Enough Is Enough!!! The Ongoing Saga!!! It's Almost The 3 Year Anniversary

Okay, I get how this seems because it was my initial thought: if you're going from TSW 4 to 5 with the free version, all you effectively get is the new map and the TSW 5 logo, because most of the new features are route dependant.

But... If I look at it a different way, DTG have, up to now, fixed core issues that are not route dependant, such as a major red signal bug in save game, then held onto those fixes and put them behind the pay wall of the next iteration. I only upgraded to a previous TSW for the fixed red signal save bug. I was peed off, because I was forced to pay for that, knowing the older version would never get the fix, but I wasn't fussed about the new routes, etc.

Now, however, if there are upcoming core fixes like that, which aren't going to be applied to TSW 4 because support has ended for that version, it doesn't matter. I'm not peed off. Because I get the new core and its future fixes free. The rest I can get discounted if I ever want it.

So, for me, this is a positive step forwards.

 

No you're not. TS has always been free updates no matter what... Somebody who bought RailWorks and never played it would still be able to upgrade to TSC2024 for free. 15 years of free updates, no questions asked. It's also worth noting that TSW2020 and Rush Hour were both free updates.

AP tried the same limited time upgrade and people weren't happy with that either.

 

And new players can test TSW5 in the Training Centre, and decide if they like the looks and the gameplay and buy into DLC (or dump it ). Maybe adding a small route for free as a gameplay demo could be worth thinking about (like East Coastway).

I have become an ETS2 addict, by simply downloading the free demo which only featured Germany. I saw it, liked it, and two days later went on a shopping spree.

Just like it made the original Doom a huge success, providing the first of three episodes for free and making people hungry for more. Made millionaires out of some "nerdy" teenagers. (not only due to the shareware model, but of course also because of groundbreaking coding.)

Anyone still remember?

Spoiler

Romero and Carmack

 

I didn't know Matt Lucas was so involved in TSW

 

Me too because I can’t afford it for a while. But this free update is a game changer. I’ll be saving for Christmas!

 

Man that would be a great first route from HIS for TSW wouldn't it?

 

FOMO tactics, that's why. They're hoping to lure in as many new players, so that they can sell them DLCs later. This is an official stance, by the way (if you strip all the buzzwords):

It's literally playing on people's fear of missing out. Which, as sales tactics go, is quite harmless if you recognise it for what it is and can resist. Most people can't. It's always "one more purchase," and "oh, I'm gonna open my wallet just this once," and "well, I gotta see the rest of these Core features, I've always wanted to be a conductor," and boom — you got yourself another whale.

 

On a side note, in the roadmap article, just trains announced their overshap route, and oh my days



route is 90 miles long
Features, 5, yes 5, new gronk variants
And if that wasn’t good enough, this really got me on my seat, they’ve already started work on a loco dlc for it, (and you probably know what it is)


This is the craziest thing I’ve ever seen

 

If DTG had learned anything, they would update the new features in the previous version of the game. Oh no, that's not possible. Because then you would really get all the features for free. If DTG had learned, they would offer the free version indefinitely and not just for 30 days. If DTG had learned, you wouldn't have to download everything again...and so on.

Don't tell me the game is free when there are people who discover the game after October 30th. Some people are so selfish that they only think about their own situation and can download the game on day one and not about people who might want the game for free 2 months later too. We're still talking about “TSW Light” here, where not all features are included...

Oh stop it. No, everything is ok. And DTG did everything right *sarcasm at its best*

 

It's exactly that and is standard for the current world we live in. The im alright jack mentality where greed wins out because people can no longer unify to stand up for what's right.

 

Hahaha, some people are so selfish, more like people or person is so salty that the exact thing that they wanted wasn't announced, and are now desperately trying to angle the narrative to prove their point is valid, while watching it crumble and collapse before their eyeballs.......

 

Isn't every new version the old version plus new features? It might be more constructive if you offered a way that DTG could spend the considerable time and money to develop a new version, offer it for free indefinitely, and not go out of business. I'm curious myself.

