Us Content In Relation To Politics...

I'm just wondering and thinking aloud here. I've seen several route suggestions for Russian content that often gets answered that DTG won't do Russian content because of politics. A few Isreali route suggestions often get replies about politics as well.

But considering the recent shift in politics the US president has done, should we treat the US similar? Is developing and promoting US content still ethically responsible?

Not saying we shouldn't have US content anymore. I personally enjoy US content, even though I'm not from the US. I'm just wondering what people think. I'm well aware not every US citizen supports its current president, but I guess the same could be said about the Russian people.

 

Um, what?

 

but has that ever been officially stated, or do people say that as a type of rumor/misinformation despite not being the reason?

 

I don't know. But it seems at least some people have ethical objections buying Russian or Isreali content. I don't know DTGs official stance on it, and I don't have concrete sources. I just remember frequently seeing comments in the suggestions forum.

 

I think that DTG primarily won't do Russian content for the same reasons as they won't do Israeli content, or Swedish, or Polish, or Czech, or Australian, which has nothing to do with politics, but rather with the cost of creating such content (licensing, development time, etc.) and perceived income from such content being released, as in - the demand, which I think might be argued is less than what it is for German, UK or US content. I think it is safe to say, that shift in Dutch politics is not what got us the upcoming Spoorlijn.

Also, the content itself is not what should tie in to anyone political views, but rather what the developer supports and where they are from. So for example do not be hating on content set in US, but rather made in US, if you think this is a sane thing. For US I would personally claim that it is not reasonable.

Disclaimer: I do not buy russian-made games, but I would consider buying russian content made by non-russian devs. Even more so if it wasn't licensed.

 

There's also getting the actual reference material. It's not safe to enter Russia to get train photos and recordings which could be the main reason why. Also, licensing as well which might not be a priority or difficult to get in current times

 

I'm not trolling, sorry if it looks I am.

So, do I understand correctly that content from countries like Russia wouldn't be any problem for you?

 

I can see this thread going downhill or getting locked, but my take anyway...

The Russia to Ukraine situation is complicated but ultimately Russia invaded part of a sovereign country (regardless of past history) as the aggressor. There are currently trade and travel sanctions in place from most countries against Russia, in fact I don't think you can even get a direct flight from many places to a Russian airport. On a more mundane level there's licensing and access, the railways are likely to be regarded as a military installation. There was apparently an attack on the Severomuysky Tunnel Severomuysky Tunnel - Wikipedia on the BAM line which was blamed on terrorists sympathetic to Ukraine. Actually that section of the BAM would make a fascinating route as in addition to the base route, you have the older line which climbs and spirals through the mountain pass, Swiss style.

Israel vs. Hamas. Another hot potato and while I've always traditionally sided with Israel and the attack by Hamas was unprovoked, virtually levelling Gaza in response was not really proportional. Again, Israel railways are likely to be covered by security concerns and access or licensing remote in the extreme.

Trump on the other hand was democratically elected even if he is acting now like a dictator. I don't pretend to fully understand the inner workings of the US political system but it does seem strange one man can authorise so much without the approval of the governing body of representatives. And in less than four years he will be gone, regardless of which party wins the next US election. Besides, the US content situation seems to be suppressing itself of late, with DTG having major hurdles getting licensing or access, or simply not thinking outside the box as regards other means by which they could produce North American content. As in hello Canada, hello Mexico.

 

Lol, no. There is nothing to do with politics here. These countries are simply not being made because they are distant, communication and reference would be difficult, etc. Not because DTG or anyone disagrees with their politics.

 

I know creating this thread was a risky move, but I hope we can have a civilized discussion.

I agree with what you say, but I get the feeling you're not really answering the actual question. Would Russian/Isreali content, in the very unlikely event it'd ever happen, be a problem for you, or would you be totally fine with it?

 

I've already reported this to make the mods aware of the topic. I had hoped we could have a civilized discussion, but I wouldn't want this to end in a fight.

 

Oh that's actually a fantastic point. I remember when two Arma 3 devs were imprisoned by Greece for four months when getting reference material in Cyprus. Was NOT fun for them. Railways sure are considered a critical infrastructure for war effort, I am sure it would be impossible to get new reference material.

I would be fine with content set anywhere. In TSC we had China, Turkey, and other countries, that are hot potatoes politically. Regardless of their governments I think it is very warranted to have content set in these countries if the content is relevant to fans, and I think it was.

It is a different case whether I would want to support certain developers. I am making conscious consumer decisions that are based on things like politics, but also in a broader sense. I am unwilling to support developers from certain countries due to their political affiliation, developers that support and implement harmful tech like NFT, or developers embracing ethically questionable technologies like AI content generation.

