Midland Mainline - Skyhook Feedback

Hi jane-skyhook just wanted to ask a question about future patches for MML, but before that just to echo a lot of the previous comments to say what a great team effort by yourself and your colleagues with MML.

Anyway, what I wanted to ask, now that you have updated the playable timetable, are there any plans regarding future patches to add any AI-only services so that some of the bigger stations like Nottingham and Derby feel much busier as they still seem a tad quiet currently.

 

You don’t want too many otherwise frame rates will grind to a halt like they do in BML especially for users on low spec machines. Have to have a happy medium otherwise we’d all need £3000 gaming PCs to enjoy it

 

Of course, I certainly agree with yourself that the route has to be playable for everyone regarding frame rates etc. But, it would still be nice to have at least some AI-only traffic at some of the bigger stations rather than none at all for better immersion if able. Doesn't stations like Nottingham have services that start/terminate to places like Skegness etc?

 

Maybe add a slider in the settings for low, medium, high AI traffic similar to flight sims.

 

Something that's sorely needed.

I took my first run on the 158 yesterday. It's an easy train to drive, too easy in fact. But a pleasant drive nevertheless on a well- modeled route.

Once again, the downside of this train, like many modern UK emu/dmus, is the tiny, claustrophobia-inducing driver aperture. The earlier generation trains avoided this and are a much better driving experience.

 

Took this video earlier at Nottingham. You can see the departure routine with the doors, for those who complain it now takes too long. That's how it is. Also for those complaining about lack of fumes...there are hardly any anyway.

 

I never really wanted this route, but I've just bought it, to support Jane and her team. I know it's only a small amount of money and won't go far, but reading all of her replies to people, taking on board criticisms as well as praise and getting the patch out, deserves respect and support.

 

Jane is a male by the way. Mentioned in the roadmap

 

Jane is a most amazing individual. Yes, Jane considers himself male and his story is outlined in this article. Once you read the article, you will understand why 'Jane'.
PressReader.com - Digital Newspaper & Magazine Subscriptions

 

An astonishing and inspiring story!

 

Excellent idea.

 

A brave step, good to see the enthusiasm. Just be weary of the landmine personalities on the forum.

 

Thanks for posting the video, I appreciate it (especially since I'm across the Pond).

Kind regards,
Dave

 

Thanks for sharing.
4 car unit looks great

 

Hmm okay haven't noticed that. Last time I checked was in SEHS where the HUD gives you the speed limit of the Networker that is lower from the line's.

 

Wow, just wow!
My professional life started with a smuggled and self built Sinclair ZX81 as well, and with what PSION called a "Flight Simulator" by the time.

But the rest of the story ..... wow, just wow, you couldn´t make this up. My deepest respect!
Good to know I did the right thing to support this team and their impressive recovery efforts.

 

[removed - JD - off-topic and speculation]

 

[removed - JD - unsubstantiated claims]

 

An anonymous account created specifically to personally attack someone? Lovely. And brave.

 

[removed - JD - unsubstantiated claims]

 

Stay off the forums if you have nothing constructive to say. Why create an account just to attack the cto of skyhook on a public forum with no evidence to back your claim. Sounds like a bot to me

 

[removed - JD - removed user]

 

Oh your a bot alright

 

[removed - JD - removed account]

 

It's very sad that it's got to this. Someone comes in and throws accusations about somebody who has been very open about MML. Whether or not the information that has been mentioned is true or false, personally I'm not bothered. I'm here to find out future info about improvements, patches. etc. Can we get back to this. Is this forum moderated?

 

[removed - JD - speculation]

 

I think it’s irrelevant who Jane is or isn’t, I just want MML to be a success and the start of something bigger and better. Whatever has or hasn’t happened in the past isn’t relevant to this thread. If you’ve got an axe to grind with Jane do it elsewhere, as ultimately it’s just more off-topic guff to wade through here.

 

Wise words.
The Andrew/Jane Whitaker thing is old news (some of us already knew of these 'revelations') and if truth be told it's not particularly interesting anyway.

One positive though: At least the testosterone levels of the "gang" are going to subside a little now that the cat is finally out of the bag .

 

[removed - JD - off-topic]

 

[removed - JD - off-topic]

 

What the hell has this thread turned into? Its supposed to be about MML feedback and suggestions, NOT slagging folks off. Put yourself in their shoes. You'd feel upset at the very least. Can we just quit it with this bs?

