Dovetail Games Mattel’s Thomas & Friends™ Is Coming To Train Sim World!

Oooh that reminds me, I wonder how that petition to get it cancelled is doing lol

 

You know what that thought has rolled around the vast expanse of my mind a couple of times since it was birthed in spectacular fashion in this very forum lol......

 

I am sure they will be hurt, upset and furious for some time yet.

Most people get hurt and upset by death, relationship breakdowns, partners cheating, if they are ten years old and don't get what they want. I have never experienced people getting hurt and upset by a software developers decisions before.

Disappointed, I get, because I felt it too, for a while, but any more than that is pure hyperbole.

 

Found it, up to a whopping 6 haha.

 

You cant say its DTG's fault all they said was there was a grand reveal. No more information was given on any particulars.

Whatever people came up with in their heads is their fault not DTG's.

Simple marketing 101 - announce that there will be a big announcement on said date. Give no information other than the date and let peoples imaginations go wild.

They never said the grand reveal was something we had been asking for, all they said was "it is something the team had put alot of effort into."

Last time I checked being part of a Billion dollar IP like Thomas and getting a slice of the pie over a major studio like an EA seems like a pretty big deal for DTG. So they didn't lie, maybe not a big deal for us but for them it kinda is.

So where exactly did they mislead you into what it was with what they didn't say? No hints on if it was a route, or new feature, or even if it was going to be a DLC.

In fact JD even made a hint that someone on the reveal speculation thread that someone had gotten it right.

And 3 people in there did suggest Thomas but people laughed at them.

If this is the first time you have ever been dissapointed in your life then you are a very sheltered person.

But either way you can be dissappointed that is your right but to say the game is ruined because of 1 DLC in the library that you don't even have to add is just overblowing the situation.

And to try and start a boycott would be like nuking a city just to kill 1 criminal.

 

OMG did you read his update on it. Someone really needs to take a step back.

What the #freetsg1001 ?!?!. That made me chuckle. Sounds like DTG are running black sites, some real CIA stuff going on.

 

Holy LOVE that's just a run away train of success, he must be so proud that his movement has achieved such lofty numbers, and the government will swoop in and pummel DTG into cancelling the whole project......

 

https://www.newsweek.com/britt-allcroft-dead-thomas-friends-creator-tank-engine-train-2009033

 

Blimey, it just gets barmier by the day!

What do they plan to do when it reaches ten signatures, march on DTG offices with the petition!

 

He really needs to wear a straightjacket over his straightjacket with extra buckles on it and placed into a padded cell, this is unhinged on a whole new depth of insanity........

 

Oh dear.... Might I humbly suggest that if, as he suggests, DTG are "Slowing down my bandwidth", he might possibly consider GOING OUTSIDE for once?

 

Has there ever been a product release announcement that has caused so much consternation!

Since the big reveal on December 20th, there have been so many DTG supporters expressing their anger or frustration about TTTE. It’s not a good advertisement for the product which we haven’t seen yet.

 

And how many actually aren't that bothered?

 

Hey, I’ve got a great idea. Let’s all agree to disagree.

 

Just incase someone missed it.....



Whoohoo

Or should I say choohoo

 

Ain't you one of the people outraged and pleading with DTG to cancel this product, calling it a mockery to the community and screaming this is no place for a kids toy......

 

I've lost count how many accounts this person has on here.

 

Possibly the most controversial dlc ever by DTG.

there could be some on TSC, but I wouldn’t know.

 

lol so true i feel like he is a child writing this

 

You joke, but when TSW2 Rush Hour was delayed by a few days, there were indeed some people calling for just that.

 

That 2 week ban no doubt being for arguing and insulting others. Which is... against the rules of the forum. Nothing to do with being silenced.

He truly has made himself a laughing stock with that.

 

It isn't controversial, some on here, as usual are making a mountain out of a molehill.

 

Aren't you doing the same thing?

 

Can I add a little bit of calm to this discussion?

