Hello everyone, I am surprised a thread has not been created about this yet as the announcement post about the purchase of Dovetail Games by Focus Entertainment is in the announcements section of the forums so you can't make reply posts to discuss it so here is a thread so we can all share our thoughts on this big announcement. First of all here is the link to the Dovetail Games article on the event: https://live.dovetailgames.com/live...38.348079880.1681983213-1744062459.1653515868 Focus Entertainment is the publisher of two successful and popular games such as SnowRunner and MudRunner! This is quite big news and I am not so sure what to think of it yet. I am hopeful but cautious at the same time. Also looks like some of the French DLC will become free in May as celebration of the purchase as Focus Entertainment is a French company. These are: LGV: Marseille - Avignon Route Add-On LGV: Rhône-Alpes & Méditerranée Route Extension Add-On TGV® Réseau & TGV-RDuplex EMU Add-on Very curiously it lists the TGV® Réseau & TGV-RDuplex EMU Add-On there even though it currently isn't available on the Steam Store and was removed some time ago, so maybe there will be a re-release or it was just a mistake. It sounds like Dovetail Games will remain in control of their games but with the resources of Focus Entertainment. I wonder if because Focus Entertainment is a French company we may get some more French trains and routes? I'm curious to see what others thoughts are on this announcement.
It is already being discussed at some length in the TSW General board. Interesting times ahead, definitely grabbing the free LGV routes (already got the TSW version). Remains to be seen exactly what Focus have in mind, patently obvious TSW cannot continue on its current path with bugged and poorly finished releases, vague promises of fixes then thrown aside to the high fives and self congratulation for the next release. Kind of interesting this coincides with the big core update to TSC. It may be nothing more than coincidence but given talks about the acquisition have probably been going on for months, perhaps Focus see a revitalised and updated TSC as the way forward rather than TSW?
Or even so far as TSC on consoles as well as PC. I'd put a fiver on that as a medium to long term plan.
I fear that the path or piir quality DLC will continue. Those DLC are succesfull despite bad opinions and cadh generated is probably enough good to make Focus wanting to invest. As for TSC my initial opinion is that the overall quality of TSW hasnt moved really people from TSC to TSW, so they see opprtunity to continue development of both.
I'd expect more French subjects because it's a big untapped market and DTG will now have good access to native French speakers and marketing expertise.
They will indeed carry on targeting the markets they see as offering the best revenue source vs. access for research and licencing plus costs.
Might be because you are limited as to what you can do in TSW With the help of a Czech Developer we were able to run different traction in the scenarios but DTG took that away with TSW2
Can't remember seeing too many train spotters (sorry enthusiasts) whenever I have been to France, so maybe the market is not that big! Another option would be to do something different and new to TSC and TSW, say either cloud based game where you subscribe / unscribe to the DLC you want to drive. So for instance £2.99 a month and have access to all UK DLC routes / locos.
Unlike UK Enthusiasts the French don't sit on a platform end with a notebook. If you look at pictures of trains in France they are generally taken in the countryside
Honestly, I hope the bigger things means possibility for an Orient Express addon too. I see nothing bad with the game or DLCs, even with the bugs. If you feel other way, i recommend to go and try Train L*fe on Switch and you will run back to TSW, and you will never complain about bugs anymore. TSC never will be reality on consoles, that would be a leg shot for DTG. Because that game have too much free add-ons, that means no profit for devs. TSW is very popular and doing well on consoles, especially the on foot mode with ability to be a passenger on any trains. This thing is something that's loved by everyone, even people who don't play Train sims. I know some friends who bought the add-ons only to travel and be passenger and they never drive any of the trains in it. For train fans, the timetable mode is amazing thing, and very special experience, that's makes the game the best. On PC there is enough rivals, but on consoles, TSW is the king even with bugs. The only thing i feel is almost 100% will happen is the season pass. Like it or not, Focus first priority for their game is the season pass. I feel indifferent about it. The improvement i hope is the communication for DTG, because writing an email a week ago about something and still got no answer. If everyone think I'm fan of Focus, no, it's opposite. I played so much the Mudrunner, but Snowrunner was too complicated, and lost my patience, and my interest too in the game after 5 missions. But i know Focus not crazy, they don't destroy anything important at DTG. I enjoy the game, the add-ons, and the mastery rewards is very great and satisfying in every new DLCs. About the free gifts, i think lot of us have it already in TSW, because was even on sale now. My suggestion would be giving 3 routes as gift choice, and we can choose oneof it. If we have all 3, we'd get an 50% coupon code to use on next route purchase. This really gives a gift to everyone then. But idk if anyone read this topic at all. Hopefully do. Still, i wish the best for DTG with Focus, try to deny their suggestions with season pass, and make lot of great add-ons in the next year's for TSW. (Hungarian route, or Orient Express pls.) I support the devs as did before, buying DLCs, whenever i can do that. Last but not least, i agree with people who says they will update both TSW and TSC too, because both have their own fanbase.
And that is the point at which the game(s) and I would part company. N3V offer this with Trainz as an alternative to buying the game outright plus any content you want, by having subscriptions that offer varying levels of content and DLC. However IMHO it then becomes another debt like your utility bill or Netflix. And if you cancel, just like Netflix it all goes away and nothing to show for it.
Maybe the TSW product could be seen as a commodity which could be subscribed to. TSC however is more of a collectors club of DLC which brings joy rather than a pick up and drop arcade game.
So far as we know, no. This takeover has obviously been in the works for months and the update was announced only recently. In fact on the contrary, it could be the update was one of the changes mandated by Focus as part of their plans for the company and titles.
I would suggest that it's because of the "French Connection" that we're getting a core update for the old lady. They likely see TSC as a classic in every sense, and so it is, aimed purely at the pc players it has amazing longevity thanks to the editor.
Good point and if they want to be satisfied on a French train running onto German and Austrian Punktförmige Zugbeeinflussung tracks a BB37000 should fit now electric multiple unit B835500 High Speed trains for 15kv 16.7hz AC are TGV POS Euroduplex PBKA.
There are not many French trains made by DTG. For those people who look to third party and freeware routes there is a Big Selection https://www.simexpress.fr/?lang=en And a good selection of Freeware https://ajrailsim.pierreg.org/ https://www.railsim-fr.com/forum/index.php?app=downloads
