Have You seen this

[jadebullet]

Q: Will I be able to upload old-format content to the Download Station? A: New uploads to the Download Station must be in a format no older than our oldest supported product. Attempts to upload content with a trainz-build number lower than our oldest supported product will be rejected. This ensures that legacy formats are cleanly phased out over time.

Actually they have. I point you to the last line. It is essentially saying, "Hey, you know all of the hard work that these creators have put into making our game great for the people. You know, since we don't actually make any content. Yeah, screw them!"

Edit:
Q: My only Trainz product will shortly become unsupported. Will my forum access be removed? A: No. We're not in the business of kicking our loyal users out of the community. We really think it would be beneficial if you upgraded to a supported version of Trainz, but that's a decision that you'll have to make.(Don't worry about having to make that hard decision though. We will do it for you.) The product-specific forum may be removed, but your overall forum access will remain valid.

 

[paulzmay]

Q: Will I be able to upload old-format content to the Download Station? A: New uploads to the Download Station must be in a format no older than our oldest supported product. Attempts to upload content with a trainz-build number lower than our oldest supported product will be rejected. This ensures that legacy formats are cleanly phased out over time.

Actually they have. I point you to the last line. It is essentially saying, "Hey, you know all of the hard work that these creators have put into making our game great for the people. You know, since we don't actually make any content. Yeah, screw them!"

Edit:
Q: My only Trainz product will shortly become unsupported. Will my forum access be removed? A: No. We're not in the business of kicking our loyal users out of the community. We really think it would be beneficial if you upgraded to a supported version of Trainz, but that's a decision that you'll have to make.(Don't worry about having to make that hard decision though. We will do it for you.) The product-specific forum may be removed, but your overall forum access will remain valid.

There's a big difference between phasing out new uploads of old version content (I still think that's a bad idea), and removing old content. The first will just loose Auran FCT revenue from TRS04/06 holdouts, the second will hamstring 50%+ of routes on the DLS.

I understand why Auran have taken a move to discontinue support for old versions - as a general rule it costs them money, and makes none, but a little more open explanation would be good. Now of course they seem to have 80% of the community up in arms and a poostorm of angry threads...

Paul

 

[Scitimar]

^^^ says it all

 

[meridious]

Now when you all talk about support, what actually are you referring to ?

1 - My interpretation of support is supporting the program itself through updates and service packs.
2 - My interpretation of support does not include a place to host content for that particular version.

Now if you go on the dls aspect, then yes they have supported 04/06. But, if you go on the aspect of support through updates, bugfixes, whatever, then no....they haven't supported them in years. The community has though. Honestly though, why should they ? Take 04 for example. It doesn't really need support anymore. Why ? Because it works perfectly for those of us who choose to stay with it.

Reminds me of gmax. Everybody gripes that it isn't supported anymore. Who cares ? It works perfectly for those that still use it. So it doesn't do normal maps. This is one drawback for many. It doesn't do renders. Do renders really matter in Trainz ? I hardly think so.

I have 09 and glad I got it. I still prefer 04 though. Now if we listen to the mumbo jumbo about "supposedly" having to normal map everything in future versions....Do you realize how stupid my signs will look normal mapped ? Not everything can have or needs to have normal maps.

Besides, those of us that have been around for years know how this works. When they say they are going to do something, it takes them forever to do it. Anyone remember the soon™ ?

 

[Dermmy]

Just did a quick DLS survey:

Of the 10,186 locomotives on the DLS a mere 128 are for versions above TRS06. That's 1.25%.

Of the 15,532 non-locomotive rolling stock items only 167 are for versions above TRS06. That's almost exactly 1%.

They cannot possibly be serious about removing 'old' content in any time frame whatsoever.

Much the same thing applies to any other category. Whilst I can vaguely see some commercial sense in breaking uploads for older versions, any plan to remove over 95% of DLS content even over the long term is beyond credence. Every route in existence other then those using built-in content only would be broken. This one should never have got past:

'Hey, what about.... oops - sorry, crazy idea.'

Andy

 

[jadebullet]

Thanks for the checkmate Dermmy.

