TRS-2010

[srude]

Hello;

My last purchase was TRS2009 and frankly, I wasn't impressed with that version--the alpha rendering horrible on the re-recycled routes. I don't know why they included the compatible mode--it is terrible!

I've been thinking about buying 2010 but based on what I've read on this forum, I think I'll hold off. I don't want to take a chance on being among those who buy the product then suffer the agony of not knowing when I'll get what I paid for, other problems included. My patience only lasts for so long.

That's the trouble with buying things online--no recourse. You pay then you are at mercy of the vendor, who is, in some instances, too busy doing something else. . .

Too few vendors have any regard for customers, who keep their business going.

I know, nobody is perfect and neither am I. I'll even prove that by keeping my money in my wallet.

Otherwise, life is good. Right?

Critics and opposing viewpoints are welcome!

srude

 

[xinrobbie]

Hate to say this but I have to agree....

I just purchased 2010 and so far I see very little that has impressed me to any major degree.

Aesthetically it still looks extremely dated and ancient, performance is extremely bad and has nothing in the way of new content or routes.

Auran really need to stop "The Emperors New Clothes" routine. It's about time they released a version of Trainz that employs something of a new engine instead of minor and generally insignificant improvements to the original one.

Railworks, whilst perhaps not having the extent of depth that Trainz has in terms of what kind of scenarios can be created at the moment, is being developed and significantly improved all the time.

I don't think it's going to be all that long before RailWorks encompasses most, if not more of what Trainz is able to offer. It certainly performs significantly better, is much more aesthetically pleasing and has an ever growing array of content both free and payware.

I know many will say that Trainz has the largest database of free download content, but when you strip away that which is broken with missing and impossible to find assets, outdated or simply lame in the first place, it leaves very little in the way of anything great.

Auran are going to quickly find themselves out of business as far as rail simulation is concerned if they do not pull their finger out.

They did it to everyone with TRS2009, very little that was promised ever came into fruition, and at the moment at least as far as I can see, they have done it yet again, seems most of the money that they bunk out of releasing the same product over and over does not go into development and improvement of said product, rather other avenues that they are responsible for developing.

I'm pretty sure there will be a host of die hard fan boys at the ready to shoot me down in flames after reading this, but that is my opinion, I have paid for the title and therefore am entitled to comment, all be it an extremely negative post, and really don't care who wishes to make obvious comments like "Don't Let The Door Hit You On The Way Out!".

This will certainly be the very last time I spend my cash on a product that Auran release, without first getting to see it in full action.

Thanks again Auran, hope my payment serves you well, it will be the last time.

 

[Mouse84]

OK, so you want a major overhaul, that renders all current content totally useless? I, and I think most of the others, are happy with the way things are going. Yes, you are entitled to your opinion, but I don't share it in the least. I don't like the way they shut down the vouchers down a day early for those of us in the US, but I'll wait and buy a copy elsewhere, later.

 

[xinrobbie]

OK, so you want a major overhaul, that renders all current content totally useless? I, and I think most of the others, are happy with the way things are going. Yes, you are entitled to your opinion, but I don't share it in the least. I don't like the way they shut down the vouchers down a day early for those of us in the US, but I'll wait and buy a copy elsewhere, later.

Excuse me, but are you really going to sit there and tell me that paying the purchase price you have paid for this is actually value for money....seriously!!!!

If thats the case then no wonder Auran play this game with every single release, why should they bother doing anything at all.

This release is a minor improvement/update to an existing product, you could even go as far as to call it a service pack in its own right.

Its should be released as such and charged for appropriately. A new release should be just that and considering the extortionate funding that Auran have taken from its customers so far, whilst giving very little in return at the end of the day, no-one can start throwing the "they are a small company and dont have the funds" rubbish.

I'm not saying anything about making existing content redundant. If your happy with existing content fine. But if your gonna use existing content that was produced for earlier versions, what's the point in a new version in the first place. Whats the point in improving graphics capability to render content made for 2004/06.


And even if a new version meant making old content redundant better that than releasing the same game yet again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again................................. and again.

Besides, half the stuff on the DLS is broken, outdated or has missing assets anyway, I'd call that pretty redundant!

Also I was just looking though some the included routes. LOL all they did was stick a few speed trees over the top of the old routes, most impressive I must say, it really makes you feel like you got your monies worth this time around.

:wave:

 

[amigacooke]

Excuse me, but are you really going to sit there and tell me that paying the purchase price you have paid for this is actually value for money....seriously!!!!

Are you seriously trying to tell me that the graphics for TS2010 are a surprise to you even though videos and screen shots were available before purchase?

It seems you bought a product that you knew was not up to your standards. Having seen through the 'Emperor's New Clothes' you then bought the next collection. I find that hard to take seriously.

 

[Mouse84]

Are you seriously trying to tell me that the graphics for TS2010 are a surprise to you even though videos and screen shots were available before purchase?

