SurvivorSean - Discord

[billbloggs]

Hi Sean,

Know nothing of Discord however have just created an account thinking I might enter your 'Discord' just to check out your Run8 content but when I go to the link it states 'invite invalid'. Just a bit of background, a random recommendation on YouTube for one of your multiplayer Run8 streaming videos caught my attention. Illustrates the value of a quality thumbnail because my only 'look' at Run8 was waaaay back in the day and I dismissed it as a sim for dispatchers, moved on with OpenRails and the rest as they say is history. So now realising the appeal of V3 and all that's on offer, particularly the multiplayer and AI Dispatch, as time permits I will purchase. Can't believe all those years unaware of the actual product content! And your YouTube streaming videos provide an excellent intro to the sim.

If you could clarify the Discord 'thang' then would be much appreciated.

Cheers
Duncan

https://www.youtube.com/@carlray7224/videos

[eric]

Discord is a chat/voice app like WhatsApp, Skype, etc. used a lot in the multiplayer gaming community.

[TrainSimJack]

Hi Duncan,

Run8 is great! I'm constantly impressed and still learn new things about the sim several years in.

I don't know the policy here about advertising discords, but know that there are plenty of people with run8 servers, many advertise on youtube.

Sean, Mateo-Tube, CMFRR, the depot, Hiball are all folks I've seen on youtube with run8 content.

All of these groups have enthusiastic people who'd probably be happy to show you around run8.

( I wish I could find a group as supportive for Open Rails, it's the ONE train sim I've not tried nor seen a demo of! )

[eric]

I don't know the policy here about advertising discords

It's OK to include links relevant to the context of a conversation as long as it's not spam, porn, or something that has nothing to do the hobby...

[SurvivorSean]

Let me look into the Discord issue I thought it was a permanent invite.

As for the YouTube check out the live section as YouTube split everything up last year and the majority of my videos are live streams. It's been about half a year now since I've been in Run8 but there should be the latest stuff in there. Discord to be honest other than chatting and meeting others who can help like myself and answer questions doesn't have content persay.

I'll get back to you in the next day or so.

Thanks

Sean

[billbloggs]

Hi all,

Ahh, my bad for not understanding the Discord program - thanks for setting me straight. In any event Run8 really does appear to offer just so much content to add to the simming experience. I have some catching up to do however once up to speed in single player would certainly hope to take the next step to multiplayer. Seans YouTube streaming for his server has been a real eye opener and if other servers are also patronised then augers well for the future. As a side note I originally purchased quite a bit of content from 3DTrainStuff and always wondered why it literally faded away, if I have it right and they are behind Run8 then that certainly solves that mystery - obviously I've got to get out more!

Appreciate the responses,
Duncan

[billbloggs]

Hi Jack,

Acknowledging this is the Run8 forum I can highly recommend the OpenRails sim, basically the 'love child' of MSTS. Probably compliments Run8 from the little I've seen although differs markedly in design re activities and emphasis on multiplayer. As I have stated I anticipate utilising both sims going forward because based on what they offer just tick all the boxes for me, and being a survivor of the MSTS years of frustration and disappointment whats not to like.
The OpenRails forum here at Trainsim.com should serve you well re information and YouTube contains OpenRails content. Perhaps a good starting point would be a free route available from the payware provider TrainSimulations.

If the Moderator considers I have transgressed with a 'sale' of a competing sim then by all means feel free to edit my post - the lines are a bit blurred when replying to Jacks post. And I'm right on board with Run8.

Cheers
Duncan

[SurvivorSean]

Yeah they don't announce too many things which is a shame. To be fair (I have personal issue there) you may want to check out thedepotserver.com as well. They seem to be a bit more cozy with the developers (thought I don't know to what extent as i'm not on their forums or servers).

To his credit Jason (Hi Rail) does post a fair amount here for his South East (FL,GA) content. John (Co-owner/Programmer) will stop by when he has to crush bad rumors Their website will only update when something new is added such as DLC or an update.

