Alan Thompson Simulation Route Discussion/speculation Thread

Yeah, he said he would have liked to done more with it and not everything was in it so probably not everything that runs on a Sunday is included but more than I may have given the impression of. He did say it was mainly to have interaction in the depot. I’m sure we’ll find out more details in due course. I wouldn’t want to put anyone off from buying it with my interpretation of what he said at the start of that stream. I didn’t watch all of it because it was Twitch.

 

I had no idea that the Sunday timetable was unfinished - they should have made it crystal clear, as there was no mention of its state whatsoever in the roadmaps or pre-release articles. Even then, they shouldn't really be allowed to release an unfinished timetable, unless the players are given assurance that it will be rectified in a patch post-release.

 

They certainly shouldn’t be advertising the route as having two distinct timetables, if the second one is incomplete. In fact, why even bother to include it? Just release as bonus content in a couple of months.

 

Where did you get the idea it was unfinished? I did the sunday timetable and I finished it to their specfication

 

Don't recall them saying it was unfinished, just had more depot moves? May have missed that in the stream though.

 

Sure they didn’t say it was unfinished, have watched the stream and can’t recall anything being said of that nature.

 

The build they were showing wasn’t the finished version, which was commented about.

 

It was what was said on stream apparently Kezz. Don’t take it personally. But thanks for doing 2 timetables honestly that is massive! Shame you left but under understandable circumstances and correct decision.
Still buzzing for your route whatever it is it’s definitely Crewe! Hope it’s going well!

 

It was just that Alan said he would have liked to have done more but they did as much as they could in the time they had. I may have misunderstood what he meant by that. He could have been talking about the whole thing. He never said it was unfinished, that was my word, from my understanding of what was said.

 

Wasn't offended haha was just very confused! It's all good haha

Yeah stuff is going well, won't hijack this thread about it, will be good to see MAC finally out and in players hands though!

 

Wilmslow to Crewe in itself is 19 or so miles. That’s more than 2 thirds of the route just for 5 stations.

 

For those thinking about Cardiff for the TfW 150 and 153 layers, just popped up in the Steam sale at 25% off. Not enough of a discount for me, I'm afraid.

 

Thanks, going to take the plunge - waiting for an extra 10 quid off probably by Christmas isn't worth it for me.

 

Well let me know what you think and I might take the plunge. As you say, the next sales are a big gap after this one. Edit: Well I twisted my own arm and against my better judgement have gone for it over Bernina. Still leaves enough in the Wallet for the 86 pack when it emerges and (maybe) the Manchester route if I relent.

 

LOL Vern, what you like eh! I fully expect another post from you shortly saying you've requested yet another refund from Steam, their team must be waiting for you.....

I'm sticking to my guns and not getting the Cardiff route until at least 50/60% off

 

I hear you but actually the 153 is rather nice and I'm quite enjoying it. And yes it's a bus stop route and far shorter than it ought to have been but at least it's a diesel bus stop.

However driving the 153 does make me wish DTG are working on something where we can drive it further and faster - West or Central Wales would be superb, if highly unlikely.

 

The sound of my childhood

 

Hmm. Looks a bit like a Class 142. Sounds like it too. Does it bounce like a Pacer? Chicken or the Egg?

 

That's because the bodyshell on the Leyland National was used on the 142 and other Pacers, with mods


https://locomotive.fandom.com/wiki/LEV1

Engine is different though, it would have pleased me somewhat to hear a Pacer with the Leyland 510 engine

 

I got to see this up close at the very line shown in the picture. It was there for restoration as part of a contract with the NRM. I first got a glimpse of LEV1 when it was buried down the sidings. It was then moved back into the shed to be repainted and finally moved up to Locomotion Shildon last year.

Must be an older photo as Leeming Bar has had a tarmaced platform since June 2023. The 121 bubble car behind LEV1 is a nice unit though and I rode on it a few times.

 

OT, but overall I like it (Cardiff route). Lots of AI, busy, adverse signals, lots of speed/gradient changes and lots of playability considering the short route mileage. 153 is great, 150 a bit flat compared to the 153. Well worth the purchase in the sale, not only for layers for the ATS route but for the route itself.
OT again, but when did all those new menu features come in (Allow AI substitution, Allow Mods etc)? Missed those completely.