 

Actually not.
The reasons given are there, written by a DTG employee. They are economic, and considered a trial run.
Poo poo it by all means, but you'll end up with what you're complaining about faster as a result.

 

New game behind a paywall, including fixes and new features for your existing content. People complain.

Free upgrade, with those fixes and new features to your existing routes. People complain.

No wonder DTG stuck to doing the same thing for so long.

 

This isn't some moral crusade where we are trying to protect the rights of a downtrodden group of people or helping those in a war torn country.

It's not the Jarrow marches or Emmeline Pankhurst and the Suffragette movement. It's a train simulator! A hobby.

 

Completely different developers

 

... and not on a level of simulation that is wanted in TSW. It's easy arcade style simple controls steaming for kids.

 

as someone, who has totally given up on TSW the past year.... I hate to admit it, but I´m tempted by what is beeing offered this time around: Frankfurt-Fulda is a really cool route and with all the included rolling stock plus the new ICE-T and Flixtrain and layers (ICE 1, ICE 3 etc.), it will be a very busy and believable depiction of this route.
The new "route hoping" feature will also be interesting. I wonder how good it works and if it´s a real alternative to the big task of "merging" routes. If so, it will instantly open up the possibility to do ICE runs from Frankfurt to Kassel and Flixtrain runs from Frankfurt Süd to Kassel. Those are some serious runs and makes use of my older content like SFS Kassel-Würzburg.

WCML Euston to Milton Keys is also tempting. Yes, I´ve got it on TSC... but having a twenty four timetable on that busy and fun section of WCML also gets me excited. Take the Bakerloo, run it to Queens Park with all the AI, "route hop" and carry on to Elephant & Castle. Do the entire Watford DC line, a local to Tring or the Pendelino to Milton Keynes. Always with loads of interesting AI giong back and forth along the way.

I think a couple of things are at play here: the route selection is cool this time around (including the six later upcoming routes, all looks interesting). Route hoping COULD be a game changer, if it works as expected and we are finally getting to a point in TSW, where there is enough rolling stock, to actually make the 24 hour timetable interesting and fun.

got to give credit, where it´s due.

 

There is no steam in Roblox. There are a bunch of toy trains that look like steam, diesel, etc. trains.

 

The only thing concerning me is that DTG are very good at promising to do things but not so good at delivering in a timely manner.

 

Agreed, but all we can do is support them in their current change of trajectory, which is significant as it shows a willingness to engage, and then either praise them for delivering or hold them to account if they don't. Too early to do either atm tbh, but I'm very much in favour of getting behind them at this point.

 

Definitely a significant change of direction/ attitude but I'll reserve judgement as I have been disappointed so many times in the past, it's difficult to just accept that it won't be the same this time.

 

This is why I've asked the question in the roadmap Q&A about standardisation of route development for first- and third-party routes going forwards, because as great as the guard mode sounds, to take just one example, this niggling part of me can imagine a scenario where only the launch routes feature it, but no later ones do; or only first-party ones have it.

 

Awesome if you like 08s
But I hope it doesn't blue screen crash on PS4 like BPO does , when starting or ending at Preston or Blackpool. .

Was reading on JT website

It says "the 87 will look the part as it storms through the lune gorge"

Can't really attach the term " storms" to an 87
A Duchess maybe lol

 

Is this one the biggest threads on there

 

I get that part of their comment but adding the stuff about Camaros and Corvettes (!) and the essence of American railroading etc and making it about national nostalgia rather than just sticking to the facts at hand - that too many DTG routes are repetitive and of dubious quality - is very "American" in that people in the US are often quite fixated on how much better they do things there than people in other countries. But yeah I probably should have kept that comment to myself.

 

Nothing on continued support for TSW4 then, after release of 5?

 

This is, THE thread.

 

I would guess they may just do to TSW4 like they did with TSW3, push out one or two updates, and then leave it as is.
---
What I will give DTG props for, They actually came out and stated it, the FREE starter is to test and see how it works, and "we want to use this opportunity to bring in a wide range of new players with this pack" and yes to BUY TSW!
--- As for the starter FREE pack. I highlighted what and where the new features will or will not be.