 

That's weird. I do not see anything wrong with this discussion, we are not discussing politics of countries, but rather whether you are considering politics as something impacting your choices. It's civil and I am not sure why you would want to have this thing shut down.

 

Not telling you how to do your job Jan, but given the whole premise of the thread seems to be linked to politics (and with a loaded insinuation at that) I can only see this ending one way.

I’m going to unfollow the thread as I don’t want to read about it to be honest.

 

As a Russian, I urge you to close this topic! We are here for the sake of our favorite hobby, and not to discuss politics - you can read this in other places, but not on the gaming forum

 

Well I did kind of intimate in my response that I would like to see the section of the BAM line I mentioned made, plus there are numerous other Russian routes that would be interesting including the narrow gauge.

So I would be quite happy to divorce politics or local conflicts from my buying decisions when it comes to an interesting route and loco pack.

 

can we just have a politics free place on the internet for once? It’s like a broken record, all the stuff that’s going on. Sick of hearing it.

 

You already have seen the somewhat stereotypical presentation of Russia in this Trans Siberia game, haven't you?
Little has been heard of it since, and this style of gameplay is not my cup of tea.

Euro Truck Sim's Russia expansion has been put on hold.
And it seems most RUS and BLR developers working for 'western' studios have been put on hold.

 

I guess this is why I kinda assumed DTG have a similar stance. I risky assumption, I realize.

Thanks everyone for their civilized contributions to the topic. I know the points of view from a few people at least, which is more than I knew before creating this topic.

 

Why does politics matter in train simulation. Nobody cares about it and it should never be associated with Train simulation at all. This thread is honestly completely unnecessary

 

Politicians hate railways anyway, the same government owning the railway company I work for is dismantling and destroying it slowly so…

 

I actually would advise closing this thread because this has a potential for a disaster to unfold. This causes more harm then good

 

That's okay, neither do we.

 

What about a railway on Mars so there's no country to have issues with there

 

Unless something spectacular happens, then I think the current concern would be how the current administration handles the funding of Amtrak (Or the idea of privatizing it) which may or may not end up effecting future Amtrak content on TSW.

 

The way this worlds going, I don't know weather to take to op serious or not.

It seems that if your not politically aligned these days you end up with a large group of mental cases, trying to get you cancelled.

Anyway I should no better than to have any involvement in anything political.

Don't expect any response to the response of this from me!

 

people are really sick with this politics thing, what the hell does a train simulator have to do with politics?

btw, this thread should be locked

 

This thread is pointless, and will probably get locked anyway, so it doesn’t matter, I’m gonna start a new topic, what’s everyone having for dinner tonight?

me personally, im really craving a large lamb donner with chips and garlic mayo.

 

No no, sweet and spicy Italian sausage sliced into spears, layered with onions and peppers and a splash of tomato sauce on a warm buttered grinder roll

 

i don't think it would ever affect anything. TSW routes are set in different time periods, so the developers could always revisit whatever time period they wish. I think UK content is a pretty good example of that. Come to think of it, I wonder who owns the rights to license the BR stuff off the 80s, like TVL and NTP...?

I would also advise people who have nothing to contribute to the actual discussion to stop derailing this thread. If you want discuss sausages I'm sure you can start a thread as well.

 

No sausage ok ok... But what about the Würste ?

 

and from what I have read recently, a massive attack on Crimean Bridge is imminent - this time the Ukrainians will try to destroy it beyond repair, will see

 

For a game called Train Sim World, I think DTG should be neutral and What should politics do in a train simulation game?!
The lack of content of a country has nothing to do with its political situation especially since it penalizes the players of the country in question for nothing, except of course for countries at war because I don't need to explain why it's impossible (and dangerous) to try to communicate,go there, take train references in a country at war

 

…well thats 3 minutes of my life I’m never getting back…

 

To componsate, here’s a nice photo of my Kebab

Cheers

 

Is that cheese on top?
Who puts cheese on a kebab?

"DONALD. SIGN THAT EXECUTIVE ORDER. WE DON'T WANT THAT SORT OF THING HAPPENING HERE"

 

I don't think DTG should touch political issues with a 10-meter barge pole. Trains is trains, regardless of whichever slimy politician happens to be occupying the top job for the moment.

 

Uhhh, sir, this is a train sim forum

 

That looks disgusting. Hard pass.

 

Sure our president is a fool. But that shouldn’t be a reason to penalize us even further. Things are hard enough here, and we don’t see much DLCs these days. lol

 

Hahaha what a good laugh I needed that.