There aren't many game designers left out there like Sid Meier, who can pride himself with being credited for 50 games (give or take) throughout his career, some even genre-defining (as opposed to re-defining), and who can still fill us with joy every time his team at Firaxis releases a new one. His latest Pirates! remake, Civilization IV, the recent Warlords add-on - none of these new titles let us down, and hopefully neither will Sid Meier's Railroads! later this month.

As announced by Take-Two, the game had reached Gold status and is ready to ship in North America on October 17, and in Europe on October 27.

"Sid Meier's Railroads! marks the return of one of the most beloved strategy titles of all time and a concept that launched a whole genre and inspired a new generation of strategy games.

Sid Meier's Railroads! returns in a vibrant 3D world delivering exciting multiplayer options, in-game customization tools, streamlined interface and unmatched gameplay that's easy to learn yet challenging to master. Legendary game designer Sid Meier and Firaxis Games, creators of the highest rated computer strategy game* Civilization IV, put gamers in charge of building the greatest rail empire in the nation - managing trains, cargo and the bottom line - while engaging in all-out corporate warfare against rival tycoons, slick entrepreneurs, and robber barons.

(...)

*According to GameRankings.com average scores of computer strategy games."

While waiting to see if Firaxis has once again delivered a top-notch title, our local Railroads! gallery has some new entries for your viewing pleasure.

(N.B. Archive text, links removed)