 

Where are the mods? This has gone wayyy off topic

 

Considering it was near late at night and it's a weekend and they are asleep, probably in the next couple of hours or so. Just report and ignore it

 

Reported, and put on ignore, along with the cronies.

 

[removed - JD - off-topic]

 

Yeah, definitely time for the moderators to step in and clean things up.

 

I agree, really sorry that this has happened. I just want to get on with my job in peace.

 

Thank you, Jane. I really hope this is an end to this discussion here and you can be allowed to get on with your job, and your life, in peace.

Best wishes,

James

 

That legal letter was very likely created for Skyhook as part of their due diligence before hiring Jane. Key hires like CTOs don't happen on a whim, for any company. There are clearly disgruntled people in all this, but frankly it's nothing to do with TSW or MML or anything else we're here to talk about; it's Skyhook's responsibility, so let's leave it with them.

Videogames is a results business, and so far based on commitments made and results delivered, I'm not concerned in the slightest.

 

Actually people I have never met. You are right Phil in that Skyhook did enormous diligence just before I joined recently. Rightly so, as you say because of the CTO role. It affords a seat at the top table of the business and involvement across the board. Regardless of hiring me, or anyone else, any company would do major diligence.

I agree with you, not MML related in any way and attacks do not belong here.

 

Sounds like you and your family have being going through hell with all, I'm so sorry that some trolls have decided to drag all of this up here in the tsw forum's, I sincerely hope that things get better for you all in regards to what's been going on in your personal life.

Now as you were saying, let's get back on topic and talk about trains.

 

Gang, getting back to the subject of trains and MML..

Could people please share what their favourite experience has been with MML if you have the time please? This again allows us to tailor future content around feedback, which is very gratefully received.

 

My favourite experience from Mml has got to be driving the commuter runs with the Class 158 so maybe something to add to that in the future, a class 156 would go down a treat in that regard.

Future content I'd like to see:

Local passenger: Class 156

Express passenger: Class 222

Freight: Class 56 or Class 60

Route extension: Derby to Sheffield (that would allow us players to really stretch the legs of the HST and any potential Class 222 dlc)

 

Right guys,

Make MML the top route of TSW3. I certainly see the potential for that. What a marvellous craftwork that Power Plant is. Those cooling towers present already from a distance. Coal? Well, then let´s get some coal trains running there. Nottingham station? Carefully designed as well, just missing the noise of a big station plus corresponding train and outside car/bus traffic.
And more traffic, traffic, traffic ........... freight layering also from other routes.

These are my first impressions after a few hours on the route. Well, one missing junction at Nottingham and the Toton stop marker bug in one of the scenarios aside.

 

For me so far it has to be a 158 run from Nottingham to Derby. We had a late start from Derby due to an HST departing in front of us, and a further red signal at Sheet Stores Junction (or whatever the junction at that corner of the triangle is called!) while a St Pancras - Nottingham HST passed on the Down. These put us well behind time, but with a little help from recovery time in the schedule, we made up the time and got into Derby on time.

It was a really interesting run with the excellent upgraded scenery, fixes to signals giving correct sequences, possibly the best made train in TSW3 and the signal checks adding interest and variety. For me it was everything TSW3 should be.

 

Thank you for this and the list. Really appreciated. I think Will and the joint Skyhook/DTG team kicked the ball out of the park with the 158. The beta and tech team were just wonderful too. I honestly think it is the best DMU in TSW3 now, genuinely, not with my work hat on. Followed closely by my love of the 101 which I grew up with. I think there is mileage for further DMUs of this standard as you rightly say!

 

This is an exciting list, thank you! We certainly hope to make MML the top route of TSW3.

 

Thank you James and you touch on something we really wanted to achieve. One of my personal things is that I don't want every timetabled service to be just running through greens all the way to destination. We wanted to bring the route alive more, with having to navigate other trains where they can mess up your signals and timings! You will notice the new timetable is carefully crafted not to just cut and paste the same service and changing the time of day. We just wanted stuff to happen rather than just a clean green run.

 

The 158 is just brilliant I'm absolutely loving it one of my favourite trains alongside the 150 since the update the route is much better would be nice to have an extension in the future to get a longer run but overall its a really great route look forward to what happens to the MML going forward

 

When I was a child I'd go train spotting at Loughborough (Being from Leicester it's not far) and I always remember the HSTs blasting their horns before we saw them and then doing it again near the station as they sped through at line speed. This may seem odd but I love recreating that as I blast through Loughborough as well, that's one of my favourite things about MML.