Dovetail Games Bought By Focus Entertainment

Fingers crossed. With a bit of Luck, LGV will get an upgrade to TSW3 Standards, so people who already own this route would also benefit.

 

Yes, I Agree As Their (Correct Me If I'm Wrong Is Currently No US or German Content On The Roadmap, Only British Stuff, Which I don't mind personally but I can empathize as a fellow player And The Balance Does need to be restored

 

Fair Point yes

 

Just to be clear, I certainly want to see more modern UK routes and rolling stock from different parts of the UK - but I really want them to have interesting, busy timetables which aren't lifeless and boring though! Thus, what I was implying was that, despite a quite a bit of moaning about third-rail, London/Southern routes on these forums, ironically at least such TSW routes for the UK have had the best timetables and gameplay longevity with a mix of passenger, high-speed and lots of freight services (which is why the modern German routes do so well). Of course, as I mentioned, I really want to see more newer routes/rolling stock from elsewhere - though unfortunately routes like Cross City, E-G and MML so far have highly disappointed me regarding their timetables (which are mostly just commuter passenger services too; where's the freight?) which is highly frustrating as I should love such routes. Thus, as a result, I don't think there's nothing wrong with wanting at least another modern London/Southern region route - to complement newer routes from elsewhere too obviously - if it promises to have another exciting timetable (with another new loco) that has a plethora of suitable, existing TSW rolling stock, especially if with the likes of the 700 or very excellent 465.

Regarding long-term gameplay and variety, I was more referring to more of BML and SEHS - on the subject of SEHS though, I certainly argue that this route has had way too much loco DLC, hence why I'd like to see the 700 for BML too. For ECW, I still love this route though - especially with the 313 - unfortunately it has aged quite significantly, namely due to a still incomplete timetable without Victoria to Eastbourne/Ore services, an older version of the 377, and the fact the route didn't go all the way to Hastings which is such a shame considering the beautiful coastal scenery.

To summarise, I want to see every new route - whether from DTG or third-party - have a fantastic timetable with lots of gameplay longevity. So far, many of the London/Southern TSW routes have fulfilled this with the best timetables thanks to a plethora of rolling stock and correct route choice, so I'd like to see DTG have more newer routes from elsewhere be like this too - though, importantly, I'd still like to see more London/Southern routes to complement for more of a modular route network in TSW.

 

I guess this means the end for last gen console support like PS4? It might be worth tracking down a PS5 now if dlc’s will will be of better quality under this new ownership and a hopefully they will be a LOT cheaper. Although if new UK routes will be less in favour of those from other countries then I still won’t be buying new TSW dlc’s. I’m not even interested in the free French route tbh. I warned months ago this would happen. You can only get away with selling poor quality OTT priced dlc’s and operating rip off tactics like forcing existing players to pay for what should have been a free TSW2 update that was called TSW3? for so long. I shall watch with interest to see if it’s worth returning to TSW on a regular basis once again in the future? I wish TSW and its fan base every success under this new ownership, let’s hope this buy out is a positive thing?

 

Last gens are being dropped any time soon, otherwise dtg would already had said something. I think making dlc way cheaper like you suggest since I don't know how cheap you want the dlcs to be, you have to take into account paying for dtg employees, focus entertainment since they are publishing it, platform specific fees, legal fees. Things can't be too cheap otherwise, there isn't enough money. Just because it is cheaper doesn't mean there will be more sales if the quality isn't up there.

 

And they didn't even manage that when they started making it. One of the largest issues facing TS is the duplication of assets and trains with each having different feature sets. Look at how many BR101 and 294s there are, and especially the BR101 has been upgraded slowly over time but the original version is still the same - I have a dozen of them and I don't even know which ones have safety systems or a cab light! The complaints of inconsistency in TSW now are caused by the identical decision when developing the game, by having trains and assets kept in route packs.

Common sense would have made TSW work a bit like Just Trains DLCs for TS, where there is a large asset pack for all routes supplemented with individual asset packs for each route. Ideally TSW would work like this:
1: Player buys [generic German route]
2: German asset pack, BR185 pack, BR146 pack, Doppelstock pack; added to game
3: Updates to BR185 pack will apply to everything using it

Having independent assets would have not only cut down on disk space and memory usage but the amount of time doing duplicate updates to the same train, and crucially having trains with different feature sets depending on which route you got. No matter if you got RSN or [another route with the BR185 in it, I don't play this game enough to remember] they should both have the definitive versions of the trains inside.

