Transport Fever 3 Has a Budget of Nearly $25 Million

Transport Fever 3 is the most ambitious project yet from Swiss studio Urban Games. The previous instalments in the series have sold over two million copies, and the third instalment is set to be even bigger. With a budget of almost $25 million, it is also by far the most expensive in the series. Urban Games will self-publish the game.

The studio based in Schaffhausen even describes it as 'the next major leap for the genre'. With over 275 models, the game's vehicle roster is the largest in the franchise's history. These range from historical classics to modern high-tech giants. For the first time, the game will feature helicopters and cargo trams for passenger and cargo transport respectively. Combined with new features such as station specialisation and warehouses, as well as improvements to elements like highway construction, they open up new possibilities for planning and gameplay. The entire technical foundation has been rebuilt, too. Game lighting has been drastically improved and countless detail enhancements have been made, including the addition of a day-night cycle. All of these new features will be fully accessible to modders, enabling the community to expand the range of available vehicles after the game is released.

The third game in the series places greater emphasis on tycoon gameplay and the economic principles on which it is based. The industrial system has been completely overhauled to make it more dynamic. As cities develop over time, they require production chains to be adapted to meet their new needs, making them more multi-layered. With 32 different industry types - twice as many as in Transport Fever 2 - and 37 different cargo types, players must build and optimise extensive supply chains. While pre-built stations at industrial sites make it easier to get started, they require careful long-term planning. The addition of offshore industries such as oil rigs also makes ships indispensable for transporting goods. Factories also provide clearer visual feedback on capacities and bottlenecks. Detailed statistics are still available for those who want to delve deeper.

Unlike its predecessors, Transport Fever 3 puts players in control of every step of the supply chain. Specific cargoes can be assigned to individual sections and warehouses can be used for temporary storage and transhipment. Vehicles and stations can also be specialised for certain goods, which increases efficiency when the right investments are made. Delivery times also play a role, with delays having a negative impact on urban development.

Transport Fever 3 is scheduled for release in 2026 and will be available simultaneously on PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.