MSTS 2: Routes, boxed, FAQ.

[CaptainBazza]

For facts and educated guesses (until confirmed) associated with the boxed routes of MSTS 2

Route 1: A route confirmed of the Norfolk Southern, here's a URL to their web page, so your guess which part of the network....but it will include the famous Horseshoe Curve! http://www.nscorp.com/nscportal/nscorp/ (based on pics released with the Leipzig press kit and Rick's comment).

Route 2: Unknown, but could include a BNSF route, for the BNSF Dash 9 diesel. (<Educated guess, corrected.)

Route 3: Unknown, but it would be nice if it was narrow gauge. (<Big hint.)

(Boxed routes - could be anything from three to six in total, in my opinion.)

Updated (+corrections) 02 Sep 07

[Christopher125]

Sorry Cap'n, but wasnt the cajon pass shots from KRS?

[bigvern]

Think we need to also add something along the lines of...

MSTS2 "World of Rails" will contain several 1000 miles of real world rail routes. The level of detail and how this will be implemented is subject to further confirmation.

[CompanyNotch]

Route 1: Cajon Pass, unconfirmed*, but based on pics released with the Leipzig press kit.

* unconfirmed means the route name has not been officially announced.

Route 2: A route unconfirmed used by Norfolk Southern, here's a URL to their web page, so your guess which part of the network....but it does include the famous Horseshoe Curve! http://www.nscorp.com/nscportal/nscorp/

Route 3: A US narrow gauge route, possibly the Yukon White Pass 3ft gauge route, unconfirmed. http://www.whitepassrailroad.com/

(Boxed routes - could be four to six, in my opinion.)

Route 1: Nope. We are NOT doing Cajon Pass.

Route 2: NS is correct. As has been released elsewhere, we are doing the Horseshoe Curve Route

Route 3: Incorrect. Like I said in my blog post, just 'cause we went there to learn about steam locos, it doesn't mean we're modeling that route....

There are more in addition to the world rail network, but we aren't ready to discuss them yet.

-Rick

Rick Selby
Lead Game Designer
Microsoft Game Studios

http://yardlimits.spaces.live.com

[CaptainBazza]

Thanks for the response, Rick.

Re Route 1, now demoted to Route 2, subject unknown.

Re Route 2, on the upper and good news for diesel-heads, it will be a popular choice, promoted to Route 1.

Re Route 3, okay, wishful thinking, maybe, but I can dream - will reluctantly remove this from the 'hard' facts category.

(Hmmm, perhaps I should ban myself from reading the KRS forums.)

Vern: done, added to Route Building FAQ, thanks.

Cheers Bazza

[CompanyNotch]

For facts and educated guesses (until confirmed) associated with the boxed routes of MSTS 2

Route 2: Unknown, but could include a UP route, for the UP diesel. (<Educated guess.)

Updated 02 Sep 07

One more correction - we didn't show a UP diesel. You're thinking of the other guys.

What we DID show was a BNSF General Electric Dash 9 in H2 paint. Consequently, I might suggest you cross any potential UP routes off your candidate list for this version...

-Rick

Rick Selby
Lead Game Designer
Microsoft Game Studios

http://yardlimits.spaces.live.com

[eaglefan]

For facts and educated guesses (until confirmed) associated with the boxed routes of MSTS 2

Route 2: Unknown, but could include a UP route, for the UP diesel. (<Educated guess.)

Updated 02 Sep 07

One more correction - we didn't show a UP diesel. You're thinking of the other guys.

What we DID show was a BNSF General Electric Dash 9 in H2 paint. Consequently, I might suggest you cross any potential UP routes off your candidate list for this version...

-Rick

Rick Selby
Lead Game Designer
Microsoft Game Studios

http://yardlimits.spaces.live.com

Well, I guess with that concerning the potential UP routes not being on the candidate list for this version. That destroys my hopes for routes like Soldier Summit, Sherman Hill, Donner Pass, and Beaumont Pass. You can also say that for Cajon and Tehachapi Pass as UP runs on both lines.

Now, It seems like I wont be in no rush to get this sim when it gets released.

[CaptainBazza]

Oh, I really need more early nights and a complete ban from visiting KRS forums......the excitement, the excitement.....

Cheers Bazza

Now, It seems like I wont be in no rush to get this sim when it gets released.

