Something that has got me thinking recently is the apparent rise of Gameplay/Loco packs - small DLCs that provide you with more to do in-game, and cost less than a full route or loco DLC. The first pack of this sort was actually the Arosa Linie RhB Anniversary Collection from Rivet Games, which brought 5 liveries, the observation car, a modified timetable, 5 scenarios, and a Christmas-like atmosphere to the route. I guess we know where the trees went Later in TSW2's cycle we got the 'New Journeys' pack, and it's S-Bahn Köln, Bakerloo Silver and CSX Heritage segments - although these were not seperate until TSW3 was released - Köln was the gem of the three, as it provided a brand new and quite extensive timetable (replacing a very basic one), as well as a 423 for the route. Then, after TSW3's release these have picked up even more. Loco Bundle 1 was the first instance that we could buy them all separately if the bundle didn't entirely interest us. The RHTT for UK Routes has found it's place and provided a fair amount of variety to all routes on which it layers. The Dispolok 182 for KWG gives a fresh look to the 182 and adds variety to KWG. The Santa Fe F7 is a little more questionable. After that was the very low-key Sherman Hill Livery Pack, with 6 'Fallen Flag' liveries and the same number of scenarios, although this was overshadowed by both the Acela and New York - Trenton. Finally, more recently, we got the 'Loco Bundle 2', with the ROG 37 + SEW 375/9, Railbow ICE3 + Green-Stripe ICE1, and the BNSF SD70ACe. The ROG and White 375 both add more to SEHS - which is already quite an interesting and varied route, especially with the TSW3 extension and remaster (if you will), and the RHTT DLC. The BNSF SD70ACe provided an extra loco for those who enjoy the Cajon Pass route, and this pack's "trivial" part seems to be the German side, which is more or less just two liveries. With these becoming increasingly common, it begs a question, is this the answer to our problems? What problems exactly? Well, it's the often criticized (rightly or wrongly, jury is out) "rushing" of DLC to meet deadlines. I understand why DLC have to meet these, money doesn't grow on trees and DTG do need to get money through the door to pay their staff by certain points in time, although it can, and has, hindered DLC Quality - at least looking at it, after all, i'm not qualified to talk about the inner workings of Dovetail. So, are these simple yet almost refreshing packs the answer? I think they are. They hardly take the same (I would imagine) amount of time and effort as a full Route or Loco DLC would require, but it keeps money flowing through, and, I would guess, buys time (literally) for other DLCs to be as good as possible. This is something I've been thinking about recently, so I thought I'd pose it to the forums.
They only work for me if they actually sub to other places too. For the last pack it was extremely disappointing to see that the ICE’s could only be used on KWG & the SEW 375 cannot be used as a substitute for the blue one. The 37/7 I get because of its primary role, but I do expect to see it for MML. What was for me a previously easy purchase, has now become something else that I will need to scrutinise & be critical of when it’s announced/released.
Personally, I'm interested in this kind of content. Such packs bring us variety in colors and gameplay. I purchased all of the above and was pleased with such an acquisition. Only Santa Fe F7 turned out to be out of place, on the one hand it is idle, on the other hand it is a fairly high-quality and attractive reskin. I hope that in the future there will be more of these products and they will be of decent quality. I prefer original work over what is offered in the creators club.
This - I know some disagreed when I asserted that reskins or slight changes to existing locos should not be counted as a "Loco Pack" but I maintain that view. For the UK I would like to see some classic diesel packs - A Type 2 collection with a 25 and possibly 26 or 27. A Heavy Freight collection with a Class 56 and Class 60. Express Passenger Diesel Class 50 and Class 55 (Deltic). DMU pack - Class 108 and a.n. other maybe a Class 117 or Class 120 depending what other UK routes are in the pipeline. Classic Southern EMU pack - EPB, VEP and CIG (BIG) or CEP (BEP).
I enjoy the majority of these but I never have and never will pay full price for them as I just don't think they represent value for money.
This. It needs to have utility, and remember, generally an existing route's timetable won't be updated for a new loco, there's usually only subs unless the loco and route were developed in parallel, so we'll only see proper dedicated services for it on future releases, if they decide it's appropriate and worth the time to do so, like the RHTT services on recent UK routes, or them reworking Boston-Providence alongside NY-Trenton, allowing the addition of the Acela.
From what I read here especially the liveries seem to have some outstanding mistakes/misalignments so my answer would be that these (liveries) just add to the problems
how we have moved away from the notion of "no DLC for DLC", but i personally like them, especially if they are the only way to get new content and updates to old routes. It brings some added gameplay and often increased timetables and variety, so i am all for them. They must be performing well if we keep seeing them. But we also don't want to end up at a point were routes are intentionally held back from content for initial release so that a loco DLC can be done later.
