Midland Mainline - Skyhook Feedback

Hi,

First of all I apologise in advance if I’m repeating existing feedback! It is a long thread after all.

1. On the HST the DRA and DSD switches appear to be inverted. I.e. when the UI shows the switch as “isolated” it is in fact “normal” and vice-versa.

2. On the Xbox One X it doesn’t seem possible to cancel the DSD warning (on the HST) with the X button as you would with all the other types of train in the game. Instead you have to manually press the foot pedal. Not a big deal but it is annoying enough that I play with DSD off on the HST.

Also I want to add how much I’m enjoying the route!

 

Yeah great ain't it I actually put something in the forum and low and behold I actually get someone to talk to me so I am not an invisible person.

 

Yes I do like a rant because that's how I get noticed but all ask is some advice on these routes on the dtg game and which would be a great route to purchase. But I have now decided to stick with advice that I was given Earlier on that don't bother buying dtg games as you will not get any help if you are stuck with a problem.

 

[EDIT - Jan - Quarrelsome]

 

This kind of behind-the-scenes reality check is incredibly valuable. Thanks much for the explanation.

One follow-up. When a game publisher releases patches that apply to every system rather than a specific one, how do they sync it up with everyone so all versions release at the same time?

 

[EDIT - Jan - Quarrelsome]

 

It's not too difficult with a long lead time (eg more than a month), but doing it at short notice is very difficult indeed - and in order to be fair to players on all platforms, all versions would usually be held until the last version can go live. The console platforms are harder to arrange for this; Steam relatively easy, especially for patches/hotfixes, but any time something is multiplatform it adds layers of complexity.

 

Phil is absolutely correct on this.

 

It is a lot of telephoning to people to say can you do this or this date and trying to get everyone from each platform and team to agree (especially with console certification being very complex). It is a full time job of a scheduler to get everyone on the same page with a release slot. Lots of different stakeholders and platform managers to get to agree on things.

 

I gather this is why a handful of games out there will release an update for PC and consoles don't get the same update until a while later, those companies for whatever reason decide to not wait around for those release windows. It makes me glad that isn't the case here, even if it does mean somewhat longer waits, no one gets left out.

 

DTG JD

Can you provide us with an ETA and date for this patch release please. It seems no DTG representatives want to engage with the community about this..

 

My guess is that SHG don't even know the answer to that one, as once it goes to publishing it is effectively out of their hands and becomes DTG's sole responsibility.

 

I actually don't have an official date Alex, although the plan was/is to release this week, which is all I know so far from the publishing teams. It is imminent and I will likely hear any time and will pass straight to you guys. I lead dev so have no involvement once a patch leaves us, except a courtesy notice that it is going live. Once I have that I will gladly share. Last conversation I had was aiming for this week with all the stakeholders. So if it misses tomorrow it will likely be rapidly thereafter.

 

JD is entirely right, once a patch leaves our dev team to the publishing people at DTG there are further checks and admin to be completed. This is actually really beneficial to all of us including you guys, so is really important (thanks for dropping in JD appreciated!)

 

is Glossop next week? You are all going to love it seriously. I have so much fun with it, especially with the 158

 

The stream today peaked my interest in it.

 

Appreciate the clarity JD

 

Gotta be honest and speaking only for myself. I'm disappointed with that delay. It's not like the updates or patch has come out of nowhere. I'll probably wait until the MML patch is sent out before I purchase Glossop or the 700. That's my priority.

 

Shame that the borked SEHS update is holding up the MML update, but fairly par for the course around here. And, of course, new revenue streams must take priority.....

DTG develop some great products, but as a publisher they make mistake after mistake after mistake.

I was hoping that the Focus acquisition would help in this regard, and tbf it's early days, but it seems to be getting worse on the publishing front rather than better.

 

Let's just make sure any frustration for the delay doesn't go to Jane or the Skyhook team who have worked hard and been upfront since the route was released. They have all worked hard and I guess they are just as frustrated as us.

 

100% agree- Skyhook has been transformed IMO. Really hope their new ethos spreads!

 

On the Glossop line how far can you take the 158 on there and how many services

 

So basically you have to brute force it. Yikes. That seems like a stressful job.

 

From what I saw on todays stream was one service which was 9 minutes long

 

Yup, it releases on the 27th

 

It's been a bit hard keeping up with things here between personal family matters and being an ole Toys R Us Kid Not as young as I used to be but still trying to give back a little as well as getting assistance from community members. While I may have missed some posts but trying my best to keep tabs on what is happening, I'm pleased to see that Skyhook is so active as a dev here with jane-skyhook being the go-between, it's been a long time since I saw this kind of interaction.

And I'm dating me self...

The Past week has been a hard one, between sharing one PC while trying to get better equipment and as well as having my daughter do a lot for and with me while it's taking away from her own things she would like to do as I'm trying to get useful info in hopes to assist the devs with what I have experienced.
I'm guessing that some of what I have to report/show the how, what, and where may have been reported, and if so, I apologize for being pete and re-pete.

The following video took several days to complete, I was trying to keep it as short as possible but to be accurate and give proper useful information, some things just could not be removed, I was trying my best to get this info posted here as soon as I could and if some of what is in the video as part of the hotfix and updates to come, that is great but if not I hope it is of assistance for future updates.

