I See A Scenario...

Discussion in 'Suggestions' started by trainsimplayer, Jan 27, 2022.

?
  1. Yes!

    70.6%
  2. Mostly yes.

    17.6%
  3. Some stuff, Yes. Overall, no.

    5.9%
  4. No, not really.

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  5. I don't even use scenario planner, and don't plan to. This won't change my mind.

    5.9%
  6. These features could make me use scenario planner.

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  1. trainsimplayer

    trainsimplayer Well-Known Member

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    ...Where Scenario Planner 2.0. comes, and becomes the heart of TSW, and it's Creators Club. Of course, we're nowhere near there. Or are we?

    I've no doubt that DTG have a (rough) idea of what Scenario Planner 2.0. will have. Matt said on a stream once it would have a Consist Editor. I personally have many suggestions, hence this thread, and I know many others have voiced their suggestions. In fact, I think I've done this one before.

    Firstly, let's start by taking a look at Scenario Planner in it's current state:

    The Scenario Planner is basic to say the least. You chose the Start, the End, any Stops your service may make, then choose the stock and the time of day, and decide if you want to drive it or not. Sometimes, simple is better, however not in this scenario (pun intended), where we should be able to expand upon our scenarios and make then engaging an unique experiences - especially with Creators Club around the corner.

    My suggestions will go as follows:
    • Customisation
      • Time of Day
      • Weather
    • Paths
      • Platforms
      • Sidings and Depots
      • Portals
    • Services
      • Static and ECS
      • Threads of Services
      • Orders
        • Unload
        • Go Via
        • Change Ends
    • Timetable Control
      • Timings
      • Simulate Scenario
    • Rolling Stock & Livery Selection
    Customisation
    Currently Scenario Planner is a glorified quick drive. I know that's somewhat a cliché by now, however it's true. In fact, it's worse than TS' Quick Drive, you have to put those AI services in. You have to make sure the line will actually run (provided you want trains on the line), or else the scenario won't be good, at all.

    To merely scrape the surface of the tool, the following features, Time of Day and Weather, could make a significant different.

    Time of Day
    Ok, this does already exist. I know. However, it's quite frustrating if you want to make a proper night scenario, you know, having to endlessly scroll from 12:00 to whenever you want it to be, I think there are two things that could help the creator:
    1 - Base Start Time

    This allows the player to input a time which the player uses as a "base" time (the way 12:00 is now), reducing the time it takes to adjust times.

    2 - Manual Input
    Allows the player to manually input a time.
    Quite simple.

    Weather
    I do recognise that this too is technically possible currently. However only through an exploit involving timetable mode.

    This exploit is good and all, however when players are sharing (and using) scenarios with Creators Club, it's not really possible to predict exactly what the users weather selection will be. I'd imagine heavy US freight, for example, wouldn't be very optimal in heavy rain, for a scenario designer for sunshine.

    Paths
    For me, Paths is a biggie. On some routes (I won't name names, Cathcart.) choices are limited (that's an understatement) for your platforms. That ignores Sidings, Portals, Depots, the lot.

    I'm not going to ramble on, I'll cut to the chase:

    Platforms
    We need to be able to use as many as possible. That simple. We should be able to have Glasgow Central filled from Platform 15 all the way down to 1. I get that some platforms may not actually have paths set up on the proper route, however anything that is should be used.

    Sidings and Depots
    Similarly, we should be able to use as many as possible.

    As for Depots, we should be able to start a train up and take it into service. More later on this, however.

    Portals
    One thing I don't like about TSW's Scenario Planner is the fact I can't make use of the Portals. Take Cathcart. I should be able to have a HST or a 395 blast by Newton at line speed on the Fast Line (or the slow one if it's some sort of diversion), or have a 150 leave the line at Pollockshields East.

    Not only does it greatly increase the Player's ability to create engaging scenarios with stations full of life, and AI entering and leaving the map left, right and centre, and have a true rush hour feel if I wish to. That's a proper scenario right there.

    Services
    Services are the core of any Scenario. It's the heading to this paragraph. It's the collection of orders that get you from A to B. However, currently we can only have A to B. And when it gets to B. It's there, forever...

    Static and Empty Coaching Stock (ECS)
    We should be able to have a train stand still for the entire scenario, engines off or whatever, and just be there as a bit of scenery.

