Help me pick the right Trainz edition

[Force10]

Hi all!

I am looking at getting a later version of Trainz but I think I remember reading about some online DRM for certain versions? Basically...I'm fine with the one time online registering of the product...I just don't like the idea of "renting" a game as long as my internet is working (goes out a lot) or as long as authentication servers are working properly. So I'm looking for the latest version that doesn't have the online DRM, or have to use Steam's rental service.

Thanks!

 

[RRSignal]

TS12, as of the SP1 patch (which means all available downloaded versions AFAIK, maybe the physical disc versions too) require a monthly check-in to use DLC. The game itself doesn't require DRM yet.

FYI, DRM is DRM, you're renting your product whether you have to activate it once a day, once a month, or once an install.

 

[Force10]

FYI, DRM is DRM, you're renting your product whether you have to activate it once a day, once a month, or once an install.

Yes, I understand this. But I can still play games I bought in the 90's without hassles and worry of authentication servers being down...etc. This type of intrusive DRM would be almost tolerable if it eliminated...or even put a dent in piracy...but sadly it doesn't. Any game of interest is cracked within 2 days and the only ones punished are the paying customers while pirates play hassle free forever.

So...I guess I will pass on TS12...looks like Trainz 10 then?

 

[JCitron]

Yes, I understand this. But I can still play games I bought in the 90's without hassles and worry of authentication servers being down...etc. This type of intrusive DRM would be almost tolerable if it eliminated...or even put a dent in piracy...but sadly it doesn't. Any game of interest is cracked within 2 days and the only ones punished are the paying customers while pirates play hassle free forever.

So...I guess I will pass on TS12...looks like Trainz 10 then?

The only thing that the DRM affects is any purchased content, i.e. payware, you purchase from N3V. It does not affect the program's operations or anything else you install including those items you purchase from Jointed Rail, HP-Trainz, Roy's Trainz, etc.

So... consider this an option as it's not as bad as you think. And yes, you are right. The purpose was to head of piracy, but like anything else the rest of us have to pay the price too in other ways.

John

 

[oknotsen]

So...I guess I will pass on TS12...looks like Trainz 10 then?

Just get TS12.
Nothing wrong with having to register your software once.

But I got one alternative suggestion for you:
Pledge for the NEXT version of Trainz.
If you can manage to live without a new version of Trainz for another 12 days, you can both support the next new product and get TS12 for a nice discount ($20 pledge and most pledges above that). This is assuming the kickstarter is a success.
See the banner at the top of every forum page or my current signature for more details.

 

[fran1]

While considering the options given, can your computer run them. The recommended specs are an absolute minimum if you want reasonable game play.

 

[cheechako]

May I ask why you want to buy Trainz? If you have any desire to build, you probably want to check out the DLS, so you will need to be on-line to download freeware assets; a monthly DRM check should be painless. If you just want to drive a stand-alone version with the included routes, then I believe (as others have said) that Trainiz 2012 requires a one-time activation only. You can also get Trainz2012 on DVD and this might not even require the one-time on-line activation. (I don't know - I'm always connected anyway and buy digital versions of nearly everything now.)

Also, I am a big supporter of the KS campaign too, but I think oknotsen has it wrong. As far as I can tell according to the KS page and all details in the forum, the "Get Trainz Now Option" comes with the $35 pledge level. That still is a great deal if you want Trainz2012 now (less than two weeks, actually) and the final Driver-only version in a year or so. If you want to build (Surveyor), then it will cost a bit more to get the full T2 version.

p.s. I know they added some pledge levels and fixed some of the rewards, so if there is a link to info about lower pledges getting the Trainz-Now, please post it here and correct me.

p.p.s. And there it is - right on the main KS page like oknotsen said. I'm wrong, after all! So that is even a better deal!!!

 

[oknotsen]

Also, I am a big supporter of the KS campaign too, but I think oknotsen has it wrong. As far as I can tell according to the KS page and all details in the forum, the "Get Trainz Now Option" comes with the $35 pledge level.
- snip -
I know they added some pledge levels and fixed some of the rewards, so if there is a link to info about lower pledges getting the Trainz-Now, please post it here and correct me.

The $20 pledge level has been there from the start and has the "Get Trainz Now" reward, of which one of the choices is TS12.
All pledge levels, except for $5, $24 (added later) and $25, have the "Get Trainz Now" reward.

