Train Simulator 2014 Announcement

[buzz456]

Has it occurred to you people that they're slowly trying to phase out repainters and 3D adders? For example the textures on newer locks are getting harder and harder to paint.

I don't really agree with that. There are ways to decode the silly mapping that some RSC models use. It's just more of a challenge until we find the magic decoder ring.

[OlPaint]

I looked over the RSC TS2014 announcement again more carefully. I discovered that the Workshop will be opened up for sharing user content in addition to just scenarios as it is now the case. Did I understand that routes and assets {both scenery and rolling stock) designed by the users will be accepted, that is if I read the news release correctly.

OlPaint

[CSX2057]

Well we'll see. Im not getting high hopes for this upgrade.

[Chacal]

I don't really agree with that. There are ways to decode the silly mapping that some RSC models use. It's just more of a challenge until we find the magic decoder ring.

Are they even really RSC models, or were they made by partners?

[imnew]

Draw distance increase and better headlights, Free upgrade

Thanks RSC !

[GSkid]

GSKid & others: to the best of my knowledge, RSC has never stated that any version of TrainSimulator will run on any laptop computer. If I'm wrong about this, please correct me. Otherwise you folks are just complaining because you can't get peaches from a cherry tree.

Oh no..... I'm grounded in reality on laptops. My specs are in my sig. i got this laptop complete for $600. I got the most bang for the buck I could get for a laptop with that $600. I never expected to get desktop performance out of this game unless I bought some beast Alienware laptop for a few thousand dollars. And you are right..... I think at one point back in the day...even RSC stated it wasn't meant for laptops. Certainly not your average one. But I get enough framerates on most routes that I'm quite happy. And that's with all things on MAX (except water... which I leave at the lowest cuz it's not that important to me)

The think a big part of the reason my framerates are so low on Marias Pass is BECAUSE of the increased draw distance and the load that puts on my laptop.


As for the 2014 news....

The increased draw distance is good (or as Marias Pass has shown...bad for my laptop's performance ) and the improving of Donner Pass which was already pretty good in it's 2.0 form.

Beyond that...... I'm lukewarm. Physics was #1 on my list. Yes...I'd like Run 8 level physics.... but I don't see that coming for years.....if ever.


I'm gonna hold my final judgement until they announce everything. But some people here are right...... it seems like an upgrade for upgrade's sake. It's like in a lot of cases they are answering questions nobody was asking. But I don't even get super upset anymore..... I've just drastically reduced my expectations of this company cuz from a user's point of view, I don't expect we will get much of anything we ask for.

It's RSC's world.... and we just live in it.

[artimrj]

Tori is building the C&O route on a laptop. She never had anything else. So Railworks will work with one.

[fecrails]

I didn't know people still used desktop computers. I haven't used one for years. I personally can't imagine being chained to a desk to use my computer, especially for a hobby. I run TS2013 on a Macbook Pro at 25-35 fps and enjoy playing from my recliner without a stiff neck or sore back! Like any desktop system, you just have to buy the proper hardware for the job and TS2013 runs fine. Form factor of the machine has nothing to do with performance if you compare apples to apples.

As for the TS2014 announcement, speculating on the performance or merits of something none of us have seen or used strikes me as tad premature.

[buzz456]

"As for the TS2014 announcement, speculating on the performance or merits of something none of us have seen or used strikes me as tad premature."

Well said.

[thebigroyboyski]

This thread is almost the same as the 2012-2013 update one. I was more than happy with my free performance boost last year and lack of SBHH's when route building. After all the upgrade is for free so anything I get for nothing is a nice bonus.
You don't get free upgrades with console games so just be happy we don't have to pay anything.

[GSkid]

I didn't know people still used desktop computers. I haven't used one for years. I personally can't imagine being chained to a desk to use my computer, especially for a hobby. I run TS2013 on a Macbook Pro at 25-35 fps and enjoy playing from my recliner without a stiff neck or sore back! Like any desktop system, you just have to buy the proper hardware for the job and TS2013 runs fine. Form factor of the machine has nothing to do with performance if you compare apples to apples.

As for the TS2014 announcement, speculating on the performance or merits of something none of us have seen or used strikes me as tad premature.

