TSW

[JPS2K5]

Even when TS2017 dies a sudden death in February, *

For several reasons, including an initial lack of content, I think that this is unlikely to be the outcome. Bells and whistles only sell for a short while Perhaps a bad choice of words on your part ?

Because after that I didn't say 'I also don't think routes will come as fast as with TS at first, so I recon there's at least 5-6 more months on TS to prevent me from getting bored.' ?

[OldProf]

Look in the fine print of that "chart" they release a few days ago.

Aha! Fine print, indeed. Here's how it reads (for others who, like myself, have trouble making out teeny tiny type):

"TS 2017 Pioneers Edition available from Sep 15th 2016.
TS2017 Pioneers Edition includes: LGV: Marseille - Avignon, North Jersey Coast Line, Hamburg - Lubeck, South Wales Coastal and Semmeringbahn.
Train Sim World: CSX Heavy Haul beta programme scheduled to run for 12 days in early December 2016 (subject to change).
Players that own TS 2017: Pioneers Edition before November 30th 2016 are eligible for beta access.
The beta software will automatically become available for download for eligible players when the beta programme begins.
Taking part in the beta will not entitle you to a free copy of the release version of Train Sim World: CSX Heavy Haul when it launches in 2017.
Check www,Trainsimulator.com for latest details."
(All emphasis mine)

[Terry]

Holy guacamole - just 12 days for a beta???

I get the "no promise of free TSW" but this isn't looking good to me. In my case I'd probably be paying for the upgrade to Pioneers Edition just for the "privilege" of participating in the beta for 12 days, and then paying again for TSW when it's released.

I think I can pass on the beta if that's how they're going to run it.

[artimrj]

I believe there is also 4 routes you are paying for.

[AmericanSteam]

Holy guacamole - just 12 days for a beta???

I get the "no promise of free TSW" but this isn't looking good to me. In my case I'd probably be paying for the upgrade to Pioneers Edition just for the "privilege" of participating in the beta for 12 days, and then paying again for TSW when it's released.

I think I can pass on the beta if that's how they're going to run it.

That is the way I read it. IMHO I believe that is a way to test TSW on a number of systems. There will probably be a link to report any issues/problems so DTG can fix before the final release date. Without a big discount for the final release,not worth it. I agree with you.

[Terry]

Bob,

Yes, if you don't own the routes in Pioneers Edition the price includes them - five in all, I think. I have more routes than I need and wouldn't buy the others. Since TSW is independent of TS20XX it's obvious those additional routes aren't required for TSW. You are, in effect, either buying what you don't want to get what you do want, or buying what you think you might like and getting a little sneak peek bonus of early access to an unfinished and possibly unstable, buggy product.

I'll wait for the release version to be out there a while, and if it's getting good reviews I will wait for a sale.

[Boss1]

I'm definitely going to wait for the release version of TSW unless they offer a very big discount!

[NorthernWarrior]

Obviously up to DTG how they choose to execute this and I must admit after my initial enthusiasm I'm seriously considering whether the cost of four routes I don't really need (even at a discount) is worth access to what is effectively going to be a tech demo. To fulfil any form of worthwhile beta testing, the process is that players feed back any issues, a new build comes out and is played again to see if the bugs are squashed and/or any new ones crept in. Beta testing effectively goes on pretty much up to the point at which the product goes Gold. That's simply not possible in a 12 day period, leaving out for the moment whether the demo is taken away at the end of the time period.

Probably whistling in the wind, but why on earth didn't they just follow the usual early access process on Steam. A discounted (but non-refundable) up front payment buys you the finished game in advance with access to the incremental beta versions. This worked brilliantly for Dirt Rally as not only did the issues get sorted but progressively more cars and tracks were added until just before "Go Live" you pretty much had the full version anyway.

As I said over at TS, paying £25 for four routes I don't really want in a soon to be legacy product (despite what DTG and others might say) then a full price purchase of TSW at £35 or whatever the going rate will be, isn't my bag. Much rather keep the first £25 towards buying the V2 of Run 8 which looks to be shaping up quite nicely.

[goddrauG]

Holy guacamole - just 12 days for a beta???

I get the "no promise of free TSW" but this isn't looking good to me. In my case I'd probably be paying for the upgrade to Pioneers Edition just for the "privilege" of participating in the beta for 12 days, and then paying again for TSW when it's released.

I think I can pass on the beta if that's how they're going to run it.

A lot of betas don't last for long. Look at the Battlefield 1 beta. That was about a week and a half long.

[Chacal]

This is indeed a tech beta, to test the game on diverse computers.
No doubt they also have a normal beta program that they may not be advertising, such as the current DTG one. A few people here at RWA have been beta testers for TS for years and they can't talk about it. It's like fight club.

[OldProf]

Like so many other posters, I've been trying to decide what to do about this year's complex update situation (well, next year's, by date, but DTG treats TS the way automobile manufacturers treat their products: next year is this year). At present, I own only two of the routes required for the "Standard" and three required for the "Pioneer" version of TS2017. Hamburg-Lubeck, North Jersey Coast, and LGV, being primarily passenger routes that would cost me $29.99 at "Complete my Collection" prices, simply do not interest me and I find myself less and less interested in the 12-day wonder deal. Without paying anything, I'll receive this: "If you do not own any of the routes featured in TS2017 or only some of the routes featured, then you will receive the basic upgrade to TS2017 only. Note that the basic upgrade to TS2017 does not include Train Sim World: CSX Heavy Haul Beta."

Basic sounds better to me with each passing day, especially since it's impossible to know how much anyone will be able to do with the TSW beta. How many scenarios does it include, for example? Enough to fill 12 hours? The title "CSX Heavy Haul" suggests just one long-haul freight activity, which inspires me very little, no matter how elaborate the special effects.

These are my new-year's ruminations.

[thebigroyboyski]

Is it possable that they mean you have 12 days to join the beta programme not that you have access for 12 days?
I'll just wait for the release so not fussed either way.

[buzz456]

Sounds to me like most people will wait so we may have to wait a while to hear much about TSW. Or...................you can go over and listen to the wackadoos over on Steam and Facebook which will all hate it.

[OldProf]

Is it possable that they mean you have 12 days to join the beta programme not that you have access for 12 days?
I'll just wait for the release so not fussed either way.

This statement strikes me as absolutely unambiguous:

Train Sim World: CSX Heavy Haul beta programme scheduled to run for 12 days in early December 2016 (subject to change).

Individual TS users do not "join" the TWS beta program; they are allowed to experience it for 12 days -- "subject to change": a carefully worded escape clause for DTG.

[trev123]

I read somewhere that the beta well only run for 12 days because after it has finished it well give DTG time to sort through all the reports and fix things before it is released sometime in February. This is not a firm date but a scheduled one, so depending on how much that they need to fix it could be later.