Thanks

Sean

[SurvivorSean]

Here is a 7 day invite to my Discord https://discord.gg/5xBTbCET

It's not meant to be private (though we had private sections for password related stuff on my servers). Conversations can get a little whacky. I honestly don't have anything Run8 related on here except a bit of bitching and moaning from time to time

But in all seriousness though despite any shortcomigns Run8 is a quality product that I highly recommend (to me the best Train Simulator in North America). Currently I'm running a program called SimRail out of Poland. I call it the best in Europe but to be fair I haven't really checked out Zusi due to the language barrier. Railroader is another one to keep an eye on.

With the exception of development from Jason's Fitzgerald Sub which looks beautiful and will be a good add on to Waycross and A-Line, we don't know what else is coming. One of my Discord members has his eyes and ear on the pulse a bit more and actually found some files that might be a Pittsburg line or something (but who knows). I think they had some haters in the early days who were critical of thm of not reaching deadlines. Their famous quote is "It will be ready when it's ready" which I can certainly understand and accept. I haven't used Run8 in several months now as it doesn't currently fit what I'm looking for. But I got my money's worth multiple times over with 3 versions and dozens of updates over the course of over the last decade until last year. I highly recommend it.

Thanks

Sean

[SurvivorSean]

Figured out how to do a non-expiring Discord link

https://discord.gg/zfxTBbnu3K

Thanks

Sean

[billbloggs]

Appreciate the replies Sean.

I have been trawling through the various forums etc and can honestly say Run8 appears a quality product and represents good value. I have now sat through several hours of your RTS multiplayer server videos and the laid-back no drama environment appeals. With your attentions elsewhere at the moment does your server still operate? If so will be my first port of call when I eventually get up to speed with the sim.
As a side note I followed your lead to the recent dispatcher video for SimRail and although well above my paygrade was truly amazed at how the signal box functioned, was "mesmerizing" to watch although must admit I struggled to keep up with the action at times. Looking back to the days of MSTS I doubt anyone, no matter how optimistic, could have foreseen how this was all going to progress.
Much to look forward to.

Thanks
Duncan

[SurvivorSean]

No I haven't run a server probably in about a year and it was only part time. The last time I was in Run8 was single player as I tried to push it to the limit of what I was hoping to achieve.

I tend to focus on trying to recreate the actual opeations as closely as possible. Despite the great advances in AI that have got us closer it still takes lots of manpower for switching in the yard and industries that must be done by humans. Waycross is a full hump in the SE so that was my last goal and it's just too much for 1 person in a 24 hour period to keep up. Besides I tend to like a bit of variety.

I have considred getting back into it though it won't be for the long run. My goal was to have a worse case scenerio I can run it by myself, but still have MP available in the past.

Thanks

Sean

[TrainSimJack]

billbloggs,

For Run8, as an alternate to Sean's server (mentioning this because he said he no longer runs it):

If you're really into prototypical operations, check out thedepotserver.com - they run 5 run8 servers, one of them is wide open, the other 4 are part of "Depot+" which runs more prototypical and requires some knowledge to join.

If you're looking for a more casual environment check out Mateo-tube's server via his discord: https://discord.gg/R4AynP6xdD
They seem like a good group and the server's been rock solid - hosted on a gigabit fiber up/down connection. They do check rides now, but they aren't as in depth as Depot+.

[SurvivorSean]

Just an update Duncan if all goes well I will have a part time server up for Roseville, similar to my most recent part time runs last year. There is also another 24 hour server I can recommend that is the former RTS server who took for me years ago.

If you're interested let me know, I'll keep you posted as usual on my Discord.

Thanks

Sean

[billbloggs]

Hi Jack and Sean,

Thanks for the followup.

Definitely interested but there will need to be a lot of water flow under the bridge before I'm up to speed, time wise. Very impressed with the multiplayer aspect and how well established it all is. Really keen now to see how Run8 leverages off all the hard work and effort which has produced, it would appear to me the casual observer, a quality product.

Am now following along on the Run8 forum so would appreciate update posts from those 'in the know' if so inclined.

Cheers
Duncan

https://www.youtube.com/@carlray7224/videos