DTG Matt The recent announcements feature being added to the game will add a whole another level of immersion to our experience. I know announcements is a new feature and I don’t want to jump the gun here, but for clarity purposes I’d like some feedback on the future of this amazing feature. Most importantly, will older routes be updated with Train/Station announcements? There’s so many routes past and present that would enhance their quality of life. For me, I’d personally like to see the commuter routes the most, Cathcart, Overground, WCML, SEHS, MML to name a few, but in reality every route in the game deserves announcements. Is adding announcements to older routes feasible? Would it break the route entirely or is it a simple transition? Your insight is much appreciated. Thanks.
Most likely not. If there is an update to an older route, then maybe they will consider adding it but there is no guarantees. But it's not something that could be quickly implemented. There's a lot of work for announcements to work in each specific train and be integrated into a 24 timetable and play them correctly at the right times
I agree with OP and hope it comes to at least some of the older routea eventually I'm sure there's work involved but it's mostly automated reading data from the PIS, right? I'd think for more recent routes (like TSW4/5 era) it won't be too hard. Maybe they just didn't want to put out a blanket guarantee? But, i'd like to hear more info from official sources
May be misunderstanding how stuff works but surely it could be added to the core and use TTS to just read off the timetable and station directory, thereby not a route specific feature?
Matt actually spoke about what goes into making the announcements in the roadmap at 1:16:23 https://www.youtube.com/live/HhaMma2FmNc?si=CDd-uD4BG69m-7mb
TSW uses AI TTS for the announcements. One can think AI sounding 99.5% like those professional voice actors? Or DTG playing safe and using completely synthesized announcements?
Good info, thanks- so, maybe a bit more initial setup than i imagined, but kinda makes it seem like it will get a bit easier over time as they build up a database of recorded place names, operators, etc. Excited to see what all they can do with this system! I wonder if it would be possible to add more GSMR functionality this way? I haven't messed around with it too much on the expert BR101, but it adds a bit more immersion
Remember you have to take into account other ambient sounds being heard in the area, especially the class 150, not exactly the quietest train is she lol. For advertisement purposes they shouldn’t have had any trains, just a walk about around the station while trains were approaching as you’re right they sound very washed out. As someone already mentioned it would be nice if they made a slider so you can made train and station announcements louder or quieter to your preference.
Thanks, from what Matt said it doesn’t sound too promising with older routes. I hope that’s not the case though. Early days still, I’ll remain optimistic for the time being.
I do hope they sound clearer without the loud diesel engines, but even then they did still sound quiet at Exeter St. Thomas. A slider would be great though.
I mean even with a 150, for a station like Exeter St Davids the announcements should be blasting out the speakers, echoing around the station. They were pretty quiet in the video. Maybe it will get better on release.
