Birmingham Cross City - And A Price Rise

[NorthernWarrior]

If you haven't already seen it...

https://forums.dovetailgames.com/threads/master-the-west-midlands.61221/

https://live.dovetailgames.com/live/train-sim-world/articles/article/tsw3-master-the-west-midlands?_ga=2.106952778.83963212.1667147350-510320527.1528025590

As some us suspected with the pricing when TSW3 was released, DTG have slipped a fairly hefty price increase with this one, standard route DLC goes up from £24.99 to £29.99. There's not even the 10% preorder discount that used to be offered.

I was going to buy this one but not at that price. Okay in the scheme of things £5 is a couple of beers in Wetherspoons, it's the fact this represents a 20% rise on the already fairly expensive price for their DLC. This is a shortish route (35 miles total) with one new train (Class 323 EMU) and nothing to represent the significant Cross Country traffic in particular on the route. Hell they didn't include the short stretch out to the route's main depot at Soho, on the line towards Wolverhampton. They are billing this as a West Midlands "network" - for that description I would expect at the least Walsall, Coventry and Wolverhampton to be included. Birmingham New Street, no matter how well depicted is going to be a ghost station.

I can wait for a sale next year.

[haverfordwest]

Too short, it's modern rubbish and i am not interested.

Never going to buy TSW3, that is one thing i am absolutely sure of.

Mike.

[NorthernWarrior]

Indeed Mike if they'd gone back to the 70's or 80's with Tyseley Class 116's and the Bubble Cars plus included a bit more of the main line for the blue diesels then it might be worth the asking price. But as it stands, no.

[haverfordwest]

Maybe i should just shut up Vern. Not going to buy it or anything else DTG related.

So perhaps my voice is not valid, to comment. Last word on it buddy, even if it had gone back to the 70's it is still way too short.

Their DLC is just not worth the money, in MY OPINION. ATS Texas will be out soon, i will buy that without having second thoughts.

SCS have updated the game yet again to 1.46 and i guarantee it will not cause the problems DTG introduce in every one of their updates. Plus the game can be saved as many times as the player wishes.

Mike.

[NorthernWarrior]

There were some screenshots earlier on the DTG forum that showed a footbridge at New Street with no supports! That comes on top of an issue with the textures and lighting which is why they put the release back by a couple of days.

Couldn't agree more, £30 for a 35 mile route, with what seems loads of issues before they release it is a complete joke.

Agree re ATS, Texas on my shopping list as is Montana. Fired up Run 8 again with the new patch, I wonder if the "Fitz" will be out soon, just hope the exchange rate improves a bit first! Time to rest TSW for a little while I think.

[haverfordwest]

I stopped going to DTG forum. They have nobled my login. If i do login the forum takes ages to load, sometimes it takes three or four goes at changing different post subjects. Yet, if i just go on there without login in to read the forum, everything works smoothly, fast and first time. So i don't think i am being paranoid, Vern. Terrible attitude to customers parting with cash, that is not exactly in abundance at the moment. It is disdainful to me and i want no more part of it, buddy.

Run8 different reasons for not being installed. I was a bit disappointed that the last new route, didn't extend the SoCal routes. But others obviously want more variety. Can't fault John G, i have absolutely no axe to grind with the Run8 team. Unlike DTG and slightly less, N3V.

Another new patch out for Run8 ? Fair play they do keep things ticking over. You can't moan about the exchange rate Vern. Poor old Bruce only gets £10 for his 50 thousand Aussie dollars

I have Montana, i tend to purchase SCS DLC on the day of release. Neither truck sims are installed, but ATS will be when Texas appears.

Mike.

[ex-railwayman]

Agree re ATS, Texas on my shopping list as is Montana.

Some of the ATS DLC releases are discounted currently, Vern, Montana is 10% off, Wyoming is 30% reduction, so, pop over to Steam to see if you can get a good deal. I always buy anything straight away from SCS and they do seem to get better with every State they release, and they are all under a tenner.

Texas is out this afternoon.

Cheerz. Steve.

[NorthernWarrior]

I'll do that Steve, though at the moment I'm heavily back into Run 8.

The only TSW item I might get in any forthcoming sale is the Harlem Line, as I like the sound of the M3 EMU's. But it is still far too short to be worth paying full price and watching the review on YT by Schnauzahpowahz, who is usually pretty astute and reliable, lots of little issues - wrong colour ballast, UK PIS screens, the M3 pilot (object/people deflector) too low and scraping into the railhead.

Back to Cross City, someone pointed out on the DTG forum last night, the map to accompany the route can't even spell two of the station names correctly!

[haverfordwest]

Back to Cross City, someone pointed out on the DTG forum last night, the map to accompany the route can't even spell two of the station names correctly!

Mike.

[NorthernWarrior]

On the stream tonight apparently passengers on the stairs at New Street are sinking up to their waists, the 323 still doesn't sound quite right yet the forum is full of people waving their £30 at DTG like punters at an illegal bookies!

[haverfordwest]

...............lemmings.

Mike.

[NorthernWarrior]

Well I folded and bought it...

Overall not bad and quite enjoying the 323, a bit more character than the soulless Electrostars.

However as always the product is full of little bugs and niggles, currently being listed over at the DTG forum. As someone said over there, looks like the beta testers were asleep once more, or DTG just ignored their findings.

So yes it's good and I'm not refunding, but not really £30 good and if they want that kind of money off me again for a new DLC they had better raise their game.

[haverfordwest]

I will stick with £14.97 for my Texas bundle, Vern. The only thing i didn't own was a livery dlc, so i got that and Texas for 2p cheaper. Than if i had purchased Texas on it's own.

DTG can go take a long run off a short pier.

Mike.

[NorthernWarrior]

I refunded it Mike.

Some parts okay but too many bugs and the unfinished sections/sloppy errors relegate it to at least a 50% off sale.

Personally I think DTG have got downright lazy when it comes to what they give us with TSW -short routes, one train (which admittedly was better than some they've put out like Rivet's 150), CBA to test it properly then demand 30 quid.

At least buying the Turkish route in TSC (okay which ain't perfect either, but only £24.99) I know part of the money will be going to the third party developer.

[haverfordwest]

Fair play Vern, i will say nothing about the actual dlc. Nobody on here wants to hear me spouting the same old rubbish.

All i can say is roll on next year when TT:120 really kicks off.

Be lucky buddy.
Mike.