua script language has been expanded.
The model building procedure was adopted in version 7 from the previous version 6. Only the formats are new: Since version 7.0, the Mod! X program has to be used to construct new content. A home nostructor was later submitted for EEP8 and 9. The model construction has become more complex (especially with the introduction of the LOD), so that Trend has now introduced an error check.
criticism
In addition to the version-specific problems mentioned above, the main criticisms of EEP remain:
- high demands on the hardware, especially the graphics card, to avoid choppy display
- less variety of models for West German rolling stock
- low internationalization
Web links
- Eisenbahn.exe series at MobyGames (English)
- Side of software underground
- Page to ViewEEEC
- Mein eep Forum - the official forum for EEP (Eisenbahn Exe Professional and Expert)
- Plant maintenance department - Die Sechser the forum up to EEP 6.1
Individual evidence
- ↑ Test result: good , Computerbild 18/99
- ↑ Trend-Shop eepshopping.de , accessed on June 8, 2013.
- ↑ Brief test: Eisenbahn.exe Professional 5.0 , GBASE.ch November 15, 2006.
- ↑ EEP shop eepshopping.de , accessed on 16 July 2011th
- ↑ Trend-Shop eepshopping.de Trend-Shop , accessed on November 12, 2011.