New Buyer: Steam vs Trainz Portal Edition

[TheGrimReaper]

Hello, first of all I apologize if this is posted elsewhere, but I did a search and could not find the answer (although I did see it asked---but was unanswered). If my questions are answered elsewhere, please kindly provide me a link or I would appreciate anyone who can help.

Strongly looking to purchase the game before end of the year, but had a question first. I know there currently is a non-Steam (trainz portal) version and an upcoming Steam version so trying to decide which to purchase. Few questions.

1) If I purchase the Trainz Portal version today, would I be able to get a Steam key later for FREE when released? If yes, do you keep both keys or do you turn in your Trainze Portal key when you receive the steam key (i.e. get it deactivated)?

2) Can content be shared across both versions? Meaning, if I buy trainz portal today and buy content but later purchase steam version, is the content available to me in both versions? Or version specific and you have to buy twice?

3) Besides being able to purchase the game today, is there any advantage in buying the steam or non steam version? Is one better supported or easier to use?

Again, truly appreciate anyone who can provide me quick guidance so I can purchase within the next day.

Thanks!

 

[stagecoach]

Buy direct from N3V they will always get updates first. The game can only be registered once.

 

[Vern]

1. AFAIK the N3V direct sale and Steam version are not commercially interchangeable, buy one or the other or both.

2. I have operated both the Steam and non-Steam version of TANE at the same time and so long as both are set up with the same Planet Auran username you can use either, but your content in one would probably be stored separately from the other.

3. Remains to be seen how much TRS2019 is selling for on Steam but it will probably be better than the £55 (or whatever the equivalent in your local currency is) we paid for early access. Steam also gives the advantage of trying for two hours and if you decide it's a big pile of dog poo, you can get a refund. Buying from N3V is a no money back arrangement, unless you go down the route of bank or Paypal chargebacks (which I believe some of done) but then unlikely N3V would do business with you in future!

 

[BNSF1995]

I find it's easier to get DLC for Trainz through Steam.

 

[TheGrimReaper]

Thanks to everyone who has replied so far...has given me some things to consider. Good point on Steam having an option to try and return if not pleased, although two hours not a lot of time to fully make that decision. I also read there is a gold pass where you basically could pay $15 for each month you have it and you get the game as well for that duration. Might be another option on a trial basis, although if I do decide to fully purchase, then it will even be more expensive to me ($70 + $15).

Really on the fence.....although I am not complaining about the game cost (every company is able to set whatever price they want), it does give me pause and if it was much cheaper, likely would have pulled the trigger already on an impulse buy

 

[JCitron]

Thanks to everyone who has replied so far...has given me some things to consider. Good point on Steam having an option to try and return if not pleased, although two hours not a lot of time to fully make that decision. I also read there is a gold pass where you basically could pay $15 for each month you have it and you get the game as well for that duration. Might be another option on a trial basis, although if I do decide to fully purchase, then it will even be more expensive to me ($70 + $15).

Really on the fence.....although I am not complaining about the game cost (every company is able to set whatever price they want), it does give me pause and if it was much cheaper, likely would have pulled the trigger already on an impulse buy

Here's somethings to consider.

The Gold package at $15 per month comes with access to freely available DLC that includes routes, trains, and other stuff. Once installed any of the assets for the routes as well as the other content can be used in your own route building.

The package also includes additional early access versions, and discounts on purchasable DLC over and above what normally goes on sale.

Purchasing the DLC on a monthly basis outright separately can add up to well over what you'd pay for the $70 single price in many cases.

Installing the DLC is only a matter of starting up TRS19 and the content will install. Sometimes you need to click on Download Purchased items, or whatever it's called on the menu, but most of the time it installs automatically. There is extra hoops needed to install the DLC.

The package, as you noted, can be canceled at any time, and should you decide you want to use it again, you can easily pick up where you left off by paying the $14.99 per month. This is great for those people who don't Trainz all summer and get involved in the hobby in the fall and winter months.

The single-purchase of $70.00 is just the program and all DLC content needs to be purchased separately. There is no access to early releases or many freebies, and patches are infrequent just as they are in a regular one-time purchase.

If you like lots of content, enjoy futzing around with various things, then the Gold package is for you. The lower price of the subscription is less scary as well and costs a bit less than a dozen donuts and some coffee at Dunkin's these days.

 

[TheGrimReaper]

Here's somethings to consider.

The Gold package at $15 per month comes with access to freely available DLC that includes routes, trains, and other stuff. Once installed any of the assets for the routes as well as the other content can be used in your own route building.

The package also includes additional early access versions, and discounts on purchasable DLC over and above what normally goes on sale.

Purchasing the DLC on a monthly basis outright separately can add up to well over what you'd pay for the $70 single price in many cases.

Installing the DLC is only a matter of starting up TRS19 and the content will install. Sometimes you need to click on Download Purchased items, or whatever it's called on the menu, but most of the time it installs automatically. There is extra hoops needed to install the DLC.

The package, as you noted, can be canceled at any time, and should you decide you want to use it again, you can easily pick up where you left off by paying the $14.99 per month. This is great for those people who don't Trainz all summer and get involved in the hobby in the fall and winter months.

The single-purchase of $70.00 is just the program and all DLC content needs to be purchased separately. There is no access to early releases or many freebies, and patches are infrequent just as they are in a regular one-time purchase.

If you like lots of content, enjoy futzing around with various things, then the Gold package is for you. The lower price of the subscription is less scary as well and costs a bit less than a dozen donuts and some coffee at Dunkin's these days.

