- Pixel Federation built a 15-metre model train diorama
- Players voted on station designs, and figurine placement, among other things
- The developer plans to use the player input as inspiration for TrainStation 3
Developer Pixel Federation recently completed a real-life diorama that takes inspiration from the feedback of TrainStation 2 players. Handcrafted by experts, the diorama even inspired the upcoming title TrainStation 3. In creating the diorama, Pixel Federation aimed to gain a deeper understanding of its players’ motivations and interests. With this understanding, the developer hopes to create more engaging content that aligns with player expectations.
Throughout the project, the dev team aimed to give its players something physically tangible. Many of the team members at Pixel Federation are model train enthusiasts; thus, building a real-world diorama was a natural step in furthering player engagement.
According to the development team, it took a year to complete the project, and the game’s community was involved in every step. Players voted on bridge and station designs as well as unboxing trains, where to place the citizen figurines and which geographic regions to include. Throughout the year-long journey, Pixel Federation kept players in the loop via its TrainStation Diorama YouTube Channel.
For the team behind the diorama, the biggest challenge was getting the complete project from Prague, where it was built, to the Pixel Federation game studio in Bratislava. To do so, they carefully cut it into three pieces and reassembled it in the studio.
The dev team plans to continue to learn from its players and will integrate their insights into the upcoming TrainStation 3. The team also states they consider their players to be valuable co-creators.
TrainStation 2 is a mobile simulation game in which you lay railroad tracks and manage a global railway empire. You’ll unlock and upgrade popular train models, manage railways, and strategically optimize your railroads to meet demands. TrainStation 2 is available now on Google Play, the App Store, and PC. To learn more about TrainStation 2 and TrainStation 3, check out the series’ official website.
