Trainz 2009 World Builder - Don't Buy It

[perbro1953]

Hello,

As a novice I find Trainz 2009 World Builder a travesty of poor construction.

Firstly I don't speak or know German... so what use are the German scenarios to me when I can not translate the instructions???

Secondly the scenarios I can access in many cases fail to operate properly as the trains conflict, the signals shunt me out of the scenario and the rules do not act as one should expect a professional piece of software to operate.

I get left waiting for signals to change despite timetable, then I can not operate the switches to manage the track and the reports from other trains are confusing because I am not aware of their timetables or instructions.

Very Disappointing

So if you are english limited and don't want to be materially disadvantaged by the limitations of TRAINZ 2009- World Builder scenarios then save your money. Don't buy it. 50% of the programme is unavailable to you and 20% of the rest does not work....

Surveyor is great if you have the time and patience to build a scenario, but even the downloads from the TRAINZ Site are poor and do not operate properly.

So much for amateurs....

Lindsay

 

[Euphod]

Your scathing review would raise eyebrows, except we are all aware of the programs bugs and limitations. Lucky for you, you got in on the ground floor, and SP2 is being put together as we speak. Was WBE ready for release? Probably not, but that's the stupid world of software publishing for you!

Anyway, the fix for the language problem is on the DLS. Use the link up there ^ to go there, then tick off the 2009 box and search under title for "intro". You should find a pack to download and install and it will fix your session language.

Good luck.

 

[john259]

Auran included the wrong language versions of some material in the English edition of TS2009. This mistake might be fixed eventually. In the meantime as Ed says there is a manual patch available.

Please don't blame the non-Auran content creators for all the trees, built-in rolling stock, sessions and scenarios which fail to work properly in TS2009. Most of these things worked perfectly in previous versions of Trainz.

John

 

[0099]

Nawww poor you just terrible shame that... My heart bleeds out in your agony.

 

[TNM]

well, i dont like your attitude, but you are right when saying TS09WBE is only for ...well guess, world builders.

If you make your own content or build things in surveyor, then you have "some" functionality (the lack of native 09 content makes it hard to say surveyor is fully functional...).

Now, i think that TSWBE is a beta, too, but then i informed myself on the forums quite well before buying it. Did you do the same? Then some blame is to put on you, too.
You know in what state the software industry is (its a mess, 70% you get is beta-software), so always check first.

 

[colhad]

When someone purchases a product and doesn't live up to a standard that you'd expect from the product, you have a right to complain.

Auran does have a habit of releasing products that are faulty and when people complain, Auran shouldn't be too surprised, neither should the rest of us.

 

[Ronayne]

I like TRS2009, exept it doesn't have that box to display items from a certain country, so its hard to find, lets say Italian, Spanish and French items on it. :'(

 

[backyard]

...I like their schedule...

Had WBE waited until the SP1 release, we would have had to wait that much longer & the inherent quality of usage by the Trainzers would have been non-existent.

That's so typical of today's games, I don't even know why the process is even being questioned.

I always benefit by remembering that Auran Trainz is a train-simulator...that means to me the reaction of flying overhead of a train to watch the "bigger picture" is beyond the focus of the program anyway.

Not being anchored into CAD or graphics arts, there is always a learning curve but I have found resources to get the best out of Auran Trainz.

I find that using Surveyor has never been easier, with the active Bookmarks List on the desk to quick-change tools.

I also find that inside the cab whilst in Driver Mode increases frame-rates, staying there loads everything way easier for the eyes.

So find "focus."

 

[johnwhelan]

Hello,

As a novice I find Trainz 2009 World Builder a travesty of poor construction.

Firstly I don't speak or know German... so what use are the German scenarios to me when I can not translate the instructions???

Secondly the scenarios I can access in many cases fail to operate properly as the trains conflict, the signals shunt me out of the scenario and the rules do not act as one should expect a professional piece of software to operate.

I get left waiting for signals to change despite timetable, then I can not operate the switches to manage the track and the reports from other trains are confusing because I am not aware of their timetables or instructions.

Very Disappointing

So if you are english limited and don't want to be materially disadvantaged by the limitations of TRAINZ 2009- World Builder scenarios then save your money. Don't buy it. 50% of the programme is unavailable to you and 20% of the rest does not work....

