As to create routes with IP (intellectual property) which is copyrighted or rather trademarked would it be beneficial at this point to create a TSW Classic? In doing so there wouldn’t be the trademark licensing to contend with as it would be all BR stuff not GWR, Avanti, Cross Country or LNER to name but a few. As far as I can see with UK routes and trains we would be able to turn the clock back and have longer interconnecting routes with 08, 25, 31, 33, 47, 50 and HST (43) as well as many others. This would open the “network” to routes not yet served in TSW and give us the players and fans the chance to play with the classic trains which most, not all, would be ecstatic about. On top of giving the fans what they want it would also bolster DTG catalogue and profits which would have the owners needing a aggregate truck to take the profits to the bank and thus keeping the devs busy creating content….or am I naive?
Just Trains are technically "TSW Classic" since DTG gave-up on the 1980s after releasing TVL. I'm sure they could knock-up some BR Green era diesels if they got chance.
This seems to be Just Trains forte. I hope that they have a raft of other routes and locomotives that they want to do in the future. JT have simply dispelled the notion that BR was not a popular era, so long as it is executed with passion.
To be clear I’m not disagreeing with you on the BR era being potentially a lot better for gameplay versatility, but it’s pretty clear it’s not as popular as you make out. If there’s one thing DTG are good at, it’s making money & if BR Blue could rake it in, DTG would be making it. It’s clear though that the TSW playerbase is far more partial to modern era content. I think that JT are able to do well with it, as they’re invested in really fleshing out their route with a lot of detail. If you look at BPO too, using a pacer was a smart move as it’s relatively ‘modern’. If they’d have gone with a 101 & no 142, I think it would have sold less. Personally I’m of the opinion that if we had BR/sectorisation era routes with the likes of sprinters, pacers, networkers etc, then they’d probably appeal to the modern only crowd still. It’s when you wind the clock back to pre 80’s with type 2, 3 & 4’s aswell as Gen1/early Gen2 MU’s that I reckon the popularity drops off.
First generation DMUs and EMUs are a lot more challenging to drive as are early BR locomotives. The player base is made up of two main camps, the older players like me have a desire for occasional nostalgia, and the younger players who are unfamiliar with anything pre 1990. JT are looking after us old timers with nostalgic stock while DTG are looking after the younglings.
If you read my post, that was the point I addressed, with BPO they stuck with a pacer & let us use the 101 as desired. If they’d had gone with the 101 it would likely have been less popular. The 87 will push the boat out a little more in terms of complexity so it will be interesting to see how it goes down. JT are doing BR but I think they’ve been clever about the rolling stock they’ve gone with, they’re making sure that the 2 playerbases are appeased somewhat.
I find it odd that DTG have said they mainly focus on modern stuff as "it sells better then anything else", surely JTs success with the BR eras it recreates should tell DTG something?
DTG have said a few times that the BR Blue era does not sell yet a route like the TGV one was a big seller apparently. Yet people here seem to be constantly asking for more BR ue era and we are just getting more modern EMUs. Thankfully JT are now looking after the 80s BR era now.
We couldn't be in safer hands with JT leading on BR Blue and long may it continue with us getting 1 high quality BR Blue route a year, rather than multiple lower quality ones throughout the year.
I think its because the forums consists of more avid enthusiasts compared to the general player base, and has a larger proportion of people who are from an era where these sorts of trains were once commonplace. On the other hand looking on Facebook groups that have mostly casual players, when a poll comes up asking what people want the most, it's very often that the top results are the Modern Units. The old BR stuff barely gets a mention. XD
We on these forums are nowhere near representative of the player base. It's only natural therefore that DTG cater for the wider audience. The more niche and/or older stuff is where third parties come in. They can create what people like us want, and DTG can do whatever makes them the most money.
