Train Simulator 2014 Announcement

[OldProf]

They are trying to make a Virtual Railroad.

Is that as opposed to a virtuous (righteous) railroad, Bob?

We're all just like people passing time (or perhaps gas) while waiting for a train. The RR is announcing new passenger amenities and we all want them to fix or at least improve what we like least about the old coaches. We can yack until the train arrives, but the amenities are already decided upon and in place, so our chatter won't change the immediate future. Nevertheless, what we're doing seems to beat just standing around in our own cantankerous little worlds, so let the gassy times roll.

[artimrj]

As long as you guys stay civil, knock yourselfs out. Think about what you will have to say after the 26th of September ;) That will be fun as usual. It broke my system, I am ripped off, it wont download for me all the way, this was not worth it, I am never going online again, thank God I made a back up to use the older version...

[fecrails]

We're all just like people passing time (or perhaps gas) while waiting for a train.

We're all just like people in TS passing time (or perhaps gas) while waiting for a train.
Anyone else ever think that their gait appears as though they have to/or just did relieve themselves?
I believe correcting their gait would fall under an anthropomorphic physics tweak.

[Chacal]

Know of an e-mail address other than support@railsimulator.com? If you do, then please share it because I would love to send my own inquires to the RSC Dev Team and not to some (probably) unpaid intern who's hired to respond to e-mails.

The devs shouldn't be receiving direct enquiries. They should be doing development.

There's already a very good process for submitting bugs, suggestions, questions, etc. It goes through support. The process filters, prioritizes and and dispatches requests. This is necessary, because everyone considers himself an expert and would like to talk to the devs directly and tell them how to do their jobs.

[buzz456]

Consider themselves an expert...........naw.

[Cardinal51]

There's no point in rereleasing the same game two years in a row with nothing to show for it.

I definately noticed a lot of changes between TS2012 and TS2013. Lots of improvements, it was a very pleasant surprise ! So I am really looking forward to TS2014,

[Cardinal51]

I know. I meant rewarding them with a purchase of it.

Well, also no need to purchase it. When you have 2012 or 2013 it is for free as far as I know.

[Shortliner]

I I sent them this e-mail, I'll let you guys know if I hear anything substantial back.

Dear RailSimulator Company,

I will try my best to keep my e-mail to you guys polite and cordial. I have been a fan of train simulators since 2001 with the release of Microsoft Train Simulator. From there I've played Rail Simulator and then RailWorks (or Train Simulator 20XX as it's called now.)

I have always done my best to support RSC. mainly because I believed in the product that you guys were selling. I fully supported TSX as well as other great improvement that y'all made in RailWorks 3. Even Train Simulator 2013 had a few surprises, with Quick Drive Scenarios and Steam Workshop which has some great scenarios created by wonderful people.

However, I must say, I am less than pleased with what's in store for Train Simulator 2014. The only thing I found interesting was the fact that the LUA script will be open to us in the Scenario Creation Tool. Everything else, to me, just seem like window dressing that doesn't address the game's core.

Ever since RailWorks was released to the masses in 2009, I have heard three things that people have been wanting from the game, improved physics, better AI, signaling and Dispatch. Finally and probably the most requested item, Multiplayer.

However, every year these three items have not been addressed by RSC on the FB, Twitter or on the Train Simulator website. To be honest, this is a little concerning to me since I believe that improved AI, signaling and Dispatch would greatly improved the game as well as improved physics.

I'm not going to demand that you give me these things, it's not my place, it's your game, your company, you can do whatever you want. However, it would be nice if I (or anyone else in the train sim community) could get a press release or a Tweet about improving certain core aspect of the game, even if it's to tell us "We can't improved on X, we've tired and we can't do it without breaking Y." Honestly, anything is better than a wall of silence when it comes to improved AI, Signaling, Dispatch, Psychics and Multiplayer.

From a long time rail fan,

Sean

[wacampbell]

I I sent them this e-mail, I'll let you guys know if I hear anything substantial back.
...
Ever since RailWorks was released to the masses in 2009, I have heard three things that people have been wanting from the game, improved physics, better AI, signaling and Dispatch. Finally and probably the most requested item, Multiplayer.
...

