MSTS online? Some interesting info...

[matrix358]

I was having a shufty at the 3D train stuff website and saw this article about the Tehachapi Pass route for MSTS. It basically states that you can play the route online with others even though train simulator doesn't support online play! My guess is that it's a simple train dispatch idea done through a microphone link application, (im not sure whats its called)
but If they've managed to somehow do some complex coding to allow a multiplayer session within the 3D msts environment, it certainly widens horizons for VR companies! My guess is that it's probably a bit more primative than that!


heres the link - http://www.3dtrainstuff.com/products/us ... l#teh2_mp1

MSTS MULTI-PLAYER SESSIONS
FOR TEHACHAPI PASS ROUTE II

Yes, its true, you can now play a multi-player session with your friends in Microsoft Train Simulator even though the program doesn't actually support multi-player.

However, up till now, it wasn't easy to set one up, let alone dispatch it, and that is why we are offering this easy to use multi-player pack which comes with an auto installer so that you and your friends can get a session up and running in no time at all..so lets get started.

First you need to download our pack so CLICK HERE to do that.

Then once you have our pack installed you will need to get TeamSpeak, and find a server that will host your session, and the best place to find that stuff easily is over at Train-Sim.com

[Backfoot2002]

Im thinking this might be like Vice City. For those of you who are into the game, there is actually a multiplayer patch to download and you can play against each other as teams. Im guessing they have done the same for this, but you just drive with other drivers maybe?

The only multiplay session ive seen for MSTS was on train-sim.com where bye you get a timetable and then run on your own, but is still somehow multiplayer ....I think I got that right.

Anyways might have to try it, anyone else out there had a go yet?

[saddletank]

There is no 'real' MP with MSTS (as in trains driven by different logged on users). Without looking at this installer I suspect what you get is a set of activities using 3DTS stock, and some train orders or whatever. You drive an empty route but discuss where you and the other online players' trains are by voice comms. When you pass another 'player' train you will see nothing at all on your screen but maybe an AI train? Dunno, sounds quite fun though.

[saddletank]

Apparently the online games have been running for more than a year. It's as I guessed but a bit more subtle - a Dispatcher allocates a route to use and decides which trains will run, usually about 10-12, and will draw these from the actual timetable so the players know what train to drive. The players sign up for the slots as engineers and take a train each from the timetable. Each player runs the route in explore mode, builds a correct consist giving the Dispatcher his lead locomotive number and train length and weight and starts his train at it's correct location (or as near as possible) and runs it to it's destination. Passenger runs stop at timetabled stations and freights with drop offs do so at the industries they would on their actual runs.

Everyone uses voice comms via TeamSpeak and prototypical messages are used whenever possible. The dispatcher knows where all trains are because engineers call in their location every so often (at mileposts, stations, major junctions, signals, etc), and presumably the Dispatcher has a map with coloured pins in or whatever with which he plots player progress. The Dispatcher can throw a spanner in the works by advising an engineer of a hotbox or other problem requiring the engineer to resolve the issue.

The Dispatcher can get problems if a player train is too long to fit a certain siding, or a meet by two such trains occurs at a passing siding.

If a player has to drop out of the game he tells the dispatcher his legal time limit is up and the Dispatcher tells him to stop in the next siding.

Sounds like it works well, you'd need a long route though, and it's suited best to single track routes with passing places, double track mainline throughout would be a bit boring as the Dispatcher would have nothing to do except plot player progress and keep slow trains from delaying fasts.

I suppose no-one over here has taken up this online aspect of the game because radio control like that does not suit our railway system.