Railworks America

I see DTG is issuing loads of new DLC motive power and routes.

This is interesting, considering they're talking about a new game engine in 2016. Will all the DLC we already have - plus all the new DLC we can't resist buying - work in TS2016? IMHO, that's about as likely as the NSA no longer reading our e-mails. It just won't happen.

I want to say definitely no way I'll buy another DTG train simulator, but I'd probably be lying. It reminds me of when I bought record albums and Compact Discs. A new album/disc would come out from your favorite band, and you knew it wasn't that great, i.e. a change in musical direction. You'd promise yourself no way I'm buying such crap, but you did anyway.

As usual, I don't understand why DTG refuses to use the free fixes provided by the community into their newest releases. Mind-Boggling!

Rob

Most of the "free" fixes say specifically "not to be sold" If DTG are going to make money on our patches and upgrades we deserve some kind of compensation for our work.
That doesn't mean some of us like me wouldn't maybe talk to them about it.

Ericmopar wrote:Most of the "free" fixes say specifically "not to be sold" If DTG are going to make money on our patches and upgrades we deserve some kind of compensation for our work.
That doesn't mean some of us like me wouldn't maybe talk to them about it.

What about the EULA? Doesn't that give DTG the right to "appropriate" anything that is created on their platform, using their tools and models?

There is a NS Heritage DLC in the Store that looks exactly like the free repaints available here at RWA. There is a PRR Congressional GG1 in the Marketplace that is exactly like a free repaint from RWA.

I understand DTG is first and foremost into train simming for the money.
They make repainting nigh to impossible on their newest models, so they can sell us repaints. They fail to acquire critical licenses, so sell us blank models instead.
They don't provide working tools and good dev docs, to deterr us from penetrate their territory by being able to create models at reasonable time investment?

I expect TS 2016 with the Unreal engine to be heavily DRM'ed, for the sake of multiplayer probably, but at a heavy loss of our creative freedom. If they don't up their game and provide us with a real train simulator instead of a game, I'll happily keep my current Railworks frozen in time and pass TS 2016.

Now we all just have to wait and see how things evolve.

Ericmopar wrote:Most of the "free" fixes say specifically "not to be sold" If DTG are going to make money on our patches and upgrades we deserve some kind of compensation for our work.
That doesn't mean some of us like me wouldn't maybe talk to them about it.

They use the community to save money, figuring somebody will fix their mistakes.

Indeed, the amount of work that goes into fixing their dumb errors certainly should be compensated. I wonder how many people didn't drop TS because the free fix community was able to make the game playable?

The people who can actually figure out and program what fixes are needed keep this simulator from ending up in the recycle bin. I can tell you that simmers like myself appreciate what you do.

MSTS started out as crap, but the free fix community plus vendors such as Maple Leaf Tracks, made it into a decent product, without any help from MS.

Rob

This is all mostly speculation of course. The comments about why they do this or that is better directed at them respectfully. As far as the re-paints are concerned it is mainly laziness on the part of the creator when they make stuff hard to repaint not that anyone is deliberately trying to make the stuff hard to re-paint. After all with many of us only interested in one or two paint schemes it make sense that they would sell a lot more of the original author's locomotive if the hyper active painters on here were capable of creating a bunch of different paints and we don't have to worry about all this license nonsense. Where do you think the money is on a $20.00 DLC or a $5.00 re-paint that only a few will buy?

As far as them taking any of the fixes here, who needs them when they are here?

Ericmopar wrote:Most of the "free" fixes say specifically "not to be sold" If DTG are going to make money on our patches and upgrades we deserve some kind of compensation for our work.
That doesn't mean some of us like me wouldn't maybe talk to them about it.

_o_OOOO_oo-Kanawha wrote:What about the EULA? Doesn't that give DTG the right to "appropriate" anything that is created on their platform, using their tools and models

If you read the EULA closely - and who has time for that - you'll notice that we don't "own" the program in the traditional sense. We have a "lease" on the product. It's either accept the EULA or don't use the product - not much of a choice.

_o_OOOO_oo-Kanawha wrote:I understand DTG is first and foremost into train simming for the money.

Which is fine with me, because I can't do what they do. But putting out inferior product over and over again is what I resent.

_o_OOOO_oo-Kanawha wrote:I expect TS 2016 with the Unreal engine to be heavily DRM'ed, for the sake of multiplayer probably, but at a heavy loss of our creative freedom. If they don't up their game and provide us with a real train simulator instead of a game, I'll happily keep my current Railworks frozen in time and pass TS 2016.

Digital Rights Management - see EULA above - is one of the worst offenses ever perpetrated on consumers.

_o_OOOO_oo-Kanawha wrote:Now we all just have to wait and see how things evolve.

Let's hope for the best here.

Rob

buzz456 wrote:This is all mostly speculation of course. The comments about why they do this or that is better directed at them respectfully. As far as the re-paints are concerned it is mainly laziness on the part of the creator when they make stuff hard to repaint not that anyone is deliberately trying to make the stuff hard to re-paint. After all with many of us only interested in one or two paint schemes it make sense that they would sell a lot more of the original author's locomotive if the hyper active painters on here were capable of creating a bunch of different paints and we don't have to worry about all this license nonsense. Where do you think the money is on a $20.00 DLC or a $5.00 re-paint that only a few will buy?

As far as them taking any of the fixes here, who needs them when they are here?

Still, they keep putting out product which needs fixes, which is wrong - unless you're Microsoft.

I'm sure there's people who aren't comfortable modifying a bin file, even though RW Tools - thank you Mike Simpson - makes doing such a mod fairly easy.

Rob

Actually ALL software is leased to you, not just TS. They all have EULAs that state if you don't agree then don't install it.

artimrj wrote:Actually ALL software is leased to you, not just TS. They all have EULAs that state if you don't agree then don't install it.

You are 100% correct here. I was just listing TS as an example.

This is a pre-recorded public service announcement. "If it is that distasteful to you don't buy it."

That is all.

It has indeedy caused me to cut way back on purchases. I have to want something very very badly now, before I'll even think of buying it. I think of a new DLC as a "kit" .
IE I have to want it badly enough to get in the bins if necessary or know someone else has posted a fix.

Ericmopar wrote:It has indeedy caused me to cut way back on purchases. I have to want something very very badly now, before I'll even think of buying it. I think of a new DLC as a "kit" .
IE I have to want it badly enough to get in the bins if necessary or know someone else has posted a fix.

We can add to that new DLC must be on sale.

Rob

Everything I buy is on sale except gasoline and cigarettes. My wife clips coupons and brags to me what she saved.

Let me know when gas is on sale.

FHRob wrote:

Ericmopar wrote:It has indeedy caused me to cut way back on purchases. I have to want something very very badly now, before I'll even think of buying it. I think of a new DLC as a "kit" .
IE I have to want it badly enough to get in the bins if necessary or know someone else has posted a fix.

We can add to that new DLC must be on sale.

Rob

Correct.