Enough Is Enough!!! The Ongoing Saga!!! 2 Year Anniversary

Lets get realistic here, DTG, or any other company for that matter, don't care one single bit about open letters and discussions on some forums as long as the money keeps coming in.

There is only one way that will get companies attention and force change; talk with your wallet and STOP buying the cr*p DLC and rip-off yearly "new" TSW game.
That will never ever happen so people will keep crying for changes and improvements while the other group of people is lining up to be able to throw (more) money into the lap of DTG.

 

I'm "lining" up to buy content I like for a game I enjoy, when I feel it is worth it and I'll use it. It's nothing to do with throwing money at DTG, there is actually a middle ground.

Still I'm surprised that anyone would bother with the forums if they thought that DTG's content was utter rubbish.

 

It gives them an outlet/something to do.

 

The list on PC can be shortened to this. And the saves work pretty well in most cases, even though I don't use them often. It seems things aren't all that bad.

 

It's a somewhat complicated matter, this business of trying to please everyone...

I'm satisfied with the game because it offers a huge variety of routes and trains, in addition to the timetable.

It certainly has its problems, like any other game, but they aren't solved quickly, and they drag on for years.

Now, with the end of the fiscal year approaching, they're releasing content galore because, like any company, they need to make a profit; there's no other way.

There will always be people who are unhappy with the game, and those who are content with it because it's playable in a certain way. I fall into one of those categories, as I use the game to relax and unwind from the daily grind. If I want something more realistic, I have to leave the house and look for the trains and routes I want to travel on, haha.

Now, one thing I've noticed lately is the negativity in forums in general. People are being overly critical of everything that's released, looking for flaws in the smallest details. Of course, constructive criticism is always welcome, but what we see is a hate speech directed at developers, criticizing the delay in releasing something or finding it incomplete when it is released. Perhaps that's why even those who used to interact a lot with people here on the forums (Matt, Candance, among others) no longer speak up, because they are constantly bombarded with non-constructive criticism.

As consumers, we have the right to suggest improvements or corrections to the game, but in a polite and peaceful manner, because on the other side there are also people who need to earn their salaries to survive. Remember that it's just a game and a hobby. Do other things in life too, don't get stuck to a PC screen...

 

I'd argue DTG very much made their own bed, reason a lot of people get worked up is frankly DTG have shown they often won't respond to anything less than that. Look over at TSC you have dozens of frankly pretty broken DLC's, but often not broken enough for them to cause outrage. Then you have a few like Donner Pass & WCML South, which were absurdly broken and had mass outrage, those actually got major bug fixes within months, if not weeks or release.

To pick something more recent, the fact HIS are actually going back and doing their patch isn't normal for them. I don't think their packs in TSC get patches often, if at all, but obviously the outrage over the ATSF pack was enough to make them act on it this time.

Better that it happened, but I do wonder to what degree the community would be claimer if DTG & Co. didn't take as much to respond in the first place.

 

But it's not just a PC game.

 

So, list the flaws based on your gaming platform. On PC, of course, everything is not perfect, but there are no catastrophic problems.

 

oh yea, the whole big bag of "TSW is meant for console but everything is tested on PC and console players keep getting so many bugs"
in this day and age, consoles are so bad honestly why do people even play on console nowadays... not that I blame them for it.

 

As a console player I accept that I’m a glorified beta tester. If I really cared I’d start using my PC a lot more.
My PS5 Pro is like my second GF, she gets all my attention.
On winter nights I unplug her at the mains and take her to bed with me, to keep her warm

 

It's just like reading Jilly Cooper novel (well I assume it is)

 

“The man who made husbands jealous”(1993).

I’ll have to contact Jilly and see if I can request a title change “The PS5 that made wives jealous”

 

Sadly she is no longer with us but you could carry on her work.

All her novels featured horses if I recall so you'd have to work one into the story.

 

Sorry, let me just find a spare £400 for some ram for my top end PC.
How about you get off your high horse and remember not everyone has had the advantages you had.

