Last Updated on: 22nd November 2023, 05:10 am
Marmalade Game Studio has successfully launched the esteemed board game “Ticket to Ride” on Steam. This state-of-the-art digital rendition is sure to delight fans and attract new players with its impressive 3D world and expanded gameplay possibilities. Marmalade, celebrated for bringing board games like Monopoly and Clue into the digital realm, now introduces the captivating challenge of building a transcontinental railway empire in Ticket to Ride with spectacular graphics.
The board game version of “Ticket to Ride” is known for its extensive, passionate fanbase. During the development of its Steam adaptation, Marmalade Game Studio actively involved the community, ensuring that the digital version resonates with their expectations. Expert and enthusiast feedback was essential in shaping the game’s features and guiding its future content updates.
Heeding community input, Marmalade Game Studio has crafted a cutting-edge AI system using the latest technological advances. This AI, fine-tuned by insights from over a hundred master players and numerous simulated games, delivers challenging and adaptive AI opponents. It adjusts to different play styles and skill levels, offering a nuanced single-player experience that mirrors the excitement of the board game.
The game’s multiplayer options are equally innovative, with Marmalade presenting a wide array of game modes. Players can compete in online matches, engage in private games with friends, and select from quick to in-depth gaming experiences. The game also supports asynchronous gaming, accommodating players in various time zones or those who need flexible gaming schedules.
This digital adaptation unfolds in a vibrant, 3D world that authentically brings the board game to life.
Mike Rosser, Creative Director at Marmalade Game Studio, expressed: “When we adapt a board game, we aim to elevate the experience, to bring the world to life in ways that you can only do in digital. That’s especially important for games with a strong theme like Ticket to Ride – we want to capture that spirit of adventure that you associate with the golden age of rail, while giving it a vibrant, modern aesthetic! Our game board is 3D, with lovingly sculpted and textured terrain that helps to make the world feel like a real place, not just a map. You’re not just claiming that route from Denver to Salt Lake City – you’re crossing the Rockies! There are also opportunities to get up close and personal – when you complete a ticket, it flips to reveal a postcard of a train puffing into the destination you just reached, an animated 3D scene that’s like a magic window into the romantic world of steam travel.”
In celebration of the launch, Marmalade Game Studio has planned a unique event, inviting players to demonstrate their skills, share their achievements, and nominate their ideal travel companion for a chance to win two Amtrak Rail or Interrail Passes.
Mike Willis, co-CEO of Marmalade Game Studio, noted: “Being big Ticket to Ride players ourselves, it was important to us that we connect with the fanbase from the start, and we intend to keep that relationship going. We have an exciting launch event planned and more to come, with a post-launch roadmap full of updates, including the release of fan-favourite and exclusive never-before seen maps. We’re looking forward to bringing our players hours of fun and excitement in the months and years to come.”
This initial venture between Asmodee Entertainment, Days of Wonder, and Marmalade Game Studio signals an exciting era of collaborative game adaptations, much to the delight of players worldwide.
The adventure begins – Ticket to Ride is now available on Steam!
