Train Simulator 2018 - what's included

[JackRyan]

It's quite simple. They wanted to focus on TSW and I can imagine that at this point they hoped it to be out along with at least 3 add ons, an editor and some other features.
Instead, they are stuck with many bugs, and they underestimated the difficulty of working with Unreal Engine, so now they only have 1 add on whose patch aren't even coming out.

It's obvious then that they need to be in business and TSW can't allow that, so they have to rely on the old train simulator, but the engine is old and they can't push it anymore than they already have. Therefore, no graphic update like they used to. The only solution is bundling some routes and give a new content to make it appealing especially to new users. Which is not a bad thing and I think it's a good move to ease of the pressure of TSW.

I just hope that they'll be able to sort out the issue with Unreal Engine soon, to speed up the creation process of the new simulator.

[gptech]

There are quite a number of you who know *all* about the turmoil that DTG are in because of the abject failure of TSW and the rushed steps they've had to take to hobble together a bundle of routes to sell off as a new version of TS. Shouldn't you then be applauding them for being able to create a new route in what?.....4 months tops?

Think back to the video that was aired leading up to the launch of TSW: CSX.........remember it? You should also recall then the bit where it was stated that TS wasn't dead, wasn't even ill, and would be around for a good number of years. New content was mentioned, along with hints about many things to come.


Be realistic, no business would move straight over to a brand new product, they'd have a lengthy transitional period where old and new lived side by side.

[AndiS]

People told us they would not publish anything

*Official* people or just speculation from users?

Of course, not official! People as in "we, the people" vs. "them, the (*) governors or our beloved hobby". Insert adjective(s) to taste at (*).

Where is all the drama if we sit down and accept that they are a normal company doing normal business in a normal way? How could we ever reach page two of a thread that just pointed out a simple and not very surprising fact. Ok, we could discuss the new route, but that is much more boring than accusing them of panicking and what not.


P.S.: There actually is another thread that discusses the new route.

[jpilborough]

When TSW was under development, at no point did they ever say it would mean the end of releases for the TS20xx platform, and then when a senior member of DTG staff stated directly that they had long term plans for continuous content creation for the TS20xx platform, a moderator on this site essentially accused him of lying.

Now they release a yearly update containing three modern routes, some previously released, and some 'exclusive'(most likely for a temporary period only), with mostly cosmetic changes to the game itself, just like they do every single year, and people are making out like it's some kind emergency panic plan to stave off bankruptcy.

On the choice of routes - the yearly 'releases' are their chance to market Train Simulation to the mainstream gaming/simulation crowd on Steam, so like it or not the choice of content has to appeal to them. It's the last place you would expect to find something niche like 1950's Riviera.

[IronBidder]

There are quite a number of you who know *all* about the turmoil that DTG are in because of the abject failure of TSW and the rushed steps they've had to take to hobble together a bundle of routes to sell off as a new version of TS.

It is a matter of fact that both TSW Heavy Haul and TSW Great Western Express were released late and gained unfavourable comment for the number of bugs present at release, especially Heavy Haul. Such things are not unusual in software development, but any project that is delivered late will almost certainly have cost more than planned and the revenue it was expected to generate will be delayed. Whether this is insignificant or a serious problem is known only to DTG, but any good management will review and adjust their business plans to meet changed circumstances, so even if (and it's a big if, given previous DTG statements) TS2018 wasn't originally planned I don't think posters can reasonably criticise them for doing it, or belittle what's being offered.

The update is entirely consistent with what they've done before. Three routes, one in each of the major market territories using both new content and recently released content. I assume there will be a UI refresh and probably some minor bug fixes. Whether they offer any core improvements remains to be seen, but I am delighted that DTG continue to support TS20XX. Hurrah for DTG and the way they're extending the life of a product I've spent a lot of money on.

I think TS20XX will be around a lot longer than anyone expects. If your interest is long distance routes, historical content, minority interests, or mountain, coastal or wilderness operations then I think it will be a long time, if ever, before you see it in TSW. Personally that suits me fine as I've still got plenty of places to go in TS20XX and a PC that won't run TSW well.

Be realistic, no business would move straight over to a brand new product, they'd have a lengthy transitional period where old and new lived side by side.

Not necessarily true. Most businesses have enough external competition without competing with themselves! Take cars as an example. Once the new model is launched the model it replaces is almost always discontinued.

[lenfish]

Boeing are still offering the 737 NG even though the new 737 Max is now in service. Don't think they are going bust anytime soon!
Regards,
Len

[black8]

....It's the last place you would expect to find something niche like 1950's Riviera.

