Curious About Run 8.

[dkingsburg]

I'm Frustrated with Open Rails and all the Problems I'm Having with Track Textures and I Gave Up On Trying to Get Into the Steam Library to Install TS2021 so I'm Curious About Run8. I've Visited the Site and Seen it on YouTube and I'm Wondering if Maybe it's What I'm Looking for.
I Have a Dell 660s Computer with Just the Basic Components and Wondering if it will work with Run8.
Any Info & Help will be Appreciated.
Thankyou,
DaveKfromUP

[SMRY]

I'm Frustrated with Open Rails and all the Problems I'm Having with Track Textures and I Gave Up On Trying to Get Into the Steam Library to Install TS2021 so I'm Curious About Run8. I've Visited the Site and Seen it on YouTube and I'm Wondering if Maybe it's What I'm Looking for.
I Have a Dell 660s Computer with Just the Basic Components and Wondering if it will work with Run8.
Any Info & Help will be Appreciated.
Thankyou,
DaveKfromUP

As to PC specs the Run8 site should give a good indicator of hardware needed.
Now, if your looking to mod, create your own equipment / engs / rollingstock/ worlds, textures, etc. that you'll be very unhappy, as not a feature of Run8.
Perhaps, one day editors may indeed come along, sadly, at this time no such features available.

[Brad3816]

As a train simulator, nothing compares to Run8. Out of the box, it will run fine on the slimmest 660. Go all in with all the pay-ware routes & rollingstock and heavily populating the routes with trains/consists, the CPU/memory starts getting taxed. You won't get the extreme stuttering/pauses like MSTS variations when taxed, but frame rates can be low with older computer builds. A good graphics card helps processing renders, but the biggest appreciable difference in how the sim looks is achieved with a 4k monitor with a 4k video card. Run8 control panel has a few basic video controls, but customers have no control over its built in 3d settings through Windows or, for example, the NVidia control panel. And, as stated, there no creating/manipulation/editing any of the Run8 components.

Having said that, at this point, unless you plan on upgrading your system and have a few extra bucks laying around, I would hold off. As good as Run8 is, Version 3 is just around the corner. It's based on an entirely different graphics engine, and based on what little dev's have shared, its sure to require a much healthier system then an Inspiration 660xx, and it (and additions?) will co$t.

[WesternDivision]

Originally Posted by Brad3816

It's based on an entirely different graphics engine, and based on what little dev's have shared, its sure to require a much healthier system then an Inspiration 660xx, and it (and additions?) will co$t

LOL Can't even begin to imagine the reaction if the V2 addon rolling stock and routes is not backward compatiable with V3.
Combine that with no route editor or the ability not be able to mod content and a posible upgrade of your computer for the new engine and I'm struggling to see as to whether it will be a worthwhile investment.
Of coures with the passing of time I'm now like some others in the trainsim community and just speculating because what choice do we have when so little information is shared by the developers .

Trainsim Moderators: scratching their heads and debating as to whether the word " Speculating" should be allowed in all future conversations .

The more I look at the advancements in the model railroad manufactures, community etc, and railroad photography as well, the more tempted I'am to start building a switching shelf layout, and get trackside more often than to invest any further in trainsims.

Father Time stands still for no one.

Cheers
James

[SurvivorSean]

V3 is just around the corner? Run8's moto has always been it will be ready when it's ready. If you check their website for a laugh go back to their last press release / update over a year ago. External dispatcher was just released, so it certainly still updated by the community developers when possible.

But on the original post it all depends on what you are looking for. For me Trainz runs fine, but I haven't run it for a few months now it seems. Run8 V2 also runs good as stated with a limited number of packs.

Haven't heard anything about backwards compatibility, but V2 did have certain features of DLC I believe that were built for it but still backwards compatible.

With the lack of information I would say if you like what you see, even a minimum computer will give you plenty but without all the maxed out shades etc.

Thanks

Sean

[SMRY]

Myself, still a supporter of Run8.
Though, I'll admit have / had set aside some time now. Not due to issues, nor, lack of todays pc engines / graphics.
Just tired of same O'l same O'l.
Sitting tight for pretty much anything the team may wish to release.
I too have my preferences, hopes, but, in the end, just want something new / fresh.
Least til another Run8 update / release rolls around, &, or, another game catches the eyes.

[SurvivorSean]

I'm not sure what defines supporter anymore? For me they are the best "train" simulator on the planet and there is a huge void waiting to be filled by anyone that comes close.

I agree with James to some extent about being rail side as more of a hobby.

My recommendation to the original poster is if it sounds interesting simply order V2 whenever your ready (if you meet the minimum specs). It is well worth the $40 you will pay in my opinion. I wouldn't buy every add on pack out there and just see if it's something that you like. If you need more information let the forum know and you'll be sure to get many different opinions to assist you.

Thanks

Sean

[bnsf4794]

I hate to be contrary on an otherwise supportive post, but V3 isn't "just around the corner". We're plugging away on it, yes, as well as a bunch of other projects. Also, regarding performance, you won't need a super-computer, and in fact, V3 may run better than V2. The main bottleneck in Run8, as with any sim\game, is shadows. Any machine with a modern multi-core CPU and a decent graphics card will run Run8 just fine, even with shadows on under normal circumstances.

Best Regards,
John Greenstone
Run8 Programmer

[seagoon]

I hate to be contrary on an otherwise supportive post, but V3 isn't "just around the corner"......

Well, Hallelujah!!! At last we hear from the dev.
That wasn't so painful, now was it, John?

[NorthernWarrior]

Just wondering what issues the OP is having with Steam which prevents him getting up and running with TS2021 or even TSW2 (which is getting something really magnificent with the Clinchfield route very soon).

Run 8 has given me a lot of fun recently but will temper that with the fact I just suddenly burned out on it. Maybe it's the constant desert scenery, we might have a 400 mile route to operate (I haven't added the Fresno line yet), but therein is the problem. With hindsight I would much rather have a collection of shorter more varied routes maybe even some outside the USA, to drive.

I was having considerable fun with the industry feature but suddenly it dawned on me this was really just an infinite "radiant" element with no real end or objective. Having to operate as both driver and signaller can be onerous at time and the game really (IMHO) feels the lack of an organised schedule/activity/scenario editor and autonomous despatcher so you can set up movements with specific destinations without having to micromanage the whole shebang. The multiplayer element has never been of real interest to me. No historic diesel locos (F7's or Alco's) and no steam traction either to add a bit of spice.

I don't want to come across as negative as at times I really like R8 and sure I'll be drawn back eventually, but for now I'm quite absorbed with TSW2 and have even dusted off TS20xx to revisit some of my favourite routes and traction.