Hello good afternoon, every time I want to see the result of each project exported to TSC, if I don't log in to Steam there is nothing to do, that is why this capture would be interesting.
This is already the case. All Dutch stuff is done independent of Steam. Germany and Austria are also now running independent. There are a few sites to get good stuff from - quite a lot free. I now buy direct from RSSLO and cut out the middleman. There are also a ton of free US and UK routes available. ATS, Just Trains and AP also have non Steam stuff. Once you have purchased TSC 2024 you need nothing else! I do not run any Workshop content. There is just a ton of stuff outside of the workshop. Sure you can pick up TSC bargains now via Steam, however, the current main suppliers of TSC stuff is now independent. I keep all of my own data independent of Steam. I have my own database and log all of my sessions on my web site. There are no real constraints. Once downloaded the code is yours on your pc to change as you like. Of course if you are not pc savvy then Steam is the way to go as other sites may/will require some level of pc skills to hunt down missing assets, fix broken scenarios etc. It is all doable and very satisfying when completed. https://sites.google.com/view/trainsimulatorcontent/home
The downside if TSC was independent from Steam even less people would play it. A lot of newer players won't buy any Add-ons unless it was thru Steam and you also get protection thru Steam If it was separate and you did something that made a mess of your assets then hard luck. With Steam you just download the route again.
The reason for the independence is to have to run the game as well as see the final result after each content export.
You mean after producing something for the game?...if so, there's no need to be online when you test it.
Once you have acquired TSC2024 you can unplug Steam and download from any website which has TSC content. It may be wise to continue with access to steam as many of these 3rd party sites leverage content which is available through steam in the first place (e.g. original Kuju files). A lot of the Dutch stuff is fully self sufficient.
I mean without Steam TS1 would probably not be where it is now - I mean people complained about Steam when Railworks was first released, and still wanting Just Trains (and others to publish it) and have all addons by CD / DVD etc, I mean i think Steam is a good choice because it stores your DLC and can redownload it easier than if it's else where. (I'm sure people will disagree there or call me an idiot - i mean the latter wouldn't be the first time) (I mean i understand people don't like it because of it wanting 30% i think, but i mean they do host all the stuff). I mean i also know about all the other content everywhere too, I mean that's also good, but equally I still think Steam is valuable for the addons management and not having to have thousands of things to re-install - I mean granted you do for 3rd party but that's not me saying it's bad for that).
It's more of a split between Steam and off-Steam content for TSC these days and I think that's the best thing for the game. Those who want a more casual experience can stay more mainstream with the ease of access and convenience of using and playing the game through Steam, while those who seek a more varied and complex experience can play around with the myriad of content that is off-Steam on third party website where developers generally have more freedom to do what they want. It gives a good amount of options for how both sides of the player and developer spectrum want to engage with the simulator.
My personal view is that I will rarely if ever buy content outside of Steam, even AP or Caledonia Works. I like the refund option if it turns out to be pants and I like the fact if for whatever reason I need to install the game, I don’t have to start hunting through folders, USB drives or old CD-R’s to gather my content. Or finding you didn’t back it up and have to go cap in hand to the vendor for a fresh download. A parallel is Run 8 which the developer refuses to put on Steam, then makes the process even more unfriendly by only having purchase downloads available for a short period after purchase then the onus entirely on the customer to backup the files, no e-commerce server.
I like both. Steam products feel more ‘standard’ and most trains feel the same. 3rd party content tends to push the boundaries and provides product which feels more like TSW. I tend to think of Steam stuff as the ‘starter set’. It isn’t until you go the extra mile and explore the 3rd party content that you realize it is just as good if not better than TSW.
Maybe, but there's plenty on Steam that pushes boundaries and which are definitely not starter material: AP's Thumper, Smokebox's US steam and VR's products come to mind.
