Lukas Interviewed At Gamescom 2024 (aka Lukasleaks)

Lukas Klimczyk was interviewed at Gamescom 2024.



I do not speak german, but I could get some information using the auto-translator.
As most of you know, the auto-translator is far from perfect so it would help a lot if any german speaker can listen to it and let me know if I got something wrong.

- Some of the layers for Frankfurt - Fulda:

• ICE1 and 3 from Kassel - Würzburg.
• BR 425
• BR 642 from Maintalbahn
• Freight trains as layers
• BR 101 from the DTG release, Expert will get its own timetable but not at launch (few weeks later).

- Planned to replace the ICE3 for the ICE-T at Riesa-Dresden. He does not say when, so take this with a grain of salt.

- Flix Train:

• The service compartment car is included.
• [NEW] The train driver will be wearing Flixtrain clothing

- The Frankfurt - Fulda timetable is based on the 2018 timetable.
- [NEW] DTG sent a team to Dortmund to record ICE-T sounds. DTG expects to have them in the ICE-T model at launch.

- Pfalzische - Ludwigsbahn (not sure I wrote that correctly):

• It will include 3 different kinds of traffic experiences; Long distance traffic, local traffic and some extra Sbahn services.
• Will probably be based on a 2013-2014 timetable, with some old dostos paired with the BR 111. BR 425 mentioned. All of this is still not 100% decided, so there can be changes (this also means this route is in the very early stages of development).
• You can expect many layers from other DLCs.

- Zwolle - Groningem:
- NL is the 4th most requested country by the players in the surveys (after DE, USA and UK).
- The operator at NL asked to work with DTG.
- If things go as expected, DTG wants to do more routes in NL. The fact that they got access to information to make the models, understand the signaling, etc ... helps a lot.

- Random questions:

• Köln - Aachen timetable: Joe and some other DTG employee are currently working on the Frankfurt - Fulda timetable. The Köln - Aachen timetable is almost done, but Joe is very busy right now and since this is a "free time" project there is no ETA.
  • [UPDATED] Joe confirms the Flixtrain will be in the new Köln - Aachen timetable.
  • [UPDATED] Joe confirms the ICE-T will be at Kôln as AI in the new SKA timetable.
  • [UPDATED] Joe said the original (NRM) BR 101 is the one included in the new SKA timetable.
  • The BR 101 Expert will be in the Köln - Aachen timetable.
    • [UPDATED] Since Joe said the Expert 101 is not included in the default timetable, I guess Lukas has insider info that suggests that TSG will add the modified timetable with the Expert 101 at some point. Or he could be thinking about substitution (without the cab car).
  • [NEW] The new SKA timetable will be PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X only because it needs more memory than what the old gen consoles and Series S have.
• The BR 101 Expert was well received, and there are plans to make a second Expert loco. It is coming, but he can't tell us what it is yet.
• The BR 420 from TSG is coming to Frankfurt - Fulda instead of the previously announced Münich - Augsburg. This is because MAG was developed using old techniques (from today's perspective) and uses too much memory compared to what a new route does.
• TSG expected to release a new route at the end of 2024 or beginning of 2025.
• Other 3rd parties working on german content.
• DTG is now revealing info about new routes sooner in the development cycle so they can get feedback from the players and react to it when it can make more of a difference.

 

Great 5 Stations run for a 420
Build the Underground Station and make a new S-Bahn Route

 

Hell yeah, ICE 3 on Frankfurt-Fulda! And it's nice to read "Other 3rd parties working on german content" considering people such as Folezz and Pilot21 are still actively working on their stuff that has been in project threads in the Editor forums before silenced, which is just good damn news. Can't wait for the next few roadmaps honestly!

 

The two main takeaways for me are the new expert loco, which is already in the making, by the way and the new TSG route…

I would really wish for a fright loco, however, I could imagine that it will be a long distance loco again, which is also fine, tbh…

 

Eurodual...

 

Nice we're getting the realistic consist for ICE stock on DRA. Strange they didn't mention 218 being layered on Frankfurt Hbf. DB usually keep a pair parked right in front of the platforms. Probably Lukas is doing a rundown from what he remembers.

Incredibly excited for Frankfurt's stock after seeing an empty Munchen. Bremen and Wurzburg were unbelievably busy!

 

When Lukas is asked about the Flix Train at 14:08 I think he included something about the BR 101 Expert in the reply but the auto-translator did not do a good job with it. Can anyone that speaks german please listen to it and translate?

PS: Myron and grob-e helped me with this already.

 

the expert 101 would have layers on idk what they talked about before but hes not too sure on if the flixtrain units have a layer on whatever said route

 

He was talking about the Köln - Aachen timetable.
Thanks!

 

do Flixtrain even run to Aachen irl? I know they have a stop at Cologne, but not sure about Aachen...

 

Joe is working on the new timetable for Köln Aachen in his spare time. He (Lukas) doesn't know, if the Flixtrain will be part of this timetable, but the 101 Expert will appear in this timetable.

 

I don't know, and I bet neither did Lukas. I'm pretty sure someone else in the community will have the answer and let us know.

 

Always appreciating a new "fishtable"

 

Thanks!

 

This is the current Flixtrain route coverage. It does appear to run to Aachen.

