Something I've never understood is why Train Simulator uses a low-poly milk bottle model as the replacement for a missing asset. Source games use a massive glowing 'ERROR' asset, which makes a lot more sense than a milk bottle. Does anybody know why the milk bottle is used?
Well you can swap the asset for anything you like, just replace RailSimulatorCore\System\missing.GeoPcDx with another (non-DRM) shape. It's a nice way of letting people play freeware routes, where some assets might not be available, without causing too much distraction while still hinting that some objects are missing. Or Workshop routes, even if you don't own all DLC. You might be missing scenery, but can still enjoy the route (if not a vital asset). Some authors tell in their route description if a DLC is vital or non-vital. I also think the milk bottle is some kind of reference to another game or something... they might have been in MSTS already, not sure.
I know that in other games when something is unavailable it will default to the first in a list. For example, cars in Gran Turismo 2 that had no logo would default to the logo for a Mazda RX-7 variant. My original theory was that it was the 'first' asset but clearly it can't be that, because to name something specifically for that purpose means it needs to be intentional. An MSTS reference would make sense, although that would then expand the question to cover MSTS too.
Of course it was intentional. Let people play the routes even with missing assets, as TS is an open platform for everyone to develop and distribute content - Kuju were wise enough to anticipate "asset hunting" and to give a nondistractive hint for a missing object, that can at some point be replaced automatically by installing the assets. Having huge error objects would probably force people to remove the object from the route. Better to have a small milk bottle only to have it replaced once you happen to get hold of the needed asset pack. G-TraX removed a lot of assets for their Stevens Pass backdating project. Instead of going through the whole map and remove modern buildings, they just deleted the assets (at that time the editor was highly unstable, as Michael told me on RWA forum). All that's left now are milk bottles in the distance, not noticeable when playing GN Cascadian. (So if you're running Cascadian through TS-Tools, getting errors - it's fine. All good.) If you need a big missing asset marker, use an OxPadd chimney geo. The milk bottles are a good compromise biased for players - not us asset hunters OxPadd chimney used for visual tracking of missing assets on SFM Torino (found them all )
Wotawally has a Pink Chimney which does the same job https://www.wotawallysbits.net/utilitiestutorials.html Missing items are identified with a tall pink chimney rather than a small milk bottle, making it easy to locate the missing item(s)
One day we might interview the developers to find out how it happened. It's indeed a clever idea to have a specific missing asset, which can be swapped depending on production or test & development code. (Might also be an alphabetic thing, both starting with MI.) Until then, we can only rely on legends. Back in 2006 during development, at the end of a long Thursday the team went to a pub for team and spirit building. It was glorious. During the evening, one of the route builders who ruled never to talk about work in pubs, trade secrets and of course, even weather is better, started talking to his mates about the issue of finding missing stuff. He was quickly offered some more. The next morning as people turned up in the office, they opened the fridge, hoping to brighten up their refreshing coffee by pouring a detoxicating dose of milk into their coffee. There was none. The route builder, still with narrow eyes and a slightly red face, felt like a light bulb turned on. We're missing milk. Oh yes. And thus, on a hazy Friday morning, the legendary milk bottle was born. ps.: Based on a true story.
