Does Trainz Have a Future?

[happyj]

What was the question ? Oh yes: "Does Trainz have a future?" The responses in this thread suggest no under the current circumstances especially with the problems related to content compatabity.

However these opinions only represent 45 or 50 users. What about the other 250,000 other users, many of whom probably don't even know the forums exist let alone participate.

Auran should consider some means of soliciting their opinions, either via direct mail or the Internet. A clearer picture of what is needed would probably emerge.

Cheers.

 

[nicolaas1]

I think a better question would be "Has the helpdesk from auran a future ?"

Sended a list off death links to them to get them fixed or removed from the helpdesk, no response from them.

In the past these problems where fixed in a day or two.

DLS death links problem still is very much alive, and what is the helpdesk doing ?

Nothing, just closing my request for help without a respons.

Well auran, sorry but this is not the way to treath people who pay for a firstclass ticket.

Ok they are only with 3 but still, they are there to fix problems.

 

[johnwhelan]

What was the question ? Oh yes: "Does Trainz have a future?" The responses in this thread suggest no under the current circumstances especially with the problems related to content compatabity.

However these opinions only represent 45 or 50 users. What about the other 250,000 other users, many of whom probably don't even know the forums exist let alone participate.

Auran should consider some means of soliciting their opinions, either via direct mail or the Internet. A clearer picture of what is needed would probably emerge.

Cheers.

Now my interpretation is different on reading the same thread. There are some issues but these can be overcome and there are people who still think Trainz is worth while. Certainly enough to make it commercially viable.

Cheerio John

 

[happyj]

John

I don't disagree with your interpretation but what Auran needs now is a steady and reliable cash flow and as far as i can see nothing in this thread adresses that situation.

From my view it would appear that CMP is flawed for whatever reason, faulty content, freeze ups for whatever reason, and others.

Faulty content seems to be a major problem affecting the stability and performance of CMP. What are the solutions and who is going to execute them.

Hopefully TC 3 will provide a short term solution to Auran's ability to continue with the Trainz franchise.

Cheers.

 

[aardvark1]

To happyj....

....snip....but what Auran needs now is a steady and reliable cash flow and as far as i can see nothing in this thread adresses that situation....snip.....Hopefully TC 3 will provide a short term solution to Auran's ability to continue with the Trainz franchise.

Cheers.

Both points made by you are correct.

But, for many here, it is just easier to complain about what Auran should have done, what Auran should not have done, and what Auran should do going forward.

What people seem to forget is that Auran is a business, with a business plan as to how they should operate and what they should produce and release. We can suggest things, but it is Aurans decision to act on these suggested improvements.

We are where we are with Trainz,...right or wrong.

Nothing, let me repeat that.....nothing... is going to change the past....we can only look to the future.

Respectfully,
Ron

 

[JCitron]

I think that Trainz does have a future. This is not just a program, but a way of life for many people here, thus the concern that many people have for the viability of the organization. My company went through the same kind of downsizing - from 150 people to 12, and we're actually doing better and even posted a profit for the first time.

Anyway, the program its self can run stand alone, and really doesn't need an Internet connection other than for downloading content. So if the DLS were to poof out, the program will continue on its way, and as others have said here, the many user groups and sites will pick-up content and make it available.

If anything, I would love to see someone else host the DLS and keep the content updated. This would give Auran the extra freedom to focus on program development instead of devoting time to uploads and content repairs. The added benefit of hosting the content else where too would be to have a chance to revamp the whole DLS interface so that packs could be handled differently, and the content could be presented and organzied in a better fashion.

In regards to CMP, I've had very few problems that weren't solvable. First of all I found that by running CMP directly instead of through the launcher, I get better performance. I actually have a seperate shortcut on my desktop for CMP alone. I found that the launcher added to the memory overhead that CMP needs to run.

Like Ed and the others here, I have also spent some time removing or reparing faulty content. In many cases the errors were just typographical errors. In other cases, well the content went to the bit-bucket because it was missing components that went beyond what I could handle. After doing this, the whole Trainz 2006 suite has work like a champ for me. I've spent upwards to over 9 hours in Surveryor and Driver and exited without a glitch back to the destop when done.

Anyway, this is my 2-cents on this.

John

 

[happyj]

JCitron

Very well said. As a prime example of your comment about someone else hosting the DLS all you have to do is look at Train-Sim.Com, Nels Anderson has served the MSTS Community well for many years when Microsoft offered nothing in support of the software.

I have TRS 2004, TRS 2006. and Trainz Classics installed om my computer, each on a separate drive, and have downloaded many layouts and objects for each. Unlike Ed, yourself and many others, I have not corrected (old age a major factor) any faulty assets, yet I have not had that much trouble with CMP crashing etc. I have also found that Trainz Classics performs better than the others including layouts created for other editions (separate thread).

My main problem has been with CMP freezing on the DLS and related problems. I have found that the more often that you use CMP the better it performs.

Happy Trainzing.

 

[TrainMan12]

It all depends on the community. If there are no people to support it, then there's no point in continuing it. Auran could quit right now on us, and I think the community could still pull together.

 

[Capt_Haddock]

No more doom and despondency!

Yes, Trainz does have a future. The worst thing about it is the constant whining coming from some parts of this forum, other than it’s fine.

