+1 on that. Knapford to Vicarstown with Gordon & his express, Henry with some freight. And numerous other DLCs afterward to introduce branch lines, NG lines & other characters. I'll hand over my wallet to DTG. But I'm not sure if they'll ever get the license for that...
Rather than ridicule this I think if DTG could secure the licensing part of LAMP for this route it would sell like a hot cake. Biggest challenge would be doing terrain, as a fictional route there is no ready made DEM data though there are a few detailed maps of the route network about on line. I suspect even a few of us grizzly old gits might partake, if it was the whole network, for a bit of fun. Edit: And of course not to mention but classic traction to the max steam and diesel. No one handled milk float sound alike modern stuff here!
never going to happen.. DTG would never bring Sodor to TSW as it has never existed and plus I don't think a lot of people would want buy the DLC.. What version of sodor do they base it off? the RWS map? the Model-era map? CGI-era map? alot of the character's basises are extinct anyways and plus, they would need to get a licence from Mattel before they start building up the route as they own the rights to the TTTE franchise.. The nearest thing we are going to get to Sodor is the Talyllyn Railway as that line (and its engines and rolling stock) was used a inspiration for the Skarloey Railway..
I actually think it would sell very well, ramps nostalgia up to max for a lot of people. Would also bring in new people.
I'd definitely buy it. A few people have imagined a "real" IoS, i.e. with faceless engines, that might be the an interesting approach. Unlikely to happen though, as the license would be tough to get - no-one has managed yet. Plus DTG would have to include a minimum 6 engines, plus two types of coaches and various wagons. It would almost be its own product.
Thomas and his many friends would be much better served in a standalone game. It could use the tracks and scenery systems from TSW but have a much more simple approach to physics (go faster/go slower type controls) and be more story based. It would need major investment to develop and pay for all the promotion to make it a big seller and it would need to be relatively bug free. It may be that there are other games developers that would be more suited to making it as it would need to stray quite far from the accurate simulation aspects of TSW to be accessible to all ages and sell well enough.
I think dovetail would be best suited to do the isle of sodor and to me it would have to be based off when it was still done with the model layout not the new LOVE