I'd have to say that gameplay/loco DLC are absolutely essential - with timetables for me personally the most important aspect of any route and how much long-term playability it has is key, and such DLC is a way of providing this. Essentially, the more busier and varied a route is from more services and rolling stock - thus making it feel more immersive - and the fact that not every service will be the same green light boring service is important. Another positive of gameplay/loco DLCs are that they make already good routes even better and, most importantly, feel fresher. For example, I love ECW, but the arrival of the 313 was brilliant. While it did not add any new services, it made the route feel almost brand new - and not to forget the fact of the 313 then being on London Commuter making Brighton feel realistically busy and those epic ECS services to Selhurst. On the subject of London Commuter, while the timetable is truly epic, a 700 timetable would truly complete the route and add a lot of freshness and variety to one of the best routes in TSW. Elsewhere, perhaps my favourite gamplay DLC was the 'New Journeys' for Köln-Aachen. I like the route, but prior to this, I hardly ever played it because of how empty it was. Thus, with 'New Journeys' the addition of lots of AI traffic at Koln Hbf was much needed! On this subject, while an update to Hamburg-Lubeck was not a gameplay DLC, I love the fact that Hamburg Hbf is now super busy with new AI traffic which is really amazing. Moreover, if gameplay/loco DLCs are the only way to make older but decent routes receive an upgrade, whether timetable-related, scenery or even new TOD 4 lighting and clouds, then I'm all up for that. Finally, as much as a fan of modern UK content, I've felt very underwhelmed by recent routes, namely Cross City and E-G. Why? Because they are mainly one-loco routes which feature major stations being almost completely empty, which is highly unrealistic and totally ruins the immersion - these routes should only of come once more relevant rolling stock was available. Thus, unless there's loco DLC for these to make New Street and Waverley more busier, I'm not interested in such routes until then. To conclude, obviously for a majority of the time I would like to see a route's initial timetable already be great enough for busyness/variety as it is, London Commuter and SEHS Extended are such examples, though the Class 37 ROG loco DLC for the latter was very welcome and made a fantastic timetable even better, so it's a win-win. I'd have to disagree. It's amazing how a new official livery, such as the white/yellow Southeastern 375 for SEHS, really adds to the immersion. Elsewhere, what about several TOCs who operate the same rolling stock? Would like to see multiple official liveries from DTG for TSW - the 158 is a great example, whether GWR, ScotRail or even Southwestern for AI traffic at Clapham Junction etc.
No, because as least on the US side, each of these Loco packs either have been out of place or have extremely been disappointing in quality. CSX SD40 -Out of place for a fictional restoration. -No change to the numbers from the Clincfield numbers to reflect CSXs real SD40s. ATSF F7 -Out of place on Cajon Pass -DTG planned passenger cars for it, never happened. -DTG lazily used modern rolling stock instead of reusing the stock already available from CRR. UP Heritage Pack. -Some of the worst quality liveries ever made in TSW, they were rushed and the quality shows. -No improvements over the default SD70ACe. -No E-bell for the 3 latter Heritage units, even though DTG shows they could of added them. -I'm still waiting for a UP layer for Cajon (Would of been better than seeing the ATSF F7 in timetable mode.) BNSF SD70ACe -Early photos shows this was originally gonna be a lazy repaint of the UP SD70ACe. -Model reflects a small number of BNSFs actual SD70ACes -A modder fixed the model in a few weeks to be more appropriate. -New stock is kind of pointless, plus they are used unrealistically in scenarios mode.
IMHO we need more new trains for the routes we already have. New trains, not loco packs that are re-skins of other locos we already have.
Bring it on and I do see this happening a GDR Deutsche Reichsbahn Baureihe 250 132 112 Rekowagen DR UIC Y-Wagen Städteexpress DR Freight cars for those that want a back dated DCZ RT & Nahverkehr Dresden routes. Should solve the Rolling stock issue
With the Class 700 all but announced, and the recent Acela release, it seems to me that "proper" loco DLCs are rarer compared these smaller gameplay packs. I refer to them here as gameplay packs as that's what they were previously known as, and it's another good point to raise. Granted, it doesn't (usually) bring any new rolling stock to the fore, but it does bring new scenarios and - in some cases - services, along with it. Perhaps the current pricing (all things considered) is a bit steep for what it is, however I personally like the idea of small add-ons like these to tick money over into DTG to buy time for larger DLC. If proper loco DLCs come few-and-far between, so be it. Just for context, the last loco DLCs, by country, were: UK - Class 313 (Oct 2021) USA - Acela (Feb 2023) DE - G6 (Dec 2021), or, if just talking about DTG; the BR 101 (Spring 2021) I recall for a good while there was a lack of a loco modeller or something, and now with the 700 on the way it seems like they're doing a bit of catch up on the 'most wanted' DLCs, but nonetheless, I think a variety between gameplay backs and loco DLCs is welcome - at least in my opinion.
I personally don’t see the point of them. It’s time spent by the devs which could be used doing better stuff
The whole point of these is that they take up minimal resources for engineering teams and is most artists and timetables teams resources, so they don't hold up other DLC.