 

Never said that. The issues are based on what I've seen/heard in this community. It's universal, not specific.

 

Blurry textures are a console-specific issue that PCs don't suffer from.

 

Really, tell that to my 6 year old mid-range PC.

Maybe if I tell it that its a console specific issue it will start working fine.

 

Interesting fact: Jilly Cooper was a survivor of the Ladbroke Grove rail disaster. She was on one of the derailed coaches and had to crawl through a window to escape

 

Lol, I have them on my pc with an RTX4070, Ryzen7, 32GB DDR5.

 

Tell him you'll trade it for an Xbox.

My not-so-current PC: i5 14600kf, 32GB DDR4, 16GB RX9070 has no such issues. I play DX12 with Jetwash graphics tweaks. Even when I had a RX6700XT with 12GB of VRAM, I never had any issues with blurry textures. It only lasted for about 1 second when starting the service.

 

Exactly the same experience here, no blurry textures after the first second or so as everything loads in.

I've also got a Ryzen 7 (5800x), with a 4070 Ti Super and 64GB RAM (DDR4). There's no way in the world with your setup that you should be getting any blurry textures during actual gameplay, apart from very very briefly at the start of loading in a route.

 

"I never had any issues so there are no issues" is a hell of an argument buddy.

 

I don't even consider it a problem.

We play the same game, but on different platforms.

 

Agreed. No one seems to be interested. Hence waste of time.

If anyone was to look at this situation would say it gone beyond any reasonable outcome.
The ups and down and the constant nonsense surrounding some serious issues.
Evidence in any bug/fault affecting the individual or impacting the wider community is being ignored by those responsible.
To reach such conclusions just goes to show that DTG/3rd party products are becoming increasingly a high risk take.

A gamble and at 30odd quid for some DLCs along with poor customer support, and with no short or long term solution is enough to make anyone walk away.

Especially when our feedback, words our voices are seemingly being ignored by DTG.

✌.

 

I took a gamble on the Czech route and while there are a few wrinkles, it largely delivered. I shall do likewise with Medway Valley as we know it has been built by a team of talented modders whose hearts and enthusiasm is in the right place. Everything else though is increasingly caveat emptor. The new NY to Stamford route appears to have Rivet Games written all over it, which is an immediate red flag both for the route and train quality. DTG must know we will sniff these things out and the hardened customers have not forgotten the legacy of poor quality and unfixed problems this 2P has left in their wake. Presumably DTG can no longer afford to employ in house route and train builders despite the huge take they receive from DLC sales, combined with the rush to push out content before the end of the current financial year makes you wonder what state the books are actually in.

This could also be the first year where I only take the free update, assuming TSW7 is a thing, particularly if you know who have been involved with building any of the routes.

 

There has to be a better way. We’ve been banging our heads as a a community for years. I complained 3 years ago about layers on units and still no change regardless or free updates on new game releases. Nothing changes it just gets worse.
I agree wholeheartedly with what you say. We need to get the facts, cut the nonsense (Noise) and support each other to at least get DTG to pay attention to the wider public concerns and wider topic of conversation. (Movement).

To remain relevant to the issue I keep pointing out we are all customers looking for solutions answers and most of all a fix or a product that once purchased isn’t a problem at point of sale or months or years later as is the case most commentating face.
As customers we are in the same boat.

Personally I’ve never been an advocate of doing direct harm to any company or business.
We have a legal system to avoid any kind of action. However I will support any member that is willing to establish a firm case based on the evidence widely available or shared. Credible evidence to support any allegations made.

Therefore it’s in the community interest if members take what they say seriously in gaining momentum.
To find a path of least resistance would be to discuss these matters seriously to put the community findings forward.
That could be DTG ask or give customers the opportunity to decide on new updates.
Technically knowhow even.

I personally feel this is the right curse of action. If anything it will help claim the noise of the community to focus on the facts.
A case put forward to DTG assembled by the community.