 

[cheechako]

I swear - I never saw that. That's what I get for jumping in at a higher level!

Added a pps to my post above. Since the Trainz 2012 DVD is on sale for around $20, that is an incredible deal!

 

[RRSignal]

Yes, I understand this. But I can still play games I bought in the 90's without hassles and worry of authentication servers being down...etc. This type of intrusive DRM would be almost tolerable if it eliminated...or even put a dent in piracy...but sadly it doesn't. Any game of interest is cracked within 2 days and the only ones punished are the paying customers while pirates play hassle free forever.

Agreed! As a fellow fan of old software - Pretty much everything I have is 15+ years old, and much if not most is 30 or more - I agree. I'm just pointing out that there is no functional difference between software that must phone home every time you run it (always-on), once a month (sometimes-on), or once ever (product activation), because if the software is no longer supported, you cannot use it. At least not legally and without the risk of malware. Believe me, nobody is more anti-DRM than I am!

As for the Trainz version, well, it's kind of your call. If you're thinking of not getting TS12 because of the DRM, I'll remind you that the DRM only applies to payware DLC purchased from N3V/Auran. As long as you don't buy any N3V payware out of their SimulatorCentral.com store, you effectively have a no-DRM game (unless you consider serial #s to be DRM...but there still is no phoning home, no "activation.") Believe me, the only reason I'm still here, and there are a large number of Trainzers who share my attitude, is because the game itself is not DRMed. The game, as well as freeware obtained from the DLS, third-party sites, etc. will work today, tomorrow, and 20 years from now.

Edit: I just would like to point out that pledging towards the new version is an option, though, if you do that, be sure to pledge at a level that offers a BOXED version of the game or, if you pledge a high amount (like over $150), that you add in an extra $10 and request a BOXED VERSION. The reason is because the new version of Trainz, T2, will have full-DRM that phones home once a month on the downloaded version of the game itself, but they are exempting the boxed versions shipped on DVD. Both the download and boxed versions will have monthly phone-home for DLC purchased via the SC store, just as TS12 has now. Also, I'm not sure when you'd be able to actually get your copy of TS12 should you choose to pledge.

 

[cascaderailroad]

I would try to stay away from Steam version (but some have said that the Steam version is great) ... IDK

I would buy a boxed disc direct from N3V or Jointed Rail.

What are your PC specs ? As low end integrated graphics PC's usually can not play anything above TRS2006 with good framerates.

 

[Force10]

Wow...thanks for replies everyone! First I will start off with my specs from my latest build:

Windows 7 64 bit Home edition
Intel I5 4670K @ 4.4 ghz
16 gig 1866mhz Corsair Vengence Pro memory
PowerColor 6970 PCS+ 2GB with factory OC
Intel 510 series 120gb SSD (boot drive)
Caviar Black 1 TB 7200 rpm
Onboard Realtek sound

I think it should do reasonably well with my specs. As for the game itself, I was in my local Fry's and saw a boxed copy of "Railroad Simulator: Powered by Trainz 12 - PC DVD-ROM " for $19.99. I reached for it and pulled my hand back as I was unsure of the DRM in place.

As for the DRM issue: Yes...I understand it's a non issue for those that live in areas with great internet...my internet is spotty and slow and don't like games that rely on it very much. An example is I have Steam games and ofren cannot play them because of their crap. Even though I run their cheesy "offline mode" it forces you online after a couple of weeks...also, even though I choose "Don't ever update this game" every other platform update resets these settings and it starts updating a game.

Since I play offline only...I don't need the latest update if things are working fine. I'm 45 years old with 2 teenage kids and responsibilities...sometimes when I get a precious hour to do some gaming, I launch Steam and the game I want to play has a 400 meg update it's forcing on me even though I told it not to in the settings, so now the hour of gaming is lost because of my slow internet.

I briefly glanced at the Kickstarter but didn't notice what kind of DRM they are planning on so I'm not going to throw money in the pot until I find out. Usually, developers keep pushing the envelope with their DRM so what was a check in once a month can easily change to everyday. I realize once a month isn't bad...I just don't reward developers with my purchase if they have any say when I can and when I can't play the game I purchased. Especially since it doesn't do anything to thwart the pirates or protect their game

 

[cascaderailroad]

If you want to run the Aerotrain and the PRR Fleet of Modernizum, and all the rest of the DLC content, TS10 is adequate.

