Let’s do the math
I was interested in calculating costs for myself so thought I might share.
Using the table N3V published
here September 4, 2019.
Assuming your interest in Trainz lasts 10 years.
Assuming costs remain the same for 10 years (likely not but who can crystal ball that).
So, what is your interest?
Buy
You own forever.
If you are a hobbyist and want to make your own content, then purchasing new releases of the program as they come out is the way to go, particularly if the releases come out every two years, which is more likely the case. Although you can freely access N3V’s download station with 200,000 to 300,000 assets, you will probably want to purchase a first class ticket for faster download capability to access the things you do not want to make, or at least not initially ($602.00 over 10 years).
Silver membership
Lease routes, sessions, etc. between game releases.
If you are a gamer and want all of the latest content releases when they first come out (routes, sessions, and new assets to place in routes) then you probably want to go for a Silver Membership ($863.14 over 10 years).
Gold membership
Lease game updates while in beta, routes, sessions, and new assets to place in routes.
If you are a gamer and want all of the latest releases when they first come out (game updates, routes, sessions, etc.) then you probably want to go for a Gold Membership ($1,295.14 over 10 years).
Trainz Plus
Lease game updates while in beta and with up to a three-month delay routes, sessions, and new assets to place in routes.
This alternative let’s you “have your cake and eating it to” if you are patient. You can have access to all new games beta updates when they come out and, within three months, all new routes, sessions, and new assets to place in routes ($690.34 over 10 years).
This is a saving of $604.80 over a Gold Membership. Note that this is considerably cheaper than buying the program outright assuming a new release comes out very year ($952.00) and about same price as buying the program outright assuming a new release comes out every two years ($602.00).
Add $70.00 if you decide to buy to own outright after 10 years.
Cayden