Well well well.. a Timetable mode within the game. This is going to please many of us seasoned TSW players! I wonder if it the stories will follow the Scenario style set-up, and the Timetable will be the real-time explorable world part. Hoping too that the ‘adaptable controls’ equals less setting paths and routes and more jump in and drive!
Much will hinge on whether there is an option to drive with realistic controls and physics. Or will it be some sort of godawful DCC type system?
Depends how realistic you would consider it.. but it states in the FAQ article that you can manually drive the trains from a first person in-cab perspective.
I meant as in realistic physics and train handling? Well as good as they can make steam work in the Simugraph environment.
Ah right. Well the preview stream starts tonight at 7pm apparently. I’m sure we’ll get a sense of it there..
There is in cab controls: Can I drive the characters using the cab controls? Yes, you will be able to control Thomas and his friends in the cab, but there will also be simpler controls available when you start the game. All the engines will have their Regulator/Throttle, Reverser to select Forwards and Backwards and Brake operable from the driver's seat. The physics of the engines won’t change, but will give you a more realistic experience of a train driver on the Island of Sodor. This will be under ‘realistic controls’ in the Settings menu.
Hmmm this game might actually be a test for steam simulation for tsw, similar to how the other game is a test for unreal engine 5 there’s a chance in tsw 7 we could get DTG steam locos
Doesn't seem like that, seems it will be basic throttle and brake controls with no reverser simulation (no way this is a test for steam engines when TSG are already working on them), but that's a lot better than the TSW Thomas DLC controls.
Honestly, this may be the perfect place for the "advanced" controls to just implement steam as it exists in TSW at present, with its systems that do not satisfy the hardcore simmers.
Fair enough. Arguably a more Holiday Express style of gameplay provides a more accurate recreation of the 1 gauge AC models used in the show.
Can you elaborate, Matt? Are we talking Trainz style DCC controls? Railroader level steam simulation? SimRail steam simulation (when you can get the brakes to stay released… ) . I’m sure a purchase decision from many of us grizzled, hardened old simmers will hinge on at least the possibility of a semi realistic driving experience.
It's aimed at young children and Matt's already said the trains will drive the same way in both modes, so there's no way the "advanced" controls are going to involve managing steam output, water levels, pressure.... At best it will be forwards / backwards using the reverser with an automatic regulator, and maybe even automatic brakes. Maybe for fun they'll include the requirement to shovel coal, but I'd be very surprised if moving Thomas required any knowledge of how to fire a real steam locomotive. JB
The FAQ explicitly states that the advanced controls are throttle and brake, with the reverser just being forwards/backwards.
