With the announcement of the Island Line 2022, when I saw that Rivet completely upgraded the route and that it was separate from IOW, I can see a lot of potential for this being done for other routes. However, I have some feedback on this idea and how it could be improved. How could this idea be improved? Selling this as a different release is perfectly fine in my opinion. It then gives players a choice of what kind of gameplay they would prefer whether that being with an older London Underground EMU, or a relatively newer EMU. Now here is where I have a slight problem. I think what should be done is that IOW/Island Line should both be under one route slot. Then when you go into timetable mode, you get to select whether you want the 2022 timetable or the 2020 timetable. The route would then change accordingly. Now you may ask. What if I only own one of the two routes? Well if you own IOW, it will show IOW, and the same can be said if you own just Island Line. Now where things get a little tricky is what if you own both? What would be shown on the main screen? Well, I think in terms of the route title, it should just be changed to Island Line. Now, something DTG could do is if you have both dlcs, the route cover will have alternating pictures of the 483 and 484. I think that would be pretty cool. If these changes were done, I would totally be all in for things similar to this in the near future. Potential There is a ton of potential for this new idea. Now I do understand that Rivet had to basically redo the route and that it probably took them months to get the route to where it is. But I feel like this could be an idea that DTG could try for some of their own routes, whether that being backdating a route, or bringing a route forward in time. Bringing routes forward in time The most obvious one I'd love to see this be done on is Great Western Express. This could be done as a loco dlc that comes with the Class 800, the 802, the 387, and the Class 345. DTG could also add 4 additional small branch lines that branch off of the current GWML to allow the 166 to still be present on the route. Scenery around the Paddington area would be very different, as there was lots of construction going on during 2016. I would go into more detail, but I want to talk about a couple of other routes. Another great one could be West Cornwall Local to allow GWR trains to run on the route. When it comes to older routes like SOS, NTP, and TVL, lots of work would need to be done to modernize these routes since they are super backdated. A modern NTP route would be cool though. Backdating routes? Something that could also be done is to backdate certain routes. DTG experimented with classic timetable packs with the Diesel Legends pack. However, it felt weird driving these very old trains with electrification present. What if DTG were able to go a step farther and actually make certain changes to routes to backdate them? Now this does seem really ambitious considering how difficult it is to obtain reference material for older routes. I personally don't think these backdated routes need to have a huge scenery overhaul. Instead, update key sections of the route such as stations, notable buildings, remove electrification, things like that. So like with GWE for example, I think they could simply just remove the electrification and that would make things better. Ok now lets talk about specific routes. One I would really like to see is a backdated NEC Boston-Providence. It would be super cool to see rather a time period where the AEM7, HHP8, and F40ph-2C were running, or go back even farther to when Amtrak was running F40's up to Boston before electrification was completed. Another one would be a backdated Peninsula Corridor when Southern Pacific trains were doing passenger services. I've also seen a lot of people want a backdated Brighton Mainline. Overall, this idea of Rivet's could lead to some really cool things within the near future if DTG ever shows interest in doing something similar. Now would I expect them to do something like this anytime soon? Probably not. TSW still has a way to go until I would say it has a complete collection. But if we ever got to see something like this at some point, it could lead to some really cool DLCs.
kinda like when omsi2 allowed different routes for different dates, i.e. drive the Berlin route 92 in 1988 and the wall is there etc, drive it in 1990 and the route is extended into what was the old east Germany, Then there's the stuff for driving on new years eve, at midnight (omsi time) fireworks go off etc. Not quite the different route period thing, but something i thought TSW2 would have had from the beginning was different services for days of the week, I.e. driving a weekday service is slightly different to driving a weekend service, and especially different would be driving a sunday service with engineering works, single line working etc.
Bringing routes forward in time The most obvious one I'd love to see this be done on is Great Western Express. This could be done as a loco dlc that comes with the Class 800, the 802, the 387, and the Class 345. DTG could also add 4 additional small branch lines that branch off of the current GWML to allow the 166 to still be present on the route. Scenery around the Paddington area would be very different, as there was lots of construction going on during 2016..[/QUOTE] Matt has already said if (and its a big IF) GWE is updated then the whole route would have to be rebuilt as so much has changed not just around Paddington but along the whole route itself. So they might as well do the whole route from Oxford to - Paddington. Hentis.
I strongly disagree, if DTG are gonna go back and make second versions of route they should go all in, make it as accurate to the time period as possible. The fact they're working with a existing route means they don't need to do all the basics like they would on most routes, freeing up resources for asset development that they normal wouldn't have. Also if DTG actually do start making second versions of routes people NEED to see that there's serious effort to actually differentiate the route from the version they either already own, or can get a cheaper version of on sale.
