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15th May 2012 From information gleaned off various forums, it appears the author of the excellent OpenBVE programme has decided to call it a day and cease further development on the simulation. Some more information can be found looking through posts at the BVE Worldwide forum and it does appear as if others are intending to step up to the plate and try to keep things going. However it is nevertheless still a sad moment for the train sim hobby as OpenBVE complemented the original BVE programme and included some powerful features, such as the ability to mix and match routes and trains without having to rewrite the route csv files. 2012 so far not proving to be one of the better years for the train sim hobby, apart from Railworks and its rampant payware big business model, we have had no further news on Zusi 3 despite last year's demo version (it's been nearly six months), still nothing concrete from Cascade Game Foundry as to whether they're doing a train sim and apart from Run 8 which I mentioned in January not much new on the horizon. At this rate I will be reinstalling FSX or buying Flight!! 10th May 2012 Myself and UK Trainsim... Just a quick note to advise that I will no longer be posting on the UKTS forum, having closed my "bigvern" account after some ten years of membership. My views on Railworks and its developer have led to friction previously with the moderation policy over there and this spiked again yesterday evening following a rather forthright expression of my views about the subject of DLC withdrawals by the publisher/developer. From a warning message sent to me, it appears I am (was) regarded as a disruptive influence (me!!). So rather than suffer the ignominy of being banned I decided to fall on my sword and terminate my membership. In practical terms this means I will no longer be able to provide any support on their forum for my work hosted on the UKTS file library. I have already removed a few minor files, scenarios etc. which were largely obsolete or run their course anyway. I am still considering what to do with my Railworks routes hosted there and will leave in place for at least the next couple of weeks, but with my interest in Railworks fast dwindling and the advent of much better content both freeware and from the DLC factory I am seriously thinking about retiring them. My own path now lies in developing content for Trainz as I feel Railworks no longer represents the kind of community sim I campaigned for and have much interest in supporting. I still intend to remain active on the various other forums I frequent, particularly Trainsim.com (as NorthernWarrior) and the N3V Trainz forum (as Vern). 2nd May 2012 Further to my note on 21st April, Railsimulator.com have clarified what users can and cannot do with assets from DLC content. The full text is reproduced here on their Facebook Page. (Apologies for linking to Facebook but it seems that is RSC's preferred method of communication these days). So my interpretation and that of the general community, is that so far as route building is concerned it is okay to reference assets from RSC DLC, providing this is not actually packaged and bundled with the route. 23rd April 2012 The Swindon to Cirencester route for Trainz TS12 is now available on the Auran/N3V DLS. 21st April 2012 Work on my current route project, the Swindon to Cirencester railway for Trainz TS12, is almost complete and should be uploaded over the weekend to the N3V (Auran) Download Station. I've put together a short page with some information about the project, here. Those of you who follow the Railworks forums may be aware of an issue that has popped up in the last couple of days. Following a response by Railsimulator.com Technical Support to a query, it appears route builders should not be using (referencing) assets in their own projects from routes purchased as official RSC/Steam DLC. Apparently we are only allowed to use the default assets supplied with the core game. This has caused considerable concern amongst route builders as many publicly released freeware projects (including some of mine) reference assets from various DLC's released over the life of the sim. I have emailed RSC support myself requesting clarification and thus far have received a holding message to say they are considering the matter. So my advice to Railworks route builders is, it might be worth hanging fire ticking all those developer boxes on your latest route project, if it turns out you shouldn't be using the items (even though they are only referenced and their use guarantees more DLC sales for RSC... ). 18th January 2012 Best wishes to everyone for the New Year (a little late I know) and hoping 2012 will see further improvements to our train simming hobby. I can certainly start the ball rolling with a couple of pieces of good news: Digital Traction are a well respected maker of add on content for Railworks, their collection of Mark One coaches are pretty much essential to augment the default types. The developer is currently running a "blowout" sale on all items, at 75% off. That means for example the Class 40 which normally costs £10.00 plus VAT can be purchased for £2.50 + VAT = £3.00. I've just purchased several pieces including the Class 40 and can vouch that these are quality add-ons which will provide many hours of enjoyment. The Class 40 in particular is very nicely modelled with a superb cab and sound set - an excellent rendition of these iconic machines. The sale runs until 25th January so you have a week or so to take advantage of the offer. Many people will remember 3D TrainStuff as a developer and publisher of add-on content for MSTS and I was involved many years ago now with their first Cambrian Coast pack, as lead route builder. They have just announced via a company called Run 8, that they are developing an all new train simulation programme for release later this year. Not much more information other than what's on their site at present, but the preview pictures of the Tehachapi (?) route look very compelling. Hopefully I'll have more to report on this as the year unfolds. Out with the old, in with the new...all 2011 news has now been moved to the Archive Page. (2011 Archived News is Here) (2010 Archived News is Here) (2009 Archived News is here). |
The following are links to message boards which may be useful: Auran Trainz Forum - the official board to discuss Auran's train sim products. Densha de Go Board - English language forum for users of Japanese console train driving games. Train-sim.com - US orientated discussion site. Transport Tycoon Forum - For TT etc. & Locomotion discussion. Truck Pol Forum - C'mon good buddy, 10-4, rubber duck (plastic chicken) discuss all those road transport driving games out there! Zusi - Official board of the German sim. English language section available. |
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