Looking at the various Train Simulators and the opportunities available to create

[SurvivorSean]

Was doing a bit of a feasability analysis of the various simulators and the opportunities out there for building a simulator to fill in some gaps in the market.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJKGsx556A8&t=3s

Thanks

Sean

[SurvivorSean]

I'll kep the Christmas Story on my discord and will follow on my channel this week. But I'll briefly say that the feasability analysis above was a good brainstorming excercise on what is out there and what is missing. Becaus of that I have a pretty solid idea now what I want RTS to become. It's either going to build on what is coming down the road from Railroader, Run8, or others in 2023 or it will be in the form of developing software and a network for a train simulator in RTS2. Bottom line is if I'm/we are developing our own solution then we are going the 2D. It will use Open Maps and start in my home of Niagara Region, Ontario Canada. It will work it's way across Canada as well as hopefully connect at the nearby border at Buffalo & Niagara Falls NY and spread south across the United States.

Open Maps unlike Google is creative commons and honestly any price tag will be low if this winds up not simply becoming another free version similar to FYM. The big difference is this will be totally capable of running an entire network limited to the resources on your computer with full AI dispatching and switching.

Again I'm hoping Railroader and Run8 come through with cool new worlds to explore in 2023. I know what Railroader is doing, I haven't heard anything on what Run8 is doing (other than Fitzgeral) which is cool because they're going to bring it eventually no doubt. But deep down inside despite my reluctance to program. I haven't had an easier goal right in front of my eyes if I just build it they will come.

Yes this is NOT the Christmas Story that is on my Discord and I'll have more on my Youtube. I'll leave this thread now in it's silence and peace and quiet. But I told you I'll be back!

Thanks

Sean

[SMRY]

I'm feeling a little lost within the forums area for haven't been following TS daily.
eric I realize subject seems to repeat itself, but, I would hope TS will consider keeping this or perhaps a new area for "Thinking Out-Loud", long as RR game / sim related. I guess no man an island. Lord knows I repeat myself, lol, at times only one I can chat with is myself, lol, happens at least once a day. Sean's got great ideas, thinking out loud via text, you already know I easily go off in left field. Some days better than others keeping on topic. I wish others would partake, chat with Sean, share ideas, perhaps those with more pc skills would give it a go whatever skill(s) they possess. I've offered artsy skills, though still in the learning stages via pc. Away from PC I'm called an artist for I do draw, paint pretty much all the mediums. Even learned both Architectual & Mechanical Drafting, which I love
though, not too sure I would know how to bring to the PC. Seans many talks of "game engines" just bewilders me, no idea if I have skills that could be used / converted for use, of help in any way. Blender I've had on the PC for years, but feared it until RollingLine came along, thus, didn't touch it. I did try a basic program for graphics long ago, while I operated FYM (Freight Yard Manager), but can't recall it's name. I had gotten to the stage where I was able to change the looks / functions of controls, also the looks of the Rollingstock / Prime-Movers within FYM, which those in charge didn't like, even though didn't affect anyone outside my own use & those that followed my progress.

Anyways, please keep an open mind, talk it out. Perhaps another RR game / simulator may just become reality one day have arisen from "TS Open Mic".

Sean, I still stand with you, besides, I've no others to gab with.

[CSRX]

I mean, personally from my stand point, not that it really matters, is, as I grow older, I'm more interested in plug and play simulation or gaming.

I like the ability of Open Rails, with the availability to edit, mix, match, do whatever, with files for additional locomotives, freight cars, build custom routes, custom consists, custom everything, from scratch.

I however, also like the ability of Train Sim World, that you simply install a new route, and you are all set to go. Especially when I just spent an hour or more, downloading appropriate files here in the library, for a route or activity to work correctly. Which, in some cases from TrainSimulations, their routes are basically plug and play for ORTS, but after spending that much time, I end up losing interest and move onto TSW where I can click and go.

[SurvivorSean]

I can certainly understand the aspect of plug and play being gratifying. I know Trainz can be a bit of a pain espeically over various versions. Run8 despite having lots of open ended activities and control does take quite a bit to set-up to get it to do what you want.

TSW certainly gives enough content. For me I find that content gets old fairly quickly once you've gone through the activities. This is where I can see Open Rails being so rewarding because there is also lots of plug and play activities (though some require certain rolling stock etc.).

Thanks

Sean

[SurvivorSean]

Back to the plug and play aspect Shawn mentioned above. I actually do enjoy a good plug and play sim/game. I think Railroader is going to fall nicely into that catgory from what I've seen thus far. But I understand and also could see the small size of the route getting repetitive. As has been mentioned TSW has smaller size routes and this is probably due to all the massive detail in graphics and scenery which take both time to create and computer resources.

I do appreciate customization though as well and would never discourage that from a train sim. Editors and options are always nice to have even if not used that much.

Thanks

Sean

[CSRX]

Thats the one thing I do like most about TrainSim World 3, I first had it downloaded for the Xbox via Game Pass, and it was simple, download, install, run, with some purchases made along the way for additional routes. Yes, I will admit, it does get to be a bit of a bore after two or three times on a few of the routes, Rush Hour Boston Sprinter for instance. Gets dull doing basically the same run over and over again with very little changes. Though, I suppose it makes sense, as that is how it is in reality too. I've commuted on the MBTA a few times while visiting Boston on vacation.

It is nice to use to take a break from Open Rails however. Though, Open Rails can be satisfying as well, with making additional rolling stock, which I have done since 2011 I believe, maybe before that? Additional activities, and even making routes with the new TSRE that isn't nearly as finicky as the MSTS RE was. TSRE actually makes it a breeze to lay out a route.

It's nice to go back and forth between the two, and it's obvious both have their pros and cons. So it would be a bit difficult to have the best of both worlds as one. End result, there is still going to be work to add on regardless if it's us as individuals, or the game developer itself to make a plug and play style route, trainset, etc.

[NorthernWarrior]

Have to admit I am pretty much focused on TSW at present with the occasional delve into TSC.
Run 8 I seem to have gone off a bit again, for the moment.
Trainz provides a bit of route or layout building activity but I find my creative edge is increasingly dulled these days combined with more to do in the day off the laptop (who said retirement is all R&R!) so most of my efforts end up abandoned or binned.

I too actually appreciate concept of plug and play these days, CBA with lengthy setups or file management/copy/manipulation just to get something running.