Open Rails VS Other Rail Simulators

[oper190]

One last comment from me. The development and improvements in OR are great, going wherever the developers want to go. For me 1.4 gives me what I desire so I'm going no further. However if there is one fault with OR it is when downloading you only have a Game Engine, to get it working you have to go grab downloads elsewhere, and for the latest and greatest that means payware. For a new comer that will be a big turn-off, so I go to something else. OR needs to be a complete package at download - Globe, Sound, some Routes, Trains ( Trainsets and consists for the routes ) etc., so the new end user can play. That generates the interest in going further.

[slipperman]

Hi Geary,
Until Open Rails is a fully developed product, it's not possible to create your 'full package'.

I know MSTS was released as a 'full package', but most elements of it were very 'open' and it soon became a "tinkerer's paradise"!
Because Open Rails was originally developed to run MSTS routes and stock, but better, that trend has continued, so it appeals to different train-simmers than the likes of TSW and Trainz. If OR was released as a full package, it would be competing in that market.

Just the view of an ancient tinkerer!
Cheers,
Ged

[BrandonS261]

Thank you Eric, Feel free to close the thread as I have switched over to Elvastower and got a real conversation going on over on that site regarding this! Again this forum was not meant to start a conflict but to show Open Rails strengths and weaknesses against other Railroad Simulators of today! Along with get some questions answered and I got that more over at Elvastower then I did here. It was never about bashing the development team or about singling a group out. I will copy what I said over at Elvastower as I feel it shows the true meaning of why I started this thread in the first place!

Lets back this thread up a little bit and not put so much pressure on the developers. YES we all want different things and YES we ALL have different needs and wants that the development team can not always fulfill. Sure things are not perfect but they are better then the MSTS days and I am very grateful for that. Peter has done an amazing job when it comes to the steam coding and continues to do so.

You're work has not been un-noticed even if it feels like it has some times. I do want to thank ALL of the developers and others who have helped in the project and also for keeping MSTS legacy alive. I myself have done some coding for engine files, wagon files, build models, create routes, and many other things in Open Rails that I have taught myself from even back in the MSTS days.

I have always been a supporter of MSTS and Open Rails and YES there are times it doesn't feel anything is getting done but I know that is not the case. It takes a long time to do coding, testing and repeat until you get it the way you want. This goes for modeling as well for the game when it comes to many other aspects.

I want us ALL to see eye to eye work TOGETHER and have an understanding with each other. Like Peter stated earlier many hands make light work so lets try and work together to accomplish what we would like to see with Open Rails. I have always been the type to try and see both sides of a situation and meet in the middle. Yes there are things that the Open Rails development team has done that I disapprove of like making textured parts bright pink but there are many many features I do like. This includes being able to make more detailed models, better texture formats, better signaling, lighting, improved sounds, super elevation, and much better physics. The list goes on and on with the positives so lets try and focus more on that vs what Open Rails does not have.

Sure there are a few draw backs but that is with any simulator and like myself, Peter and others have said it is on ALL of us to make Open Rails a success for the future not just the developers. We ALL have talents that we can put towards Open Rails and that even includes testing specific functions, route building, modeling, sound updates, and even just re texturing locomotives.

This is a hobby for all of us and something that should be FUN for ALL of us to enjoy so lets keep this tread a little more positive, learn from each other and just enjoy the simulator for what it is and keep pushing Open Rails to become better in the future!

Brandon

[eric]

this forum was not meant to start a conflict

Well.... just know that every time it comes up, the conflict rises with it.

[BrandonS261]

Very valid point Eric.