Which Version to Purchase

[dieter_K]

Hi
I am looking to purchase a Trainz version. Two members have recommended the 2010 version and thanks for that. Before I spring for the coin, I have a question. I want to purchase from a store, not online. Yes I know it is better for the company to purchase directly, but if there is a problem I want the seller to be here so I can get in their face if there is a problem. I would like to hear other opinions from all, but please don't turn this into an argument thread. If that happens, I will ask the authorities to delete this thread.

Thanks in advance for the advice.

DK

 

[kamran]

ts 2010 is best to purchase

 

[Dermmy]

Starting from scratch get TS2010. I am pretty sure the US retail version is OK, but check carefully - some retail versions require the disk be in the drive at all times. I'd buy direct from Auran, their after sales service is pretty good, but I'd get the disk version, not the download...

Andy

 

[clam1952]

2010 as 2009 has less content and functionality.

Try and steer clear of Steam versions as there seem to be problems with up to date patches.

Store bought repackaged copies from alternative publishers are probably old version numbers, may have patching problems and / or require the DVD to be in the drive for DRM purposes.

Best to find someone on here who has bought a copy from a store that can actually be patched up to date.

Direct from N3V / Auran does not need the disk in the drive and is fully patchable plus there is a digital download. Not quite what you want I know, just putting it here in case anyone else looking to purchase sees this thread.

 

[Neuraldancer]

TS2010 ... and if you have a decent web-connection get the digital download and you'll not have to wait for weeks until Auran/N3V decides to actually send your order.

 

[AJ_Fox]

2010 is the latest.

Cheers

AJ

 

[johnwhelan]

Hi
I am looking to purchase a Trainz version. Two members have recommended the 2010 version and thanks for that. Before I spring for the coin, I have a question. I want to purchase from a store, not online. Yes I know it is better for the company to purchase directly, but if there is a problem I want the seller to be here so I can get in their face if there is a problem. I would like to hear other opinions from all, but please don't turn this into an argument thread. If that happens, I will ask the authorities to delete this thread.

Thanks in advance for the advice.

DK

Realistically get the download version from N3V or Auran and make a back up copy.

With software there isn't much to take it back to the store about. Either the DVD works or it doesn't. If you're running 64 bit Win 7 with windows updates TS2010 will work fine. The operating system isolates the program from the hardware so there isn't really much to go wrong unless your computer is a low powered laptop in which case it doesn't meet the recommended min requirements. Note that TS2010 generally gives better frame rates on the same hardware as earlier versions but the recommended hardware is a bit more realistic.

If you need support the store probably won't have the first idea but the forum will normally be able to sort you out. Use Firefox to download it has a download manager built in that ie doesn't.

The content you will run makes an enormous difference to performance by the way.

Cheerio John

 

[kens_trainz]

I bought Trainz 2009 last year, and this fall I reluctantly coughed up for 2010 a month ago... but I have to admit it's better than 2009.

Echoing the comments to buy it online. I don't imagine the average software store geek plays train games, so they won't be any help to you anyway.

 

[walter36]

I always buy the download version from Auran direct,never ever had patching problems.
You can burn it on disk to backup,also the download is always available at your account page,
if you need to redownload for some reason,its totaly hassel free.

Cheers
Walt

 

[hyper_kameo]

question about the various games

hi all.. further to the topic of what is better...

I am confused with this....

Do u need every trainz version eg 2006, classics 123, 2009 etc installed on your computer or is 2010 a stand alone game?

i ask as prior to hard drive being replaced... i had all said versions installed and not thinking much of it when i bought classic and 2009 etc should i remove the others?

i thought that if i played 2009 it would use files and items installed from 2006 etc...

hope that makes sense...

 

[Qballrail]

The operating system isolates the program from the hardware so there isn't really much to go wrong unless your computer is a low powered laptop in which case it doesn't meet the recommended min requirements. Note that TS2010 generally gives better frame rates on the same hardware as earlier versions but the recommended hardware is a bit more realistic.