 

I bought Cardiff a little while ago on sale and while I think the stock is fine with the 153 being a nice addition the route is just far too small. Also some stations have those stupid teleport markers on platforms rather than modelling underpasses.

 

I believe they came in at the last update earlier this week, not been on myself yet to have a look at how it works but it was mentioned in the update dev log.

 

I quite like it because it’s busy and it’s not linear, also having the two units doubles the fun!

 

Off topic I know, but I'm going to say something a bit controversial - as someone not from the area, Cardiff isn't as bad as people make it out. Does that mean to say it's one of the best? No, far from it, and I wouldnt recommend it for its full price, but what I am saying is that it does hold out on its own and I find it rather enjoyable. The sprinters are nice to drive too.

 

Echo this. I was on the fence about Cardiff and plunged in the last PlayStation sale when it was reduced. I’ve played it a lot and enjoyed it! Yes, there are elements that need serious work but overall it’s good and provides two great pieces of stock.

 

The Preview Content from YouTubers for today was cancelled because the Route was not playable at all to Show in This condition

 

That does not inspire confidence! Surely the gold version should be locked in now?

 

Alan Thompson has apparently listened to MAC route criticism, which is good to hear from a third party developer. Watch the video on You Tube

Alan Thomson Sim responds to TSW5 criticism



Although l attached the video it doesn’t hold after saving, not sure why this disappears!

 

If it's not ready, delaying the preview is a good step IMO and I hope they also delay the release till it is in a suitable condition. I personally don't have any real opinion on the route though as I haven't watched anything about it yet.

 

Hang on - the DTG preview? Because JD just posted about that 11 minutes ago saying it was happening

 

no the streamer from YouTube has to cancelled the Preview Contents

 

What youtube streamer as DTG's is happening today still.

 

Not DTG
The Content Creators has Said that DTG want Not that they Upload any Content from the Preview Version

 

Which youtuber?

 

All who has Access since Friday
DTG told them to not upload any Videos from This Version

 

Alan said on his stream that they were still finishing up ends. And more likely he hasn't submitted the release build yet until this morning as they probably worked over the weekend on it.

Does not mean there is a problem with it. Just DTG don't want them showing anything but the final build.

And TBH its not the first time a 3rd party is submitting content last minute. Just ask the beta testers.

 

Still smacks of gross incompetence to me. How on earth can you can you not have the gold version locked down two or three days before release. Amateurs all round.

 

Go make your own addon then

 

Looking forward to seeing what the stream is like tonight. Whilst I won’t go as far as OldVern, I do think it’s a pretty poor show not to have the content locked down and ready for preview before release. Let’s hope tonight is a comprehensive showing so we can all make up our minds

 

Sure this happened a few months back with one of the DLCs as well and it was just the streamers had been sent the wrong build version.

 

I don’t understand what’s happening. What people mean saying content locked down?

 

The gold version which is the definitive one for release. How on earth can you keep making changes right up to the last minute and not risk something getting totally borked.

 

Whilst I agree it's not a good look that ambassadors were sent the wrong version, at least (if this is indeed the case), it's only a case of someone uploading the wrong file, and not a case of (the release build) being really buggy and someone, somewhere saying "don't show this" so they can save their own backside

 

Oh wow so there could be some problems with it

 

Not necessarily but it does seem a bit sloppy having more than one version on circulation. I guess digital distribution means developers can push closer to the release date than they could with titles on CD or DVD ROM.

 

Well if people aren’t happy already before already seeing the preview stream, don’t buy it. Problem solved. Same cycle everytime we have a new piece of DLC.

 

I don't see any evidence to support the claim of multiple versions of the route being out in circulation, only a post that says "The Youtuber" said DTG told them to hold videos back. Aren't we jumping to conclusions a bit?

Preview is on later this evening, let's allow the route to have a chance to speak for itself. The ATS stream had tech issues and was on a dev build but the content shown on that looked decent. Admittedly I didn't watch the full thing due to Twitch adverts, I'm looking forward to watching a proper preview of it on YouTube without an advert every 10 minutes.

 

This is a non-controversy to me. "Gold version" is a concept that doesn't have much meaning anymore with digital distribution.

As long as the correcrt release build is sent for certification from MS/Sony in-time (i think takes like 24-48 hours?) it should be fine.

They're still doing a preview stream today so i don't see what the problem is really.