 

[sparky15]

Up until two days ago they were selling versions down to 04 on their site as well as giving it away with a purchase of 10. While there may be hold outs, there are people who opted to buy the older versions. I'm sure Auran told them they would be phased out in six months when they took their money.

That DLS has sold more copies of Trainz than Auran ever could without it. Nothing on the DLS belongs to Auran, it is the third party folk's creations. They have been milking it for years for new content to shove in every version of Trainz sold. Telling someone they've profited off of for years they no longer have access to it unless they "upgrade" is nothing short of a slap in the face. You may not sell one new copy to one of those creators but you have sold untold thousands because of them.

Auran has nothing to loose by allowing older versions of Trainz access to the DLS. Dropping technical support I understand, they've had that down pat for quite some time now. Most new users find the product on shelves though, not coming here our the Auran store. I can imagine the repeat business they'll get when someone tries to load up and run that new program they bought from a retailer somewhere. Usually if a customer likes a product they will buy another, with so many older copies out there for sale yet, well, you get the picture.

Sad part is, when 2011 comes out, I wonder how much of the same old stuff I've been buying for years will still be in it.

Dave.....

 

[Therock]

Sad part is, when 2011 comes out, I wonder how much of the same old stuff I've been buying for years will still be in it.

Who's ready for another lap around City & Country USA 2?

 

[sparky15]

SHHHH, they load it up with speedtrees and ruin it.

Dave...

 

[jadebullet]

SHHHH, they load it up with speedtrees and ruin it.

Dave...

Don't forget Speed rocks, and animated grass that is spread everywhere in a fine carpet.(Whether you want it or not)

 

[amigacooke]

But they have unfortunately started down the path that Electronic Arts traveled before it became EA Games, the company that hates its customers. The company that had to change the "Go to Hell" slogan of their latest games in the commercial, to "Hell Awaits," not because they were being censored, but because people were actually thinking that that was the company's new slogan.

Electronic Arts started out as a company that published software for the Amiga computer. Dpaint sold plenty of Amigas especially as it could manipulate in HAM mode (4096 colours).

However, EA could see the writing on the wall. The Amiga was in decline and the PC was on the rise. So they stopped supporting the Amiga. It was tough for those of us who were using it at the time, but in retrospect completely the correct decision. To support today's Amiga is commercial suicide, but there are still those who use Amigas because 'it ain't broke', 'it does what I want it to do' and 'I don't want to use anything else'.

For Auran this isn't a hobby, it's what pays the bills.

 

[jadebullet]

Electronic Arts started out as a company that published software for the Amiga computer. Dpaint sold plenty of Amigas especially as it could manipulate in HAM mode (4096 colours).

However, EA could see the writing on the wall. The Amiga was in decline and the PC was on the rise. So they stopped supporting the Amiga. It was tough for those of us who were using it at the time, but in retrospect completely the correct decision. To support today's Amiga is commercial suicide, but there are still those who use Amigas because 'it ain't broke', 'it does what I want it to do' and 'I don't want to use anything else'.

For Auran this isn't a hobby, it's what pays the bills.

And the product that they are paying the bills with is built off of the free labor that is provided by the very users that they are abandoning.

As for EA Games, they used to be a pretty cool company. Then, with the realization that they can just keep pumping out the same Madden game year after year and people would keep buying it, they became essentially apathetic with power, and ended up treating their customer base like ****.

 

[pommie]

Has anyone given any thought as to how they might choose what content to delete from the dls ???
This is a 'my opinion" disclaimer

delete all pre 1.3 content,
delete content that has only been downloaded only a few times in the last couple of years,
this would have the effect of cleaning out all the deadwood and of keeping content that is being used, no matter how old.

And please, threatening Auran by saying you are not going to buy anymore of their products is just cutting off your nose to spite your face, even if 1000 forum members never buy off them again it wont effect their overall sales by very much at all.

Cheers David

 

[American_Connections]

Your Words

This is a 'my opinion" disclaimer

I think your signature script tells alot about you! Get a clue dude!