 

By this time next year we'll have 4 3rd parties producing UK content, including the well respected ATS & Just Trains.

There'll come a point where UK market becomes saturated. So it makes sense for DTG to concentrate on other markets IMO. Whether thats more exclusively US and German routes or branching out into a new country.

Could being a French published title ease licensing negotiations with French rail companies perhaps?

 

Sam isn't the only one who left DTG Adam Lucas did also as for why I don't know

 

If you include all the stuff I own in TSC then it already is saturated. Even routes like West Highland or Kyle which, 20 years ago we would have been frothing at the mouth to play, now get a trip or two each way then buried under the weight of everything else. Set against that, why pay (now) £30 for something that’s just going to get the same treatment. I was going to give BCC another shot in TSW but having driven the TSC version end to end getting thoroughly bored with start stop 20 times or more, really not much point. And that’s before you throw in other stuff like the flight sims or Snowrunner where I still have to finish off the original Russian map let alone all the DLC from the season passes. So wherever TSW (and TSC) go, it’s really going to have to be something unique and captivating going forward.

 

FWIW In my opinion this game needs to be for trains what MSFS is for aircraft.

It needs to be a faithful simulation of the real world. It needs different game modes (why do we not have, given we have a timetable, driver shift patterns to drive? A day in the life of etc. somewhere to check in, get given your days work, walk to the unit, set it up etc), the player needs the option to totally disable things like action points and collectibles, it needs multiplayer and it needs to offer a feature set from graphics to controllers that reflect the fact that it’s 2023. It needs more variety and a more useful and in-depth dispatcher (again, given they can push out updates so easily, why not push out route changes to reflect real world works on the line; temporary speed limits, single line running etc etc).

It needs opening up to the ‘community’ just like MSFS. There should be an in-game store where developers can make, and you can purchase, highly detailed versions of stations / yards / cities / timetables / AI trains etc, alongside third party routes, rolling stock and sound sets. It needs the editor / SDK to made publically available (just like other UE4 games) but above all else it needs to prioritise quality and consistancy over quantity.

 

Found workshop scenarios on German stuff is keeping me going now better than TSW timetable mode. Some good stuff out there.

 

This is sad :-(
Such a jolly fella and afaik he has been with DTG since CSX:HH

 

I knew Sam had left, which I am sad about. I hope he still does some videos on his CF channel. I miss his chat and personality.

I didn’t know Adam DTGs senior producer had left. He is another that will be missed on the streams. In the last few months, although Natalie hasn’t left, she with Sam and Adam have all be missed on the streaming programs.

 

Well as the first action that is taken is make the French TGV route free, to me that is an indication there is a sense of national pride involved. Not saying that everyone has started speaking French at DTG and will start pumping out French routes like they do with the TSW triad. Let's just say the chances of a French route being made have risen. As someone pointed licensing is an issue with French routes. More relations might come available for DTG to talk and work with.

 

He was with the company from Kuju days IIRC. Great guy, helped sort out several issues with a couple of my freeware routes.

 

Lol brings back good memories of autoracks falling into the ether.

 

Not wishing to start any rumours, but has anyone seen JD these past couple of weeks? Hopefully he's on holiday!

Talking of Nat, does anyone know how well the boardgame thing has done or was received? - Not really my area of interest, but sort of surprised that there was not at least one stream trying to cross sell it to the trainsim community

 

I didn’t know that. It’s probably linked to the buyout but we can’t be certain of that. It would be a complex situation when you are an employee but also a shareholder I guess.

 

I think it would be good to see a UK to France route, not like we haven't had tunnel based routes before. I would also like to see the animated digger from TSC appear, alongside a newap and more npc out of. Stations

 

I’m surprised this didn’t get noted more vocally TBH. Wasn’t JD Community Manager?

https://forums.dovetailgames.com/threads/hi-im-the-new-guy.69455/

 

JD is still here...
Our thread-locking, post-redacting ( and TSW-leaking ) beloved community director is here on the forums, doing his usual stuff

Still don't believe me ?!
Just check the threads that've recently been locked XD

 

That could easily be someone else using his login. I thought his role was Community Manager, which has recently got a new incumbent.

 

He has been the director of community.

 

This thread has generated a real rumor mill. I suppose it was inevitable.

