I have other sim games that cost more that TRS and find that I get absolutely NO support or replies from them. At least here, when Auran can't help me, there is a multitude of forum members to help me on a forum that Auran really doesn't have to provide for us. Afterall, if Auran followed the model of some other well known companies, they'd just dump the game on you, take your money and then you'd never hear from them again. My hat's off to Auran for creating a sim for me that I can create content for and also create my own little world...and all for a very modest cost.
It's Not Worth The Headache
- Thread starter Buzz313th
- Start date
skiingiggy
gone
That is true. Try www.modthesims2.com (i go there a lot) They have at least 1 moderator on at all times and a bad post goes away almost instantly after they fing it.
And do you have over 250,000 customers (going by the number subscribed to this forum)?
Do you have probably 98% or more of those being happy with paying only $19.00 for hours of entertainment?
Do you have a dedicated forum where your customers can go and ask questions if something isn't right.(Which by the way you can access for free and is available nearly 24 hours per day, 7 days a week)
Did you ask on this forum for help with your problems so that the several hundred active members on the forum might be able to help you with the benefit of their insights and discoveries trying to get around similar or identical problems to what you have?
Do you have a dedicated help desk person that has to respond to 100s of emails a day (including the majority from those who have little to no computer experience).
Do you have a dedicated server to host all your clients items that they can freely share with other clients but still expect you to review everything to make sure it doesn't cause havoc with the other clients PCs and won't cause them any offence?
Hmmm, not getting value for your $19.00 huh?
What I'd suggest is asking some questions here first to help you get through your current difficulties, then see how you go.
Tony
Tony, please don't take this personally. I just don't agree with some of your statements here.
And how many of these will be repeat buyers ? I will be of course. But how many bought it just from reading the box ? How many had numerous problems and probably won't buy it again ? When I buy a game, I expect it to work as described.
Don't count me into that 98 % that paid $19 for my copy of 06. I paid damn near $70 US for it and it was a total waste of my money. Hopefully TC will be better.
Dedicated.........YES. Too bad it's the users who support it and not the company who made it. Out of all the "how do I do this ?" and "how do I do that ?" questions, how many were answered by users and how many by the game creators ?
Many people don't like coming to forums. Besides, alot of the time, when they do have the simplest question, they get treated rudely and made to feel like they are idiots. Many times I have seen users ask the same questions. Quite a few members here will point them to another thread with the same issues. Many others will say something like....."Why don't you use the search function" or "Here we go again". Get my point ?
I personally think Alan does his best to keep up with everything so no arguments there.
If you are referring to the DLS, dedicated is hardly the word I would use. Whilst I have rarely had a problem with downloading, there are many that do. Especially on the weekends. Dedicated ???
For me, not getting my nearly $70 worth. Not to mention the fact that there is a service patch that is as big as alot of the games my kids play.
Then, in order to install this patch correctly, one has to uninstall the game and reinstall it 
Where is the enjoyment of that ?
Good suggestion but probably a waste of time to many.
And how many of these will be repeat buyers ? I will be of course. But how many bought it just from reading the box ? How many had numerous problems and probably won't buy it again ? When I buy a game, I expect it to work as described.
Don't count me into that 98 % that paid $19 for my copy of 06. I paid damn near $70 US for it and it was a total waste of my money. Hopefully TC will be better.
Dedicated.........YES. Too bad it's the users who support it and not the company who made it. Out of all the "how do I do this ?" and "how do I do that ?" questions, how many were answered by users and how many by the game creators ?
Many people don't like coming to forums. Besides, alot of the time, when they do have the simplest question, they get treated rudely and made to feel like they are idiots. Many times I have seen users ask the same questions. Quite a few members here will point them to another thread with the same issues. Many others will say something like....."Why don't you use the search function" or "Here we go again". Get my point ?
I personally think Alan does his best to keep up with everything so no arguments there.