It seems you bought a product that you knew was not up to your standards. Having seen through the 'Emperor's New Clothes' you then bought the next collection. I find that hard to take seriously.

I have to agree 1000%

Sounds like another whiner to me.

 

[roymac]

Such comments....

I have to agree 1000%

Sounds like another whiner to me.

Mouse, I have to say with respect, that I consider your last comment unprofessional. "Whiner" - is that necessary! xinrobbie was simply stating his position on what he thought of Trainz 2010 - nothing more. Besides, most of his comments were not without facts and as such one cannot dispute them.

That is the good thing about facts, they are what they are and no amount of 'opinions' can change them.

I am not an owner of TRS10 but rather an old TRS04 throw-back. When it came out, I did some digging at Auran for what were its issues at that time. It was then and still still is a pretty good simulator but it greatest draw back is, and always has been its graphics engine. In '04 it was out-dated and again here in 2010 and it is still outdated. While that may be an issue with folks like me, it is not - given Auran's successful sales - an issue with what I will assume are most users. All of this has not stopped me enjoying the program and as I look at the Forum (daily) most others enjoy it as well.

What I find the most frustrating though it when someone becomes critical of either Auran or the Program regardless of whether they are expressing themselves 'factually' or via an 'opinion', a few resort to name calling instead of just saying - "thank you but I don't agree"!

As a final note, I think (my opinion only) that such critics are actually good for Auran or any company for that matter. It keeps them on their toes! After all, we don't want them to be too comfortable, do we!!

Regards,

roymac

 

[martinvk]

Excuse me, but are you really going to sit there and tell me that paying the purchase price you have paid for this is actually value for money....seriously!!!!...:

Just two of the great new values: layers and improved frame rates, make TS2010 worth the price of admission, not to mention all the rest.

Removing backward compatibility might get rid of older content irritants but also many of the great gems from the past.

Besides, half the stuff on the DLS is broken, outdated or has missing assets anyway, I'd call that pretty redundant!

Pretty big statement! Not going to debate the broken issue, plenty of other threads for that but outdated? A 1890 shack placed in the background doesn't need the latest bump mapping to look good. And as for missing, if the creators didn't upload everything to the DLS but instead used other sites, this is hardly Auran's fault.

The only call of redundant I can see are the multiple versions of many objects. To this I say, the more the merry! Having many versions of common and uncommon objects just increases the variety in routes and keeps things visually interesting. Nothing wrong with that.

 

[xinrobbie]

Are you seriously trying to tell me that the graphics for TS2010 are a surprise to you even though videos and screen shots were available before purchase?

It seems you bought a product that you knew was not up to your standards. Having seen through the 'Emperor's New Clothes' you then bought the next collection. I find that hard to take seriously.

Do me a favour, the screenshots and videos on the main site are carefully picked to display only the very best bits. Many look like concept shots anyway (that being the ones of just the loco). And would this be the four videos one of which actually states "Loads of New Content".

Maybe yourself and of course Auran consider sticking a few updated trees on dated routes for the most part "New" I most certainly don't.

When someone states loads of new content thats exactly what I expect to get. Why say it when its just not true.

They have carefully marketed this in a way to give the distinct impression that it is an extremely overhauled and revamped product when in actual fact its the same outdated thing as before with a very thin lick of gloss.

Watching the videos and looking at the screenshots provided do not allow you to see what range of new content is added, that is only possible when you have the software and go into surveyor.

I'll admit the new trees are nice but those aside, most of the other content is way outdated.

Auran have pulled another fast one, and you actually seem happy about it! Nice one, your very easy to please. Perhaps next time they can release the original first ever version of Trainz and slap a 2011 motif on it, im sure that'll keep you more than happy.

 

[Mouse84]

 

[tankbob]

Value for money

hiya all

With regards to the people who are complaining about trainz in general the price is not really excesive for what you get.think hard about what the same
amount of money will buy you nowadays and think of how much enjoyment you get from trainz.i have used all versions up to 09 and am happy with them
they have all had faults but in time they have been worked on and fixed.most top end pc games now released need huge patches within weeks of release so none of this is new.on the whole auran do the best they can,as for a complete new version which will make every bit of old content redundent.its not going to happen.i think some people forget this is a hobby and should be enjoyed as such no single bit of software has so much free content online as trainz,just my opinion.


cheers bob:udrool:

 

[amigacooke]

Nice one, your very easy to please.

TS2010 is an improvement on previous Trainz in my opinion, so yes I'm pleased with it. Clearly we disagree.

PS I think it should be "you're".

 

[Paul_Bert]

I started off with version 2004, then to 2009, and ended up with 2010. Each version costs less than a nice dinner out for two.

For me TS2010 is a great step forward from all previous versions and sets the stage for future development. I currently have over 30,000 error free assets installed which give me lots of options in building routes.

Running routes in TS2010 native mode is an eye opener as far as increased performance and visual impact over previous versions. If you have a fairly new computer with a good graphics card the performance in native mode makes earlier versions look a little clunky.

