Train Simulator Reigns Supreme with Over 800 DLCs
As an avid gamer and content creator who loves diving deep into gaming stats and trivia, I couldn‘t resist investigating which game currently holds the record for most DLC (downloadable content). After thorough research combing through forums, gaming sites, and developer databases, the winner is clear:
Train Simulator is the runaway leader when it comes to DLC volume with over 800 available packs.
Developed by Dovetail Games, Train Simulator first launched in 2009 and has retained a passionate niche audience in the 12+ years since. Dovetail has leveraged this audience and benefited from Train Simulator‘s modular nature to produce a torrent of DLC adding new routes, trains, and other content.
The Sheer Scale of Train Simulator DLC
Let‘s break down some key facts and figures that highlight just how staggering Train Simulator‘s DLC library is:
- Over 600 DLC packs for the Train Simulator base game itself, not counting third-party addons
- Another 200+ DLC packs created by third party developers like Just Trains and Armstrong Powerhouse
- That means over 800 total DLC packs supporting Train Simulator
- New DLC is still coming out at a steady clip 14 years later after its initial launch
- Average DLC cost is $10-20, meaning it would cost over $8,000 to buy all content!
To put those numbers in perspective, the runner up game (Rocksmith 2014) has approximately 1,500 pieces of DLC – mainly downloadable songs. Popular franchise The Sims 4 has amassed over 800 stuff packs, game packs and expansion packs. But no series can compete with the slow and steady DLC domination achieved by Train Simulator over the past decade plus.
Business Model Drives Strong DLC Sales
So what‘s the secret sauce to Train Simulator‘s DLC success? The game employs an aggressive business model where the base game is intentionally lacking in content, requiring players to consistently buy new packs to expand their experience. For instance, Train Simulator 2023‘s standard edition ($39.99) only includes 1 low detail route and 6 trains. Any player looking to meaningfully engage with this simulator will need to spend hundreds or thousands more on DLC.
Further, Train Simulator‘s community has many "rivet counters" – a term used to describe ultra hardcore train fans and history buffs obsessed with minute railway details. For them, owning a highly accurate recreation of their favorite locomotive or route is extremely compelling. This means consistent revenue for Dovetail as they model new packs tailored made for rivet counting enthusiasts.
| routes | trains | other content | price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midland Main Line | Class 390 Pendolino Avanti | Quick Drive scenarios, service mode | $5.99 |
As someone who grew up obsessed with trains and now makes gaming content analyzing titles like Train Simulator, I have to admire Dovetail‘s masterful execution when it comes to maximizing DLC revenue. And for hardcore train enthusiasts with cash to spare, the ability to curate an ultimate dream roster of trains across endless rail networks seems well worth the high cost of entry.
