Midland Mainline - Skyhook Feedback

Hi Jane I was just wondering when do you plan to release the patch for fixes and other things will it be this week

 

Hey Mark,

It is a bit early for me to say as I don't want to mislead you guys. The plan is for as soon as humanly possible, but I don't have a date yet internally as we are constantly squeezing in more stuff. Once I get a handle on where we are at, I will gladly let you all know. It isn't far away. I just am not in a position yet to confirm dates.

 

OK no worries thank you

 

Barrow Upon Soar station.

 

The RailDriver mappings for HST is all screwed up. The DSD isolation and the pedal are mapped to the same button and it causes the DSD to turn off everytime you reset the pedal. There is a general alerter mapping in other locos which are missing in this loco as well. The DRA set button is also not functioning at all. Can the mapping be looked at? I have also submitted a DTG support ticket for this as well.

 

@jane-skyhook I know there is a lot going on with so much that needs fixing, I was just wondering if you had time or the dev team had time to view the video I made and linked to.

 

Jane.
I’ve mentioned elsewhere a lot do the bugs I’m aware of, and I think almost everyone else has mentioned those too. However there’s a few other ‘issues’ I have.

Class 43

• Could you tell us what research and modelling was done for this? I presume an actual EMR HST was used?
• AWS MCB is marked as ‘spare’
• Where is the TPWS temporary isolation switch?
• When starting an HST at Derby it spools halfway down the platform with about 4 coaches hanging off the back. Why?

Class 158

• Again, an actual EMR habit was looked at?

Speeds

• Various locations have different speeds to those boarded. An example of this is Sheet Stores Jnc, boarded at 15mph but game says 10mph
• Why was the route left so quiet? The lack of announcements, the lack of AI traffic, the lack of road vehicles at level crossings.
  
• How did a route that was so under tested and was obviously not completed get released?
• Why no training? I’m a main line driver so I don’t need them, but there should have been some introduction to the route and the new trains.
  
• Scenarios, again you had scope here to do more. A fast line block maybe? Something a bit different?

Please don’t think these are directly aimed at you Jane, but as the spokesperson for Skyhook on this one perhaps you can enlighten us a little? It’s such a shame to see such poor quality control.

 

thank you for sharing this. It has been passed to the art team and fixed. Thank you for spotting!

 

I was just about to thank you for going to such huge effort. It has been sent to the dev and QA teams and digested for action. I am really grateful to you in making so much of an effort. Thank you!

 

Afternoon Jane! good on you for getting that in and it's nice to stretch the Peak's legs. Must have missed that part of the stream.

Have a great day!

 

What I find impressive with this post is Jane has been all over this route.

Anyone heard much about Trenton?

 

You are welcome I am glad to hear that, and I appreciate your kind words.

 

Ha!! Trenton never reached the front burner and is all but forgotten by DTG.

In my admittedly partisan view, North America has gotten a raw deal from the current management team of late. I hope they know that they're leaving money on the table.

One hopes that Focus will make an effort to turn this around.

 

I found the final scenario in the MML journey not to work as intended (or I'm an idiot which is a possibility). Sitting in the cab at scenario start, getting ready to drive the loco into the specified yard, then the upper left side UI note says to exit the cab. I drag my avatar out into the evening and get a completion...except it doesn't complete and no points are awarded. I repeated this a couple of times, and it failed both times. Just an fyi

 

Shame. Because its sometimes wrong.

At least one train allegedly bound for Lincoln only showed Nottingham. Which is why I wanted to change it.

 

Agreed, maybe Skyhook could retro fit it into the game?
I think this issue is with the final destination being off map though

 

Hi Jane

It looks as is if some trains don’t have a scheduled time shown for their arrival at Derby. An example is 2A39 14:19 Newark Castle - Matlock. I’ve a feeling it’s something to do with the way the different stopping positions on the platform at Derby are handled, but the scheduled arrival time needs to be shown somehow, otherwise the Driver doesn’t know what time to aim to arrive. Thanks.

 

Basicly you nailed it to the point, so many sloppy excuses from devs. Only tsg as a small team seems to be able to deliver a solid experience of both route and the locos.

Something else: you guys here really believe skyhook is delivering the patch this year? I rather believe in santa claus, oh wait there is still the 187 and wrong placed rear bogies of the 44cw.
So what exactly makes you believe they actually care?

Mml is a broken generic mess, just cant see skyhook being capable to patch this to a decent level. Its far away from the minimum. The devs it seems, dont even have any idea of how uk signalling works.

 

I think theres a massive gap in community engagement between the two companies about their product at the moment. I can only guess DTG have other stuff on their mind, namely the buyout and how TS2024 can be spin doctored and leaked. Tough sell for marketing in current state of play.

"your foods not cooked properly sir but would you like to pay for more, we'll give you a new spoon and charge you more"

Genuinely hope things improve. Agree about your north America comments, they said they did no research trip for route because loads of beta testers and connections were there...
I wonder if someone will make the journey next time then after Trenton....

