Hello everyone, I wanted to pin a recent message from our executive producer, Matt Peddlesden, who shared some insight and thoughts on what makes a strong suggestion more viable to our development teams! Matt: "The key thing that I want to see in suggestions, ideally, is just why you think it's going to be fun and what are the key characteristics that would make it fun. It's possible for you to say you want route A-B and others go "oh yeah that's a great route" so we make it as a passenger route and everyone's "omg what? there are a half dozen super unique freight services on here that are the entire reason to make it!" and nobody said that so it gets missed. OR - because it gets missed, it isn't seen as being unique or interesting enough and thus a key point left unstated leaves the route under represented. What trains run on it, what licenses run on it (dont worry about if we have them or not), what time period(s) do you think would be good, and with all things - why do you think that, what is it that makes you really want that route in the game? Beautiful scenics and wonderous vistas actually don't make the most compelling routes to play, the majority of players want more to do, so highlight the gameplay, and don't leave anything to be "obvious" and thus unstated. What's obvious to you, may well not be obvious to others. You're the expert on your proposal (I would hope!) so tell everyone (and us) why we should be making it. Keep in mind the usual constraints that products have to work within. If the only way X route is fun and interesting is because it's 300 miles long, it's not going to be made. Your suggestion is unlikely to be the one that changes how routes are made. Same for "this route is amazing, but it will need 5 new trains and 3 part builds of existing trains, plus 2 new coach sets and half a dozen wagons" - it's just not going to happen. So scale it up - what's the first release, what are potential expansions towards the end goal. If you wouldn't want to see the route with an "empty" terminal station because it needs all those other train types then I'd say don't suggest it yet - maybe work out what other route(s) or dlc(s) might start building towards that goal, e.g. do this loco for that route, then this route with this new loco, then use those two locos plus this new one for this ultimate dlc which now has enough stock to make it feel alive - that kinda thing. Also - AI only trains are basically no easier than full playable trains, there's no saving to be had there. If you only have time for a short proposal, focus on the key facts - exactly where, what trains you see as important to include, and why. Lastly, the why shouldn't just be "because there isn't a route like X" - each route needs to stand on its own justification, "because it runs high speed trains", "because it has some really interesting switching/shunting", "because it's a great network", "because it has multiple complete end to end runs", "the gradients/curves make for a challenging drive that keeps you focused!", "unique safety systems to learn!" etc etc. There are lots of interesting dimensions to any particular route - call them out. If you can't think of it, but you really think it's important to note - say that, and call on people to help, "I really think there should be X to Y, but i'm struggling on the 'why' - help me folks!" and get others to chip in, they might suggest a small variation that adds the "why" or something, there's a ton of expertise on the forums and most are very willing to help flesh out a great idea. Keep the suggestions coming Matt."