Contrary to the assertions Auran/N3V makes about laptops not being powerful enough, there actually ARE true gaming laptops with either ATI or NVdia video chipsets. Just so nobody else out there with a laptop is scared away from purchasing Trainz. Not everyone can afford a desktop, especially if they already own a laptop. That portion of the market should not be discounted just because Auran/N3V won't test on laptop hardware. And, that is all it means, it simply has not been "officially" tested by them. There are plenty of laptop users (myself included) who can run Trainz with little issue. Sometimes there is a slight lag, but that's about it. I run 2004, was considering 2010 (Gf was going to buy for me but I decided against it for now).

That said, if you own a laptop, just make sure you have discreet graphics (ATI or NVidia) and have HW accelleration turned on.

 

[Forest_Runner]

Switch Jedi Mind trick on...

TS2010 is the version you want... you don't need to see TS2009 or below... these aren't the versions you are looking for... you can go about your business with TS2010... move along...

 

[whiterabbit01]

I purchased the Trainz 2010 version via Steam and have never had any complaints about it apart from when I first bought the game and wasn't sure how to set up. I used to buy DVD versions of all my games, but rarely do now. The number of DVD's I've had to replace due to wear and tear isn't significant, usually only those games that have long term appeal; (usually cracks start to appear from the central hub and radiate outwards until the disc is rendered useless, and is usually caused by the stressess on the central hub when you remove it from the DVD case). It is a rare occurance, but if you plan to use the disc a lot (i.e. removing and replacing), there's a good chance the disc could become damaged. They won't replace a disc; whereas I can download my Steam version whenever I need to reinstall the game.

Just as a side note, have you considered purchasing Railworks 2 instead? Trainz is much better value for money because you get much more for your money and the support is great, but IMO Railorks has the edge on graphics. They do have a special offer on at the moment for all the add-on content (64 add-ons that include masses of trains, rolling stock and new areas to explore, plus a couple of hundred scenarios to explore that would normally cost you nearly £600. They are selling everything apart from the latest release for only £149.99, which is brilliant). Still Trainz gives you nearly everything the add-ons in Railworks does (apart from the scenarios) for so much less, just not quite as well done graphically. (IMO).

 

[fran1]

If you get 2010 from auran (the disc set) you dont need to use the discs once installed.

 

[johnwhelan]

Quote:
Originally Posted by johnwhelan
The operating system isolates the program from the hardware so there isn't really much to go wrong unless your computer is a low powered laptop in which case it doesn't meet the recommended min requirements. Note that TS2010 generally gives better frame rates on the same hardware as earlier versions but the recommended hardware is a bit more realistic.

Contrary to the assertions Auran/N3V makes about laptops not being powerful enough, there actually ARE true gaming laptops with either ATI or NVdia video chipsets. Just so nobody else out there with a laptop is scared away from purchasing Trainz. Not everyone can afford a desktop, especially if they already own a laptop. That portion of the market should not be discounted just because Auran/N3V won't test on laptop hardware. And, that is all it means, it simply has not been "officially" tested by them. There are plenty of laptop users (myself included) who can run Trainz with little issue. Sometimes there is a slight lag, but that's about it. I run 2004, was considering 2010 (Gf was going to buy for me but I decided against it for now).

That said, if you own a laptop, just make sure you have discreet graphics (ATI or NVidia) and have HW accelleration turned on.

If you spend the same amount of money on a lap top as a desktop you'll get less performance for your dollar.

Lap tops are designed to run on batteries so use low power devices inside which happen to be more expensive. So you use slower devices to make up for the cost. Slower devices happen to run cooler and draw less power as well. Trainz TRS2004 in particular runs in real time which roughly means it loops and tries to get as much done as possible within a time frame, if you use perfmon you'll see 100% cpu usage on a single core machine without hyperthreading. This is actually unusual, most office computers run about 5% cpu utilisation which has cooling implications.

So yes you can run Trainz on a Laptop and many people do but if you are looking for a dedicated machine or one best suited to Trainz then a desktop is generally better, and hence recommended.

I own a lap top as well as desktops. It's used to check email and the Oxford English dictionary. It happens to be the cheapest Dell laptop I could buy that met the requirements. I'm quite certain my seven year old desktop would out perform it running Trainz never mind the newer one.

Cheerio John