Well I do expect the performance to go down for me if Marias Pass is any indicator. That's not RSC's fault. As they increase the abilities of the sim, it will be more demanding on my hardware. And since my hardware is a static spec, I would naturally have to upgrade to a better laptop or adjust the performance sliders accordingly. I can't expect them to cater to lowest common denominator rigs like mine.

As for the merits of something none of us have seen or used? Very true. But at the same time you can at least comment on the concept. Some of the features people might not be interested in. It's just some of these things are nice, but I can't recall people on this forum or the other sim forum I get on asking for most of this.

A funny thought about RSC crossed my mind since my last post on how they do things. Imagine RSC is mayor of the city and we are his residents. I email him saying I have pot holes in front of my house, could you please fix them. A year later the mayor shows up at my door. He points out in the distance and says "Look at the brand new state of art sports arena we built". And I say... "Yes... you're right. That is quite a sports arena you built there. By the way...... are you gonna fix my pot holes?". And he responds "Ah yes.... it's a beautiful sports arena isn't it?"

I personally think at some point RSC needs to make a brand new sim from scratch. There is a term in programming called "spaghetti code". Microsoft Windows is a perfect example of it. Because Windows has to maintain so much compatibility with it's legacy Windows programs, it never advances it's performance as much as it could if it didn't have to remain compatible. It's a mish-mash of new and legacy code for compatibilities sake. As a result, it becomes bloated and the footprint on disk and in memory slowly creeps higher with each new version.

That's what I think RSC needs to do at some point. There is just so far they can go with the current foundation code before they start hitting the law of diminishing returns. I think they need to make a whole new sim from scratch and keep a version of Railworks available (like 2014) for all the legacy stuff. Cuz I can't see how long they can stick with this core foundation code.

As for those people that are mad? Meh.... I was really mad last year. This time around my anger has just turned to pure bewilderment. Anger doesn't do me any good cuz it's not gonna change anything.

Just be happy it's a free upgrade and get excited we are getting more draw distance. Can't complain there. But this time I'm not buying 2014 until I see what's up with 2015. Donner Pass is the only route included with 2014 that I would want....and I already have it. So.... I just save my money and pin my hopes on 2015 and enjoy 2014 for what it is....FREE.

[pschlik]

...at some point RSC needs to make a brand new sim from scratch...keep a version of Railworks available (like 2014) for all the legacy stuff....

Probably should happen, the Railworks series has just been going on too long with too little changes. It would probably turn out better for RSC if they started a new game and left the old one to the community. This is what happens when you run a game with a core designed in 2008 but clearly not designed for flexibility changes 5 years in the future. Well, we'll all just need to see what happens, it's a free update, weather you like it or not, and that's why you shouldn't expect it to do much (in this day's society).

[artimrj]

I didn't know people still used desktop computers. I haven't used one for years. I personally can't imagine being chained to a desk to use my computer, especially for a hobby. I run TS2013 on a Macbook Pro at 25-35 fps and enjoy playing from my recliner without a stiff neck or sore back! Like any desktop system, you just have to buy the proper hardware for the job and TS2013 runs fine. Form factor of the machine has nothing to do with performance if you compare apples to apples.

As for the TS2014 announcement, speculating on the performance or merits of something none of us have seen or used strikes me as tad premature.

I dont know how people can use a laptop for anything. A bunch of my friends have them and they bring them to me when they screw them up. I hate those little touch tablet things and the little joysticks. I demand a wireless mouse if they want me to do stuff for them.

[OldProf]

Has it occurred to you people that they're slowly trying to phase out repainters and 3D adders? For example the textures on newer locks are getting harder and harder to paint.

And the positive attitude toward improved textures from RSC would be that they are encouraging the repainting community to improve their skills. Adding ugly graffiti just doesn't cut it anymore.

[OldProf]

I didn't know people still used desktop computers. I haven't used one for years. I personally can't imagine being chained to a desk to use my computer, especially for a hobby. I run TS2013 on a Macbook Pro at 25-35 fps and enjoy playing from my recliner without a stiff neck or sore back! Like any desktop system, you just have to buy the proper hardware for the job and TS2013 runs fine. Form factor of the machine has nothing to do with performance if you compare apples to apples.

As for the TS2014 announcement, speculating on the performance or merits of something none of us have seen or used strikes me as tad premature.

While I agree that idle speculation is a waste of time and energy--as is reading the results--, I just want to add my presence to the desktop users' club.