rSection 0 Status Updates and Implementation of new features

[GenesisMan]

Hi!

Anyone ever saw something about updates on the implementation of new features on this page ?: http://www.railsimdownloads.com/wiki/ti ... us+Updates

The last update was October 2, 2009 and was about fixes... Not one new feature.
Seven weeks later... no update.

As it seems now, all the $$$ is invested in development of new locos, new routes and new rolling stocks.

Could Rail Simulator.Com:
-Give us at least some news on what they are doing in the core program to have at least cone light from the locos and projected light on ground and objects.
-Give us a way to tell them what we will wish to be implemented.

I bought till now all the Add-on ... including the Challenger.

I am stopping buying till I have news about Implementation of new features.

90% of my time in RailWorks is invested in developement of my route and scenery objects.

My opinion!

Wish you give yours.

[karma99]

There is currently no point lighting in the RWs engine, which is what you are asking for.
It is planned next year, (it is not a case of just writting a few lines of code)
There was direction lighting from the headlights which is in but causes graphical issues.
There are a number of issue that need to be addressed before all are in and working.

There are many driving/simulation/funtionality areas that will get attention first before the lighting.
Will it get get done? Yes,
When? I'll let you know when I have a clear idea.

regards

Derek

http://forums.uktrainsim.com/viewtopic. ... 3#p1219643

[CaptScarlet]

Basically the status updates are a subset of confirmed bugs reported by numerous users. If you want hints on what they are up to and upcoming enhancements you need to follow the Railsimulator twitter page.

John

[nelson]

We've all wondered and moaned about this, including me, why we seem to only have new locos all the time and no updates, and we've all been told the reason why, they need the income so they can keep afloat long enough to work on the bugs. At least they are providing things for us and have not left us to our own devises like Microsoft did. We just have to be patient and wait it seems.

[styckx]

Maybe there hasn't been updates since the past ones they were hammering out bi-weekly because they introduced new bugs or never fixed ones it claimed they fixed? So now they are taking their time, really testing the stuff thoroughly. The rate at which they first were sending out updates is virtually non-existent in gaming platforms. At most you'll get 2-3 updates a year if you're lucky. Not a new one every couple weeks.

So to summarize

* - Frequent updates with new bugs and crashes or never fixing existing ones - Complain about it

* - No updates because the platform is stable right now so they are taking their time with the next one - Complain about it

Sounds about right.

[drfish]

I must admit, it does seem that more time is being lavished on new add-ons. Rather than fixing things in the core, or previously released items.

Example being the crashing scenario in the Black 5 scenario pack. How hard can it be to swap out the shunter?. How hard can it be to hard a test install that is basic default stock only. Emphasis is on making new stuff, to keep the money coming in. Eventually it will back fire, if the core is not fixed and all we are all out of money from buying shiny locos that don't work properly and have to drive through wonky signalling. I can't believe than even MSTS managed lights in tunnels, it just looks stupid without it, in fact I avoid "night/evening" scenarios at the moment as it looks soo bad.'

[AndyUK]

I must admit, it does seem that more time is being lavished on new add-ons. Rather than fixing things in the core, or previously released items.

Example being the crashing scenario in the Black 5 scenario pack. How hard can it be to swap out the shunter?

I take your point about the errant shunter in the Black 5 scenario pack, but you've got to bear in mind that in general, as far as I know, the "content creators" are not the same people as the "core fixers". Therefore producing the money earning new addons and fixing / improving the core are not mutually exclusive activities, it's just that the the former is probably quicker to do than the latter.

Andy L

[RSderek]

Hi, It has been awhile since the last update but there is a fair amount on the near horizon.
There are a number of reasons for this, biggest one being work being done for the German release.

regards

Derek

[Acorncomputer]

For me the process is logical.

Do not release updates/fixes until you are sure that they work properly and include as much as you can in each update.

RS.com are not a stupid Company. They have a business model that will try to ensure that the Company can keep going by improving RailWorks and any associated spin-offs, but with limited resources this takes time. We all have our own views on what we think they should be doing, but it is a fair bet that they are not going to deliberately do anything to upset current and future customers.

There are many valid criticisms on this Forum and I am sure that all are looked at, but RS.com are still here and still developing and everyone has a choice of whether to go with the flow or jump to another river. No one is forced to use RailWorks but most of us who do use it by choice, enjoy using it very much, quirks and all.

[GenesisMan]

The Topic is Back....Be careful.

Hi, It has been awhile since the last update but there is a fair amount on the near horizon.
There are a number of reasons for this, biggest one being work being done for the German release.

regards

Derek

Hi Derek,

Don't you think it could be a good idea to update http://www.railsimdownloads.com/wiki/ti ... us+Updates
No update since Monday 26 of October, 2009 17:07:40 UTC

And add in the Table of contents of this web page:
-a section implementation of new features..... What is under work.
-a section release of addons.... The addons coming soon

It would keed everyone informed at one place.

Wishing it will be considered.

Thanks

[RSderek]

Hi,

Yes, sorry for not keeping it upto date but there have been some busy bunnies at RS.com

We will try to do better regarding keeping everyone upto date with Releases, code fixes and enhancements.

best regards

Derek

[karma99]

Can't ask more than that, thanks Derek

[drfish]

News flow is almost as important as new toys and fixes. If we know what you are planning (and we like it!) and you can stick to it, then you are going to have some very happy people.

I personally would still rather have a slightly slower hail of new steam locos in favour of some fixes to the core along with new routes/scenarios. It's always amazed me that in real life I prefer steam, but seem to spend all my time in sims in diesel or electric passenger stuff (am I odd?? )

[GenesisMan]

Hi,

We will try to do better regarding keeping everyone upto date with Releases, code fixes and enhancements.

best regards

Derek

Thanks Derek,

This is what we all are asking for.
Happier peoples....more sales.

News flow is almost as important as new toys and fixes. If we know what you are planning (and we like it!) and you can stick to it, then you are going to have some very happy people.

I personally would still rather have a slightly slower hail of new steam locos in favour of some fixes to the core along with new routes/scenarios.

Totally agree with you.

Derek, could you suggest RS.Com team to fix some minor fixes in the core.
It would make everybody happier to know they are working also on the core program.

Thanks again Derek.

Robert

[bigvern]

SNIP ...some fixes to the core along with new routes/scenarios...

With regard to routes, don't underestimate the sheer workload these entail.

In discussion with Otto on TS.com regarding the merits or otherwise of increasing the detailed draw distance, I actually sat down and calculated the time it takes to create a relatively straightforward 20 mile route, such as my current Heartbeat Moor project, nothing fancy mostly default and not much in the way of new 3D models - i.e. to "good" freeware standards.

It came out somewhere in the region of 140 hours "labour". At a not unreasonable rate of £20 an hour for this type of work (my central heating engineer charges £40 an hour) if we were expecting to get paid that comes in at a cost of £2800.

Staggering thought, really and if we are talking high payware standards with several creators involved the real cost would be much more.

So if any publisher is interested in buying "Heartbeat Moor" for publication, the bidding starts at £3k...