Does Trainz Have a Future?

[WileeCoyote]

Death rant

To quote ex-railwayman, its quality, not quantity that counts. And yet, with quality there is always a price to be paid. "What do you mean?" You ask, its very simple. The ability to run quality layouts, locomotives, scenery bits etc... on a computer that wasn't ripped out of the NASA mission control rooms in Houston.

My point is there are far too few assets (and content creators) that use LOD, LOD is very useful for those of us who have "average" machines, it doesn't bog down the GPU much, and from a distance, you can't easily tell. Loathe (Ed, if I misspelled that, you can slap me with a trout) KRS I do but one of the few things I like about it is that it uses LOD to its advantage, granted yes the content creators were probably told to do that, but the sheer amount of LOD content is enough that the game looks (reasonably, though I think Trainz looks better) good and runs without too much trouble on my prehistoric machine.

If content creators really started using LOD, and using it so that it has an effect (LOD1 35000 poly, LOD2 32000 poly, LOD3 28000 poly... it just doesn't work), than I think Trainz theoretically would attract more people because they'd sooner or later find that yes, it does run on their machine. Even if it is prehistoric.

WileeCoyote

 

[zatovisualworks]

(LOD1 35000 poly, LOD2 32000 poly, LOD3 28000 poly... it just doesn't work),

:hehe: You made my day, Wolfgang, I have a new creation amounting 27999...

Seriously, I agree. LODs are intended for really decreasing detail and polys, not pretending we are... following the trends.

But I don't accept fewer than 27999 on mine. :hehe:

Take care,

Alberte :wave:

 

[Spaid]

Hi,

Just to let you all know Trainz. Is doing Fine AURAN DID NOT CLOSE DOWN. one company under the auran group closed down that is all. The DLS and Trainz will continue to run for many years to come.

All the best and remember don't panic Trainz is doing fine

Aidan Millott - Lead Programmer/Co-Producer Trainz Team Auran

 

[Ferrous]

Thanks, Aidan. :wave:

 

[sethmcs]

Aiden,

Your input here is reassuring. Hopefully, at some point, you can announce which direction Trainz is going so that we as a community can start looking forward instead of backwards.:wave:

 

[Euphod]

This is going to make my next "Dark Prophetic Quatrain" so much more difficult......:'(
Ed

 

[chrisracer8903]

Hi,

Just to let you all know Trainz. Is doing Fine AURAN DID NOT CLOSE DOWN. one company under the auran group closed down that is all. The DLS and Trainz will continue to run for many years to come.

All the best and remember don't panic Trainz is doing fine

Aidan Millott - Lead Programmer/Co-Producer Trainz Team Auran

Thanks Spaid, glad to hear that! -Chris

 

[psycho_aussie]

Originally posted by Euphod
This is going to make my next "Dark Prophetic Quatrain" so much more difficult......:'(

Ed, you know Auran loves spoiling your fun...:hehe:

Personally, I see Trainz continuing for quite a few more years, if not for a very long time. If we can all just settle down, and not worry so much about the "rumoured demise" of Auran, then we can all keep enjoying Trainz, and all work towards getting more users hooked on it.

Chris

 

[QR1408]

Support works two ways or so I've heard. How about a bit of support from Auran by providing a DLS that works all the time. This might make content creators trying to upload routes and having 3 or 4 goes before actually getting anywhere a bit happier. Sure we can upload to TPR or some where else but Trainz users still have to go to the DLS for route content.
Will

 

[Natvander]

Support works two ways or so I've heard. How about a bit of support from Auran by providing a DLS that works all the time. This might make content creators trying to upload routes and having 3 or 4 goes before actually getting anywhere a bit happier. Sure we can upload to TPR or some where else but Trainz users still have to go to the DLS for route content.
Will

IMHO I think we should be thankful there is a DLS that works at all, given that there is a total of three (3) persons in the Trainz team who are responsible for working on TC3 (with an external team of creators), tech support, approving content for the DLS etc etc. I know how frustrating it can be for us, but I've also seen the other side and know how frustrating it is for them too.

 

[zatovisualworks]

Hi,

Just to let you all know Trainz. Is doing Fine AURAN DID NOT CLOSE DOWN. one company under the auran group closed down that is all. The DLS and Trainz will continue to run for many years to come.

All the best and remember don't panic Trainz is doing fine

Aidan Millott - Lead Programmer/Co-Producer Trainz Team Auran

Hi Aidan,

Nothing new in the sun! Most of all knew but some others seem to be stubborn at panicking and spreading it. :hehe: Are they hired by the competitors who are selling poorly? :hehe:

Anyway, thank you for this reassurement!

Alberte :wave:

 

[mckinnell]

Hello to ALL,

As a contributer to the DLS and having a good friend who helped me out site wise; Deltic03, the maker of Rugby bus and later commercials, for my models, also some art work as well, I for one will CERTAINLY keep creating models of what ever and which ever I can so long as health and the world permit.

Lets face it, this is no real supprise as, its not the trainz software that has caused this alone, O NO!!!!, so one realy ort not push all the woe`s of Auran miss adventures on to the Trainz persay; better, Trainz is one of those few software products that, over many years now, and, very good partonage by a world wide interest, has, now developed its own being, it is, and, with the countless groups and clubs etc etc etc, all around the world, would be VERY VERY UNLIKELY to see this entity called TRAINZ, just go under and say good bye!!, certainly NOT!!!!!!