Hmmm, that's like saying if the Colonel's finger lickin' Hot Wings is off the menu you won't visit KFC?

You have to allow that someone eventually will make a UP route and it may be one on your list.

[MaxFreak]

What we DID show was a BNSF General Electric Dash 9 in H2 paint.

-Rick

The most obvious would be Montana ... but maybe you guys have something else in mind ... Powder River or Southwest maybe

~A~

[eaglefan]

Hmmm, that's like saying if the Colonel's finger lickin' Hot Wings is off the menu you won't visit KFC?

You have to allow that someone eventually will make a UP route and it may be one on your list.

Like I stated a week or two ago, If I was in charge of this designing this game. I would put a mixture of routes, So the sim would be more enjoyable for the end users and would get more people interested in this sim.

Right now, We dont know how many routes will be available at the time of the release, But lets say there is going to be 8 routes all together. How I would do it is as follows:

2 US Nwestern routes
2 US central routes
2 US eastern routes
2 routes from overseas

This way, You have more of a audience with the new sim compared to alienating others who enjoy the western side of railroading.

The big historic routes that everyone knows are pretty much Union Pacific or are shared with Union Pacific with another road name like Cajon and Tehachapi.

[kevarc]

Hmmm, that's like saying if the Colonel's finger lickin' Hot Wings is off the menu you won't visit KFC?

You have to allow that someone eventually will make a UP route and it may be one on your list.

Like I stated a week or two ago, If I was in charge of this designing this game. I would put a mixture of routes, So the sim would be more enjoyable for the end users and would get more people interested in this sim.

Right now, We dont know how many routes will be available at the time of the release, But lets say there is going to be 8 routes all together. How I would do it is as follows:

2 US Nwestern routes
2 US central routes
2 US eastern routes
2 routes from overseas

This way, You have more of a audience with the new sim compared to alienating others who enjoy the western side of railroading.

The big historic routes that everyone knows are pretty much Union Pacific or are shared with Union Pacific with another road name like Cajon and Tehachapi.

Thankfully you are not, then would would have another garbage piece of software. And there is a LOT more than UP in the West. BNSF has some fantastic lines in Oregon, Montana, and Washington. Not to mention the ton of other areas, Chi-town for example that would be great to run.

[eaglefan]

Thankfully you are not, then would would have another garbage piece of software. And there is a LOT more than UP in the West. BNSF has some fantastic lines in Oregon, Montana, and Washington. Not to mention the ton of other areas, Chi-town for example that would be great to run.

Like I stated, I wasnt trying to put down the routes of central United States or the eastern US as there are some great routes in those areas.

I agree that BNSF has some great routes such as Stevens Pass, Stampede Pass, and Seligman and I wouldnt mind seeing any of those three routes.

All I was saying that if developers want more bang for their buck and get more people to possibly buy the sim. They cant do all the routes in one specific area and so forth. The routes need to be spread out to get a wider audience interested in the sim.

[MaxFreak]

Chi-town for example that would be great to run.

Good call ... BNSF has lots of interesting trackage .

As for UP ... don't feel put out eaglefan , the chances of me getting to drive the ARR from Seward to Fairbanks are considerably less than you getting Cajon or Tehachapi done for you .. we'd all like something different .

~A~

[hoseclamp]

All I was saying that if developers want more bang for their buck and get more people to possibly buy the sim. They cant do all the routes in one specific area and so forth. The routes need to be spread out to get a wider audience interested in the sim.

And you think that six out of eight routes based in the US is "spread out to get a wider audience"? How does six out of eight being US based fit the criteria of "They can't do all the routes in one specific area"? I am certain that the route selection in MSTS1 catered to a much broader audience than what you suggest. As a Canadian, I would love to see a "route" from Canada included but it won't bother me if there isn't one. As long as it's a good base product to build on I'll be completely satisfied.

[CaptainBazza]

I would tend to look for clues - where is their target/main customer marketbase likely to be?

1 USA - probable,
2 UK - uncertain,
3 Europe - probable,
4 Japan - probable,
5 Rest of the world...fingers crossed.

You need busy routes, with interactive possibilites, freight and passenger operation. You need interesting scenic or eyecandy routes. You need narrow gauge (oops, sorry, that one slipped in.) to appeal to a growing fan base.

Not bad for starters.

Cheers Bazza