I don't think the gold subscription would be for me in the long term, I doubt I would buy a ton of DLC or do a lot of building myself. Paying $150 for a year is a little extreme for my specific needs, although I understand I could start/stop the subscription throughout the year---which depending on my playing habits may be OK at times. And then if I ever wanted to switch to an owned copy, I would need to put down another $70 at that time.

I'll likely hold off a bit to see how things go with the Steam version and possibly for a later sale someday.....

 

[JCitron]

I don't think the gold subscription would be for me in the long term, I doubt I would buy a ton of DLC or do a lot of building myself. Paying $150 for a year is a little extreme for my specific needs, although I understand I could start/stop the subscription throughout the year---which depending on my playing habits may be OK at times. And then if I ever wanted to switch to an owned copy, I would need to put down another $70 at that time.

I'll likely hold off a bit to see how things go with the Steam version and possibly for a later sale someday.....

That's the best option for you if want to wait. The price now is the "starting" price anyway and N3V as well as Steam do have sales periodically through out the year. Tony Hilliam, the CEO of N3V, has said there will be sales in the future so who knows what the future will bring.

There is the Silver package as well, but I'm not as familiar with the offerings because I got the gold package. It is less expensive, but I think it too comes with the content. I need to go back and look at those options.

But anyway if you look at the Trainz Portal Store, you might change your mind. In many cases it's stuff like some really beautiful diesel locomotives or packages of them in various reskins. With Trainz in general you may get only one locomotive in the download, but you can change the engine number and you'll have the complete fleet of those locomotives for a particular company. So what is a $10.00 download, if you were to purchase this separately, would amount to hundreds spent for a complete fleet otherwise. There's a lot of locomotives like that. Ther are also some that automatically change their weathering when you install them so that you can have many variations on the same model in addition to the engine numbers.

And building routes... It's addicting when you get into it and really easy to do too.

 

[TheGrimReaper]

That's the best option for you if want to wait. The price now is the "starting" price anyway and N3V as well as Steam do have sales periodically through out the year. Tony Hilliam, the CEO of N3V, has said there will be sales in the future so who knows what the future will bring.

There is the Silver package as well, but I'm not as familiar with the offerings because I got the gold package. It is less expensive, but I think it too comes with the content. I need to go back and look at those options.

But anyway if you look at the Trainz Portal Store, you might change your mind. In many cases it's stuff like some really beautiful diesel locomotives or packages of them in various reskins. With Trainz in general you may get only one locomotive in the download, but you can change the engine number and you'll have the complete fleet of those locomotives for a particular company. So what is a $10.00 download, if you were to purchase this separately, would amount to hundreds spent for a complete fleet otherwise. There's a lot of locomotives like that. Ther are also some that automatically change their weathering when you install them so that you can have many variations on the same model in addition to the engine numbers.

And building routes... It's addicting when you get into it and really easy to do too.

Thanks...appreciate the additional information. I'll keep that in mind as I further evaluate my purchases. I use Steam quite a bit for all my other games so kind of would be nice to have it for that platform. Hopefully we'll see that soon.

 

[ecco]

I'll likely hold off a bit to see how things go with the Steam version and possibly for a later sale someday.....

Or you could just buy the latest version of TANE for $30 and see if you like it. TANE will be usable for many years to come and will run better on a moderate computer than T19. T19 still has a lot of buggy stuff.

 

[TheGrimReaper]

Or you could just buy the latest version of TANE for $30 and see if you like it. TANE will be usable for many years to come and will run better on a moderate computer than T19. T19 still has a lot of buggy stuff.

I actually own Trainz 12, not sure how different than TANE, but assuming they are in the same ballpark so I know how it generally works. My PC is near top of the line in specs, so I am not worried about my PC being able to handle it. Just was thinking better to go with the latest version

 

[JCitron]

I actually own Trainz 12, not sure how different than TANE, but assuming they are in the same ballpark so I know how it generally works. My PC is near top of the line in specs, so I am not worried about my PC being able to handle it. Just was thinking better to go with the latest version

TS12 doesn't show in your timeline. Either you are using a different username, or it was never registered properly. I recommend contacting the Helpdesk and get that resolved.

Anyway....

If your machine runs TS12 fine, then it will handle T:ANE or TRS19 fine all things considered. T:ANE is light years ahead of TS12 in many ways with TRS19 being the next generation ahead of that with additional features and a different way of doing things.

TRS19 like any program and Trainz version, will be updated over time. Some people prefer T:ANE because they like the comfy slippers and rosy glasses they're wearing. They were also the biggest complainers about T:ANE when it first came out how it was the worst version ever compared to TS12! T:ANE suffered from many ills when it first appeared on the scene, and some of the things said were justified. It has matured well and there is an upcoming service pack for that version do soon(tm) sometimes in 2019. TRS2019 (TRS19) is the new kid on the block and is thus getting hit by those with the rosy-glasses. Like any Trainz version it's far from perfect, but there are so many nice things to like about it such as the lighting effects, and performance once the program is configured that there's no going back.

If you want to go with the slightly older version, it's quite alright. It's a nice transition between TS12 and the new technology. The route menu is the same, but there are additions to it in Surveyor. The Launcher is different and so is Content Manager. TRS19 shares the same underlying technology as T:ANE, but improves on many things including lighting, etc. The Content Manager is the same and so is Surveyor with some extras there for Clutter-FX and Turf-FX capabilities. The driver interface, however, is totally different than what we've had before. The good news is whatever works in T:ANE will work in TRS19 so if you purchase DLC for T:ANE or build your own routes there, you can then transfer it all over should you decide to upgrade in the future.

But in the end it all boils down to what you want to purchase and you shouldn't let us decide that for you.

 

[jregner1955]

Have used steam befor for rail simulator could never get the thing to work right, would deffinately not recommend steam at all.