If you are referring to the DLS, dedicated is hardly the word I would use. Whilst I have rarely had a problem with downloading, there are many that do. Especially on the weekends. Dedicated ???
For me, not getting my nearly $70 worth. Not to mention the fact that there is a service patch that is as big as alot of the games my kids play.
Then, in order to install this patch correctly, one has to uninstall the game and reinstall it Where is the enjoyment of that ?Good suggestion but probably a waste of time to many.
GreatEastern
Tug builder
Done... you have been....
Trainz works more seamlessly than most games I have ever owned, it was the first one that didn't require a PC upgrade just to get it working for starters. I do wish people would stop moaning and get on and play. It has its problems but all computer games do and I've never found one with so much support from its makers or the community.
I will stop typing now before I go off on one about moaners and whingers
safe to say vive le moderation if it gets rid of moaning and whinging like this thread.Andy
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My small business consists of myself and a handfull of other craftsmen. We compete with other companies to win contracts to establish entertainment lighting for live venues. Then we run the entire inteligent lighting show. We dont have the option to fail or even hickup or it looks like a breakdown and everyone knows, especially the client. Either everyone is happy and has had a good experience or everyone know we Screwed up. So I can say that 100% of the clients that keep contracting us is 100% happy. The ones that arent, are going somewhere else.
No I don't. I have a phone number where my clients can reach me and ask questions. They call me all the time, my days off, when my daughter was born, when I'm at a wedding, etc... Thats called customer support.
No I didn't, since I know how to use the search function. And all the lame answers to fixing the CMP did nothing to help my situation. If I could have gotten in touch with Auran then maybe they would have some answers for me. But they don't, since there is nobody being paid to work as live customer support. (I remember a time when you could call and get someone live on the phone. Thats nowhere to be found these days. It would cost minimum wage to put a couple ppl by the phone, but they don't since they don't want to be held responsable, they just hide behind the webpage.)
Thats me, and you can call and I will have an answer for you. If you don't like the answer, atleast you know I am on the job there for my paying customers.
No I don't, but, I am the one to make sure that 400 computer controlled lights do what they are suposed to, when they are suposed to and for how long they are suposed to. Get this.... I even have a complete redundant system logging all the changes and commands that the master is running so that if the master goes down, I can switch to the slave and save the show. If I didn't cover my arse, I would be outa job. Maybe auran should cover there ARSE.
Nope... not even if I paid $1 for it. It's called profesionalism and if you don't got it, you don't deserve the revenue it brings. I have done jobs for nothing but my cost. I did these jobs to get better clients. If I only gave them $19 dollars worth then I would never of been hired again. Regardless of what you pay or how much revenue you make a job is a job. It used to be understood this way.... but now adays it seems nobody has a spine anymore.
What I suggest is that you take a little thought to how badly you wanna let yourself get taken advantage of.
Good points though... Keep em comming
Tony[/quote]
GreatEastern
Tug builder
To be honest though you are comparing software production with live lighting and that just doesn't work as a comparison, it's a totally different sector and your use of that comparison just makes you look daft.
Doctors bury their mistakes, architects grow ivy over theirs, software engineers produce service packs. Trainz isn't bad but you're expecting too much out of a game. When Windows crashes do you get 24 hour support? Does it work seemlessly? If not do you still go back and buy and use it? Come on your comparison doesn't even work, quite apart from being daft.
Andy
Doctors bury their mistakes, architects grow ivy over theirs, software engineers produce service packs. Trainz isn't bad but you're expecting too much out of a game. When Windows crashes do you get 24 hour support? Does it work seemlessly? If not do you still go back and buy and use it? Come on your comparison doesn't even work, quite apart from being daft.
