Like Yogi Said...
"It's deja vu all over again!"
Now that we've made the "official" annoucement about Train Simulator the online forums are alive with comment and speculation. For me it's an eerie feeling, like I've been through this before. Oh, wait. I have--with Flight Simulator X!
First is the consternation over the OS platform--Vista. We expected the reaction of some, knowing that many folks haven't yet upgraded their systems. But we also know that system upgrades are periodic events and that there is a long way to go until the game is available. Plus, that time includes an ever-so-important holiday buying period. While it might be a bit early yet, I'm sure the papers will be filled with new PC deals in time for <insert appropriate year-end holiday here>. True, there are some that simply won't be able to afford a new system in the next couple of years. That's always a tough judgement to make for us. But in the end the data we have predicts enough people will to make the game a success. And, as many people on the forums have pointed out, we need to keep focussed on the future, not the past (or even the present!). Keep in the mind that TS2 will likely still be store shelves 7 years from now!
Another similar wrinkle in the TS2/FSX story is the confusion over DirectX. What I told journalists in Leipzig is that we're targeting both DX9 and DX10. Vista supports both and what you get depends on the hardware you have. Admittedly this can be confusing but as I found out with FSX, trying to explain it in simple terms isn't completely effective. I just hope folks will eventually get it sorted out in their own minds.
One other parallel is the group of folks who have declared, based on a few screenshots and blog posts conerning a game still over a year from shipping, that, "I'm not buying it!" I commend their resolve but, if FSX is any indication, a few of those folks will be converted before all is said and done. My thoery is that in any hobby where people invest a lot of time and passion the first reactions are the strongest and if those reactions are negative the impulse of many is to cry out. But we have a long road yet to travel with time for more revelations and discussions.
Lastly, one thing that has no analog with FSX is the hot debate over which routes will be "included" and how that will dictate someone's buying decision. We predicted that reaction and believe it represents the first step in a mental shift that will take place as people wrap their heads around the "World of Rails" concept. WoR forces you to ask, "What is a route?" Is it the terrain and scenery? The track and signals? Rolling stock? Signifcant landmarks? We are striving to supply many of these attributes through our data-based WoR. What else is required before you believe we've "included a route"? The question is only partially rhetorical. I look forward to seeing who we--collectively--answer that in the months to come.
Comments
Anonymous
September 01, 2007
Good old human nature, eh? In some ways, Microsoft has been a victim of its own success. I suppose it's cold comfort to realize that all those FS9 and XP users are hesitant to trade up because they love their old familiar standbys so. Although my father was a HUGE train fanatic, I never quite got the bug. Having seen the preview pics and vids from Trainsim 2, all I can say is let me at it. Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous, all around. This is one release I'm seriously looking forward to. You'll convert me from virtual pilot to sim railfan, I can just tell.Anonymous
September 01, 2007
That's true that some people overreact on any little details, we're still far from the releases and lot of stuff can change before that. he software looks really promising, and I think some people can't recognize that the fact that FSX and TS2 will share the same kind of tools of course with slight difference as a train is quite different from a plane. But in the end the main aspets will be the same, and I think it'll help a lot because people working on FSX could work on TS2 new stuffs and vice versa. I'm appy to tell that in the few threads I4ve seen after I made my french article nobody reacted like that, and all the people we're really impressed and expecting a lot from this new software, which I think is really nice. I'll be sure to follow the developement carefully, and try to report on the two big french forums I know about this game, on the english news that are going to be available here and on other english official website or blogs on the net. What disappoints me a little is that not ay of the big french gaming site has put things about TS2, some even still have data only on the first abandonned project by Kuju. So I've tried to post a bit of info on the forums of this site just to let the people have information, that is really sad in my opinion, even big ones like gamespot and ign don't seem to have anything on it :/Anonymous
September 02, 2007
Sounds as if you're making good progress on the sim, and I'd love to get the program, but until Vista gets rid of problems such as excessive DRM, sound reducing internet bandwidth, remote disabling of a system I paid for, and other rather odd design choices, guess I'll not be able to run TS2. I'll go to Linux before I go to Vista, as Vista is now. Granted that I'll miss FSX (and whatever is later), or maybe I'll just keep my XP machine around for FSX, but... Oh, yes - and I know a few others who think the same, though you'll probably do well in the mass market.Anonymous
September 02, 2007
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September 02, 2007
I was really happy to read all the descriptions of the game so far and checking out the first screen shots it looks and sounds like it is going to be absolutely amazing and the best game ever made when it comes out. I look forward to reading more as the project progresses and definitely look forward to the day when it comes out and I purchase it and play it for hours on end.Anonymous
September 04, 2007
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September 05, 2007
Quote: Keep in the mind that TS2 will likely still be store shelves 7 years from now.. Along, we hope, with at least version 2 and 3! Heh, heh. Cheers BazzaAnonymous
September 07, 2007
As a fan and want to be developer for both FSX and TS2 I feel your pain. As I was flying my payware A36 from TTD to RNO last night, I noted the irony that I purchased two copies of FSX yet I continue to fly in FS9. I also compared that to the fact that I am happy as I clam with an OS (XP) that is over 5 years old when Vista is available and clearly running on newer tech. I am glad that you confirmed that TS2 will be targeted for DX10 and DX9 just as FSX was. Can you confirm that it will be running on the same engine? I think you guys are on the right track and I commend your efforts. FSX was wonderful and I am sure an in house developed TS2 will be just as good if not better. So please keep up the good work. It keeps the PC going strong! I have begun to think of upgrading my simulators the way I think of upgrading an OS. It is a pain and it does break your user experience for a time, but in the end it is more then worth it. Thanks and please keep up the good work, Nicolas Jackson Virtual Pilot and Virtual EngineerAnonymous
September 09, 2007
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September 10, 2007
Data base WoR concept vs classic routes sound great! I look forward to reading more about. Javier.-Anonymous
September 29, 2007
Could Vista be the "new ME?" Many, many people skipped ME and waited for 2000, perhaps the next version of Windows will be more successful than ME or Vista? RobertAnonymous
October 06, 2007
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