For my part, I stay, and will always do my models with TRS2004, the realy last stable and cost and user effective simm in their range, (personel view but based on good soundings in modeling circles and users alike!); and based as I say on the latter; Trainz does have its own momentum and a vast following, very much akin to MS CFS 2, their version 3 came and just bombed, why?, because most of what purchasers wanted and could do plus add on`s, was easier and more stable in the CFS2 version, same hold good and solid with Trainz, their TRS 2004with SPs used.

A lot will purchase 2006, !!!!!!!!!!!! mmmmmmmmmmm, and other will :hehe: :hehe: buy TC, most will purchase and recommend the more stable TRS2004 and as such, Trainz will be here for far to many years to worry about, it realy matters nought, if the latest two versions are perchased or not, most will go for TRS04, FACT, why?,because you can purchase it at so many outlets and at very good prices as well; to be brutaly honest, if TRS2004 had stayed as the last version for a more tenable time span and not brushed away so childishly so as to make a new version, some, not all, but, most share the view that a lot of this could of been slowed or stoped, now, we will never know, but rest assured, TRS2004, will always remain NUMBER ONE and will be the life boat for this side of their buisness, much within these forum and others show well the case to be proven such.

LOOK!,.........all things go the way of ALL flesh as the saying goes, but, I realy do not think there is any worry for any of us for quite some time, if their was, I would not produce any more models and other as well, but we will and we are, why, as stated, IT HAS ITS OWN LIFE FORCE, and thats is some thing you ain`t EVERY going to kill!!!!!!!!!!!!


Regards to one and all,


Tom.:wave:

PS.as soon as I get over this @?&*£%^% chest infection, boy have I got a back log of wants comms and other idears, now.where`s the ice pack:hehe: :hehe: :hehe: .............................................

 

[Smileyman]

Hopefully, at some point, you can announce which direction Trainz is going so that we as a community can start looking forward instead of backwards.:wave:

If we can get past this "Trainz Classics" era, and into a new version of Trainz, then I'll be very interested, but with Auran "stick(ing) to less ambitious projects, until the investment dollars match those of their overseas counterparts", I think Trainz Classics is all we are going to get for some time.

For now I'll make do with TRS2004 and KRS (why would you have to choose between them?), but I'll keep an occasional eye on these forums just in case the unlikely happens.

Smiley.

 

[deeelare]

Smiley,

You are quite correct in my opinion !
TC is not going to bring Auran back to life .
They must 'bite the bullet', and come up with an SP to bring TRS back to life, create a TRS2009, or admit they are out of the Trainz Sim competition.
It will be an investment gamble, but that is what every company has to do, either fold or put in one last, wholehearted attempt at being a competitor, the worst scenario is they fall flat on their behinds !
But they already have most of the work done, Surveyor and the DLS !

My thoughts ---DLR

 

[Paulsw2]

hmm, I want to see what TC3 looks like first before giving up on TRS (especially as the competition doesn't seem terribly attractive at this point in time if you like building routes).

 

[deeelare]

Paulsw2,

I can almost assure you, it will be a bit better than TC2, and a little bit less than TC4, TC5, etc. !

IMHO, Auran can not continue in this direction, ( publishing dribbles of software, rather than an updated Sim ) ? If they do not 'step up to the plate', they will most certainly lose their position as a leader in the Rail Sim competition !

Just my thoughts ---DLR

 

[spiffy101]

My opinion is if Auran's problems keep up, I'm leaving. They're heading towards a dead end in my opinion unless they clean up their act. Sorry Auran. I'm speaking what I belive. The program is great, but the technical support sucks.

 

[Alan_Yeomans]

If and I say If Auran goes belly up, the loss of the dls would hurt. It would hurt in the short term only though.

As for what would happen if Auran goes away. Several of us at TPR have discussed this at great length. There is so much yet that can be done with Trainz and many don't even realize it. Auran gave us a great sim that has so many opportunities.

The DLS is tired, has been through a crash and it just doesn't work like it should. I am going out on a limb here but with Auran down on manpower, they have to spend more time deleting stuff from the database that didn't upload properly. Which in turn takes time away from doing what is most important.......TC3 or whatever.

Interesting thread. Meridious sums up my thoughts exactly.

Trainz has been around for nearly 7 years, and the community will be around long after Auran have gone.

If the worst was to happen, I would head over to TPR and locate their 'donate now' button...

I only hope Auran can give us a 'Standard', so we can all be on the same ver, before they go.

Alan

 

[leeferr]

Doomsday talk is so disheartening. I usually don't read these doom and gloom threads, but I've been following this one a little. We can pontificate all we want, but I'm sticking with Auran as long as they stick with us. No matter what happens, Trainz will be around for a long time, that is unless everyone throws away their disks, uninstalls and stops making content. I have no intention of doing any of these.

 

[QR1408]

I don't think people trying to download the entire DLS for whatever reasons helps Auran or the ordinary user. Do any of us enjoy getting server full messages from the DLS. Or after downloading one small item of perhaps 300 kb you get a message can't connect to download page. It isn't the ordinary user's fault that Auran can only employ 3 people. Most people would probably be like me, download some rolling stock, and bits to make route fairly normal usage. Not downloading everything we can get our hands on. Even to download the occasional few pieces is a headache. I suggest only downloading what you need not some sort of land grab.