1) I think it goes without saying that DTG gave this a lot of thought before going ahead on this. They wouldn't be doing it just to see it fail.
2) That said I think despite the naysayers, many people will be looking forward to this. I'm in the U.S. where Thomas isn't as big a deal now as it once was (in the Ringo Starr and George Carlin days), but I suspect it will be in the UK. I would, as a big Beatles fan, love if Ringo had some part of this, but I think that has much of a chance as snow in Hawaii.
3) One point that DTG mentioned from the beginning and that I haven't seen mentioned much in these "discussions" is that the Thomas DLC will be 'story-driven'. It will NOT be one of the usual techo-geeky DLCs that have been so big a part of TSW. Another indication of the audience this was meant for -- a younger one.
4) As for the "big reveal", DTG is looking to give TSW a wider audience. I don't know how it does in the U.S., but again I think the UK is where the impact of this was mainly directed, though many of us here in the U.S. know and appreciate TTTE. As for those who were so offended, it should be a realization that TSW isn't just for geeks. The Holiday Elf DLC a couple of years back was a clear indication of that. I wouldn't be at all surprised if TTTE isn't the last of these types of DLC we'll see.

 

What could be controversial about a train sim DLC I ask?

 

No I don't believe I am. I am not the one claiming TTE to be controversial, the ruin of TSW, suggesting this is the end to DLC as we know it, the wrong decision by management, stating I am hurt, upset or furious, starting long posts advising DTG on what they should be doing as though they have just thought this up on a whim, calling for the heads of DTG staff, or starting a petition.

 

Various factors. Price, Background/Origin, Length, Lack of Stock and loads of other things.


Examples being;

Well, the Thomas dlc obviously.
Expert 101 Pricetag.
NLL Length
Fife Circle,
Other DLCs from Rivet.

 

Meanwhile, in another thread people with this view are called patronising and dismissive.

 

don't you think this is a bit much for a niche train game? feels excessive to do, especially for a DLC such as this...

I'm sorry to be the one to tell you this, but this "movement" is NOT going anywhere.

 

WCML South to the list as well.

 

So much ado about a stupid DLC of a stupid video game. It caused me a chuckle and a shoulder shrug.

If at all and if there's such a thing like a marketing department at DTG (hmmm, really not sure), they should be sent back to business school.
That fuzz about a big bang launch really went the wrong way. And the internet doesn't forget. But that's about it.

 

I’ve got half a mind to do a counter petition, but it’ll probably just add fuel to the fire

 

I'd say their marketing was spot on.

It's certainly generated a lot of discussion, even if it is mostly negative.

 

Well, if you consider a blatant overblow of such a triviality like this Thomas DLC as "marketing spot on" then maybe *I* have to go back to school. But OK, I figure the marvelous new comercial ages: Important is to be in the media. No matter how.

I'm terribly old school and for me the message arrives as a very negative one: Our (DTG's) credibility was never our strongest (recently track shadows say hello, but the list is much longer ...) So who cares if we put a cherry on top and make fools out of our most supporting community.

 

I understand your frustration, but I don't think this qualifies as false advertising. False advertising typically involves misrepresenting a product in a way that misleads the consumer about its quality or functionality, which isn't the case here. However, I completely agree with the sentiment expressed in your statement. It’s very disappointing that the focus is shifting towards this Thomas the Tank Engine DLC instead of addressing the real issues with the game. We, as consumers, have invested our hard-earned money into Train Sim World 5, and it’s frustrating to see developer resources being allocated to something that many of us don’t want, while bugs remain unfixed. It’s a real shame that this is where the priorities seem to lie. #saynotothomas

 

Its always been that way. DTG have always focused more on new add ons than bug fixes.

It isn't something they've suddenly started doing because of this DLC.

 

It is just like any other piece of DLC. Do you buy every DLC? The focus hasn't shifted away from anywhere else, they are just releasing a new DLC.

Nothing has changed, I really don't get this obsession from some people that some dark dawn is about to unfold on TSW due to one DLC. It is quite pitiful.

 

Funny how alot of people on here are restricting the game to serious simmers only.

And I guess they need to add an age restriction as well since there currently is not one on the game. Since its been said kids don't/shouldn't play the game. Remind me to tell my 12 year old to stop playing TSW.

Last I saw the game was rated E for everybody. Which includes casual simmers and players of all ages.

What SOME* people are saying sounds pretty selfish.

* Before you get your knickers in a twist I don't mean those that are dissapointed and wish it was somthing different.

I agree with you lot.

I'm talking about the doomsday DTG have ruined my game forever, boycott, thinking that current DTG bug fixes and releases and business practices would somehow improve if this was anything else but Thomas.

 

and may she rest in peace

 

Actually I think the " dark dawn " as you put it began well before TTTE with the abandon of steam traction and heavy haul in favor of electric commuter. Thomas the toy train is just one more step in the wrong direction.

People can do all the White Knighting they want but the writing is still on the wall.