I'm no white knight, but I would, however, ask people to avoid making speculative or unfounded posts about DTG employees. It is inappropriate and could cause genuine hurt and offense. Remember, they are human beings with friends and families.

Let's keep our comments about the takeover and its impact on the game free of this kind of rumor mongering.

 

I've been demanding this since the days of TSW2. Every loco treated like a loco DLC which we already have (as proof that it's possible), where a single update on a single DLC impacts every layer and every route the loco works on. Of course, that's risky, but it works so far like a charm for locos like the BR101, the so far mostly subbed in loco in all of TSW. So why not with everything else ?

When they switched to TSW3, that was my biggest hope. That the DLC would be split like this.

I am tired of having so many versions of the same train. Luckily, these days there are surprisingly few different versions of the exact same loco, and most reused locos get at least a different livery.

But still. There needs to be a change on that front going forward.

 

Glad to hear you are still here, that's good - just wondered given the new member of the community team

 

It's nearly summer JD, you've got 2022 leak to top yet......

 

You pay your money and take the chance that something further down the line will be given away very cheaply or even free, especially when it comes to games and dlc. If someone buys a game, they run the risk of it becoming a "free" game on PS Plus or Gamepass one day.. it is frustrating but that's life.

The free route(s) across TSW and TSC are a gesture of goodwill and not a requirement.

I can't wait to pick up the free route, I purchased it when I had a PS5 but now I'm on Xbox I haven't got around to picking it up, lucky me..

 

If DTG wants to go big this just might get the channel tunnel put on the fast track to development.It's kinda the perfect future project.With a company in france getting together with a company in the UK,it be a great way to connect the two companies just like the way the channel tunnel has already done.

 

Didn't get anything new since last summer, still playing TSW2. I will try LGV if it's for free, because I'm fan of highspeed and European routes but won't pay the full price for old DLC's. Hope that Focus will bring us and DTG some good.

 

Prolly not the channel tunnel as its just 30 mins of nothing

 

Doesn't stop people from suggesting it over and over again. Sounds like one of the most boring routes one could possibly suggest.

 

I think if they done the tunnel we could likely see a longer route with it. As the tunnel would take up (insert length) and 25 minutes of route length for something not really route building heavy.

 

[Removed - JD - personal targeting]

Since what is hapenning with the TSW is a real Shame!

 

Charming person you are.

 

He's one interesting note about the TSW TGV power cab units.Unlike most HST types in the game which can't be uncoupled from there trains power unints the TGV's can and be hooked up most german or UK wagons,creating yourself a HST freight train.

 

I'm not a train expert this week; I'm a business acquisition expert

 

I just found out he left in March.

 

The channel tunnel not all just miles or km of nothing theres stations and rail yards on both ends so depending how far DTG goes outside each end of the tunnel there could be more to do and see on each side of the chunnel.

You want to compare this to something that both simular and different OK. The TGV route is 51 miles long with most of it being the great outdoors between two stops with one stop in between,so if replace the great outdoors with a tunnel and ditch the center station you traveling fast and a long way for a with just less to see.

Think of all the trains in the game that you could drive thru the chunnel that normally never get to use it.

Just think of it as a subway with less annoying frequent stops.

 

I’ll suggest you to keep quiet if you don’t know what you’re talking about. Mr Pink cat eared headset is definitely not the cause of what’s currently happening with TSW he’s very active on the forums and he listens to our requests/reports.

 

I don't think anyoone outside DTG can say what Matt's responsibility for TSW's state is.

 

Hopefully they’ll continue to improve the game more and more and most importantly focus a lot more developing British routes and rolling stock.

 

If FOCUS ENTERTAINMENT is going to can anyone they should start at the top with DTG CEO he make the decisions that affect ever part of the companies efforts.But make no mistakes about it everyone every single person from top person to the crew that sweeps the floor will get evaluated by F.E. at some point and if you haven't been doing your part up to a professional level you could find yourself outside the door for good.And that includes everyone currently working at DTG.

 

Not to mention ongoing doubts as to whether they could get Eurostar licensing.

 

DTG has been cranking as many DLC as possible in 2023 to up it's value but the content been released broken and unfinished.This doesn't sound like a good plan to impresses your new owners.

 

Maybe Focus Entertainment can help with that effort.

 

It will become TSW3 = Tunnel Sim World 3

 

Was on holiday, perhaps they put him on leave to avoid him risking leaking the take over.