Individually I think we’re going around in circles working against each other. United changes their position with more chance of being heard and to be taken seriously as a community voice with direction, aim and purpose.
Additionally there is the possibility that each case or concern put forward might help DTG regain understanding of what’s happening.
Genuine concerns impacting mass user's.

I support your logic in gaining understanding and clarity so the community can understand better to reach a resolution for all by ending this nonsensical act of buying then complaining while falling for it every year or on every purchase.

Customer faith and trust is no longer, a reason DTG needs to listen before its too late.
It’s up to DTG if they choose to work with the community, if not then all is lost before the community has begun.
A start of the true beginning of the end for DTG or TSW as we know it.

✌.

 

The way you describe the situation in some ways boils downs to users doing their home work . The trouble with that approach is more and more information is coming to light the more people see the public embarrassment DTG brings to its doors, a tradition DTG seems rather fond of.

All this points towards the obvious issue or those of a deeper nature. Ie the technology side is something I have no knowledge in.
This could be an area of expertise for you and so help others and I gain more insight on the wider questions.

You have clearly identified the risk factors now associated with any further purchase which is the problem that if unchecked will like you put others from considering buying from DTG. All this on the run up to their new NY subway franchise will make it an easy decision whether to bother with any DTG product considering each time it’s as you say a gamble.

Do you think by DTG trying to introduce new younger players to its products is a mistake?.
Younger players love social media and so if DTG publish this NY sub game or any TSW products mean another failure could be the end.
The younger gens don’t have the patience a more mature player has and they will let the whole world now when something is good or bad.
Reviews.

✌.

 

I too did some gambling with newer products yet as you’ll know yourself that most if not all newer additional routes or DLC impact performance greatly (PS5 User) including huge issues I’ve seen from PC users leaving comments now and over the many years of issues left unresolved.

And like many still commenting see by leaning towards the situation it’s becoming clearer that it’s highly likely anything would improve now.
Take the new TTTE game for example. Such a huge franchise and what do they do with it, mess it all up, even leaving some characters vital to the experience and back drop of the game. It’s no surprise to long standing DTG customers that the game will get some small improvements while understanding any missing characters will arrive on DLC aimed at the kiddies wanting it.

Any parents who feel the game needs more attention or not worth pumping more money into is going to be hard pressed to explain all this to a kid crying their little eyes out.
Regardless of this factor it again is backing up the evidence which is proving DTG are with major issues and with no clear end in sight.
Here I can only assume on DTGs financial situation and so wouldn’t like to pretend I do when I don’t.

I’m just a customer at the end of the day. Nothing more nothing less. Yes I could be here all day trying to figure things out, leaving comments but I’d only be repeating myself, more importantly the time and energy on a company I feel doesn’t deserve it no longer.

Why I’ve always said DTG takes the life and fun out of everything. They do and have.
All that remains is broken games and broken trust, along with a community that’s forgotten what laughter and joy amongst others was all about.

Fractured and divided by those that chose to mock over supporting.

And DTG, well they sat back and watched it all fall apart. Sad but true.
But that’s the hard reality of it all, one where all good things come to an end.
Fate and destiny it was written long ago by those that failed to see the future because of greed for money, not customer loyalty.

I think what most are doing now is being witness to that greed that’s all. We all knew it would happen deep down.
It was just a matter of time.

✌.

 

I agree, there are so many bugs that it's really crazy that people are just buying the content like everything is all right. After several years I've tried the new Liberec - Stara Paka since I was happy to see route in TSW from my environment and wanted to give TSW one more chance, but made a refund since it's bugged by the core TSW issues. Really nice route, can see the passion of 3rd party dev team, but maybe on another platform it would be more functional. And the public editor is a really a joke, completely unstable, so many broken things like literally track sections and routing table disappearing after save and load of map, for example, and still no cooking and packing and constant crashing like the old TSC editor. I really thought that DTG can change and improve over time, but the reality is different, unfortunately.

