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[paulhobbs]

I'm snuggling up tight to my copy of TS12 build 49922!



Paul, I was wondering if there would be any possibility of some of the basic SnC dependencies (eg. scenery items) being uploaded to the DLS so they'd no longer count as DLC? Obviously the route itself and the rolling stock would be sacrosanct, but I fear there's a real risk people may start ditching SnC assets if they think they may cause DLC-related problems for their routes in the future.

Paul

One problem is knowing what assets to upload to the DLS, they will also need to be a higher trainz-build than 2.9, I think 3.3 will be the minimum. Also due to the wacky way N3V has implemented DRM if the server is down and the updated assets (with new version numbers) are installed you still can't use them. Probably the best thing to do is obsolete the old DLC assets with new kuids but I'm not sure this will get around any problems with the DRM server.

Paul

 

[dnevans8]

I know I am getting ahead of things here but my bet is that when the first patch for T-ANE comes out even those with the boxed version of T-ANE will find their install will become DRM-ed in the same way that TS12 did after the SP1 patch.

 

[itareus]

Paul,

If, and only if, the S&C team are willing and happy to release these assets then here are a few comments and suggestions from me:

...One problem is knowing what assets to upload to the DLS...

A good point, there are a lot of assets so it's not a small task to do all of them. The best idea I can come up with at the moment if some form of 'on request' release update. Then someone uploading a route to the DLS who finds missing S&C assets can request the asset be released but must be prepared to wait for a reasonable period on time and not want it 'tomorrow'.

...they will also need to be a higher trainz-build than 2.9, I think 3.3 will be the minimum...

I'm not sure that having a higher build will be a problem to the majority of users but I have no hard facts to prove this statement . There may be some issues with passing validation for the later release but how much is an unknown quantity, the rules for scenery assets have not had massive changes so fingers crossed.

...Probably the best thing to do is obsolete the old DLC assets with new kuids but I'm not sure this will get around any problems with the DRM server...

If I understand you correctly I don't think that there would be any problems with this approach. If an asset with a 4 part KUID - (1)KUID2 (2)User ID (3) Asset I\D (4)Asset Version -- is release with the third part different I can't see any way that the DRM system can recognise this as the same as the payware asset, at least without the code being re-written and added to.

Chris

 

[Paulsw2]

...due to the wacky way N3V has implemented DRM if the server is down and the updated assets (with new version numbers) are installed you still can't use them. Probably the best thing to do is obsolete the old DLC assets with new kuids but I'm not sure this will get around any problems with the DRM server.

Good Lord, this DRM thingy seems to be very tricky, like some kind of digital tapeworm! I agree with Chris and his suggestions. If we can find a way to reintegrate SnC items and sidestep the DRM issue, I'd be all for it.

Paul

 

[Falcus]

Yea, I'm not overly keen on the DRM setup they've gone with either..... "Oh gee guys, you can only use this content you may have had for years anyway when our dodgy servers, your ISP, and your net connection doesn't all go boom!" I hope they find a new way by the time the next iteration is released after T:ANE.

Falcus

 

[Mike10]

A lot of the scenery stuff in S&C is mine. I have no problem with looking at releasing some of my S&C assets, but on a case by case basis, not uploading the lot just in case some are used in other routes.

If you want something uploaded drop me a mail and tell me what and why.
I think a definitive answer on whether a new kuid version or a whole new kuid number is required to circumvent the DLC issue would be useful first though.

Mike.