DT Blog update

[stephenholmes]

That County locomotive on DTs blog looks very nice
Kind regards Stephen

[dean1986]

I take my hat off to Digital traction the stuff they have done so far has been top quality and the upcoming stuff looks lovely. Best thing about them is the regular updates they give unlike some other companies.

Dean

[simuk]

Interesting to note the post below that one, about lower poly models/the possibility of cabless products (as discussed in a topic on here recently).

[paulz6]

Interesting to note the post below that one, about lower poly models/the possibility of cabless products (as discussed in a topic on here recently).

Their 'low poly' class 25 was so good that if they release all their models in this manner, they would shoot themselves in the foot regarding their own sales IMHO. I do like the fact that they release freebies along with their commercial work and that their commercial work is competitively priced. I like the fact that their software is not DRM infested too. I've got a lot of positives for DT's contribution to RS. The usability of their website would be the priority problem they need to resolve in my eyes.

I hope they come to a sensible solution regarding cab views. There are a lot of important potential consequences that need to be considered. The solution to issues like this will affect the future of RS along with RSC's improvements to the main RS platform. People need to make these decisions with the future in mind, not the dire present situation.

I appreciate that a lot of effort is required to build quality items for RS. This is one of the consequences of evolution. Most software product cycles become longer in length and more resource intensive as complexity increases.

Now let's consider I am a potential commercial route builder, whose intention is to provide accurately modeled route trackwork, with scenery that is more than just randomly placed buildings and trees. I'm looking at requiring more than one man years worth of resources to create even a relatively short route. I'm looking at how the rest of the commercial providers price their efforts for what I think is their required resource needs. I look at how much the retail consumer is willing to pay for a route. I understand people will easily part with a fiver but will think twice before parting with a few hundred pound in one go.

My fear is that a 2 tier system is developing. Do I try and compete fairly by releasing a route as trackwork only, charging a bit extra for signalling, and a bit more for each mile of scenery they want to add? Or do I just withdraw from the market altogether has it is not only not viable commercially, but the pricing system is set up to make my effort worthless.

[karma99]

I can't remember off the top of my head who did it, but someone released some wagons with a Demo logo above them. I thought was a great idea.. you can try out the full product before you buy it, you can even allow those who don't buy it to still use scenarios written using it, but man, the nagging factor of having that dirty great floating logo has GOT to drive a lot of tryers into buyers

[paulz6]

I can't remember off the top of my head who did it, but someone released some wagons with a Demo logo above them. I thought was a great idea.. you can try out the full product before you buy it, you can even allow those who don't buy it to still use scenarios written using it, but man, the nagging factor of having that dirty great floating logo has GOT to drive a lot of tryers into buyers

There are some positives to that approach. Playing scenarios and watching an endless stream of JT flyers passing is sure to have some effect. There could also be some hidden dangers applying that approach to every product which would need to be carefully considered. I won't state what these may be publicly for some good reasons.

[simuk]

I can't remember off the top of my head who did it, but someone released some wagons with a Demo logo above them. I thought was a great idea.. you can try out the full product before you buy it, you can even allow those who don't buy it to still use scenarios written using it, but man, the nagging factor of having that dirty great floating logo has GOT to drive a lot of tryers into buyers

They were the Cargowaggon demos from Just Trains. We decided on the approach of having a "banner" showing above them as it allows for the full quality of the model and textures to be experienced, where as giving a "demo texture" means people could just repaint them, or adjusting the model in some way so as it isn't as detailed could give a bad impression (if people didn't know). In all other aspects though it's a fully working wagon.

Simon
Just Trains

[stuart666]

Hmm, got my hopes up there for a minute, I thought it was going to be my beloved 10XX County class locomotive, not those earlier Counties that were disliked and worked as piledrivers on the track. However...
1 One must not be ungrateful and look a gift horse in the mouth.
2 Its GWR, so who cares. Rejoice already.

I guess the cab is in the saleable version is the real thing to look forward to here. Any possibility of a Saint or a Star for the future? PLEEZZZ.

Oh and thanks very much DT. Rapidly becoming my favourite payware company.

[kingsgate]

A Saint? That'd mean I'd have to add an extra set of wheels and lengthen it a bit! What a silly suggestion!

(One's already on the drawing board. )

Tor-K

[stuart666]

A Saint? That'd mean I'd have to add an extra set of wheels and lengthen it a bit! What a silly suggestion!

(One's already on the drawing board. )

Tor-K

Yay!

Ive fallen in love with Saints seen I saw the reproduction Saint they are working on at Didcot. Now if somebody does a full size replica of a 38xx, 'The Great Bear' and 5068 'Beverston Castle', I can die happy.

Good luck with your projects BTW.

[ladyoflynn]

Hi Tor-K,
a Saint,wow, hint ( 2906 Lady of Lynn) please,great things coming from D T i^m ready for the payware,they are worth it.

Eric (Ladyoflynn) G W R man

[Squatch]

Interesting note on the blog that there's been 1600 downloads of the Class 25 - is that about in line with what you'd expect? And what proportion of take up of a "gold" version would you deem to be commercially successful?

[kingsgate]

Well, that was about the sort of number we wanted. Ideally, I'd want all those people to upgrade, but if half go for it, I'll be reasonably happy, and it'll be viable.

Tor-K

[buckbeak]

You know I'd buy it Tom
Danny

[Squatch]

Well, that was about the sort of number we wanted. Ideally, I'd want all those people to upgrade, but if half go for it, I'll be reasonably happy, and it'll be viable.

Tor-K

Maybe you need a "thermometer" on your website, like the appeal ones Blue Peter had when I was a kid, showing how near the target of 800 you are, before you release the next model......

Anyway, I like the model, and I'd buy it to support your efforts in producing further content, so that's me and Danny, only 798 to go.....