Many have said this time and time again, but N3V's response is always "New DLC packs will only work in TS2012 SP1". This is not enough, action needs to be taken as only a very small number of users have upgraded (downgraded?) to SP1 due to the many bugs and also the unwanted and unneeded copy protection. At the moment, only a very small number of users have it. Also, there have been numerous cases of users buying the NKP pack who were unaware of the SP1 requirement. Again, the responses from N3V in the pack's release thread have been less than helpful. N3V need to address this issue quickly as most TS2012/10 users (including me) are unwilling to apply a patch which may damage their game just to get some new DLC. I hope N3V rectify the problem before the shortly upcoming release of the LMS Potteries Loop Line, as UK users who have SP1 (at least the ones that are active on the forums) can probably be counted on the fingers. I suggest the SP1-only prerequisite is scrapped until TS2014 is released. I also suggest that the NKP pack is emailed to those who bought it and only realised it was SP1-only after their purchase or they get a full refund.
Okay, I'll bite.
SP1 is still full of issues / problems even with HF3 but what version, honestly, of Trainz hasn't been rife with issues? Eventually they get "stable" and some versions work better than others but for every version I've owned (even the ones you don't see on my tag line above) have had bugs. What N3V needs to not lose sight of is backward compatibility because it's the content that drives Trainz, not the engine.
There are serious flaws with this system, but there's also benefits otherwise why would people still work with it?
N3V needs to start phasing changes in and letting people know of new policy decisions. Enough of the "surprise! we changed things and didn't tell anybody else!" schtick. That mentality is rampant in the decisions or lack thereof that I've seen post Auran. I honestly think somebody wakes up and asks "Which way is it pointing?" and then that's the direction they head for the rest of the day. That's no way to plan and design a system. Sorry if that seems belittling but it's to make a point: I don't think they have a plan or a roadmap for Trainz. If I'm wrong on this, I'm sorry but I would love to see somebody from N3V put out a brief roadmap as to next Service Pack releases or next major release date. That would at least show me that somebody at N3V is doing honest to goodness planning that shows that this is treated like a product with deadlines. Or is N3V run in happenstance mode or is there thorough testing? I'm thinking it's closer to "It compiles, ship it" which is disquieting on many, many levels.
The NKP DLC announcement indicated SP1 of TS2012 was a pre-requisite, it was in the fine print. If you want your money back, ask for it. If they won't refund, talk to your credit card company.
As for the DLC needing to be supported on older revisions, it's up to N3V to evolve their product, but they shouldn't spring things on their community. I guess they figure irritating their most loyal fans is a good thing? They should support DLC that was available for that prior release but like all software, there has to be limits on how long they can support it. Even Windows XP has a shelf life and I don't believe that N3V and the handful of folks who are Trainz have the resources Microsoft has, not even close.
Why? They have enough problems with existing DLC now; some of it's good and stable but others like Murchison 2 for example is riddled with bugs and all I get from support is "we're aware and will address address it in the future." For all I know that could be 20 years from now or never if N3V goes Tango Uniform; let's not forget that happened nearly with this franchise and Auran. I realize that Support is in a bad spot here too because I can hear Zec probably laughing every time I open a new Murchison 2 ticket, because there have been a few lately but I just want what I purchased, great content that's not buggy. For me, that means if I don't see any fixes for what I've already purchased, then why would I be enticed to by any further DLC from N3V?
I realize that N3V will read this but it bemuses me if they honestly get the fact that there are people who are willing to buy their content if it worked, properly and wasn't bug ridden or full of spelling mistakes. I'm willing to live with a bug or two, just tell me when it will be fixed, that's all. An answer like "We'll address this in our next service release which is slated for Q3 2013" or something like that. But you can't even get that from N3V right now. Hello N3V? Is the CEO, your former Auran CFO listening to this? Customer Here, willing to spend money for DLC that works from a company that fixes the problems and at least can commit to its customers... Hello? Anybody? Graham, Chris are you listening?
If they are unwilling or unable to give you a commitment to when issues will be resolved why continue to buy from them? Go grab a copy of TS2010 and go to the other third party content providers out there who make routes and trains for Trainz. Money talks as they say, why not support them if you're not happy with DLC from N3V?
.
