The new map engine for 2D mode is now available in Beta!
First of all, thank you for playing Metro Architect. We continue to improve the game based on your feedback, even though we do not announce every smaller update here. To share your suggestions or discuss the game with us, you can join our Discord server. Important! The game will stop supporting previous 2D Engine in the following weeks. You can still access and play your saves at the moment. However, we recommend you to try out updated engine available in creative mode.
About the Update This update introduces improved map behaviour, more detailed zoom levels, and a deeper simulation in which station placement, passenger demand, network coverage, and ticket prices all affect the performance of your transport network.
Geographic passenger demand Passenger demand is based on areas of each city. Population density, commuting activity, landmarks, major destinations, and daily travel patterns all influence where and when demand appears. You can preview demand hour by hour directly on the map and build your network around how the city changes throughout the day.
More meaningful station placement Station placement now has a much greater impact. Passengers are simulated walking from their origins, following nearby streets and buildings, accounting for obstacles such as rivers, and choosing stations they can realistically access. Before placing a station, you can now preview:
• Expected passenger demand • Newly covered areas • Overlap with nearby stations • Walking distances
Catchment competition Nearby stations can compete for and share the same passengers. The map tracks potential, served, unserved, and shared demand, making station spacing and network coverage much more important.
Better fare behaviour Passengers respond dynamically to ticket prices. Set fares too high and fewer passengers will be willing to travel. Price them appropriately and ridership can grow. You can track expected revenue, service reputation, and the fare passengers currently consider reasonable based on factors such as network convenience and satisfaction.
More powerful planning tools Demand overlays, station catchments, landmarks, hourly previews, placement forecasts, fare-response charts make it easier to understand why your network succeeds or why it does not.