What is so 'niche' about Riviera in the 50's? There are so many assumptions made here that are not based on facts imo, s.a. that 'all' new/young trainsimmers are only interested in modern railways. I think, but could be wrong, it's my own opinion, that these modern routes and assets are just easier to make because the real things are still there. Let's hope that DTG keeps filling a niche every once in a while.

[theorganist]

....It's the last place you would expect to find something niche like 1950's Riviera.

What is so 'niche' about Riviera in the 50's? There are so many assumptions made here that are not based on facts imo, s.a. that 'all' new/young trainsimmers are only interested in modern railways. I think, but could be wrong, it's my own opinion, that these modern routes and assets are just easier to make because the real things are still there. Let's hope that DTG keeps filling a niche every once in a while.

I think you may have a point there. I got the impression that Riviera in the 50's was very popular. I see a lot of young people at model railway exhibitions and the like showing an interest in steam and classic diesel period routes. Some of DTG's own staff/partners are young and into steam Michael Whiteley (Meshtools) for instance.

Personally I am just as happy driving a modern "plastic" unit on a commuter train as I am driving a Castle with a heavy holiday train in South Devon (well almost as happy) so I don't mind modern units but I do hope DTG do carry on producing the odd steam or classic period route, BR blue routes are something we are really lacking in.

I find it amusing that the same people keep popping up declaring the demise of DTG or TS/RW or telling us that they are running their business incorrectly. Yet here we are with TS2018. Maybe it wasn't planned but I doubt it means the end of TSW and obviously means that there is still plenty of life in TS.

Peter

[gptech]

Well, it is close to Halloween Peter....... mindless zombies everywhere.

[michaelhendle]

If you have BR Blue era routes from at least 1966 to 1976 a lot of the routes were still semaphore signaled,still had signal boxes and sidings still in use,loose and vacuum freight trains,so they can be used as steam era routes as well.
Even to day part of the route between Peterborough and Ely, still has signal boxes and semaphore signals,only the sidings around March are still in place,they are overgrown and only partially used.
Mike

[theorganist]

Well, it is close to Halloween Peter....... mindless zombies everywhere.

Very true.

Peter

[AndiS]

Not quite, because I see all around the full cycle of seasons.

But then again, you can see it as collective trash authoring with easy entry level, for all those who could not finish a short story on their own.

Will DTG go bust?
Will there be TS2019?
Will a game in 2017 use less resources than one in 2007?

Stay tuned, and keep on being exited!! More news will follow tomorrow!

Speaking of exited, they lost the 'extreme' in their announcements. Does it mean that the grumpy old northerners took control? Does it mean that they turn old, like me? Did they do a market study that told them that those customers with the thickest wallet are sick and tired of extremes?
Questions all over the place, burning questions!

[dumpadillo]

It would be nice to see eventually in Train Simulator 2018 an improvement in the passengers. People are still walking about aimlessly and through objects etc. It would be nice to drive a commuter train in the rush hour and arrive at a packed platform. At the moment this does not happen, more realism would make the game better. Any thoughts?
Dumps

[gptech]

burning questions!

Seems as if your dictionary/spell checker/auto correct got burned too,,,it's exCited (but definitely NOT exCtreme)

Dumps....passenger density can be set on the platforms themselves, varying on what time of the day it is. http://forums.uktrainsim.com/viewtopic. ... 3#p1684373

Be realistic, no business would move straight over to a brand new product, they'd have a lengthy transitional period where old and new lived side by side.

Not necessarily true. Most businesses have enough external competition without competing with themselves! Take cars as an example. Once the new model is launched the model it replaces is almost always discontinued.

True, but just like TS when a newer model version comes along the older one is still supported, you can still buy spares and accessories for it (just had to buy an official VW spare part for my 2001 Polo, so things don't always disappear when a newer model arrives)
Sticking with the car manufacturing analogy, TSW brings new technology to the genre--64bit as opposd to 32bit. New technology for cars doesn't make last years model redundant overnight, I know of no motor manufacturer who's junked the internal combustion engine because battery power has arrived in style, but once again the 2 live side by side for a good number of years.

[wad53]

It would be nice to see eventually in Train Simulator 2018 an improvement in the passengers. People are still walking about aimlessly and through objects etc. It would be nice to drive a commuter train in the rush hour and arrive at a packed platform. At the moment this does not happen, more realism would make the game better. Any thoughts?
Dumps

Agreed. Some improvements to this area would improve basic realism. Even if they could stop people walking in front of trains, walking with their legs below the ground at many stations, and cars that regularly drive straight through trains at some crossings.
Warren