The SP Peninsula Corridor needs to be backdated to the 1960s-70s when SP was running FM H-24-66 Trainmasters and SDP45s on commuter trains. An SD9 "Cadillac" and GP9 "Torpedo" would also be great to see operating on this route. I really want the Black Widow-painted SP diesels; SP Black Widow is my third favorite railroad livery after the ATSF Warbonnet and BNSF H3. Perhaps some freight services could be included too with SP diesels handling locals on the Peninsula Corridor.
There is potential for it as far as NA freight routes are concerned, and would open up more variety of locos or operations depending on the era.... Sand Patch Grade -Can be backdated to either the Chessie Era or the B&O Era, the B&O Era could also add the now defunct WM line that ran parallel to the B&O line. Sherman Hill -Backdated to either the transition Era, which open up the route to Passenger trains, and UPs Challenger, Big Boy or thier Turbines, could also be backdated to 71-83, which opens the line up to Amtraks San Francisco Zephyr. Horseshoe Curve -Can be backdated to the PRR or PC Era, increased traffic due to the addition of Track 4. Cane Creek Branchline -Cab be backdated to DRGW Era, not really much more in terms of service unless Skyhook adds to the mainline. Clinchfield -Sent forward in time to the Seaboard System Era or the CSX Era.
In my view, almost all modern routes in TSW would benefit from some backdating. When I compare HSC and London to Brighton from TSC to the current TSW versions, for instance, the older renderings are far more interesting, especially in terms of rolling stock, but also have much more character and better scenarios. The TSC versions are almost infinitely expandable too, unlike the TSW iterations, which are pretty much WYSIWYG for ever.
I think that, given that DTG release at most a half-dozen routes a year, and any route that does get made means another potential route doesn't get made, the production of a "GWE 2022" would mean that some other much-demanded UK route like the ECML or Settle-Carlisle doesn't happen, and I expect the mob will bring out the torches and pitchforks over "recycling." And before somebody responds "it can just be a Loco-plus DLC like the 484/IOW," keep in mind that the Island Line is about 8 miles long and didn't change all that much between 2018 and 2022. The GWML between Paddington and Reading is 30 miles and has changed enormously, far more than just catenary being added.
And thing is GWR still isn't that massive compared to other efforts, compare most lines back in the steam era to what they are today. You'll realize that they had a lot of infrastructure changes once they got rid of them. If you want to go to the extreme end of the scale look at Sherman Hill and the compare it to the Cheyenne 1869 route in TS Classic, you pretty much can't reuse anything between the two in terms of assets because of how extreme the differences are. Obviously I don't think there will ever be a lot 1800's route made for TSW, but just bringing that up to illustrate a point. At some point the amount of changes you have to make to a route to backdate it properly are just as much, if not more effort than just building a route from scratch. At that point you have to really ask is it worth the effort? Especially if you're gonna get lots of people not buying the route because they just think you're selling the same route twice.
I would pay a heck of a lot more for DLC, providing it was a longer length route with additional Loco DLC to make it busier and even waiting a lot longer for a release to ensure it is as good as they can do it. The problem is, this company prefer to churn stuff out much sooner than dedicating the time to provide thorough quality on every aspect.
Oh trust me I totally agree with you. TSW still has a long ways to go until it reaches the level of variety TS has. This idea of forwarded routes is something I’d only want to see like once every 1-2 years. More Swiss routes would be fantastic. I also totally agree with you about having a discount if you own IOW and just your ideas in terms of business practices.
I would pay for 1970's BR WR Paddington - Oxford or Swindon. Also pay for a 1970's Brighton Line. Both with proper loco's and rolling stock for the period. Same with Penzance if it was extended to Plymouth, 1970's. I will never buy SoS even though i enjoy the era. Far far too short and much to limited in loco's and stock.
Slightly off subject and I don't expect to see this idea happen - but one way to solve the cash-flow need to keep DTG running might be to rotate releases between 'standard length' routes and 'extended' routes, with much higher prices for the latter. That way DTG revenue flow would not be degraded (and revenue, I am sure, is the major driver on the effort invested in a route). If extended routes were interpolated between more frequent standard route releases, maybe we could, for instance, see high-speed routes with more than a single halt. ICE and TGV might then become worth the time.
Oh yeah definitely. I totally get an extension would take similar time to a normal route. Let’s say DTG releases 8 routes per year. It would honestly be nice if like 2 of those 8 routes were extensions
This can also apply to Main Spessart Bahn with the tunnel section Heigenbrücken-Laufach with DB BR445/446 Final destination should say Bamberg towards Gemünden but Asschaffenburg Frankfurt Am Main Hbf. 445/446 can get VVO VBB Decals for RB31 trips that end in Elsterwerda then run to Stralsund via Berlin RE5. Crew change in Elsterwerda 121 km from Berlin Hbf