Andy
It is a fair comparison. The difference is that certain sectors of the work force have been allowed by the customers to slack off. If Trainz worked like it was advertised I would pay 100 dollars for it. The problem here is that the software companies are making games and hoping a good community will form. Then they can count on the fanatics to support it. Again... The community here is the only reason that Trainz is still making auran any money. If it wasn't for all of you, then auran would have to work and create all the content themselves. Here's a good example of how lazy they are. Almost all of the original locos in Trainz 1.0 like the Gp38's are the same damn locos. Why couldn't they take one friggin day to update them to have all the functions that Phill_C's locos have. No.. they are just the same damn thing since 1.0. Example two... The Trainz webpage has changed it's tune so many times that it's hard to even follow what the hell to expect in the next version. They talked about all these great things that were gonna happen since 1.0 (multiplayer, 3rd party developers being able to sell there content through auran, New graphics engine, expnadable modules.. etc etc....) and none of it happened except there lame lazy excuse for a multiplayer environment called trainzchat and Iportal... give me a break. They even talked about including a full transportation network including other forms like trucks and busses... It's all just smoke and mirrors to get you to buy a base product again and again that has been around since 2002...
Are you kidding me.... your ok with all that??? Your ok with a doctor hiding his mistakes, an architect growing ivy over his.
Thats exactly my point. Maybe this is the wrong forum to be posting on this subject. It really is more of a general problem with society then a software development company.
I just want to say that as far as Value for money goes I reckon Trainz is worth more than a dollar a day. Therefore I have theoretically spent over $2555 on Trainz
Give or take a few days. However some days I have played trainz all day.
It coasts me $80 a month for Internet access. Therefore I could buy a copy of Trainz a month.
Regards
Give or take a few days. However some days I have played trainz all day.
It coasts me $80 a month for Internet access. Therefore I could buy a copy of Trainz a month.
Regards
johnwhelan
Well-known member
I've spent far more on books associated with making models than I have on Trainz, and far more on hardware.
Yes it has some software problems but for the price and it's age it doesn't do too badly and compared to model railways well even my hardware and software combined doesn't come close.
Cheerio John
Yes it has some software problems but for the price and it's age it doesn't do too badly and compared to model railways well even my hardware and software combined doesn't come close.
Cheerio John
You're probably right....you aren't happy with your Trainz experience....are losing sleep over the crippling loss of 19 bucks....tried to launch a massive protest petition....which bombed....switched to plan B..."I have a business and if I ran it like Auran, I'd be out of business"...(which, btw, has been used ad nauseum)....yep...wrong forum...
OK, this is unusual for me but I just have to stick in my 2c worth,
You said you are in a business dealing with lighting, therefor you must of had light globes/bulbs fail on you before their 'rated hours before failure' was due, this would not hurt your show as you would have backups or 'over do' the lighting to allow for it, but do you complain to the manufacturer of these globes/bulbs and demand a refund, or do you just shrug your shoulders and replace it.
My guess would be that you don't even shrug your shoulders
You have your rights and Auran have theirs,
Your right, to expect what Auran advertise and you pay for,
Aurans right, that you stop using the product and ask (demand) for a refund within a reasonable time stating your legal reasons clearly.
So you have to ask yourself if you are violating Aurans rights as you have used their product for more than a reasonable time to assess the faults, not only that but by your own admission you are still using the product why ?
Cheers David
You said you are in a business dealing with lighting, therefor you must of had light globes/bulbs fail on you before their 'rated hours before failure' was due, this would not hurt your show as you would have backups or 'over do' the lighting to allow for it, but do you complain to the manufacturer of these globes/bulbs and demand a refund, or do you just shrug your shoulders and replace it.
My guess would be that you don't even shrug your shoulders
You have your rights and Auran have theirs,
Your right, to expect what Auran advertise and you pay for,
Aurans right, that you stop using the product and ask (demand) for a refund within a reasonable time stating your legal reasons clearly.
So you have to ask yourself if you are violating Aurans rights as you have used their product for more than a reasonable time to assess the faults, not only that but by your own admission you are still using the product why ?
