The feel changes with the tram you drive.
We are developing the Tram Controller (working title), a dedicated controller for TRAMCITY that recreates the driver's cab of a tram.
A crowdfunding campaign is planned for this winter.
One unit, many driver's cabs
On a real tram, the number of throttle notches and the type of brake differ from one tram type to another. The Tram Controller has motors built into the master controller and brake handle shafts, generating every notch and every bit of resistance under motor control. Nothing has to be swapped out: the game software tells the controller which cab to become.
| Hakodate Type 8000 | Hakodate Type 3000 | |
|---|---|---|
| Master controller | Off – 7 power notches + 7 electric brake notches | Off – 4 power notches |
| Brake | Direct air (release / lap / apply) | Electric command (off – 7 notches + emergency) |
Electric braking in the game is planned for a future update. The same single unit will also cover the new series currently in development.
Brake pressure you can feel
The direct air brake handle (Type 8000) has three positions: release, lap and apply. On a real tram you feel resistance as the handle crosses between them, and how heavy it feels depends on the air pressure in the brake cylinder. The Tram Controller reproduces that resistance with a motor, so the pressure of the tram you are driving in the game is fed back to your hand.
With the electric-command brake (Type 3000), the same motor generates a crisp notch for each step. Because no cams or springs are involved, there are few parts to wear out and no adjustment needed over time.
Real door switches
The door switches are the very parts fitted to real trams: the switch manufacturer agreed to supply new units for the controller. Their click and rigidity are something only the real thing can give.
A meter unit with real needles
Commuter trains have largely moved to LCD panels, but analog gauges are still the norm in trams. So we built a meter unit with needles that really move: a speedometer on the left, and brake cylinder and main air tank pressure gauges on the right. The LEDs above indicate that the doors are closed or that a stop button has been pressed.
The meter unit is planned to be an option when the product goes on sale.
Background
The controller has been developed since April 2025 with support from the FFF Tokyo startup support program. A prototype was shown at the program's DEMO DAY in March 2026, and has since been exhibited at NT Hakodate mini 2026 and at HAM, a cross-industry meetup in Hakodate.
Try it at Tokyo Game Show 2026
| Dates | 17–21 September 2026 |
|---|---|
| Venue | Makuhari Messe, Hall 9 |
| Booth | Indie Game Area 09-E14 |
| Content | Hands-on driving with the prototype. You can switch between the direct air and electric-command brakes and compare them |
Tokyo Game Show exhibit information →
Specifications (prototype stage)
| Name | Tram Controller (working title) |
|---|---|
| Units | Master controller unit / main unit / brake unit / meter unit (the meter unit is planned to become an option) |
| Size | Approx. 650 mm wide and 200 mm deep with all units laid out |
| Materials | Metal (die-cast, machined), resin and wood, used where each suits best |
| Connection | USB Type-C, recognized as a gamepad (HID). CDC (UART) communication is also planned so it can be used as a general-purpose controller |
| Supported software | TRAMCITY HAKODATE (more to come) |
| Availability | Planned as a crowdfunding reward (campaign planned for this winter) |
The photos show a prototype under development, in some cases with parts not yet fitted. Specifications, dimensions and materials may change as development continues, and the production version may differ from the prototype in manufacturing and finish.
Get notified about the crowdfunding campaign
The campaign is planned for this winter. Pricing, specifications and the platform will be announced once decided, and early news goes out by email newsletter.
With the cooperation of: TSE Inc. (enclosure and internal mechanism design), Grace Model (handle design), and FFF Tokyo by @KAMATA (prototyping support).