    We should also be able to have ECS trains going to/from the Depot, with the ability to continue elsewhere, which takes me onto:
    Threads of Services

    Currently one of the most frustrating limitations of the planner is the fact that both you and your train are stuck on one service. Why can't we create a string - a thread - of services. Take Cathcart (again), it's almost made for this. I should be able to take a train in from Newton or Shields Road Depot, turn at Glasgow Central, and go back where I came from, or somewhere else. But I can't.

    I think this would be a good move, as it allows for the expansion of the planner (and Creators Club's) potential. Greatly.

    Orders
    The only orders currently are "Stop at Location", and anything related. We don't have any that properly stand out, or make a scenario unique - or elevate it beyond "just another service".

    Unload
    The stuff you see at the end of a timetable run, gets your passengers off the train when you terminate.

    Go Via
    Quite Simple again, acts as a waypoint for a service.

    Change Ends
    I refer you to the point I made prior to this about Cathcart.

    Timetable Control
    Ok, now this is huge - to me, anyway.
    When I make scenarios I have to go in and figure out when a train arrives at a station so I can time it. That way I can diagnose any issues with the scenario with a bit more ease. However, it's frustrating, having to put out a Test Train at every station so I can board the other train and time it (I use the AI, so my driving doesn't hinder it).

    I propose the following:
    1 - Timings
    We should be able to set certain stations as timing points. If you're early, you have to wait. If not, you're not. We should be able to designate waits (by simply changing the Arr/Dep times), be it to allow a fast train to pass, or just to simulate anything you may choose to.

    2 - Timetable Simulation
    Allows the creator to find any problems and sort them, without having to go through loading screens, and hope they spot the issue.

    Rolling Stock and Livery Selection
    Rolling Stock is the main part of TSW. Liveries can be important in a scenario.

    Currently, we are stuck with pre-determined consists, that - excluding Locos with Wagons or Carriages - only consists of one class of train, it's quite limiting in the Creativity department.

    The Consist Editor may help with this, well, it probably will, however, I think that liveries need to be sorted.

    Currently, if I choose - say, a 143 with DOSTOS, and I'm prompted to choose a livery - I'm only choosing that livery. That ignores any carriages or Wagons - Timetable Mode falls foul of this as well - and that needs to change, if you ask me.

    This could be part of the Consist Editor, yes, however it could also end up being seperate. However I think it's fairly simple what I propose: seperate selection for different vehicles (Carriages, Locos, Wagons, MUs, etc.)

    Conclusion
    I will be coming back to this and adding to it. However, this is my wishlist for Scenario Planner. I may create more detailed replies with more information about what I actually propose for the different things, however for now, that's my wishlist. I know, I'm asking for a lot. However I don't expect in any world that we'd get all of it. However a form of it - that's what we should see. A scenario planner that creates true, engaging, unique, Scenarios. That's what we need

    I've chosen to ignore events (such as a tree on the line or something), just because it's obvious, many people have asked for it, and I can't be bothered flushing that one out, to be honest.

    However, that's all I've got left to propose, now, it's over to you:
    What do you think we should get in SP 2.0? What do you think we will get?

    All that said, Thanks for Reading this.
     
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  2. Lamplight

    Lamplight Well-Known Member

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    One thing I'd like to add is on-screen text messages - the kind DTG use in scenarios. Those would be really useful for creating narratives.
     
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  3. ARuscoe

    ARuscoe Well-Known Member

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    • Customisation
      • Time of Day
      • Time of Year
      • Weather
      • Random option
    • Paths
      • Platforms
      • Sidings and Depots
      • Fast and slow line options rather than full run options
      • Portals
    • Services
      • Static and ECS
      • Threads of Services
      • Orders
        • Unload
        • Go Via
        • Change Ends
        • Couple
        • Uncouple
        • Load Passengers
        • Train Wash
        • "Wait for 3rd party to do something to the train" - custom text option, useful if engineering works or similar
    • Timetable Control
      • Timings
      • Simulate Scenario
      • Platform dwell time
      • siding/loop dwell time for freight / ECS
    • Rolling Stock & Livery Selection
    • Consist editor
     
  4. driverwoods#1787

    driverwoods#1787 Well-Known Member

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    Dynamic Weather
    Auto fill services depending on the routes and locos you own
    Ability to use a yard hump Sherman Hill and Sand Patch Grade future European routes that have them.
     

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