UKTS Railway magazine reviews

TOMMO79 · Post by **TOMMO79** » Thu Feb 06, 2003 12:24 am

I remember reading reviews of Train simulator in the railway press around the time of release. Wasn't really a priority to buy it at the time until I stumbled upon UK trainsim and Mark shipman, Kim Durcose's websites. I actually had add-ons downloaded before I bought the game. Bearing in mind that most of the offerings here put Kuju's stuff to shame do you think its time it had a little publicity? This might attract more members and modelers to the site and also a boost in sales (not that Bill Gates is short on cash) might encorage more sequels. Maybe a few screen shots sent to Traction/Steam Railway etc:of deltics at Kings Cross or black 5's at Piccadilly would highlight the hard work that has gone on since the sims release. I've never uploaded anything so its not really for me to decide so over to you.

LucaZone · Post by **LucaZone** » Thu Feb 06, 2003 12:27 am

PCZone do alot of mod coverage for HalfLife and other FPS games. Detailing reviews and insites into the amateur games content for that genre, maybe we could get them to have a look over here.

Not only that, but theres an entire magazine dedicated to the PC Pilot, which always contains reviews, and information about amateur content available online for MSFS. OK MSTS is in its first generation, but there is an awefully large TS community already round the world. Maybe something in this form could be commissioned

alan2 · Post by **alan2** » Thu Feb 06, 2003 12:37 am

I agree, To think you actually Downloaded the Add-on's before buying the Sim show's what a help it may be.

Maybe a review of this Site would help Membership.

Over to You Matt.

saddletank · Post by **saddletank** » Thu Feb 06, 2003 10:08 am

Magazines like PCGamer and PCZone are mainly showcases for shoot em up games, wargames and driving type games. I can't think that promoting MSTS freeware addons and sites in there will hit the right market. I do think that an article written for a mainstream model or real railway magazine with illustrations of good routes and stock and links would be a good move.

Post by **NeutronIC** » Thu Feb 06, 2003 11:51 am

I'm speaking with British Railway Modeller at the moment, they are running the Doncaster exhibition and i'm planning on meeting up with the guys at the exhibition to discuss some things we've spoken about over the phone, get some things firmed up and then perhaps you'll be seeing some Train Simulation stuff in BRM.

Matt.

ianm42 · Post by **ianm42** » Thu Feb 06, 2003 4:30 pm

I emailed David Brown at BRM a couple of times suggesting articles about what is now available for MSTS and Trainz, but had no reply. Pity, as I have had a couple of model railway articles published by him in the past.

Seems we fall between the two types of magazine - too nerdy for model mags and too anorakish for PC games mags.

saddletank · Post by **saddletank** » Thu Feb 06, 2003 4:48 pm

So I fall somewhere between a nerd and an anorak - it's nice to know where I stand at last!

All this standing and falling - I'm feeling giddy.

Neptune50006 · Post by **Neptune50006** » Thu Feb 06, 2003 10:14 pm

Perhaps you're a new species....a Nadorak

LucaZone · Post by **LucaZone** » Thu Feb 06, 2003 10:38 pm

Im not to sure i agree about the PC Zone and Format thing. They cover alot of stuff for Flight Simulators, so why not Train Sim.

Good thing about the Railway Modeller mags though. I think every copy in every form carrys at least 2 full page adverts for TrainSim, so i think its about time we used that space to show others what TrainSim really gets used for, and what it has to offer on the freeware market.

Its also an opportunity to braoden my fanbase, and get some previews of my route out there. Up and coming talents of projects yet to hit the market, that are showing great promise. ;P im far to good to myself

coastal11 · Post by **coastal11** » Fri Feb 07, 2003 4:44 am

Hi All

Just to let you all know that there is a 3 page write up called all aboard in the Computer Active Mag of all the pogs and addons for Trainz, TSM, TGV pack and MSTS and they give MSTS a buy it 5 star rating.

It might be a good idea to contact them and see if they would do a follow up on the above review

Regards

Cliff

LucaZone · Post by **LucaZone** » Fri Feb 07, 2003 10:05 am

The current mag out, or a pervious issue?

coastal11 · Post by **coastal11** » Fri Feb 07, 2003 10:56 am

Hi All

Its the currant mag out yesterday Issue 130

Cliff

ChrisEllis · Post by **ChrisEllis** » Fri Feb 07, 2003 12:51 pm

if u could get a magazine sponsorship or something then that magazine might be able to put forward incresased bandwith services

Post by **NeutronIC** » Fri Feb 07, 2003 1:03 pm

Well, looking at it from the magazines point of view, if someone won't spend Â£2.50 for a months subscription to UKTS - would they spend Â£2.99 (or whatever it is) per month on the magazine instead?

Sadly, I don't think so

The big problem with finding 'funding' for the free bandwidth is that you're essentially trying to find someone who finds a market populated by people unable or unwilling to part with money, to be an attractive one - and that's just about nobody, hence the reason we're having a hell of a time and not getting very far

Sorry if that's a bit blunt for some, it's not meant as an insult or any other attack - it's just the way that they will be looking at it.

What I am trying to do is get a presence in magazines for Train Simulation in the UK (and by extension, UKTrainSim) - to boost the number of users (free or paying, however they come!) - there could be a lot more Mark Shipmans or Tim Courts out there just waiting to find out about Train Simulator, and one of my aims is to make sure they all find out

Matt.

anamorph · Post by **anamorph** » Fri Feb 07, 2003 2:45 pm

The quote about falling between the two categories stinks tho.

I for one would find it a lot easier to build a "Real" model railway and scratchbuild stock for that than MSTS.
I think one of the problems is that FS looked amazing on release compared to what had gone before, so it attracted attention, but I think unless you're into trains then MSTS won't get much more than a passing review.

No doubt that without Messrs Shipman, Court, Durose, Lim (And many others) MSTS wouldn't be as interesting to US now - never mind magazines!

(AND I didn't actually find UKTrainsim 'til last August - and I'd had MSTS
for about a year - I can assure you it got a new lease of life when I did!