Are N3V selling steam versions of TS12

I have a feeling that this was more of a "helpful" announcement from a newish? member of Staff, probably unaware of the issues with Steam, than an Official N3V doesn't care post. I can't imagine the official N3V line is go buy it somewhere else! Lets not jump to the wrong conclusions.
 
They may be able to, but I have a feeling that there is not going to be much chance unless they use a trainz-build 3.5 route and session (and most of the newer ones are 3.6).

Shane
 
Hi Everyone,

We're currently in the process of fixing the known issues with the Steam version. At this time, I can't give you a date, but I expect this to be completed very shortly, and at the latest in a couple of weeks.

Regards,
Charles
 
Well IF the patching system gets fixed, permanently, that is one less issue but will buyers from Steam still have Steam's ball and chain around their PCs? i.e you can only play if Steam lets you and you will be upgraded whether you like it or not? Like a certain other RW. Or is the Trainz version on Steam a totally different track, just distribution without any DRM?
 
Well IF the patching system gets fixed, permanently, that is one less issue but will buyers from Steam still have Steam's ball and chain around their PCs? i.e you can only play if Steam lets you and you will be upgraded whether you like it or not? Like a certain other RW. Or is the Trainz version on Steam a totally different track, just distribution without any DRM?

You will only be able to play if Steam is open. As other Steam games patch automatically, it should be the same, once the patch is released.

Kris
 
You will only be able to play if Steam is open. As other Steam games patch automatically, it should be the same, once the patch is released.

Kris
Not true, unless Steam changes track dramatically. Once I installed the games, I bought through Steam, I never needed to run the Steam client to play a game. You only need the client to buy, install and update games.
 
Excuse me. I just bought TS12 on Steam and I did not try to 'deliberately sidestep' anybody. I bought there because I buy all digital download content on Steam wherever possible, because their DRM system is reasonable and it's super easy to run the same software on multiple systems. I had no idea there was something 'deficient' about the version of TS12 sold on Steam, and indeed I -WILL- be angry if this is the case. Steam is just A PACKAGING AGENT. The software you buy there should be -identical- to the version to buy direct from a developer, whether on a disk or through a digital download.

Is there any definitive word from N3V about -why- TS12 is different on Steam (or even if it is)?
 
Hi RoverDaddy,

Welcome to the forums.

The main difference at this point with the Steam version is that it cannot be used to play most Multiplayer sessions, as it currently cannot be patched.

N3V are aware of this, and are working to rectify it.

Shane
 
lol, 'reasonable DRM'...

Steam requires vendors to use their DRM and client in the form of an SDK or library, which game manufacturers must incorporate into their code. It only takes ONE BYTE of code to be different in order to create two different versions of a product. In fact, Steam is even pitching a new DRM scheme called Custom Executable Generation, which means every purchaser's copy is different (although, presumably, they will have a backend patching mechanism in place.)

Because Steam REQUIRES all game manufacturers to use their SDK (unless they've changed their publication requirements), this is Steam's problem.
 
Forget Steam, I will never buy anything from them, I will stay loyal to the real software companies.
 
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Hi RoverDaddy,

Welcome to the forums.

The main difference at this point with the Steam version is that it cannot be used to play most Multiplayer sessions, as it currently cannot be patched.

N3V are aware of this, and are working to rectify it.

Shane

Thanks for the welcome Shane. After prowling around a little more I came up with nearly the same conclusion. I'm not all that eager to try multiplayer (I didn't even know it existed when I bought TS12), so I guess I'm in decent shape for the moment.
 
It's OK - I do my best to help users where I can, and you may find yourself needing my help in the future for certain technical-related issues with Trainz (luckily, I've got most of the information in the thread linked to in my signature).

Shane
 
Thanks for the welcome Shane. After prowling around a little more I came up with nearly the same conclusion. I'm not all that eager to try multiplayer (I didn't even know it existed when I bought TS12), so I guess I'm in decent shape for the moment.

Another key difference between the Auran and Steam versions of Trainz is the ability to install certain content. Steam users, so I've heard, are trapped at version 3.5 of Trainz, meaning they cannot install content designed for version 3.6.
 
Excuse me. I just bought TS12 on Steam and I did not try to 'deliberately sidestep' anybody. I bought there because I buy all digital download content on Steam wherever possible, because their DRM system is reasonable and it's super easy to run the same software on multiple systems. I had no idea there was something 'deficient' about the version of TS12 sold on Steam, and indeed I -WILL- be angry if this is the case. Steam is just A PACKAGING AGENT. The software you buy there should be -identical- to the version to buy direct from a developer, whether on a disk or through a digital download.

Is there any definitive word from N3V about -why- TS12 is different on Steam (or even if it is)?

I also didn't deliberately side step N3V. Buying through Steam is just one of the many ways I buy software. Atm 2012 runs ok, and haven't come across any issues. It's good to hear N3V are aware of problems and are rectifying them. I agree though that no matter on disk or download, the content should be identical.
 
This method can create errors due to build 3.6 features that were absent in build 3.5 and vice versa.

Hopefully that problem soon won't exist, just wondering if we are about to get that long overdue service pack and they may be doing both at the same time, being optimistic again. ;)
 
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