TrainSimulations.net and MSTS Releases - Gauging Interest

[TrainSimulations]

Hi everyone,

As many of you know, TrainSimulations moved new development to the Open Rails platform this past spring. We have had a lot of requests to bring back MSTS releases as well. The large part of the decision to move away from MSTS was the limitations of the platform, lack of support from MS, lack of functionality with Windows 10, and zero growth within that market. I understand that many of you have maintained loyalty to the MSTS platform, so I would like to ask the following:

TrainSimulations would like to explore providing MSTS versions of their current and upcoming new releases. This would be primarily train packs, since our new route developments will simply not work in MSTS. These would be stand alone releases, separate from the OR releases. In other words, we will not be bundling OR and MSTS products together. Obviously, as end users, you will have to decide which of the products you want to buy. I can't guarantee that every trainset we do will be functional in MSTS at this time, either. Our latest release of the SD70ACe is about 57000 polys. Open Rails can handle that with no trouble, but the same may not be the case with MSTS. It may require a reduction of detail and/or simplification of the model. Is there a demand for this?

Thanks,
Jason@TrainSimulations

[GokuMK]

What your new routes will use if not MSTS/OR?

[TrainSimulations]

Actually, we have started using TSRE for Open Rails route development Fantastic work Goku, one of the best, if not the best, tool ever developed for the MSTS/OR community. Thanks for doing it.

Thanks,

Jason@TrainSimulations

[derekmorton]

Hi Jason,

One of the other sites ran a poll asking for the primary simulator.
If I remember correctly, OR ran at about 60%
Given we now have Goku's route and activity editors, the potential is that more people can get into route and activity creation.

I think that the focus must be on OR as it is the future.

[ossie]

I think your decision to fully utilise the advantages of Open Rails over MSTS for new content has been absolutely correct Jason. That said, if you do have a large enough percentage of your customers asking for MSTS compatible new content and you guys are willing to produce it within MSTS's limitations, that's a smart commercial decision.

[R. Steele]

Jason, I agree with Pete ( ossie ) with one addition, please seriously consider using OR native physics parameters in the new OR releases.
For instance, the ORTSDieselEngines block, lighting blocks, ORTS Davis numbers and ORTS CurtiusKniffler numbers...they do make a difference.

It's one thing to offer higher count models, thank you.
A bigger step would be to implement OR native physics in the new releases. I have a self interest in less work for myself.
Keep up the fine work...TS is one of a valued group of fine payware content providers for Open Rails.

[Claude350]

Keep it Open Rails. There is a reason why we went from horse and carriage to the automobile.

[TrainSimulations]

For instance, the ORTSDieselEngines block, lighting blocks, ORTS Davis numbers and ORTS CurtiusKniffler numbers...they do make a difference.

Ultimately, that is the goal, but it's not quite clear how to implement those physics parameters, as of yet. I think it's something that requires tools and/or more documentation. If such things exist, well, I'd be really happy to be pointed in that direction.


EDIT: I have been using Fcalc for years, and never knew about its ability to generate the Davis equation numbers, until just now. Well, that's one element of the physics you can expect going forward.

[Darter7]

Open Rails is the way to go.

[ftldave]

Jason showed a comprehensive list reflecting the state of MSTS, but ORTS also has its problems: mainly unfixed bugs and volunteer programmer turnover. Such is the world of open source, always, and it's tough to make money off it.

I would ask the question, why the hardened decision not to bundle both ORTS and MSTS train set versions? Any particular reason?

My latest trainsim purchases were for Valley Pass train sets, MSTS compatible, adaptable with extra work IF I want to run them in ORTS with satisfactory results.

[Darter7]

Jason, any hints as to what route(s) Train Simulations might be working on?

[Don_SF]

I would ask the question, why the hardened decision not to bundle both ORTS and MSTS train set versions? Any particular reason?

Just guessing, but if they have to produce two variations of the same model or route, that would drive up the cost of a pack and I certainly don't want to pay for an MSTS model I have no use for.

[geepster775]

When asked for their input, that silent majority army of MSTS loyalists who often do not vote in those silly "which sim do you use?" polls voiced their opinions to Jason in a very resounding message.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g04EtOyVeHY

[Sterlingkid]

I still use train Sim
still want packs of the older locos
ronhaahr@yahoo.com

[baldwin]

You have a wicked sense of humour geepster. I like it.