 

Yes, just found a Flixtrain vectron appears arriving at Köln in this video and leaving Köln here.

 

We Need a Layer for Hauptstrecke Rhein Ruhr

 

HRR has been looooooong forgotten at this point. If it were to return it would be redone up to TSW5 standards. Then again, I'd rather have it lengthened from Dortmund to Dusseldorf Hbf.

 

To be clear: That's not what he said. He said it's coming to "Frankfurt". And then laughed.

How did you guys like the interview in general? Sorry, I wasn't able to add english captions. Still hope you like it

 

Corrected it in the OP. Thanks!

I think the interview was very interesting, and the questions asked were relevant.
It was a well done interview. Hope you will continue the trend and do more of them

 

Yes, maybe, but it's not his (Lukas) timetable and as Joe is working in his spare time, he don't know. So, it wouldn't be a wise decision to 'promiss' something, he don't know. So, a good answer.

 

Joethefish want the Flixtrain on Köln Aachen?

 

Great! It’s great to have extra information source for German content in TSW and I’m so excited to what’s coming in future. Fingers crossed for TSG!
Btw I would also like that BR218 layered on Frankfurt - Fulda, the more content layers, the better experience for me. Yes I also understand it has to keep up to reality and era placed in.

Also would be a nice surprise for us by giving us new Koln - Aachen timetable with the route being remastered!

 

The 218 is Available

 

Just as parked “scenery” perhaps?

 

Yes, it looks like that. There are always locomotives in real life (218). These should be ICE towing locomotives, but they don't run any lines.

 

Yeah I saw the other video now. Glad to see them.

For anyone wondering about the Frankfurt hbf skyline. You have Lukas' word in the Train sim community Discord it's not like Essen hbf in HRR. Some buildings did have to be removed because of copyright though like Deutsche bank

 

just Offenbach Ost-Hanau?

 

What’s the name of that video?

 

It's this:

 

Thanks!

 

Is BR 420 in

 

Great news Matt.

Many thanks to Joethefish. There will be a lot of happy players after reading this.

 

How will the timetable be limited for eighth consoles?

 

Very intrigued to see how Frankfurt turns out, from that video initially it looks pretty empty but as you see the map there’s definitely more going on than meets the eye & what you see in somewhere like Munich.

There is certainly a lot of layers going on from what that video shown, some pretty big yards & stations too. Usually with these releases there’s abit of a tussle between the UK & DE route for the top spot, but this year both are really looking to bring a lot of action.

 

I dont know. Maybe with the new layer selection screen you can choose which layers you want (within some limits)?

 

It’s a pretty smart tool that has been overdue IMO, even for those of us not worrying about the performance aspect of layers.

I do wonder if for the older spec hardware it’ll mean you can actually access everything (even if you can’t run it all) & pick out ones you want/dont want.

Obviously we don’t have all the info yet but I wonder if there could be some sort of display to show how much memory you have to play with and how much of it a particular layer takes up.

I suspect the cuts required for last gen consoles will be pretty drastic, that rolling stock list for Frankfurt is full of main offenders we’ve seen cause issues in the past for even the Series S.

 

In the video Frankfurt and its surroundings looked a bit empty, but I guess it's not finished yet.

 

It did but as they walked up the tracks there were some static bits of stock on the left, so you should get a good glimpse of those when you arrive/depart. Also when they open the map you can see that a fair few platforms are occupied.

 

Flix could also run to Dresden as AI... even Hamburg or Bremen. They only run 2 or 3 services a day and should not be hard to add.
I assume ICE-T is beeing added to Kassel-Würzburg? Both said trains obvously could also go on Rhein-Ruhr, but it´s in desperate need of a remaster.

 

The video is an old build. Lukas said in the Train Sim Community Discord that more buildings have been added.

There are some that couldn't be added though because apparently companies can copyright entire buildings. Deutsche Bank for example.

 

Since the release of TSW3, Lukas has been the DTG representative at Gamescom in Cologne. I think he does a good job and, above all, you can speak in your native language!

Another thing that was mentioned in the interview: why TSW5 is free for a month. There are still players who only play their old favorite routes in TSW3 (even in TSW2). In other words, they have not switched to TSW4 yet or are criticizing the annual paywall to get new content. Therefore, these players who do not want to buy early access or the upcoming TSW5 routes in the standard or deluxe package should be encouraged to switch to the latest TSW version and all its new features. A single TSW basic version also makes sense in the end, because future updates will only be released for TSW5.

 

I still don't understand why some companies (Deutsche Bank in this case) don't allow the use of their brands.
For them and others it could be a great opportunity to advertise at no cost (considering that no TSW user can modify, perhaps in a negative or irreverent way, the paths of DTG or third parties).

 

They can used the Buildings without any Company Logos
I See no Problem Why it’s Not there

 

I’m really glad to hear that! The 101 was a major step into the direction that I wanted TSW to develop in. I’m happy for everyone who worked (and is continuing to work) on the 101 that the gamble seems to have paid off. The sim is all the richer for it.

 

anything is possible for route scenario's

 

Maybe it’s not about the brand. You can license a design too (see the new planes for example, the old ones looked so bad because DTG didn’t have a license to use real designs).

 

Do I understand correctly that Köln - Aachen will not have TOD4 or other TSW4/5 improvements?

True; they can even have a copyright on the building.