It sure looks like the older content or as it is stated compatible as in "TSW5 compatible" will not get some features, and I expected that, it would be too time-consuming to rework the older routes. But I don't see why Achievements can't added to the older compatible routes, many look for this, but to me it is there okay, it is not okay.

On the same hand, Why could they not just find a way to work all these "new" features into TSW4 and yes I know this has been stated, but the same question was raised when TSW4 was being released 1 yr after TSW3, and now again the same question Why? These new features could not be added to TSW4, also Fix what is broken in TSW4, or will what is broken in TSW4 stay broken in TSW5, like the newer but now older routes that were released for TSW4 and are infected with the RED LIGHT BUG.
A remaster was done [TSW4]"West Somerset Railway Route Add-On" The re-masters that are going to be in TSW5 could not be done with and for TSW4, it's still UE4.26 correct.

More than likely many will not say it and some will say it, get the FREE starter TSW5 and leave it at that.
--I have not made any decisions yet, other than maybe getting the FREE starter and waiting for a few good sales. But I noticed something a bit odd on Steam, with all the routes I own now having the following message and yet it shows that I must have TSW5.


The Southpaw typed this out all are sleeping

 

Last year the FAQ said TSW3 would be supported for a short while, this time it says no further support for TSW4, so I wouldn't expect any more patches for TSW4.

From a cost perspective this makes a lot of sense, moving people to TSW5 for free means not having to test multiple versions of the same patch, also they have to pay per patch on consoles, so only patching once instead of twice halve that cost. Very annoying for broken achievements (I believe Fife Circle has at least one), but ok for anything else as no reason to stay behind on TSW4 when the core TSW5 is free.

 

Are all past DLC movable to the new, free TSW5 core?

 

No reason not to get the free TSW5 core when it's available and then (as always since the beginning) wait it out and see what transpires over the winter. Because honestly this is the most confusing release I have seen.

 

The TSW5 free element for some like me is a real blessing, not interested in WCML Euston to MK with JT WCML as that looks awesome and could be the best route yet for TSW.

Euston to MK, I may get once on sale but yet another EMU is of little interest to buy as a day one TSW5. Had the 390 been in the standard, I may have gone for it day one but will now wait for sales on both.

 

I think that freight or retro passenger is the essence of American railroading. It's now being turned into UK or Germany with just EMU's and DMU's on passenger runs which are all quite similar to drive.
Imagine how we'd feel if BR blue era had been totally dropped from the game? I was going to say steam but it has lol.

 

This is the most relaxed I’ve been for a new TSW. Knowing I can get on the ladder straightaway and then buy when ready in the future. I just hope the Christmas sales are good!

 

If even the creator of this thread thinks the TSW5 release strategy is a good thing, then that ought to have been where this thread ends.

I can't fault the strategy, and I don't understand those still moaning. There is literally no cost to claiming the free version on your platform of choice, just in case future you wants to buy a yet-to-be-announced route; you don't even have to install it if you don't want to, you can carry on playing your old content on TSW4/3/2/whatever (though if you own a route that's since been remastered then you're literally getting something for nothing!). And if the starter pack entices a new player to try out the game, who then likes it enough to buy DLC in the future, then great - that's how I started, with a free giveaway of TSW2 which I never got round to playing much, but saw enough to get TSW3 in a sale then TSW4 on release.

As for TSW5, I've pre-ordered the deluxe version as there's one route and loco I'd pay full price for if sold separately (WCML and Pendolino) and the rest I'd get in a sale, so overall the price (after the 10% discount) is about right for me.

 

All support, patches and updates for TSW4 will cease with the release of TSW5.
https://dovetailgames.freshdesk.com...rain-Sim-World-4-continue-to-receive-updates?

Fortunately the "update" to TSW5 will be available FREE for 1 month after it is released. Make sure you grab TSW5 free during that time and new patches, updates and the latest DLC will be available but only on TSW5.

