Short Impact Statement: Spain offers almost 3× the population of some existing TSW DLC countries, a GDP over $1.5 trillion, and a language spoken by 580+ million people worldwide. With AVE high-speed lines, scenic coastal routes, and vibrant commuter networks, a Spanish DLC could open Train Sim World to a vast, passionate market—both in Spain and across the global Spanish-speaking community. It’s not just a route. It’s an opportunity to grow the game’s reach like never before. Full Proposal: Hello DTG Team and fellow players, I’d like to present a market and community case for why Train Sim World should consider developing an official Spanish route—and why I believe it could be a strong commercial success. 1. A Large and Growing Market Spain’s population: ~48.8 million (2024), nearly three times the size of the Netherlands (~18 million) and significantly larger than Switzerland (~8.7M) or Austria (~9M). Language reach: Spanish is spoken by over 580 million people worldwide. A Spanish DLC would resonate not only in Spain but also in Latin America, the U.S., and other Spanish-speaking communities. Economy: Spain’s GDP is around $1.58 trillion (2023), surpassing the Netherlands’ ~$1.12 trillion, with higher recent growth (2.5% vs ~0.12%). 2. Variety and Visual Appeal Spain offers a unique mix of: High-Speed (AVE) lines: e.g., Madrid–Barcelona, Madrid–Málaga. Regional and commuter services (Cercanías) across major cities. Scenic tourist routes: northern coastal lines, mountain passes, and heritage trains like the Transcantábrico. Different gauges and electrification systems, making gameplay varied and technically interesting. This diversity would bring something completely fresh compared to the UK, Germany, and US routes. 3. Community Demand Spanish routes have been requested regularly for years in the DTG forums and on social media. Many players seek new countries and environments to expand their collection. A well-marketed Spanish DLC could attract both existing players and newcomers from Spanish-speaking countries. 4. Why Spain Could Outperform Other Smaller Markets While countries like Switzerland, Austria, and the Netherlands have appeared in TSW, Spain offers clear advantages: Population: Smaller DLC countries range from 8 to 18 million, while Spain has ~49 million. GDP (2023): Smaller DLC countries range from $0.6 to $1.1 trillion, while Spain reaches $1.58 trillion. Global language reach: Smaller DLC countries have limited reach, while Spanish is spoken by over 580 million people worldwide. Route diversity: Smaller DLC countries offer moderate diversity, while Spain has high-speed, regional, scenic, and heritage routes. This isn’t “just another country” — it’s a gateway to a huge linguistic and cultural market. 5. The Opportunity for DTG I understand licensing and development complexity can be a challenge. However, the potential payoff could be significant: Increased sales in Spanish-speaking markets. Strong marketing opportunities (tourism appeal, cultural diversity). Expansion of the TSW player base into underrepresented regions. In short: A Spanish route would not only bring visual and operational variety to Train Sim World but also open doors to a massive, underserved market. If DTG is open to the idea, the community (myself included) would gladly assist in providing reference materials, route suggestions, and local insight to make it happen. Thank you for considering this idea, and I look forward to hearing your thoughts.