Cheers David
NSWGR_46Class
Just call my Captain Rude
What the ????
Even the finest hand crafted Violin worth millions will still have at least one brown note.
But it is still worth big money and still gets played, why as once you get used to that one brown note and work round its not a problem. Its sort of part of life that a Violin will have a brown note you just get over it.
Never heard of a service pack on a Violin, might have been a few changes in players but its same bit of wood.
Even the finest hand crafted Violin worth millions will still have at least one brown note.
But it is still worth big money and still gets played, why as once you get used to that one brown note and work round its not a problem. Its sort of part of life that a Violin will have a brown note you just get over it.
Never heard of a service pack on a Violin, might have been a few changes in players but its same bit of wood.
To my surprise, I just recieved a reply from the Auran Help Desk. I would like to share this with all of you.
(Edited and removed my helpdesk message)
Too funny. Just 3 minutes ago, the helpdesk replied again very quickly asking me to not share my helpdesk message with the forums.
I wonder why?
Either way, outa good faith since they are making a positive effort I took down my helpdesk message.
It's been a pleasure
Have a goodun
JB
(Edited and removed my helpdesk message)
Too funny. Just 3 minutes ago, the helpdesk replied again very quickly asking me to not share my helpdesk message with the forums.
I wonder why?
Either way, outa good faith since they are making a positive effort I took down my helpdesk message.
It's been a pleasure
Have a goodun
JB
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Accipiter777
New member
"My small business consists of myself and a handfull of other craftsmen. We compete with other companies to win contracts to establish entertainment lighting for live venues. Then we run the entire inteligent lighting show. We dont have the option to fail or even hickup or it looks like a breakdown and everyone knows, especially the client. Either everyone is happy and has had a good experience or everyone know we Screwed up. So I can say that 100% of the clients that keep contracting us is 100% happy. The ones that arent, are going somewhere else."
Special note to the last statement... Your not happy...go somewhere else. Oh..wait... there is nowhere else. Then I suggest you make your own "Train Simulation". Or maybe you'd like the clients that are not happy with your lighting services to keep coming around and continue to use your service, then compain.
Special note to the last statement... Your not happy...go somewhere else. Oh..wait... there is nowhere else. Then I suggest you make your own "Train Simulation". Or maybe you'd like the clients that are not happy with your lighting services to keep coming around and continue to use your service, then compain.
GreatEastern
Tug builder
No but I am saying mistakes are inevitable. Nothing in life is perfect, we are only human after all, perfection is for him up there. Can you honestly tell me that you don't make the odd mistake and those customers don't still come back? If so bad luck, in most parts of life people accept that some things will go wrong. I refuse to accept that you get everything right everytime and don't make mistakes and that when you do those customers do not come back, that is simply rubbish from my experience of that sector.
You never answered my point about Windows, I guess that means that you do still use it despite its many many problems, I do. I accept all these things as they come. What it comes down to is that some time ago I realised that by getting het up about all these things I was getting quite stressed. I can't see any point in that. Now I accept that I will make mistakes, that some things that I do might go wrong, that life isn't perfect and that I will make mistakes which I have to learn from. If I spend my whole life worrying about the past I get myself nowhere, similarly if I spend my time worrying about a Train Sim that was cheap and has a few flaws and trying to organise a pointless revolt it gets me nowhere.
Auran are very good at customer service in my experience, I always get a prompt reply to the helpdesk - no other software that I own even has a helpdesk - there does seem to be a pattern to how they reply to helpdesk messages. I have detected a trend towards moaning and whingy people being made to wait whilst those who go in with a positive attitude not just having a moan get helped sooner. After all, who would you rather help? Someone asking nicely or someone just having a moan at you? I know which I would prefer.
Now without being patronising I suggest that you get over the problems with the game (and yourself to be quite honest) and enjoy an incredibly complex, if slightly flawed, simulator without getting your knickers in a twist.
Andy