The first few days since the release of SubwaySim 2 – Berlin Route DLC: U4 are now behind us. We’ve been very happy to see all the positive feedback, your screenshots, and the many first impressions you’ve shared with us. 🚇
Of course, we’ve also read the more critical feedback. Two topics in particular came up frequently: the price in relation to the four stations, and the question of why we chose the U4 instead of, for example, the U2.
Today, we’d like to take a closer look at both of these points – and also show you a small feature that many of you apparently haven’t discovered yet. 👀
A Look Behind the U4
One topic that came up frequently in your feedback was the scope of the U4 in relation to its price. At the same time, many of you asked why we chose the U4 instead of, for example, the U2.
There was a very specific reason behind our decision: With this DLC, we wanted to test for the first time how a new route could be integrated directly into an existing map, rather than creating a separate map for it.
For this first step, we deliberately chose a compact line. The U4 gave us the opportunity to fully implement the necessary technical processes and integration into the existing Berlin game world on a manageable scale.
Even though the U4 is a comparatively short line with four new stations, many hundreds of hours of work went into its development. Beyond the stations themselves, this includes the entire track and tunnel infrastructure, individual signage and materials, passenger information, timetables, scenarios, and numerous details along the route.
At the same time, we deliberately took the opportunity with the U4 to further develop several technical aspects of SubwaySim 2. These include, in particular, the new signalling system and dynamic tunnel lighting.
In the long term, these improvements are not intended to remain exclusive to the U4. We would also like to bring both systems to other areas of the existing network and retrofit them accordingly. However, we cannot yet say when or to what extent this will happen.
For us, the U4 was therefore not only a new route, but also the first step towards a concept that is important to us for the continued development of SubwaySim 2.
And most importantly for us: Directly expanding an existing map worked.
We don’t want to reveal just yet what possibilities this might open up for us in the future. But following the U4, we can definitely look ahead to what’s next with confidence. 👀
Of course, we have also taken note of your feedback regarding the scope and pricing of the DLC, and we will keep it in mind for our future considerations.
Have You Discovered the Tunnel Light Switches Yet? 💡
There’s one detail of the new route that we’d like to highlight again, as quite a few of you apparently haven’t discovered it during your first journeys.
With the U4, we have technically reworked the tunnel lighting. The tunnel lights are not simply a static part of the environment, but instead form their own controllable system.
At the tunnel entrances of the U4 stations, you’ll find dedicated tunnel light switches. These allow you to actually switch the lighting for the respective tunnel section on and off.
If you haven’t spotted the switches yet, take a closer look around the tunnel entrances on your next journey. 💡👀
Thank you for all your feedback on the U4 – whether it’s praise, criticism, bug reports, or suggestions for improvements.
For us, the U4 was not only a new route, but also an important technical step forward for SubwaySim 2. We’re all the more excited to see where this foundation might take us in the future. 🚇
About the Berlin Route DLC: U4:
The Berlin Route DLC: U4 is now available on PC, PlayStation 5, and XBOX Series X/S. We’d love to hear your feedback in the Steam discussions, on our Discord server, or via Instagram. Also check out the DLC on the PlayStation Store, Xbox Store and Epic Games Store!