 

Thanks for another fine scenario, Marc. St Pancras to Glasgow Sleeper 1973. All looks good in the dark on the MML

 

Oh right thank you

 

Can I ask, therefore, if DTG do testing etc after they receive a patch and before release, would someone care to explain how the patch released half-cocked the first time?

The testing can’t be very thorough…

 

Thank you. I chose to have it chucking down with rain to add to the ambience but it's not a necessity for that scenario. Part two (Nottingham to Derby) will be sometime this weekend. This was the timings I found. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

 

Well, that question crossed my mind as well. And additionally: How, on Earth and after all this ´testing´, does DTG still frequently release wrong or incomplete patch builds?

 

How do SCS with the updates of ETS and ATS. We get them almost every day.

 

I'm excited for Glossop, the 700, and the upcoming MML patch but I beg of you, please double check and make sure all of the files are there first lol

 

I am really very grateful for all the information in this video. It will prove incredibly useful to the team. Thank you so much. A real lot of hard work that will find a good home!

 

having worked on the publishing team for ETS and ATS... I can add a bit here. Its not "almost every day". The content updates also had to be carefully coordinated (both JD and myself have spoken about platform coordination). The difference with us and SCS is that as someone posted above, it is an order of magnitude more complex when shipping not just on Steam but multiple consoles too. More versions to keep in sync with everyone involved.

 

Again, if this is the case how did this patch release the first time with half it’s content missing? Did no one doing this ‘testing’ compare the patch against the release notes (which you have to assume is kinda the whole point) and say ‘hang on a minute, where’s A, B, C?’

My inquisitive mind also wonders how the hell SHG sent the patch to DTG with half the content missing in the first place. It seems that the software industry seems to create masses of unnecessary work for itself by not simply applying a bit of rigour, process and standardisation to what it’s doing.

 

Sounds like the QA team could do with expanding to deal with the workload and backlog of legacy updates.

 

cant say I am happy. I got a patch from DTG for SEHS yesterday that I couldnt refuse which has now made it worse? The patch for the patch for MML is now delayed. The impression given previously was that this fix would be a quick update. Surely with all this 'testing' we shouldnt be in this mess in the first place? My view is that there is something wrong with the whole process. I can only speak as I find and SCS seem to release updates which work without all this drama. Its a commercial transaction not a favour and as such we should expect better.

 

I have a query if anyone can answer.

I was watching one of BAs YouTube streams of this route.
When he went past Derby depot there were Mk1s beside the 2 GWE Mk3s and I think a class 31 and 47 static at the depot shed.

I'm playing on XSX and have all DLC except Diesel Legends and I have never seen any static BR blue stock on this route.

 

The stock is from Diesel Legends I believe, I have them on my PC version and have NTP and Diesel Legends.

 

Agreed.

The difference between SCS and DTG is, that a truck driving simulator is appealing to many more people than train simulators - they'll always be a niche market.

So SCS can do things in a much more relaxed way - whilst being comparable to DTG (200 employees). The fact they release major updates using the Beta option is great - that's what it's for. Release it as Stable when the Beta is tested by the voluntary players and bugs have been ironed out. And constantly going back and updating older maps - brilliant! (I prefer ProMods though )

Also ETS2 trucks are much simpler than TSW stock (no really interactive cabs - every truck is basically the same in terms of functionality) and there's less core stock.

I still wonder how easily SCS managed to have working headlights that are invisible at daytime and smoothly fade in when it gets darker - very realistic. You don't explicitly need HDR - good maths in the code will do. DTG are still struggling with this.

DTG are caught in the infamous "Publish-or-Perish" cycle, that's why it's good to have a bigger budget with Focus now. But to get out of this cycle, quality needs to improve - else less players will buy DLC and as a result they must raise the price, which makes things even worse.

Skyhook seem to have understood this, and it's good to see MML getting the treatment it deserves (personally I prefer the TSC JustTrains version with AP stock and usable Ratcliffe PS). But Skyhook must also sell, I wonder how much more time they can afford to spend on patching...

 

Thanks,

I went back and read the launch article regarding layers for the route and Diesel Legends is not mentioned.

A bit odd as I would have took NTP, TVL and the class 31 DLC as a given as they are more popular DLCs than DL.

 

No sign of rain on my run and the lighting was very atmospheric. Look forward to the next one. it's really nice having scenarios where you don't have to hunt for hard to find dependencies.

 

If it's "absolutely fine to be frustrated" what about it being absolutely fine to have rebates on the next DLC. For every three degrees of frustration suffered, (I'm sure Jetwash could provide a suitable monitor), we could have a £1.00 rebate off the next DLC.

I never realised the difficulties of navigating the "slots availability", and its congestion, necessitated by the Steam system. Glad I now understand that a bit more.

If you agree, I look forward to Glossop for a fiver !

 

Just so you are all aware, I will be taking a break from this forum towards the end of next week. This is a serious family medical matter and I need to be with family members at this time.

I will be back (you cannot all get rid of me that easily ) I just wanted to let you all know that I am not doing a runner I really enjoy being here with you all and have already made many firm friends! I just may go quiet for a few weeks. I wanted to let you all know this is nothing at all work, MML or TSW related. A pure family issue.

Jane

 

Hope all is well Jane all the best

 

Good luck Jane.
Hope all's well.

 

Family first, always.