Not sure how true this is given the comment from Matt that there wasn't enough dev time for the GSM-R to be implemented on the ROG37 whereas they implemented new AWS, brake connection detail and coupler. It's likely much easier to add these things in than create a whole new loco or MU to the level of detail required by many TSW players, but I don't think it's "minimal" either For the OP, I am happy with train packs (new train DLC) or update packs (like the ROG37) depending on cost, utility and gameplay. I'm happy that the ROG got some shunting and not just "drag everything back and forth", but the main issue for me in these packs is we need the lines to use these things properly. This is one of my issues with the upcoming 700 pack IF it's only for SEHS, as this would mean a multicar train being devved for about 40 minutes each way on the Dartford to Rainham run... Slightly different if we also had them on BML (unlikely as the route is bloated) or another route was being made for them (which we don't have announced if so) Happy for reskin packs IF they don't cost too much, IF they're good reskins and IF they get implemented properly in game, ie we don't want specific loco liveries such as the Ginsters 158 or the 100 years of Old Oak Common 43 showing up on the wrong numbered locos. Slightly different for the white 375s but still, they should be appropriate also
Dovetail split these things up. For example, the gameplay team could be doing this stuff using existing stock whilst other DLCs are being built - it keeps them busy. And again, these packs are a smart way for DTG to keep money ticking over, which buys them more time to work on and improve DLC.
If it means adding more services to an existing timetable, whether playable or just AI traffic, for a route to make it more busier or provide more long-term replayability (even better if the route is already great in the first place) then I definitely see the point of such.
Definitely up for seeing more loco add ons, wanted to see more since TSW had a large hiatus of just route dlcs, they may have went up in cost but with seemingly rushed and expensive route dlc quality, they are proving better value the other little packs like the 3 just released together and the 3 before, do have some nice stuff to them, but feels like they really lack for the asking price. I’m yet to purchase any as I can’t seem to justify the price tag.
That's pretty much what defines a "pack." A brand new loco is a "Loco DLC"- for three or four times the price.
I wouldn't mind seeing new freight car packs (and I don't mean just liveries!), especially if they include switching/shunting activities as well as long hauls.
For someone getting into the game it's a pack that gives them a few new locos. Or anyone who doesn't own the specific trains featured, for that matter.
I do think that these packs are a tricky one. I like their premise, and many of them, but there are a few requirements for it to be good (in my opinion). Some modelling/reworking needed. More than a new stripe on the ICE's, but somewhere between a rework into the DispoLok BR 182 with fixed and functional systems (like increased E-braking) and the ROG Class 37/7 combined with a white 375 or the RHTT waggons. Additions to the timetable. This is what most dissapointed me in the recent pack, with the ICEs for example only adding two scenarios gameplay wise. The ROG 37/7 however added all new services that are rather unique, fit the route and era, make use of more than what's in the pack (IIRC there is a service with the 47 too) and wouldn't have been possible without the class 37/7. The timetable is truly vital, as that is what I and many others play most. Fixes to any known issues with the locos/waggons/coaches/units that are used as the base for the new pack. This includes updating to newer standardsfor example with selectable brakes for German content, safety systems like LZB if prototypical and the new wheel blur. Usability on other routes. Things like the RHTT and DispoLok 182 are really useful for future layers and substitution. That makes them great value as they add a nice bit of variation in both services and stock/livery to many routes. How well do they fit the route? The BR 423 for SKA made the S-bahn there a lot more realistic and busy. The ROG class 37/7 represents an era in SEHS that is only just gone. If these things are met, like with the ROG Class 37/7, or the German new journeys expansion pack (besides remodelling, an okder interior would've been nice but the timetable compensates), I really like these packs and think they're great value. If they aren't, for example with the ICE stripe pack, I don't really care until they're on heavy sales. Of course there is some balancing room here, if you provide an immense timetable upgrade I can for example overlook slightly less intense changes to the rolling stock compared to the original (with the SKA BR 423 being a great example). I think the new stripes for the ICEs would have been a way better deal if they were made for HMA, and included a new timetable for that route that also makes use of the BR 101 and other more recent stock. That means a way bigger variety for that route (requiring some optimisation to be fair), as the ICE 1 and BR 101 can now also be seen there. The ICE liveries then subbing into KWG and other places where the ICE 3 and 1 are used would have helped even more. However DTG seems stuck on core routes, even though HMA is also really well selling meaning a big customer base. I hope this can be a bit of feedback for DTG on what players value in such a pack (hint: timetable and more than just a stripe)
While i think these Loco Addons Bundles are a nice idea for a bit of variety and also very good for console players who can't have tje joy of mods, in general i'd rather have one completely new loco instead of 5 different repaints of a loco I already have. In fact, the community screamed very loudly "we want more loco DLCs". And so DTG brought the Acela, e.g. While the bundles surely are a part of the answer of loco DLCs, they don't replace the worth of a proper loco DLC with a all-new loco.
