Enough Is Enough Thomas And Friends Edition

But THATS the ONLY market and even then for every person such as yourself there's a person like myself that has TSW but wouldn't spend the money on it for my kids or even if I don't have kids.

DTG are relying on folks who already have TSW installed, are also into trains and have grandkids who are into trains. Anyone else is not going to bother spending on the main game and then buying the DLC. In fact Id wager they won't even understand it's not a standalone piece of content.

Would you spend 65 quid to get a TTTE piece of DLC if you don't own or play TSW games for your kids? Its not very viable.

 

No, but if the controls are indeed simplified, it should broaden the scope of the user group considerably. But maybe that's just hypothetical. We'll see.

 

Sure, that is of course your choice. Let me say though I will only buy it soon after release if the ambassador streams look really good. Otherwise I will wait for a sale.

 

Sorry I didn't mean the controls although yeah you raise e a good point. Im talking about the ecosystem of Main core game + DLC for people who don't normally play train games.

 

Absolutely true. You still need the base game + WSR to get to Thomas and its simplified controls. So there's that.

 

That's probably where most of the problems lie.

To get access to this DLC, you'd have to purchase the base game and West Somerset route. Which, going by current prices and the Free Starter Pack having expired, is expensive for something that won't see much use.

The only way I can see it be viable, is if the TTTE DLC is included in a bundle with TSW5+WSR. Because, let's face it, how many parents are going to buy it all separate, just for their kid to play TTTE and forget about it after a while (of course, not taking into account any adults who may purchase it as well).

 

I thought they already announced there will be a bundle?

 

The obvious solution is to make expert trains with an optional simple mode. It's more work, but it appeals to everyone.

I'll dive a bit deeper, as your logic is quite flawed.

The first trailer, as part of the Season of Reveals, received 44,000 views. Not surprising considering the controversial nature of the DLC. However, only a little more than 2000 people reacted to the video. The like to dislike ratio is also not very good, with a 69% approval rating (nice).

The second trailer so far has got only 19,000 views, a drop of more than half. The view count won't go up by much more, but there is no way it's a "large following from the masses." While the like to dislike ratio is better on the second trailer, the amount of total ratings has also decreased.

This isn't the flood of new people interested in the game that you think it is.

 

My post in the first place is relating to the IGN trailer. NOT the official trailer from the TSW YouTube channel, which has 33,000 views,1,200 likes and 28 dislikes.

the like/dislike ratio on that is way better than the videos on the main TSW channel. Meaning it IS attracting more players.

 

More likes by the looks of it, more viewers? Perhaps ...

More definite buyers?
That still remains to be seen.

Any parent who knows how telemarketing aimed at toddlers and school age children works, knows the first 'free' release is only an appetizer.

The main expense comes in the follow up purchases, new levels, new features, new Thomas's friends, another part of the Island of Sodor, another adventure for TTTE to complete and in the end it could add well up above 100 or even 200, not counting the second console and subscription needed to keep both the younguns and older siblings/dad/(mum?) happy ...

And knowing DTG and the toy market in general, it is mostly play until completion, get your appetite whetted for more of the same and off to the next purchase, rinse and repeat until the child gets bored with it. And hear those DTG, FE and Mattel cash registers ring ....

Whether any of the proceeding will be funnelled back into TSW proper remains to be seen. And since I am not interested in TTTE at all, this is the main interest in this sub-franchise's succes for me.

 

You did not mention it being the IGN trailer in your post, which you should have.


The first trailer from January has roughly the same amount of views as the others, but with the lowest amount of engagement of the four. The latest trailer has a good like to dislike ratio, but again the engagement isn't as good as the first trailer on DTG's channel.

Of course, views and likes don't count towards sales. I've watched trailers for plenty of things I've never bought. The evidence of a great flood of people buying TSW, foaming at the mouths to drive Thomas, is flaky at best.

 

It'll be interesting to see how they'll advertise TTTE. For dlc generally they work the player community. But, even with all the parents, younger players and older members into their second childhood, that won't be enough to reach the target audience of 4-10 year olds. What other media outlets could they use? I suppose Mattel has its own advertising channels.

 

That was my fault then. Didn’t realise.

 

how do you know that

yeah they havw

true

me too

i know right

dont even bother getting it its not worth it but if u still desire then ok why not

Bro when i watched it laughed so hard and cringed at the trash DTG Are doing with that useless and trailer that I am going to make a meme out of

yeah true me too

Me too

 

I don’t see why not, it might surprise us both

 

You know, you don't have to quote and reply to people with one word answers, it comes across as spammy. That's what the like button is for.

 

Yes it is, my 9 year old grandson seems to have picked it up pretty easily.

And got gold on a freight scenario within 3 hours of 1st touching the game. On a shunter scenario on RSN. With safety systems too I may add.

Driving a train is not that complex. You have a accelarator and a brake simple.

And yes I drove trains for 26 years and say driving a car is more difficult.

 

When you think about it all you’re really doing is speeding up and breaking when driving a train, yes each train is different in terms of how they operate, but the fundamentals are the same. Even with the safety systems turned on, on UK routes, all you’re doing is pressing B or O on your controller to acknowledge AWS, TWPS and vigilance. You have all the information in front of you too, speed restrictions etc. All in all it’s not rocket science.

Your grandson seems to be have a knack for how the game works, so I’m certain other youngsters do too

 

I was quite impressed he tackled it quicker without the safety systems and then spent 2 hours learning them.

He initially got interested in TSW for Roblox when he learned I used to drive the LRT and then made the connection to hey TSW is the same game grandpa plays.

Although he has no interest in TTTE at all, I'm sure he'll ask my daughter to buy TSW for him now. I'll even buy him some DLC too.

Next Sunday when he comes over I said we would do a challenge to see who gets the most points on a run. Like the old 4up challenges.

 

That wasn’t what I was referring to.

 

Haha that’s brilliant. That’s something I’d like to do with my son when he gets a bit older (4up challenges).
Since you’re a retired train driver I bet you’re full of knowledge so that will definitely help with his growth in the game.
Wonderful to read he has mastered the German safety systems too, as they’re probably the most advanced safety systems in the game.

 

An interesting comment from the latest trailer:

The Thomas fans don't think this is aimed at children...

 

It probably partly was. Thomas is, and always was, for children.

But there is also an entire fandom dedicated solely to Thomas, which is comprised of many adults. Which is probably where a lot of sales will come from.