 

What’s the alternative? Buy nothing, have no enjoyment, refund everything, stop playing TSW altogether?

Bugs will always exist in this game, some get fixed, some don’t. That’s what some players can’t seem to understand. They want perfection. This isn’t a perfect sim and it never will be.

 

Saying as this is a thread for general complaints: the handling of that thread about censorship in Creators Club / The Forums was poor.

I'm not going to refer to the content of the thread, for the sake of not reviving the discussion (you can have a look for yourself, but it's also not relevant to my point) but it's not the first time where mods have shut down a harmless discussion because "it's been resolved" - no, it hadn't (and in most cases that is true).

For all of the progress Dovetail have made in community outreach and communication recently it does feel like there are times where it's a case of "this is my ball and you aren't playing".
It's hard to have open, lasting discussions on the forum when this thing happens. Especially so when the topic of the thread is still in the game.

The forums could be managed better.
That's my 2 cents.

 

Nobody is saying that it has to be perfect, that's not what I said. What I said is that the amount of bugs is basically game-breaking and I can't enjoy the game when I'm not able to successfully finish the run/scenario. The same about the editor, that's just broken completely, unfortunately.

And yes, I'm not playing TSW and not buying anything (tried now and refunded) since I want to enjoy my free time And, I'm talking about me, myself and I. I'm not telling you or anyone what to do with their money/time/etc. and I don't really care. But when I invest money into something, I'm not expecting the "well that's what you got and yeah it's broken but it isn't that bad and hey there is a deer and be happy or else..." attitude. Let me put it this way - If I would do to my clients what the DTG is doing on the market (false marketing, overpromising, underdelivering, not fixing bugs...), I would be completely broken and nobody would like to do any business with me. It's called integrity and when I say I do something or agree upon something, I'll do everything possible to deliver or if I know I can't do it (lack of time, skills...), I'll just say it upfront so that the client can have a clear picture and we can understand each other. Because relationships (any kind) are build on trust and you can only build trust when you can build a good relationship.

 

Fair enough. IMHO bugs are not variable on every route. Some are worst than others, take The Mildway Line & WCMLS (with the 807) these are the only routes that has blurry textures for me. Other uses have reported blurry textures on other routes, mainly Xbox users. Depending on our platform of course are experiences differ greatly.

I’m happy with the game in its current state, apart from game crashes that’s the only thing that would diminish my experience. Every other problem or issue that is present in the game I can handle. I’ve been playing video games since the early 90’s and owned every console, I know an unplayable game when I see one. This isn’t it. It just doesn’t meet everyone’s expectations, that’s fine also.

I will continue to play this game and watch it as evolves into something greater, because life’s to short and can’t take my money with me when I die. I need some pleasures in life.

 

You don't own Birmingham-Crewe?

 

Yep, I forgot to mention the 807 blurry textures on that, but only the 807, every other loco is fine for me.

 

what are the odds that a mod is secretly watching us right now, about to delete our messages the moment we complain about anything as a result of the dev team not listening to the player base to fix their bugs.

 

on another note, semi-related to TSW since both games run on the same game engine.
Wonders of Sodor is doing so well me thinks. Not being able to properly crash or simulate thomas crashes from the show (nor derail them) from games not allowing it at all and the fact that many of the general public not knowing any better as trains FLUNGS like a rocket as they crash or derail. Really condones the bugs that DTG leaves out and not fix huh.

 

As can be easily seen in a casual browse of any part of the forum, pretty much zero. Mods here generally act on poor behavior.

 

As many have said before, if you want change and actually better from DTG. Vote with your wallet. DO NOT buy anymore DLC from DTG. It's quite that simple. Only reason why I bought Metro North Stamford route was because I have a personal connection to the tristate area and the trains that run through here. I even worked on them in the past as well...