Surveyor is great if you have the time and patience to build a scenario, but even the downloads from the TRAINZ Site are poor and do not operate properly.

So much for amateurs....

Lindsay

But on the other hand you have a Train simulator with 100,000+ items available. Yes you have to be selective but the cost of making or even updating all these items to commercial standards at even $15 per hour would make the simulator prohibitively expensive.

It's a few years since I dropped by a model railway store but I recall spending $1,000 very quickly. Compared to that Trainz is very reasonably priced.

Cheerio John

 

[baz66]

John
That.s really the point here, isn,t it. Years ago I tried to build a modell railway in TT gauge and I didn,t get very far before I realised the cost was getting out of hand.
Sure 2009 has some faults but it is a growing creation. As more and more people support it, It will become better. For a few dollars, one can build the model railroad of their dreams.
baz

 

[Tanvaras]

My first foray into Trainz was with 2009WBE DVD edition ( Version 38411) I have not experienced the earlier versions, So my outlook is quite different than alot of other people I would think, But personally I have not had one crash in game or CMP, (well had one but was my fault in CMP but quick rebuild worked fine ) I have enjoyed the change too Trainz, was a major MS Flight Simmer, but Trainz was bought by my wife as a pressie and I have throughly enjoyed it.

What ever bugs are hiding in TS09 I havent seen them yet and if I do, so be it. No program is perfect and especially with Sim games they are always a growing beast warts and all. I for one am glad I got it, never had so much fun. I am a big kid all over again.

I run an IT business and I see so many bug related issues every day, that Trainz is nothing compared too some real big software companies that bring out programs half baked and not even really an Alpha release. But for my 60 buck-a-roos I got myself years of fun to be had, I think thats quite worth it, what ever bug causes me issues

Cheers

Trent

 

[ZecMurphy]

Hi perbro1953

The language 'issue' is from content that has been carried over from a previous version of Trainz (in this case the European release 'TRS2007'). The current setup for sessions means that the in game 'messages' can only be in a single language.

This means that, if I make a session in English, a German user would not be able to use it unless they understand English. Same goes the other way.

Now, in TS2009, it is using 'legacy' content. Well, except for the 10 or so new items that are built-in. This content was made for older versions of Trainz, including the European release TRS2007, and was therefore made to suite that version. This means that there is a lot of content that is in another language, as it was created for (and generally by) people in those regions speaking those languages.

To have fixed these sessions would have taken more time away from squashing show stopper bugs.

That said, there has been word that service pack 2 will allow content to be updated. This will hopefully allow content, such as these sessions to be updated.

To everyone else. Please remember that most new users won't find the forums till after they have bought the product.

That said. It is normally recommended that people do research before purchasing, such as by doing a google search for the name, or by reading reviews.

And to reply to you comment about downloads being poor and not working properly. You need to keep in mind that most (nearly all) of the content on the download station has been made by 3rd party freeware creators. These are people like you and me who spend their spare time making these creations for free, and then releasing these onto Auran's download station for you to download for free. This content is made to the best of that creators abilities, and can take a lot of time to make (some creations can take years to make before the creator is happy with it).

That said, I will say thank you for sharing your opinion with us. Comments such as these do let us know what people are happy with, and unhappy with, in our releases.

Zec Murphy

 

[SuperFudd]

A Trainz product released prematurely?

Then there is the other option. 3D Realms has been working on Duke Nukem (takes) Forever for 12 years. Each of the few million times it was asked when DNF would be released it's reponse was "when it is done". 3D Realms has just anounced that they are going out of business. It seems the world will NEVER get to experience Duke Nukem Forever.

 

[boleyd]

I believe that it was summed up when someone said the software world is a mess. We are being pushed into using PCs and their software everyday simply by more and more companies offering things only available on the Internet. Sometimes that initial exposure causes the customer to also see what else might be out there that might satisfy their hobby tastes. Well they stumble across Trainz. Not being an avid gamer, software professional or with years of PC experience they buy the product and guess what happens? They become "upset".

If they do some further stumbling they come across a forum specific to their new purchase. Here they are greeted with things like they should have researched before making the purchase or this is the way it is in the gaming software realm. That stuff is of no help. Nor can anyone really help the neophyte customer since the product developers continue to send stuff out the door that is flawed. All the forums do is offer compromises not solutions.