 

I have noticed a lot lately that anyone with an alternative viewpoint gets labelled as though only one set of opinions on this forum are welcome!

For what its worth, I wasn't and still am not interested in TTE and was disappointed with the announcement, but that doesn't mean it is the end of the world and I am damned if I am going to get haughty over a piece of DLC as though I am the only type of customer DTG should be aiming for!

 

That's only partly true. A few years ago, DTG did put in more effort to fix bugs and address issues with both DLCs and the base game. Even if it is true that they've always focused more on new add-ons than bug fixes, that's still not a good thing. Whether they've been doing this for a while or not, it's still not right to release new products without finishing or fixing the older ones first.

 

The focus now seems to be shifting towards a Thomas the Tank Engine DLC, which doesn't really align with what Train Sim World is about. Train Sim World has always been about simulating real-world trains, not fictional characters like Thomas. You could argue it's a 'train simulator,' but I just don't see how a Thomas DLC fits in. This shift in focus is concerning, especially since it seems to be taking attention away from what many fans actually want – real-world trains and features. Yes, this means development on other products that fans are asking for could slow down.

 

Was the holiday express or whatever it was called a real world route/train? Did it stop them producing other DLC when they focused on it?

Why do you think the focus on this DLC will be any more onerous than it is when they are producing a new route? Is this DLC going to take longer to make than for example the Goblin line? It might take the place of one or two DLC's.

Have you seen the other routes on the roadmap, the Cardiff route, the German route, the Dutch route? Are these not real world routes?

Do you think we are not going to see DTG producing any more real world routes this year?

They don't even need to build a route for it.

This is just an overreaction and frankly I don't quite see what the reason for it is!

 

Totally agree.
Too many people are over reacting saying DTG are losing the plot. There's loads of stuff still in development that is real world. One piece of content that is a children's favourite been announced and people are losing their LOVE over it!!

 

I reiterate my earlier sentiment, one really has a hard time determining who the real children are in all of this.

 

I don't like this stand point where it almost feels like you're trying to gatekeep what the devs are working on for your own content wishes. The sim is for many types of railway enthusiasts not all the same and DTG needs to cater to everyone for the success of the game.

 

It's really no different to someone saying "I only like single stick EMUs and therefore DTG should stop making all other content to cater explicitly to MY personal preference".

 

Back from the penitentiary to find Thomas the Tank Engine has made it into the game.
Probably the only US based license DTG, or I suppose rather its parent Focus Entertainment has been able to secure.

Thomas without his friends and his own magical Island of Sodor?

Has DTG even thought about the implications of having Thomas, a comic character oriented at young children in the game?

Thomas trunding up and down this rather boring heritage route?

What kind of 'enticement' will DTG give their youngest customers, the konsole kiddies to keep playing Thomas and saving up or persuading their parents to buy ever more DLC to make the Thomas experience complete?
What will the older brother and dad, true thumbstick warriors, think about having to give up their gamepad for hours? Will they part from their consoles this easily when the young one wants to play with Thomas?

How will real railway staff react when young kids wander around the depot or even trespass to look for Thomas when their game time is up or big bro has kicked him off his console?

When will the first case come to court from an angry parent whose child was caught trespassing, or worse, got injured, maimed or even killed looking for Thomas?
For there must be 'collectibles','experience points', 'new levels', 'rewards', 'incentives' and even treasure hidden somewhere along the track, just like in the game?

Even though I am not interested in Thomas - at all- it could be a sensible marketing move to get younger players hooked on the game and create another flow of steady income.
Whether that will be used to improve steam physics I doubt, Thomas is best served with one knob DCC style controls, no physics necessary apart from a nice button to sound the whistle. Plus those Mattel licenses probably don't come cheap and one should wish for Thomas not becoming the usual play once and throw away toys spun off comics that fill the shelves in our toy stores.

Thomas can become a success only when properly implemented, perhaps in spin-off game with its own sanitized, child friendly and most importantly safe world, completely separate from real simulated railways.
Gradually expanded by solving puzzles, completing challenges or whatever to unlock now track until the whole Island of Sodor becomes available. Lots of commercial opportunities to sell Thomas' friends, though at what price? One doubt a family will spend like 200 or 300 quid on Thomas?

Yes, I know there are Thomas lookalike real locomotives, but DTG best be wise to make a clear distinction between toy and real train.

Lets wait and see what becomes of Thomas, whether he takes the franchise in a new direction, if at all.