Will TS2010 be improved upon - absolutely and probably in ways we can not imagine today. But in the meantime I plan to enjoy this version just as much as I did versions 2004 and 2009. I can't think of any other $40 purchase that I have made over the years that has given me as much enjoyment as Trainz.

 

[valishara]

I need some new clothes too. Any suggestions?

 

[devandavis]

I'm going to chime in on the value per dollar spent here. Compare the price for trainz 2010 and transdem to buying actual model railroad equipment. The $70 or so I spent wouldn't buy a decent HO steam locomotive, but with these two pieces of software I can model almost any railroad past and present.

 

[sparky15]

I am a Trainz fan. 04, 06, TC and 09. While each does offer some improvements I still get the impression I'm buying the exact same thing over and over. If you feel the new versions are a great deal and are happy with them by all means, enjoy, I would never argue that.

All the new content issues seem to have upset the apple cart. Fixing errors for native mode, compatibility mode and performance hits for what can't be fixed and in my case possible hardware upgrades just to be where I was with an older version. While I do like some of the improvements all the hassles and possible expenses make any upgrade hardly worth while at this time. Why go through all that when an older version works so well for me. I do admit I'm missing the better signaling since shelving 09 though.

Now, if you're going to upset the cart, go all out. Give me the ability to lay turnouts with proper frogs and points, lay accurate radius curves or the ability to "tilt" scenery items to match terrain, just to name a few. That would be well worth upgrading to, software and hardware. Even at the expense of a new game engine and some content.

Until then my current hardware is more than adequate for my needs, both Trainz and everything else I run. Also, my current version of Trainz gives me all I need content and performance wise. It will take something substantial feature wise to get me to purchase a new version again.

Dave.....

 

[trainzamtrakfan]

i really did not find anything "new" with trainz 2010 , just some trains and routes , as well as speedtree.

andre

 

[angelah]

On order

I have ordered 2010. Now for me that is a real statement because although I have TC3 and 2006, I still build routes in 2004. It has taken me a long time to make my mind up though but what swayed me was the results a close friend has had with it.
Then think of the price of a single model locomotive for your model railway. Well, you cannot buy even one for the cost of any of the Trainz versions.
And I am guessing that what makes all later versions looked dated are the old routes Auran keep bulking with it. I wonder why they do this? There are plenty of much better routes available for free on the DS. But I suspect it is so the program runs very smoothly when the user first opens it. Load an old route that has hardly any detail and it works, even on low spec machines. Put a complex detailed one in and there will soon be lots of posts about stutter. That's not the program's fault, that's old PC software/hardware. If you want a lot of detail in Trainz go get a high spec PC. Simple!
Even though I don't use the other 2 versions I don't regret getting them, they were worth it just for the experience, although to be honest the S & C in TC3 leaves a lot to be desired as a route IMHO. But see above....
Every new version needs some learning time, some quite a lot. It took me two years before I even thought about sending a route to the DS, and that was from 2004. 2010 is more complex so a reasonable learning curve will be required.

Angela

 

[Paul_Bert]

Angela,

You will love TS2010. I used 2004 until about a year ago, but once I got into TS2010 there was no turning back. Spent many frustratiting hours converting over many of my 2004 routes to make them usable in native mode, but once that was done it was like a new world of Trainz.

I made the decision that all assets that I used in 2010 would be error free. That required that I discard some of my favorite assets and replacing them with error free assets. but today I have over 30,000 error free assets installed which makes running 2010 and my old routes a joy to run.

 

[xinrobbie]

hiya all

With regards to the people who are complaining about trainz in general the price is not really excesive for what you get.think hard about what the same
amount of money will buy you nowadays and think of how much enjoyment you get from trainz.i have used all versions up to 09 and am happy with them
they have all had faults but in time they have been worked on and fixed.most top end pc games now released need huge patches within weeks of release so none of this is new.on the whole auran do the best they can,as for a complete new version which will make every bit of old content redundent.its not going to happen.i think some people forget this is a hobby and should be enjoyed as such no single bit of software has so much free content online as trainz,just my opinion.


cheers bob:udrool:

Missing the point though here I think, I am not complaining about "Trainz In General"

"Trainz In General' is a good program, if I had never had a Trainz product in the past, I can safely say that I would be more than happy with 2010.

The point is they keep making rather minor improvements to existing software, repackaging it and selling it at full whack. That is not right.

I used to use Microsoft Flight Simulator lots, every single time a new version came out that carried a new year in its title, the program had undergone significant improvement, making it well worth paying another full price to change to, Trainz does not.

And yes Bob, Trainz probably has more free content than any other piece of software out there, but much of that free content was designed and built on earlier versions of Trainz, usually much earlier, and either looks terrible in comparison to the newer updates, or doesnt work properly.

Auran should add at least a certain degree of new content to their new products, not just a piece of track and a new engine, as was the case in 2009. And this time around a few trees.