 

[jadebullet]

Has anyone given any thought as to how they might choose what content to delete from the dls ???
This is a 'my opinion" disclaimer

delete all pre 1.3 content,
delete content that has only been downloaded only a few times in the last couple of years,
this would have the effect of cleaning out all the deadwood and of keeping content that is being used, no matter how old.

And please, threatening Auran by saying you are not going to buy anymore of their products is just cutting off your nose to spite your face, even if 1000 forum members never buy off them again it wont effect their overall sales by very much at all.

Cheers David

The first part is actually a pretty good idea.

As for your second point, it really makes them seem like all the more the bad guy don't you think. I mean, they don't really NEED to force all of these 04/06 members to upgrade, they just want them to because they just want to swindle a bit more money out of their pocket. (Though really, they probably do need some money, as I doubt that they are rolling in dough.)

Oh, and I will buy new Trainz content if I feel as if it meets my of want/need. If it is pretty much TRS2009, with a few extra assets added, and a few things here or there, I might buy it, but it will be debatable. If it breaks something that I enjoy using, then no, I won't buy it. If it is a completely upgraded game with doppler, corrected physics, and a bunch of new features, then count me in, the check's in the mail. I think that is how alot of the users that still use 06 and 04 feel. 2009 and 2010 are pretty much what they have, with a few extra features that they can live without.



It is sort of like owning a house. Sure, there are newer models of house, with some new bells and whistles, but they are still just a house, and you can live without those new bells and whistles. Plus, you like your current house. You know where everything is, you know how to fix the plumbing, how it is wired. You know that the third and seventh step creak, or that the pipes sometimes bang when they get hot. You have friends that live in the newer houses, and they either like them, or just constantly have problems with them. There are even those people who think that you should move up to a newer house because it is better, but you don't, because you are comfortable.

Then a man from the government comes to your house and tells you that it is too old, and that you should buy one of the newer models of house from him. He tells you that, sure, you can still live in your old house, but you will be unable to buy or sell anything except if you go to the black market. Your utilities(Except for your phone line) will also be cut off, along with all of your rights as a citizen, just because you are staying in the older house. So, essentially, you choices are 1) pay the man money to buy one of the newer houses, even though you don't want to, and you shouldn't need to, or 2) buy and sell on the black market.

 

[pommie]

I think your signature script tells alot about you! Get a clue dude!

The only clue I need is to find a hole deep enough to bury your trolling statements.
Why are you going out of your way to flame me, you did it once before and I thought ignoring you would get you off my back but I see now (six month later) that you are to stupid to see when you are not wanted.

oh yeah, I have changed my email so that is one venue you have lost.

 

[jadebullet]

The only clue I need is to find a hole deep enough to bury your trolling statements.
Why are you going out of your way to flame me, you did it once before and I thought ignoring you would get you off my back but I see now (six month later) that you are to stupid to see when you are not wanted.

oh yeah, I have changed my email so that is one venue you have lost.

Agreed, AC, you really aren't helping here. There is no need to resort to personal attacks.

 

[AJ_Fox]

So this is where it is? Dissing other Trainzers. Everybody wants to unload on their Trainz friends. My advice is get some exercise, walk and so forth. This is a Community with a common interest. Enough already with the dissing.

Cheers

AJ

 

[jadebullet]

But nobody is forcing anyone to stop using older versions, they are only withdrawing support and the DLS, MSTS is still going, and selling, and there has been no support for that for years.
Look at it from a logical point of view, how long can a software company support free hosting and downloading, from a standard priced piece of software.
All versions up to 09 were bought years ago, in the case of 04, the one being most touted in these discussions, has had six years of bandwidth with only the original purchase price as recompense, continuing along that business path only leads to bankruptcy, and then there will be no support for any version.

And the choice of what to do is yours and only yours, that was said as a fact and not as a put down :wave:

Cheers David

Once again, MSTS isn't content based as much as MSTS is. I am just saying that with the exodus to 3rd party sites, or away from the game entirely, it is going to negetively affect every trainz user, no matter what version.

 

[pommie]

Granted, but I don't think that Auran have the money to support the DLS in its current form, a line has to be drawn somewhere and Auran have drawn it, this is to continue being a viable investment for its backers.

Cheers David