If you want to run the NKP Berkshire and Chinese SS4, you will need TS12 with SP1 (and I have heard that many people just love TS12 SP1).

 

[shaneturner12]

Wow...thanks for replies everyone! First I will start off with my specs from my latest build:

Windows 7 64 bit Home edition
Intel I5 4670K @ 4.4 ghz
16 gig 1866mhz Corsair Vengence Pro memory
PowerColor 6970 PCS+ 2GB with factory OC
Intel 510 series 120gb SSD (boot drive)
Caviar Black 1 TB 7200 rpm
Onboard Realtek sound

I think it should do reasonably well with my specs. As for the game itself, I was in my local Fry's and saw a boxed copy of "Railroad Simulator: Powered by Trainz 12 - PC DVD-ROM " for $19.99. I reached for it and pulled my hand back as I was unsure of the DRM in place.

As for the DRM issue: Yes...I understand it's a non issue for those that live in areas with great internet...my internet is spotty and slow and don't like games that rely on it very much. An example is I have Steam games and ofren cannot play them because of their crap. Even though I run their cheesy "offline mode" it forces you online after a couple of weeks...also, even though I choose "Don't ever update this game" every other platform update resets these settings and it starts updating a game.

Since I play offline only...I don't need the latest update if things are working fine. I'm 45 years old with 2 teenage kids and responsibilities...sometimes when I get a precious hour to do some gaming, I launch Steam and the game I want to play has a 400 meg update it's forcing on me even though I told it not to in the settings, so now the hour of gaming is lost because of my slow internet.

I briefly glanced at the Kickstarter but didn't notice what kind of DRM they are planning on so I'm not going to throw money in the pot until I find out. Usually, developers keep pushing the envelope with their DRM so what was a check in once a month can easily change to everyday. I realize once a month isn't bad...I just don't reward developers with my purchase if they have any say when I can and when I can't play the game I purchased. Especially since it doesn't do anything to thwart the pirates or protect their game

The DRM information for T2 is on the Kickstarter page at the bottom (in the FAQ section). If you go for a boxed version of T2, this allows you to turn off connections to the DRM server, but this will mean that you will not be able to install any payware DLC content released by N3V from Simulator Central, or be able to use it.

In terms of TS12, the DRM will only affect you if you have bought any payware DLC content released by N3V from Simulator Central. If you haven't, or do not intend to, then the DRM will not affect you.

A side note though. You may still need internet access so Trainz can update it's internal listing of content available on the Download Station, and you will need internet access if you decide to play Multiplayer (TS2010 builds 46170/49938 or TS12)

Shane

 

[ColPrice2002]

Hi,
Just to add to your thoughts ...

Any updates to the main program (eg patches) are prepared by N3V and are available for download & install when ready. (And you can always ask a friend to copy the patch file to a CD/DVD and send it to you).
Other suppliers (eg Steam, Just Trainz etc) have their own versions of the main programming file, so you'll be dependent on them recompiling the patch at issuing it. At best there is a delay, at worst there is no patch...

Just another factor!
Happy training

Colin

 

[Derekc75]

Force10:

You can run multiple installs of Trainz 12. I have two installs, one up to build 49922 (just before the SP!) and another up to the latest build. I have bought Murchison 2 from the DLC and I have it on the 49922 version so there are no DRM requirements! The latest build T12 61388 works fine as well. I have not downloaded Murchison 2 to it. In the options menu you can disable automatic downloads from the DLC.

This way I can continue to use my payware from the DLC with the older build (without DRM requirements) and run whatever routes/ freeware routes that I want (from the Download Station) on the latest build.

Consider pledging on the Kickstarter site. At the $35 AUD level you will get to download T12 almost immediately assuming that this Kickstarter initiative succeeds. Then you will get the Driver addition of T2. For $50 you will instead get the full version of T2 (as well as T12 almost immediately).

If you do get T12 I advise you to install it in a different sub directory than the default "Program files (x86)." That way you will avoid the problem of Administration privileges in Windows that can cause all kinds of problems.

If you do get T12, Shane Turner who has replied to this thread is the Trainz "guru" on installing patches.

Cheers,

Derek

 

[jukeboxblues]

I have had TRS2004 through TRS2012 and I have settled on TRS2009 as the most hassle-free version for the average computer set-up. Speed trees eat too many fps
IMHO.