Subscription Coming To Ts Classic

An excerpt from the TSC2024 FAQ:

What is the Rail Subscription?
The Rail Subscription is an optional way to play Train Simulator Classic 2024. With the subscription you get access to the base game along with a selection of curated routes and locomotives for a low monthly price. Available across all supported regions, this is the best way to get started with the ultimate railway hobby.

How much does the Rail Subscription cost?
The Train Simulator Classic 2024: Rail Subscription costs £8.99 a month.

What is included in the Rail Subscription?
The Train Simulator Classic 2024: Rail Subscription includes access to the Train Simulator Classic base game as well as a selection of route and locomotive DLC. A full list of the routes and locomotives will be revealed soon.

I suppose this can give a good insight in what we can expect in TSW soon as well. Perhaps instead of the yearly iteration this autumn?

 

I was like, ohhhh, I might be down for this, untill......

Nah, I'm out.

 

Oh yikes- this is going to start a snowball that's for sure.

 

Or it just says something about how profitable TSC was and things need to change for TSC to become profitable again for DTG?

 

I'm more concerned about "Train Simulator Classic 2024" than the actual subscription modell for it.

I thought Train Sim Classic (hence the name classic) were the old train game, still kept, updated and provided with some regular DLCs for the old customers and the die hard TSW disagreers.

But now it seems that the future for TSC is brighter than I thought that they even go in a new iteration with it.

And what does that all mean for the future of Train Sim World?

I'm confused.

 

“A selection of curated routes and locomotives” ???
Don’t you get access to all DLC for your monthly subscription?
Seems a wee bit ungenerous for a game first released in 2007.

 

Even tho this is for Train Sim Classic at the moment... This should 100% be addressed for TSW as well... We should be worried for the future of TSW since right now TSC is being used for a test bed for a subscription service at the moment.... And you don't even own the routes you get

 

There is no regular new DLC for TSC at this point besides third party and freeware. Last DLC was Pegnitzalbahn over a year ago. There is no need to panic within the TSW crowd. You will keep getting your constant stream of new DLC whilst we (the TSC crowd) need to build our own stuff in the editor, if we want something new.

 

It's just an option, to bring more players to the game. You can still buy your DLC as usual.

 

I've spent more than that on TSW in the past year. As long as it is an option and not the only way to pay, I have no issue.

I probably wouldn't hang around if it became subscription or nothing though. I'd just stick to what I've already bought.

 

Not sure if there really would be a direct link to TSW. I tend to think, that all in all, it might be a possible way to get new users attracted to train simulators. I mean, anyone of the hardcore users, who might have a multiple TB big hard disk filled just with TSC routes/DLCs won't suddenly change to a subsciption model, at all. But what is with the doubters? Some people may still be unsure, if it would be something interesting for them. Having the opportunity, to test it, somehow, for less than the full price (not sure how long these subscriptions will last, a year, half a year, a month? But well, might widen the market, and well, open a new opportunity for DTG for making the TSC more economical viable. So, all in all, can't see anything bad in it. For me, well, it wouldn't really be the right model, owning almost 50 DLC, but well, I'm somehow not part of the target group, I would say. But I can't be sure, that there isn't somewhere a target group, at all.

 

The core game is unchanged and everyone gets everything updated to core for free, regardless of whether they buy the 2024 product, which is just a new bundle of the core game and some old routes, unlike the many versions of TSW it is not a new core game.

 

This is at least the third post I’ve seen about this this morning. It’s completely optional and you will still be able to get your DLC the same way as you do now. The optional subscription based stuff is primarily targeted at new users who may be a little hesitant to dive all in on purchasing everything before having a chance to see what TSC is all about. So many people are worried about this announcement for some reason.

 

I’m not sure what all the fuss is about or why people are worried. DTG will never stop allowing their customers to not purchase their content, they’re just given an option for some customers (like myself) who don’t buy every new release, to experience them all and whilst not breaking the bank.
I am fully behind this. I can see this subscription approach drawing in new players to the game too.

 

Yeah, that's code for 'routes and loco that don't sell well'

 

What I've gathered from the forums is that TS DLC is quite a forest of DTG and user-created DLCs with a web of dependencies that may or may not be broken. If so, possibly "curated" in this context means "stuff we know works"?

 

The vast majority of DTG's releases are self-contained. Scenario Packs require their routes of course. Some 3rd party routes need the Kuju European & American asset packs, which could be delivered with the core.

A web of dependencies is to be found in the freeware scene, as everyone can use as much assets from as many DLC as he likes.

 

As long as the subscription is optional, I don't care. If it ever becomes mandatory to play the game, I'm out.

 

I definitely could have worded that more clearly. I would certainly expect DTG's to stand alone, and I'm sure there are third parties that do also. But they'll want to avoid inflicting a hide-and-seek game on new customers, so pre-screening will be important.

 

I doubt the intended player/buyer of the subscription will be buying 3rd party content. There is always a chance the tracks that particular train runs on will be pulled from under it when the 'curated' content rotates.
Plus, the price difference must seem very noticeable?

But we will see how the subscription model evolves and whether it will take hold and bring DTG additional income, plus additional players that stay with the game.

 

But what i would worry about is that this is a BIG IF, if TSW 5 whenever its coming out requires you to not buy the game but to buy the game as a subscription. Or as in, any future add ons can be only accessible by a monthly expensive subscription. With no options for you to buy the routes separately. I am REALLY afraid of this if TSC 2024 everybody is going to actually subscribe to the subscription and not go homeless by the end of the day.

 

simply they would lose buyers who purchase the game and it’s content as one off purchases, I doubt it would ever happen.

I don’t think there’s any console game that works that way minus online only what needs live

 

Honestly with how they kinda not listen to player base and only to fanboys (i have still yet to see the survey they asked us kinda come to fruition). They just might be stupid enough to do so.

 

what is the transition path and what conditions apply if a subscriber likes the game so much he wants to purchase it?
will there be discounts on items he has subscribed to?

it seems to me DTG is still testing the waters with the community on this board

 

Ah i see. thanks for clearing up.