They've given an update on their Facebook page of the two products that are in development and announced that after these are released there will be no more developed. Facebook
There was further reasoning given in the comment section of the post. They are not switching to TSW; instead, they will be stepping away from train simulation altogether and moving on to other things. It seems they have built everything they set out to build, and there are too many others still developing for TSC for too few customers. I’ve always been surprised that the UK has so many different developers for heritage rolling stock, while Germany and other countries don’t have a single one. It makes sense to me, and it’s not the end of the world.
It is sad that they're moving away from TS development, but I have to say I won't miss them. I'm glad they've made some of the stuff they've done, because nobody else would. However, not much of their content can really be described as 'high quality'.
I regard DT's products as being shape accurate and with excellent texturing. They don't have all the advanced features of some products, but they always meet or exceed DTG TSC standard steam features. They are also cheaper than the advanced products and don't generally get released with annoying bugs. They might not be luxury quality, but they are certainly good quality and I tend to enjoy them more than CR's products. I shall miss them.
The textures are usually pretty poor, with the colours usually far from what they're meant to be. The physics and sounds aren't good either. The GWR Railcars were borderline okay, but there isn't much else worth getting from them. Sorry to be cynical, but I think if their DLC was higher quality it would have sold more. A lot of the things they have done are trains that deserve to be in TS. However, my attitude to DLC is that if it hasn't been done to a high standard it might as well have not been done - and so pretty much everything DT did will need to be replaced with better versions going forward.
They might also have had better sales if they had sold through Steam either the main store or Marketplace. Think the last item I bought was the GWR Railcar which was okay, but after a while left largely unplayed.
I have always liked Digital Traction's products for the very reason that perhaps some dislike them - they are straightforward and easy to drive. I very much look forward to their final two products, but it is sad that they won't continue with various DMU types as originally planned for I doubt there is anybody else out there that will fill the gap. Nowhere do we have a Derby Lightweight, or any permutation of Cross Country or InterCity DMU and I have always thought this odd when developers are tripping over each other to produce yet another version of a steam engine that has been done more than once already. It may indeed be that very factor that has brought on Digital Traction's decision as a large amount of their past steam locomotive work has already been duplicated by others. John
I actually have quite a few DT DLCs thanks to their frequent sales. While they are far from the best quality, I will definitely miss them. On the rare occasions I've dipped into scenario writing, I've used a lot of their GWR stock as AI and it's looked pretty good.
Same here, I have bought quite a few of their DLC over the years. Basic straightforward good looking DLC. Even if you dont want to drive them, they contribute to a good variation to AI traffic.
Some of the Wagon Pack have vehicles that are not available elsewhere https://digitaltraction.co.uk/digital-traction-modern-wagon-pack-3/ has some good vehicles
I think it is a shame as I was hoping they might start filling in some of the gaps in the deisel and electric traction. The class 122 and LMS twins are two such examples. There is so much that could still be produced, we have one first generation AC electric EMU for example and there are so many useful DMU's which don't exist, the class 104, 108, 116, 120 for example. Some of the more common diesel locomotives like the class 25 could do with new releases in my opinion. The sim is in rude health steam wise and that looks like it will continued, I personally was hoping that DT might become the Caledonian works of the modernisation plan period.
I want to buy something from DT (mainly POA scrap wagon etc), but the bundles are such a poor set up to the point that ATS's subscription plan makes more sense---why are every bundle having a completly different name, and why the contents within has no logical relationship? For example Modern Pack 3 included a...LNER Limestone hopper? And why is there a Great British Pack no.2 without a no.1? I felt they might earn a few pounds from me had they make the layout more like a la carte mix and match, instead of a lot of bundle that has no common topic over the wagons included. *Yes, it is nice to have a lot of different wagon with the BR Wagon Pack, but I only want the POA/PAA*
If you look at the wagons a lot of them were what was running up to the 1970s/1980s The wagons are not grouped by type but by era Just because the Limestone Hoppers were built a long time ago did not stop them from being worked by Class 25s and 37s. Peter
I very often have to buy things I don't want, for example Caledonia Works produce umpteen pre-BR liveries of their locomotives which don't suit my era at all, with perhaps just a couple of BR liveries. That's life, I can live with that without grumbling, and the delete key works wonders! My memory of the Great British Wagons Pack No2 puzzle is that No1 was incorporated into it many years ago to make a larger selection for one price. Best regards, John
If you want those wagons, you'll just have to grit your teeth and buy the pack they're in. You're not going to find them anywhere else.
Unfortunately most third party developers have abandoned Steam - a great shame, because the conditions DTG imposed on third party developers were nothing but positive.
If they’re stopping development of content I hope they can keep their store website open for a long while to come, losing the ability to purchase their DLC would be a real shame and would especially be a pain when it comes to requirements since lots of steam era scenarios require their stock. I would imagine if they ever have to shut down the store, their products would be hosted on the Steam Sounds Supreme or the Just Trains store since they seem to have a close business relationship, and DTs Bulleid Light Pacifics are now sold there too with the rebuilt Pacifics with JT and the original Pacifics with SSS.
The announcement was they would stop work AFTER the release of the Derby Twins, 10000 & 10001 & the Class 122.