Its a real difficult job for them to work out best use of their development resources. I am sure as a community we would not ourselves be able to agree on a priority list. You have laid out your list. My list would be different ( Multiplayer - really? ) , and I am sure they would get a dozen lists if they asked 12 more users.

Your letter is worded well and hopefully will get some response. But the difficulty is that I doubt they have a carved-in-stone plan that goes out very far. Today's priority list won't be the same as next July's. They can't say they won't do something, because next year, the situation might change.

[GSkid]

Well, also no need to purchase it. When you have 2012 or 2013 it is for free as far as I know.

You misunderstood. I know it's a free upgrade. I was talking about the equivalent of a tip jar at Starbucks. The lady handing me my coffee at the counter is a free service. But if she has been very friendly, I might drop a tip in the tip jar even though I'm under no obligation to do so.

That's what I meant about the 2014 upgrade. I'm getting it handed to me for free. But... if I get at least realistic physics like I want, I'd totally be willing to purchase it. Among other words....put a big tip in their tip jar as a thank you ...even though I was under no obligation to do so.

Its a real difficult job for them to work out best use of their development resources. I am sure as a community we would not ourselves be able to agree on a priority list. You have laid out your list. My list would be different ( Multiplayer - really? ) , and I am sure they would get a dozen lists if they asked 12 more users.

Your letter is worded well and hopefully will get some response. But the difficulty is that I doubt they have a carved-in-stone plan that goes out very far. Today's priority list won't be the same as next July's. They can't say they won't do something, because next year, the situation might change.

The lists and priorities would be different among many users, but there would be certain requests that would come up the most often.

If every user of Railworks across the world were asked to submit their top request and the totals for each type of request were tallied, I willing to bet money that improved physics, better AI and multiplayer would be in the top 5 requests. Why? Cuz those 3 things seem to come up the most on the forums from users over the years.

So yes.... not everybody's priorities are gonna be the same, but certain requests will come up the most often....hence why he listed some of the most common ones.

[ozinoz]

I have never understood the fascination with multi-player. You end up with an operating experience like another current multi-player RR sim. Everybody must have the same locomotives, the same rollingstock and as the world of railroading is a solitary one, you are not going to see anybody anyway. Personally would like to see better operating AI and despatching that can handle single track / passing loop operations and paths that don't lock out for the entire session.

That said, if they do decide to head down the MP path it is their call, just think time and resources could be put to better use... personally I dont think we ever will. The focus seems to be heading more towards the console game experience and gold medals.

My

[thecanadianrail]

I have never understood the fascination with multi-player. You end up with an operating experience like another current multi-player RR sim. Everybody must have the same locomotives, the same rollingstock and as the world of railroading is a solitary one, you are not going to see anybody anyway. Personally would like to see better operating AI and despatching that can handle single track / passing loop operations and paths that don't lock out for the entire session.

That said, if they do decide to head down the MP path it is their call, just think time and resources could be put to better use... personally I dont think we ever will. The focus seems to be heading more towards the console game experience and gold medals.

My

You say that you don't see anyone in MP therefore its pointless, then you go and say better AI which is also pointless to you since you don't see them? am I missing something or what?

[artimrj]

Multiplayer is not so much as seeing another train but it is to work with a dispatcher. It is one step closer to the real feel.

[Shortliner]

Multiplayer is not so much as seeing another train but it is to work with a dispatcher. It is one step closer to the real feel.

What he said.

So this is what they replied with.

Dear Sean,

Thank you for contacting the Railsimulator.com customer support team with your feedback and suggestions regarding Train Simulator. This is very much appreciated.

Your comments have been passed to our product team, they will be considered for any improvements or changes that may need to be made.

We appreciate your taking the time to let us know.

So I basically got the online version of "Thanks for the suggestion, we'll talk it under consideration."

[artimrj]

That is just letting you know they got it. You get something canned like that all the time from a lot of places. They got the email, it is not lost out there somewhere or in a spam folder. Now figure how many other people have sent them and you are now at the bottom of that list. Could take months before they even get to your message.