I barley buy any TSW addons now, I mostly buy with other games like Forza Horizon. Much more value for money there. DTG has been at this for almost 10 years. Enough is enough as the thread title says haha . "Doesn't Test Games" (DTG) will continue their greed and issues. Funny they keep pushing out half baked addons and charge a fortune for them, yet the very game is so poorly optimized consoles are struggling now. Truth is TSW can run amazing on consoles, but it is so poorly optimized that the game pulls way more RAM than needed. I really do not know who is calling the decisions about the dlc and when they get released in such poor states. But whoever it is they need to get fired and never come back. It really feels like they don't test their products and just shove them in our mouths. "You better love it" kinda mentallity... smh

 

Yeah I suppose the game should seize to exist. The forums have shut down and the entire DTG workforce have been disbanded. We can all sit on our selective beach of choice and drink pina colada’s all day never being able to enjoy TSW again…

Wakes up in a deep sweat…

 

There's way too much content as is for people to do in a lifetime with all the services that exist on routes. It's also not like this would be the first simulator series to have been put on ice for a extend period of time, see Flight Simulator. And frankly flight simulation did likely end up considerably better in the long term because people were willing to give Microsoft a black eye and kick them out. I honestly don't think Microsoft Flight would've ever reached the heights MSFS did if people just sucked it up and let it slide.

 

Train Sim World will never be at the level of Microsoft Flight Simulator. Unless Focus Entertainment have a spare 100 mil (£) knocking about? Yes, MSFS cost that much to develop. If we ever get that level of quality better hope Focus Entertainment have some really deep pockets.

 

you know what sucks, the fact that DLCs that I want are made by Rivet. Like what am I meant to do.
I want to get something for TSW because i am starting to get bored of my existing roster now (said a lot about their route length affecting/boring me already).
But when something like the 377/3 and 171, and class 153 on the only short welsh route we have is done by Rivet and going about how garbage their add-ons are. Should i even buy it when its on sale???

 

I've got issues on here with the 350 on there, only on the Birmingham-Stafford part. The fast runs Stafford-Crewe are fine with the Pendo and Voyager (some issues on the 805).

 

When did that last happen? DTG are far more tolerant of criticism on their social media than many companies.

 

Oh and they didn’t even include an option to save the game in Sodor either, rather than see the new game as an opportunity to work up some fixes and improvements which could then be backported to TSW. In fact the more I read about Sodor, the more I’m of the view apart from the cartoon style UI it’s essentially just a TSW route abstracted to be sold as a separate product. The fact you can literally copy over train pak files from TSW to Sodor, on PC at least, then actually load and drive most in game kind of confirms that.

 

but never to listen nor warn Rivet to make actual quality content. Even so far all if not most of Rivet's content have been really sloppy. (And lets just face it the 377/3 shows they just dont care expecting finding any opportunity to make money) to even replacing DTG to make the UK routes for them.

and just another rant about rivet here. I have said many times across the fourms that what Rivet is doing now is by poking into routes that player really desires on and makes a slop out of it. Want to buy a new DLC that is UK related? You gotta buy Rivet's stuff now! Even as you said "DTG are far more tolerant of criticism on their social media than many companies." but not Rivet nor they do ever plan on listening and fix the bugs that they never even tested. So until they day DTG gets rid of Rivet, TSW will never be good.

 

Indeed. Still waiting for them to fix the wrong speed limit after Carbis Bay in the Up direction towards St Erth on WCL. The 1938 stock needs proper deceleration sounds. The 484 on IOW2022 sounds like a Roswell UFO. The 385 on E2G sounds like god knows what, but certainly not like a train. The Class 170 on Fife Circle still floats over the rails so far as track sound is concerned and by all accounts their copy and paste job to make the 171 has the same fault with the horn high note getting stuck in a loop. And neither Rivet nor DTG between them have yet to properly sort out the Class 150.

As regards comms, so far as I can tell Jasper has now removed his forum account here so it’s not even possible as a last resort to ping a particularly bad problem to his attention.

 

Rivet aren't great but have improved. I'm very much enjoying Riviera and the timetable on ECW is very good too.

Still haven't seen any pesky moderators deleting criticism though.