 

I’ve had to stop running mml on the ps5 now due to continual crashes mid route. It’s really frustrating running half to three quarters of a service for it to just just LOVE out and return you to the main menu.

 

From what I remember from the stream.
The reference photos for the HST came from one at Crewe Heritage center.

Can't remember about the 158.

The 158 and class 43 for MML are in the training center. Use the training center tab front page then look for the class 158 training and I believe the MML HST is under Class 43 FGW.

Have to agree about the scenarios. Not just on this route but some of the other released routes over the past few months the scenarios have been kind of boring.

Hentis

 

For me its Crashing about 5.3 or 5.4 miles outside Leicester. Going towards Leicester. Going towards Derby is fine.

Hentis

Hentis

 

This shows why we really need Toton in the Midlands Mainline route as well as the class 60 (although I'd rather like to see ones that are on trains not stored waiting the cutters torch) as well as Network Rail Yellow JNA falcons.

Having said that mind, I cant see all the locos and rolling stock appearing at Toton. It would kill the fps, even for the PC's with the dangliest dogs do dahs in graphics cards.

Hentis

 

Yeah, it’s always a short way outside Leicester heading towards Leicester. Happens on both timetable & scenario runs.

 

remind me on which platform this is please?

 

Needs more ai services and more services in the timetable very unrealistic your running a service and see nothing in the other direction for example

 

It is already there just incomplete (Toton TMD is just a white cube and no scenery after Nottingham Road Bridge) and you can ride into it on an AI Class 66 RHTT just not driveable. However, if you jump off the AI train you can walk about. I can see it being fully added in later updates.

 

Well hopefully at some point if SHG are genuinely concerned about fixing up this route, they will come back with an open and honest action plan detailing what's on the list, priorities and approximate timescale.

 

I will be updating you guys very shortly on where we are with the patch. We have art, environment, tech teams and others working very hard right now on working through the list. We do indeed have a considered and realistic action plan internally. You will appreciate thought that I cannot provide a running commentary, but I will update this forum as often as I can with progress and share what I can, when I can. As I said previously, we are not planning a long delay until the patch firms up.

We are running a very significant effort on this, with many studio people involved.

all the best
Jane

 

I know I have done it
Hentis

 

That's great news Jane thanks for keeping us up to date

 

Sounds like Jane, that your team at SHG have this well in hand and what you say sounds so promising. Thank you for the update.

 

If you devs (dtg included) would do your work properly before release, then we wouldnt need those threads with tonns of responses of critical bugs and disappointed customers.

What exactly was achieved by rushing out many of the substandard and poor routes of 2023. Except running from a to b with the fire extinguisher your mess gets bigger and bigger?

Yes the deadline.., whitout customers money your deadline is redundand. You got my day one purchaises past 2 years, on top all available dlcs i bought to support the tsw franchaise, and the only sloppy excuse i hear as a current ExCustomer is "we ran out of time".

Im lucky to have enough money to spend, even if you would release 3 routes per day, but i promise you wont get a single cent anymore from me.

 

I am not going to insult the intelligence of you guys here and say no technical mistakes were made. There were and Skyhook has learnt and is learning from them. I cannot speak for other routes or speak for DTG as I have only just joined Skyhook and I don't work for DTG. I am new here at Skyhook. My job is to look in to the technical processes and improve them. I am joined by an equally new head of production who has created some very famous AAA titles and is regarded as one of the best in the business. Neither of us are perfect but we care and each have around 40 years of experience in the entertainment software industry.

The team at Skyhook worked massively hard and achieved a great deal. Yes, as said, there were some mistakes which meant some bugs and issues got through the net. There was no malice or chasing dollar signs or anything else. Just hard working developers doing their very best. We all make mistakes. My job is to make the net have smaller holes. I haven't swept bugs under the carpet. I acknowledge them with all of you.

I am reviewing processes in addition to bug fixing and that is underway right now as I can tell you, every dev in the teams wants to ship something they can be proud of. We are as committed and passionate as all of you.

Jane

 

Despite all the criticism, I have to say that the vehicles and the performance in general are really good. I'm consistently 60 FPS and the two vehicles are mostly fun because of the neat paint job and the sound.

 

Thank you Jane for your passion and commitment. I am certain you eventually get the MML as a route to be proud of. I wish other third party developers would improve their routes with the same enthusiasm SHGs are showing.

