johndibben wrote:(Thud)
Sorry, I fainted
I'd go along with all of that. Must've bumped my head
Whilst scanarios in the MSTS sense of the word arn't easy, there's tools to create sets of orders for the loco's in the game. Limited to seven though.
Bump mapping mentioned .... at last
Along with some other features, only someone who's actually bought, used and studied it would notice.
The tech docs are very interesting for anyone wishing to get the most out of it. Links to loads of samples as well. They positively ooze encouragement to develop your own stuff.
There's no doubt about it, it's very deep. The paper manual really, isn't all that good, in the sense that you really have to start reading the PDF docs.
I found the little activity creator thing in the surveyor module. Although it's basic, it does provide a little flexibility. It's actually better in some ways than the MSTS activity making, because it provides trigger points for things like weather.
Apart from the scripted scenarios, which are far superior to any MSTS activity, the basic 'game' is still follows the model railway principle. IE you make a consist, slap it on the track, jump from train to train. Where as MSTS is pure sim, although as it's been pointed out a zillion times before(and I bet Kuju, MS and others are sick of it) in a simplified form compared to the real thing.
There seems so much to explore in TRS and you are left with the impression that is the basis of it was glued and screwed together in a little more structured way, with a big heavy manual, it would be even better than it is. For example, I know there is fixed track sections, but the manuals never talk about them. Some die hard MSTS are put off by the 'basic' spline track system in Trainz, you would think they might make more of this. Also I know there is latitude and Longitude support, but that's not really mentioned. It leaves the impression for serious simmers that it's still a model railway sim, an overhang from previous incarnations. When really, certainly for steam, given the right support and effort which scripted scenarios a very serious route could be built: With turntables, industry, train announcements, dynamic routing and so on. For a steam route (which is a pain in the arse for MSTS, because of the track system and lack of turntables) it's perfect.
If people support it, by say leaning a package that can import into Gmax (or Gmax itself) and import into MSTS and Trainz, things can only get better. The Trainz people should stop bashing MSTS and produce models for that platform as well. If someone is really clever they could make a converter that would convert models (from say OBJ or 3DS) for both.
I can't help thinking Trainz would sell more if it shipped with 6 prototype routes.