Iron Bladder I agree with your thoughts. Where I was going was that Steam products tend to be stand alone DLCs. A lot of 3rd party stuff adds on to or combines DLC to much larger products. For example AP Weather, Just Trains fully integrated Midlands Mainline. RSSLOs combined routes, ATS ECML full, ChrisTrains and some of the more complex Dutch stuff. I have yet to immerse myself in the German stuff. That is more difficult to get my head around due to the language barrier. I will get there!
I mean after the experience with SSS and their LOVE poor response to the Stainmore broken signalling, the only way I would ever buy another one of their products or something sold through their shop, would be on Steam so I can take two hours to evaluate and refund if not up to snuff. Okay I know the Stainmore issues arose long after the route was released and partly changes to the core, but the level of technical support colours my view of using that developer again. And in truth I’ve got enough content in TSC plus all the other train and non train games, I don’t really need to buy much to keep me amused until I shuffle off this mortal coil anyway!
For steam period content just using steam for acquiring DLC would be extremely restrictive. Much of the older BR period DLC on steam has very poor sounds and the experience is bettered with AP sound and enhancement packs. Same for much of the newer DLC too. My ears hurt after 20 minutes of driving the Voyager on WCML south. There is much great stuff on steam for TSC, however personally if I restricted myself to steam DLC I would have a lot less interest in TSC. It has eclipsed TSW now and not for the first time.
Interesting thread - I have been with the sim since the original EA Rail Simulator discs in 2007. Prior to Steam I had already acquired a substantial backup drive of DLC from a number of vendors. I railed against the move to Steam (and didn't use the sim for a short while after it had migrated). I was back again though and continued to acquire Steam delivered content as well as third party DLC. Rarely had any problems - back up my independent purchases as a matter of course and with the years in the sim can sort out most problems...which have sometimes been caused by the automatic upgrade through Steam!!! My Asset folder is 1.25TB and I successfully migrated that across to this computer a year ago, the Content folder depends on what routes I move into it - the point is that there are a lot of quality third party assets and routes, most of which, if not all in my experience, work perfectly well. The problems usually arise from user developed routes (and the odd asset). You just need to be careful with what you add and have sufficient understanding of the sim, plus make certain to back up anything you are unsure about altering. What you really need to be careful of, if you have a lot of third party assets etc. is not to dive straight into the oft suggested way of sorting out any problems by reinstalling or verifying the Steam DLC...not unless you have already isolated all of your external assets etc. That way lies misery and anguish... Re the SSS Stainmore - as mentioned above there is a good workaround that makes certain the route and all scenarios run perfectly - and tbh, SSS is a pretty reliable vendor, as is AP and Caledonia Works. On Caledonia Works, a quick email to Kris would sort out any problems.
I agree that a balance between Steam DLC and 3rd party DLC is the way to go. Steam provides the core and 3rd party enhanced it. If you are only using Steam product then you are missing out on what TSC is really capable of. I use a multitude of 3rd party vendors. I never use Workshop stuff. I am really happy with the performance and quality of the products. Sure some 3rd party stuff makes you work to get what you need (ChrisTrains) however it is worth the hunt. I also really appreciate all the work ATS and RSSLO have done. It is not for everyone. If you are looking for a turnkey approach stick with Steam (and/or TSW). If you want to see TSCs finest then broaden your horizons. Respectfully
My concern with off Steam payware providers is whether they will be around in a couple of years, especially if they are using key validation for their products. If the company ceases trading, you'll never be able to re-install their products if they rely on remote key validation. With Steam this isn't a problem. I know there's a very small chance Steam could stop trading, but given how critical it is to the games industry I'm confident that it would be re-established if necessary.
If you backup the installed assets and routes (i.e. as installed, not in their original delivered state) that shouldn't be a problem. I keep my Assets folder and individual routes backed up - routes as installed routes. Mainly do this as I rarely have more than 3 or 4 routes in the Routes folder at any time. The only DLC I have, as far as I recollect, that requires validation are my purchases from Just Trains - I only have to go through any validation if I am updating them. JT have been around forever, well, almost, I used to get my MS Flight Sim from Just Flight