While the experts in the forums sit upon their thrones of knowledge the dumb vendor has absolutely no idea about how much revenue they have lost when the new customer find the frustrations similar to those that began here. They are so satisfied with their abilities to create that there is little sensitivity to the real market. These companies deserve to fail. It is only their continued failure that will bring changes to the software industry.

Oh. almost forgot about the old canard about the price for a real simulator versus Trainz. That one dies quickly when you multiply the revenue from the number of copies sold versus the pro-simulator!

 

[Euphod]

If they do some further stumbling they come across a forum specific to their new purchase. Here they are greeted with things like they should have researched before making the purchase or this is the way it is in the gaming software realm. That stuff is of no help.

Is it not "the way it is in the gaming software realm"?

What should we do then, while we are "sitting on our thrones of knowledge"? Should we not answer questions, as we are only providing "compromises not solutions"?

I agree with most of what you posted, but not all. I don't think anyone should be expected to do research before buying Trainz, I think to expect that is ridiculous. I agree the fault lies with the software developer, and they should be subject to the laws of the free market economy, (risk failure), but to express that here is just to invite rabid posts that ruin the thread. I have always supported Auran from the beginning; but quite accidentally. I have bought every version to see if the new version would fix the fault of the old versions, but generally have been disappointed each time. 2009 is no different, perhaps they should have lined up someone to make trees and other content before changing the goal lines yet again!

As for the "experts" in the forums, they try to help IN SPITE of Auran's shortcomings, and take their own time to answer questions, verify glitches and in general, give to others.

Auran would do well to release a better product, but that's the way it is in the gaming software realm...oh, wait....that's where I came in!

 

[boleyd]

One of the interesting elements is that Rail Simulator and the Auran Trainz 2009 are at a similar point in their "development". In both cases the initial release was flawed and/or incomplete. RS has had to restructure their company and will charge for the next upgrade making the usual claims of a fresh start. Trainz remains a shell which was the intention of Auran. However, it is so devoid of "proper" objects that there is little visual change over previous releases. If it was super easy to make objects by just taking quick digital photos of something and running them through a program where you specify the dimensions and where the photos go for texturing that may have been ok. But talented people apparently are either frustrated with the process or see little advantage from following complex processes.

We are left with two mystery products/upgrades. RS refuses to be specific what fixes will be in their next upgrade except to reveal a target date and a price. Auran ain't chargin but we also have not seen anything specific on what or when something will appear. The result, common to both companies, is a set of frustrated customers who make up the core revenue stream for the products. I would love to know why these little companies find it so difficult to keep customers informed about what content or fixes will be forthcoming. One of the first rules of selling is to keep the customer interested not frustrated.

 

[john259]

There's one very important difference - there are older versions of Trainz available which cost considerably less than TS2009 and have far fewer problems.

If you want to experiment with the latest 3D modelling techniques then go for TS2009.

If you want to make layouts, drive trains or run activities then go for an older version.

John

 

[BLACKWATCH]

Well I look at it more subjectively, I mean, what can you really buy with £20 these days ?
I think we are spoilt rotten to have Trainz for the price we pay, if you're not happy, you could always try spending a spell on the first games I played on a computer ........................

Text based adventures on a "green screen" monitor. :'(

 

[TNM]

Well I look at it more subjectively, I mean, what can you really buy with £20 these days ?
I think we are spoilt rotten to have Trainz for the price we pay, if you're not happy, you could always try spending a spell on the first games I played on a computer ........................

Text based adventures on a "green screen" monitor. :'(

nah, thats not a good argument. A product you pay for has to come in working condition, how much you pay doesnt matter. If they cant deliver that for price X, then they should ask more. Simple as that.

 

[BLACKWATCH]

nah, thats not a good argument. A product you pay for has to come in working condition, how much you pay doesnt matter. If they cant deliver that for price X, then they should ask more. Simple as that.

But my TRS2004 works, so Auran cannot be accused of always supplying software that does not do the job.

All software is designed by humans, therefore, all software will have faults.
"To err is human - [FONT=Georgia, serif][FONT=Arial, Verdana, Geneva, Helvetica, sans-serif]To Forgive Divine[/FONT][/FONT]". by Alexander Pope from "An Essay on Criticism".