 

A picture speaks louder than words, "BUT" here are an assortment of screen shots, from glowing hair, floating pillars & signs, to miss aligned platforms with trains to snow in an enclosed space walkway & stairs, to vending machines that contents can't be made out, even fictional.

https://live.dovetailgames.com/live...210/shot/d2f4ce5e-459b-42cb-8aba-19b53fbc08f2

https://live.dovetailgames.com/live...210/shot/f84159af-05a3-4809-bd04-00cc8ef53f43

https://live.dovetailgames.com/live...210/shot/72d891e0-e4d2-4898-acfb-72845233cbf5

https://live.dovetailgames.com/live...210/shot/9a45dc64-f643-4fda-abcc-43de8c318859

https://live.dovetailgames.com/live...210/shot/d3cfca7a-45ae-45b3-9a81-ca39815c6148

https://live.dovetailgames.com/live...210/shot/579e6b36-d99b-45dc-b2d5-b5bc6d202489

https://live.dovetailgames.com/live...210/shot/acdcf86a-6fc8-4a5b-8aef-969a54b65266

https://live.dovetailgames.com/live...210/shot/f587006b-1bf3-483b-89fd-2181a2191f56

https://live.dovetailgames.com/live...210/shot/48321be8-abd0-4df4-bb63-93fd9b300c18

https://live.dovetailgames.com/live...210/shot/dc0050f3-5545-44e1-bbba-12eeb2b10b40

https://live.dovetailgames.com/live...210/shot/aabd3c25-493f-488b-8ffa-727cf07782ec

https://live.dovetailgames.com/live...210/shot/e06af2c3-d4eb-4e3e-b7d8-2c7ef993ea99

https://live.dovetailgames.com/live...210/shot/156d59d6-eecf-4582-bad7-f60ec558fb5e

https://live.dovetailgames.com/live...210/shot/db6a9047-3a9a-481b-a207-9c55a0541de7

https://live.dovetailgames.com/live...210/shot/d7ddd5fb-e055-4568-8892-555e75787d09

https://live.dovetailgames.com/live...210/shot/81d74f86-a242-402e-b808-ac3c987e909b

https://live.dovetailgames.com/live...210/shot/8f4769eb-9d70-49b2-a695-6e0469a9300a

https://live.dovetailgames.com/live...210/shot/e0b26f4a-a8ed-4a80-8b1d-ca4bbab7bd45

https://live.dovetailgames.com/live...210/shot/79a4fe3d-15c0-40ad-ad59-e64c679df5fa

 

The FPS are consistent, but do you still have stuttering/juddering? This is what I've seen on YouTube streams: 60FPS on the frame counter, but micro-stutters constantly — everything in motion seems to be "skipping frames".

I'm sure every route was like this in TSW2, but I played East Coastway a few days ago and it seemed smooth... At least, I didn't notice the issue, and it usually stands out a mile to me. I do wonder if some optimisation has happened that hasn't been listed in patch notes.

 

On the basis of what Jane has said and the involvement of Londonmidland I have bought this route which is my local line. Most of the criticism is valid but there is an awful lot that is very good about this route and locos. Bugs have not impeded my runs. I do like the wide view of the surrounding scenery even though the tree and bush density is sparse in parts. I hope this aspect is not "over-rectified". I have a feeling you are going to sort this route largely but I would beg that you add some sheep and cows in the appropriate places, not to mention a lot more traffic ! Look forward to Londonmidland's and your own patches in the VERY near future. [REMOVED - Jan inappropriate language]

 

"Mind the fence please, mind the fence!"

 

Hey Jane, I’m a little late to the party, I’m not sure whether this has been reported yet in this thread, but I shall do it just in case it hasn’t!

The platform PIS does not display off-world destinations for the HST services. For example, a train that is meant to terminate at St Prancas will instead have the PIS display the terminus as Leicester, which is incorrect.

In addition to this, the Class 158 destination screen does not display off-world destinations on all services it does. For example, if you decide to drive a train that terminates at Matlock Castle, the screen will say Nottingham, but this is incorrect as the train keeps going further than that.

It would be fantastic if this could get looked at by the team, thanks!

 

Landscape scenery and vegetation?

Can you show some comparisons?

You make some pretty broad generalisations without ANY examples.....

Because it seems pretty good to me.

Derby and Nottingham have LOADS of buildings and scenery is well done. Prove me wrong. But put some screenshots in and go to google street view, otherwise don't bother....

 

It is pretty good product at FULL PRICE to me.

I am a real world driver too. Very happy!

 

It’s already been done chap.

 

Thank you, a few people spotted this and it is with the team. Really appreciate you reaching out.

have a great day
Jane

 

This is one example. Syston in game and Syston in real life. The screenshot and real pic were both taken by me.

 

Not sure if this has been flagged up, but 1B09 05.32 Nottingham to London St Pancras. When you leave Nottingham you get an objective come up to stop just over 200 yards upon departure from Nottingham, there's no apparent reason why as you're not at a signal and as soon as it's triggered you're told to stop at East Midlands Parkway.

 

I'm not saying i don't ever want it.But it really need some serious fine tuning frist.As for you i would just say you are truly a amazing and forgiving sole to be able look past the routes issues and still find enjoyment in the midlands.

 

DTG and its affiliates incorporate just a "fast fashion" style of business... Thats all.

 

I believe we have done a good job tidying Syston... Still tweaks to be done though. including fence height, but coming together well.