This is a massive improvement to the insane previous practice of locking customers out of new patches, updates and DLC every year unless they pay to keep up with the latest version. I congratulate DTG on taking this decision and I hope it works out well financially for them so they are never tempted to go back to the previous awful sales model.

 

I guess all games today are somewhat never finished until abandoned, so there’s a need to create a new base to enable future development. Each patch, update and core update creates an essentially new game which forms a new basis.

That will be the reasoning behind another core update, I’m not a software engineer but they wouldn’t want to create a whole new core for the sake of it.

Having everyone on the same build (i.e version of the game) surely helps everyone as well as DTG. This means any new updates to existing routes that get remastered are available to everyone, free if you already own that route and as a full core updated route if you do buy it after. This means all those who never updated to TSW3 or 4 get the added benefits of the new tech.

Surely you don’t expect DTG and all their affiliated partners to update all the existing routes to (for example) get the new guard feature from the launch of TSW5? They release numerous routes every year which add to the back catalogue.

The routes and rolling stock continue to evolve with new features. I imagine TSC does this. You can look at every platform and every game in history for more of this approach.

I can’t wait for those Class 87s!

 

Greetings to my fellow online free speech protagonists

 

How does giving access to the new base version instil FOMO when, regardless of a new edition of the game coming out, they are still going to develop and release new DLC anyways? And in the case of new players, they are a business so they need to make money - of course they are expecting people to buy DLC or one of the combo packs for better value.

 

Oh cool TSW is getting VR, even a one-handler might be fun in that....

... It's a whole separate game.
FFS DTG!

 

I'm not sure if DTG will be simplifying the trains in the VR version; I hope not. I would have thought that making it for PC headsets would have made more sense, especially considering they're effectively having to port the game to Android to have it run on the Meta Quest.

 

Not interested in VR. I remember like ten years ago, when 3D TV sets came out. Everyone was hyped. Few months later, nobody talked about it, the thrill was quickly gone. (We had already gotten this in the eighties (first using red/green spectacles in 1982, later using the coloured glasses dimming one eye to have information arrive slightly later, needing constant camera movement) for a period of selected programmes, also a hype quickly diminishing.)

Actually if I move my head close to the screen, and scenery is in motion, I can get the 3D feel by almost closing one eye completely, leaving just a slit open. The light will take a little longer way to the retina, combined with movement this will trigger a 3D perception as your eyes are having slightly different viewpoints now.

I'd rather invest in a bigger 32:9 screen than low-res VR and that thing on my head.

 

VR made a lot more of an impact than 3D, which died very quickly. If it was a failure, Sony wouldn't have released a second VR headset.

 

Never said it was a failure. It's just not for me, tested it, but felt better playing without it. The "Oohs" and "Aaahs" and "Wows" were not triggered again after a while of playing.

 

Not downgraded my Deluxe order to Standard (yet) but the initial hype has worn off a bit. People seem to be drooling over route hopping when all it is (really) is a glorified shortcut bypassing the menu.

Anyhow this evening I found myself back in Run 8 after an absence of nearly three months. Great fun watching Otto sorting out all the trains I've thrown at Tehachapi while plodding along steadily in the Bakersfield to LA Oil Cans. Just had to deal with a DPU cut out after wondering why I couldn't get more than 10 MPH approaching Sandcut! Cracking stuff.

 

I don't have any hype for TSW5. I'll likely get the free edition due to waiting for the release of Tadami, additions to Peak Forest and TOD4 updates/remasters for some of older routes, as also I will be taking a look at what new DLCs will be coming between TSW5 & TSW6, which wouldn't take place if I didn't have TSW5, just like I got interested what DLCs were released for TSW4 only after I got the TSW4 itself from Humble Bundle (I didn't watch any past TSW4 content previews except for the WSR update until then).

 

So you're going to be happy with a possibly broken tsw if they implemented into the main game where there's over 100 dlc it would need to work perfectly for and the core that's been heavily modified?

Lots more can go wrong when you start big than to start small and build your way up.

You don't start with a massive project from the start more than you can handle