The program (2006) works very well once it has settled in and even CMP, in my experience at least, does all it is supposed to do. I do wonder if many of the supposed CMP problems are RTFM related, or more likely, due to operator impatience. It can take a while to get going if the assets.tdx file is cleared and if there are a lot of faulty items.

However, the biggest asset of the program is the wonderful Trainz community, between us we have every base covered and there is enough skill and determination for the Trainz to live on even if Auran folds.

Finally, thanks JCitron for the running CMP directly tip, I would never have thought of that, assuming CMP to be part of Trainz. Sharing these useful tips is what gives the Trainz community is strength and what makes it such a powerful and rewarding program to use.

Thanks and regards

Chris

 

[Captain_Scarlet]

but I wouldn't want to go back to setting up consists outside of trainz and then hoping they'll fit at the trackmark I've selected in order to use them.

You could always dump yer trains on a 2D map as before but without the constraint of the trackmarks... Why have to be in the 3d environment with all the lagging to place a train?
Scenery building is a seperate activty to driving and should not mix. The placing of trains in Surveyor was a big mistake despite the older system being less malleable.

 

[QR1408]

You could always dump yer trains on a 2D map as before but without the constraint of the trackmarks... Why have to be in the 3d environment with all the lagging to place a train?
Scenery building is a seperate activty to driving and should not mix. The placing of trains in Surveyor was a big mistake despite the older system being less malleable.[/quote]
Oh no not back to UTC!!!! Most Trainz user will stay with Auran because it's more than a game. But IMHO Auran should come to the party and provide a programme that's easy to use, doesn't find so many downloads faulty. And a content manager that is easier for newcomers to deal with.

 

[aodgh0st]

well i personally like trainz (2006 here), i have my problems with it sure, but lets face it. i spent 20 bucks on trs06, and alot of downloads for free. if i were to make one of these routes with the amount of cars and engines, i'd probably be in debt, or wouldn't at all. i can tell ya that for the price i paid, and the amount of stuff i can do with it, im sold. in fact i've told my bosses and coworkers bout it, and about 10 people have bought this game. they like it. i'll continue to buy new versions (0nce i upgrade my pc) until they stop making this game

game=simulator, game is a shorter word lol

 

[john259]

One important thing that distinguishes Trainz from most computer games is that games usually come to an end, whereas you'll never run out of new things to do with Trainz.

John

 

[chillywilly]

I know that Auran shutting down is too bad and they say Trainz will still be going on, but will the DLS be still running and will the current group be making new "TRSs" to compete with Rail Simulator and MSTS 2? -Chris

Kuju's Rail Simulator isn't much to worry about. MSTS-X is supposed to be out next year.

Trainz has got to do something about it's graphics engine or it will go the way of the buggy whip. Will Trainz go on? That is really the question. The smugness of the folks at Auran thinking they have the only game in town is coming around and biting them in the rear end. Innovations keep a product moving. I don't see different routes or add-ons as innovations. New sales are a key to success. You want to attract new customers, give them something new and exciting to use, not rehashes of old, out of date technology.

I would still be an avid user and advocate of Trainz, if there had been any true improvements in the Trainz product. I saw the transition from TRS2004 to TRS2006 as a joke. Some new utilities, a different interface to the same old CARTOON graphics engine. Innovations? NADA, ZILCH, ZERO. Keep selling buggy whips to the folks that own cars and the future isn't so bright.

Bill

 

[rjhowie1]

Much in what you say there about progress that i can agree with however in fairness this is a broad church so to speak.The high end person who wants state of the art will feel things are not moving enough in that direction whilst others will be happy that they can run trains and actually build something without needing a degree in techyness.

 

[Sourdough]

Will Trainz go on? That is really the question. The smugness of the folks at Auran thinking they have the only game in town is coming around and biting them in the rear end....
Bill

This is true only in chillywilly world....

 

[Originalwelshborder]

I'm concerned that very few registered users actually use the forums, which suggests that Auran must have a quite small recurring customer base despite the apparent sales numbers. There are few who have been here since the start, so the funds can't be rolling in to keep the DLS etc. going for long-the economics don't make much sense.

I agree it needs a major upgrade to attract more customers, but will the rescources be there to do this or even to maintain the current level?

 

[chrisracer8903]

I'm concerned that very few registered users actually use the forums, which suggests that Auran must have a quite small recurring customer base despite the apparent sales numbers. There are few who have been here since the start, so the funds can't be rolling in to keep the DLS etc. going for long-the economics don't make much sense.

I agree it needs a major upgrade to attract more customers, but will the rescources be there to do this or even to maintain the current level?

I agree, but don't forget, people do upload content and don't use this forum so it's not "All" about this forum. -Chris

 

[amigacooke]

I'm concerned that very few registered users actually use the forums, which suggests that Auran must have a quite small recurring customer base despite the apparent sales numbers.

Not necessarily. I've all the 'Total War' games since Medieval War, but I've never posted on their forums.

 

[Originalwelshborder]

True, but I suspect that buyers of Trainz who don't visit the forums will not appreciated the true depth of it, given the additional information that is really necessary to run it properly and get full value, many may give up in frustration and won't be repeat buyers, and won't be around to support future development, which is/would be a great pity?