Microsoft withdrawing?

Y

Yorkshire

Member
Have just seen on the flightsim X site that the entire ACES team who produce the flightsimulator series have been axed as part of Microsoft's cut backs. It seems that their Train simulator II is part of that development and since the whole studio has been axed it will probably not see the light of day. Interesting and what will the future hold? Hope that Trainz goes from strength to strength!

Yorkshire
 
It has been noted that the MSTS2 website has been quiet for some time.

I hope that the project is not canned, because I wouldn't want to think that Microsoft would pull the same trick twice.
 
Josef_Pav said:
It looks like the cancelation of MSTS 2 being a fact

http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=21981

and

http://http://forums.uktrainsim.com/viewtopic.php?f=186&t=90790
Click to expand...

Not quite.

As Matthew states on UKTS, all of the news around the Internet about the cuts seem to point to the same article on Gamasutra, and even the guy over at the UKTS forums who works for Microsoft and just lost his job, points to the same article, and I don't think he worked on the Aces team.

If the cuts do have an effect on MSTS2, then I'm sure we'll hear it from an official source soon enough.

It would be a shame if MSTS2 was canned, because they've done most of the work on the project.
At the very least, I would imagine that Microsoft will sit on the work they've already done until the project becomes feasible again.

Smiley.
 
I expect the MS employee knows what is going on; however, he would be restricted from divulging any inside info, and could only point to publicly known info.
I do hope development on MSTS2 will continue, either inside MS or external to MS by the former team. I think the competition would be a good thing for Trainz - I was looking forward to seeing what improvements they came up with that might be able to be rolled into Trainz.
 
Pencil42 said:
.... I think the competition would be a good thing for Trainz - I was looking forward to seeing what improvements they came up with that might be able to be rolled into Trainz.
Click to expand...
Perhaps they should be looking at Trainz to see how they can finish a train sim....twice MS has tried to release another train sim...proportionately, Auran suffered a much greater downsizing than MS, yet Trainz is still here and going....one of these days some of you will finally get it...:cool:
 
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Horsesho Curve

I was hoping that MSTS would release its Horseshoe Curve route, sooner than mine is completed. Now I just have to get my Horseshoe Curve route completed, as MSTS, seemingly, is not going to beat me to the press ?:mop: :'( :mop: I have merged 2 DEM's on DLS (Fishlipsatwork with DC Fox) and have added additional baseboards for the Wopsononock RR, and am detailing the Muleshoe Curve, Allegheny Portage Inclined Plane(s), several coal branch lines, and Johnstown Flood area(s). Screenshots are comming soon. Anyone else out there doing a Horseshoe Curve route besides M Evans & Sethmcs ? Grogstop ? USLW ? Who else ? PRR fans unite !:cool:
 
Smileyman said:
Not quite.

As Matthew states on UKTS, all of the news around the Internet about the cuts seem to point to the same article on Gamasutra, and even the guy over at the UKTS forums who works for Microsoft and just lost his job, points to the same article, and I don't think he worked on the Aces team.

If the cuts do have an effect on MSTS2, then I'm sure we'll hear it from an official source soon enough.

It would be a shame if MSTS2 was canned, because they've done most of the work on the project.
At the very least, I would imagine that Microsoft will sit on the work they've already done until the project becomes feasible again.

Smiley.
Click to expand...

Here is what Tom Allensworth the head of AVSIM has found out thus far -
Folks, we have been working all morning to get details on the demise of ACES Studios beyond the rumors flying on the various game sites. That news is starting to roll in. Most of it is non-attributable because of NDA's and slight chances for some members to have continued employment with MS in other studios / home rooms.

The picture that is emerging is not pretty. Of the over forty ACES members assigned to MSFS, all but six appear to be immediately impacted. Those six will be left to button up the product, burn master DVDS and then be forced to look for employment within the greater MS.

TrainSim is dead. There will be no further releases of this product, according to our sources.

We are working on this and developing the story. In the meantime, you may want to read my blog.

Tom Allensworth
AVSIM Janitor
Click to expand...
http://forums1.avsim.net/index.php?showtopic=241688

John
 
Here is a comment from "stonelance" on UKTS and TS-Com, a ( former it seems )TS2 developer

John

Hi everyone,

I wanted to say something since I know that the IGN article was particularily focused on Flight Simulator and not Train Simulator.

ACES studio has been closed and approximately 130 positions eliminated. MS remains commited to the Flight and Train Simulator franchises, and while it is possible that the products will be continued in some form in the future, for the time being no further development is being done. In the mean time sales of FSX will still continue, and I hope everyone continues to enjoy that product and all the fantastic 3rd party add-ons for it.

I am saddened that people will not get to see our work on TS2, as it was shaping up to be a fantastic product. I just wanted to say it was nice to be able to participate in the community. I enjoy both the feedback and the excitment of the community and I hope it remains strong and looks to other alternatives.

Take care!
Steve Heijster
Click to expand...
 
MS remains commited to the Flight and Train Simulator franchises, and while it is possible that the products will be continued in some form in the future, for the time being no further development is being done.
Click to expand...

This quote is rather odd. It states that MS is "commited" to both the FS and TS franchises. He then follows that statement by saying that it's only "possible" they might continue in the future.

I don't exactly consider that a commitment - at least not much of one. If they were truely committed, then the franchise's future wouldn't be in doubt and they certainly wouldn't have thrown a semi-completed TS2 in the waste bin (twice).

I realize the quote comes from a former member of the TS2 team, and not MS itself. However, I wouldn't hold out much hope for TS2 in the near future. And, if it does appear, it sounds like this will be yet another new version. Maybe the third time is the charm. :)

Either way, I'll happily stick with Trainz.

Patrick
 
This is the later thread, do we really need two threads on this?

And some come posts close (in both threads) to MSTS versus Trainz. I thought these threads were meant as news, not comparing simulators.
 
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Red_Rattler said:
This is the later thread, do we really need two threads on this?

And some come posts close (in both threads) to MSTS versus Trainz. I thought these threads were meant as news, not comparing simulators.
Click to expand...

If this was a news group I'd say you are correct but this is a discussion forum and as such, discussing the news is acceptable.

What other thread? A link would be helpful so I could post in that one too.:hehe:
 
I've never seen a figure that states the total of Auran's employees now. Does anyone know?

I made a statement in another thread a few weeks ago where I posted that Auran's plan was to market TS2009, with the understanding that the buyers would not be able to use it as it was intended for several months, or perhaps a year or more. They openly admitted that they needed the money from TS2009 sales to continue development, and were hoping that the faithful followers and friends of Trainz would respond and purchase TS2009.

I would have to assume that it worked as planned, since Auran is still developing, fixing and improving. At least no layoffs yet.

Interesting. The plan was a risky one, but imaginative. Would it be cruel to say that Auran is now gloating because they outsmarted JUMBO with a risky but successful plan? Auran's sim is doing fine (or will be soon) and MSTS might be relegated to the trash heap of train sim history. Again.
 
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