Now it's time to explain what licenses there are in Spain, types of trains (some are well-known, like the TGV), etc. I’d like to highlight why Spain would make an excellent choice for a future Train Sim World 5 route and how it could bring both variety and commercial success. 1. Multiple Passenger Operators Spain’s passenger rail sector is diverse, meaning multiple branding and gameplay possibilities: Renfe Operadora – The national operator, running high-speed AVE, Avant, Alvia, Intercity, Media Distancia, and Cercanías commuter services. Ouigo España – A low-cost high-speed operator using double-deck TGV Euroduplex trains. Iryo – A private high-speed company using Frecciarossa 1000 trainsets (ETR 1000). With these operators, TSW could feature different service patterns on the same route—premium high-speed, budget high-speed, and regional commuter traffic all in one. 2. Freight Operators Freight in Spain is equally interesting, with a mix of national and private companies: Renfe Mercancías – The freight arm of Renfe. Medway Iberia – Operates container and intermodal freight. Captrain España – A subsidiary of SNCF, operating bulk and intermodal freight. Freight trains often share tracks with passenger services, allowing for mixed-traffic routes similar to German and British DLCs. 3. Variety of Train Types Spain offers unique rolling stock not yet seen in TSW: High-speed: AVE Class 100 (TGV-based), Class 102/112 “Pato”, Class 103 (Siemens Velaro), Ouigo Euroduplex, Iryo ETR 1000. Regional & Commuter: Civia EMUs, 449 series, 470 series. Freight locomotives: Euro 4000, Class 253 (Bombardier TRAXX), Class 319. The mix of different gauges (Iberian gauge, high-speed standard gauge, and metric gauge in some regions) also opens gameplay variety. 4. Why Spain Fits TSW Scenic diversity: From coastal routes like Valencia–Barcelona, to mountain passes in Asturias, to high-speed lines crossing the plains of Castilla. Traffic variety: High-speed trains, regional commuter services, and heavy freight—often sharing the same corridor. Market potential: Nearly 49 million residents, plus a Spanish-speaking world of over 580 million people, offering new sales opportunities. Tourism appeal: Many international players would be drawn to recreate routes they’ve traveled in real life. In summary: Spain offers everything Train Sim World thrives on—high-speed prestige services, busy commuter networks, challenging freight operations, and stunning scenery. By including Spanish routes, DTG could bring fresh gameplay, attract a wider audience, and expand into an underrepresented but passionate market. Thank you for considering this idea, and I hope to see Spanish rails in TSW in the near future.
Spanish Railway Routes Proposal for Dovetail Games Spain offers a unique railway network that combines high-speed lines, heavy freight corridors, and challenging mountain routes. Three lines stand out as excellent candidates for Train Sim World 6: Suggested Mediterranean Corridor Route: Valencia – Benicarló-Peñíscola (~124 km) Why this fits DTG’s usual route length (≈120 km): Perfect length: The Valencia – Benicarló-Peñíscola section is around 124–126 km, right within DTG’s typical scope. Busy and varied traffic: High-speed Euromed/Intercity/Alvia, Regional/Media Distancia, Cercanías C-6 commuter services (Valencia–Castellón), plus freight trains (Sagunto industrial area and port traffic from Castellón). Plenty of potential for overtakes and timetable variety. Scenic appeal: Fertile Valencian countryside leaving Estació del Nord, the historic fortress of Sagunto, the coastal stretch of the Costa del Azahar (Benicàssim, Peñíscola), viaducts and long straights. Iconic stations: Historic Valencia Estació del Nord, the important hub of Castellón de la Plana, and the seaside terminus of Benicarló-Peñíscola. Rolling stock ideas: Cercanías: Civia Class 465 for local commuter services, with both all-stop and semi-fast services up to Castellón. Long-distance: Euromed, Intercity, or Alvia services for express passenger runs. Freight: Class 253 TRAXX or Class 252 locomotives hauling containers and steel traffic, with overnight or daytime slots between passenger trains. Scenario concepts: “Beach Rush” – Summer timetable with extra Media Distancia services and heavy passenger traffic. “Port Shuffle” – Timed freight services between Sagunto and Castellón, sharing the busy mainline with passenger trains. “Storm Timetable” – Challenging scenario with temporary restrictions, requiring precise driving under adverse conditions. Distance breakdown (helpful for planning): Valencia → Benicarló-Peñíscola: ~124–126 km Valencia → Castellón: ~64–74 km (ideal for shorter commuter runs within the same DLC) Tarragona → Benicarló-Peñíscola: ~104 km (alternative shorter option focusing on Catalonia) In short: this section of the Mediterranean Corridor offers the perfect mix of distance, traffic diversity, and scenery, making it an excellent candidate for Train Sim World or Train Simulator Classic. Suggested High-Speed Route: Madrid – Sevilla AVE (1992) (~120 km section) Why it fits DTG’s usual route length (≈120 km): Historic value: This was Spain’s very first high-speed line, inaugurated in 1992, and one of the most iconic routes in European railway history. Operational variety: High-speed runs with the AVE Class 100 (derived from the French TGV Atlantique), complemented by possible Media Distancia or Talgo services on certain sections. Scenery and landmarks: Departure from Madrid Atocha, crossing Castilla-La Mancha’s plains (including Puertollano), and arrival at the modern Sevilla Santa Justa terminal. Length flexibility: A segment of around 120 km could be chosen between Madrid–Ciudad Real–Puertollano or Córdoba–Sevilla to match DTG’s route size. Rolling stock ideas: AVE Class 100: the original high-speed workhorse of Spain. Optional future layers: AVE Class 102/103 or Talgo sets for variety. Scenario concepts: “Inaugural Express” – Recreate the first AVE run in 1992. “Race to Seville” – Timed high-speed run with strict schedule adherence. “Mixed Traffic Day” – Manage services alongside Media Distancia or Talgo trains. Suggested High-Speed Route: Madrid – Barcelona AVE (~120 km section) Why it fits DTG’s usual route length (≈120 km): Flagship line: Spain’s busiest and most famous high-speed corridor, connecting the two largest cities. Operational challenge: Services reach up to 310 km/h with the AVE Class 103 (Siemens Velaro E), offering the fastest operations in Spain. Scenery: A mix of urban departures from Madrid Atocha, the wide plains of Aragón, and the dramatic landscapes near Zaragoza and Lleida. Length flexibility: A section such as Madrid–Zaragoza (~120 km in a compressed version) or Zaragoza–Lleida could be modeled to fit DTG’s route size. Rolling stock ideas: AVE Class 103 (Siemens Velaro E): the backbone of Madrid–Barcelona services. Potential future DLC: AVE Class 102 (Talgo 350) for additional variety. Scenario concepts: “Velaro Sprint” – High-speed express with maximum allowed speed. “Timetable Pressure” – Service with close headways, requiring precise driving. “Winter Run” – Manage high-speed operations under adverse weather conditions. Both of these AVE routes showcase Spain’s high-speed rail excellence: Madrid – Sevilla: iconic, historic, and ideal for introducing the AVE 100. Madrid – Barcelona: modern, fast, and internationally recognizable with the AVE 103 Velaro. Together, these three routes would showcase the diversity of Spanish railways: high-speed, freight-intensive, and mountain operations.
The proposal is very interesting, but even if DTG starts development now, we are unlikely to see anything more than an entry in the roadmap. And the release, most likely, will not be earlier than TSW 7.
Not a good argument. The total GDP is hardly comparable. The GDP per capita is better comparable. Spains GDP p. Capita: 35.300 USD (2024) Netherlands: 68.200 USD Switzerland: 103.000 USD Austria: 56.800 USD So if you use the economy-argument, that's actually an argument against a spanish route.
The most interesting thing is that a Spanish route would attract more interest from a wider audience. In Germany, many will surely buy a Spanish route because some people have even used Renfe AVE trains to travel around the country on vacation. People from Latin America would also buy Spanish routes. This same thing happened with DLCs like Iberia in SCS ETS 2. The GDP was illustrative: countries like Germany, which have twice the population of Spain, have $55,000 USD, and considering that their salaries are much higher than in Spain, there isn't a huge difference either. I think if DTG was waiting for a moment, the moment is now, because there are many more companies operating in Spain, one of them being a sister company of SNCF, so I don't think they'll pose the same problems as Renfe (Renfe, as a general rule, will never issue a license for train simulators). Although I wouldn't like a high-speed line, as I find them boring, Spain has lines along the Mediterranean corridor that are very interesting for freight trains.
I doubt DTG has much interest in a country they have disrespected by not translating the texts of their latest DLC into Spanish. Any game that sells on PS store for less than 1€ does it and they don't, with all the ease of AI nowadays. My form of protest to this act is to stop buying anything at full price, I have spent too much money on TSW for my country to be treated with such contempt.
