amtrak

[SCrails]

I have no idea if this question has been asked yet. I see in some of your screenshots that you have an amtrak station. I was wondering if somebody was working on a locomotive for it along with passenger cars, etc. I would like to see how that's coming along in the near future. A high quality looking GE genesis or a classic F40PH. Would be nice to use to travel on the Silver Meteor from Penn station to Charleston, SC couteousy of WOR (World Of Rails) :7


PAACE!

Tim Brown

[BNSF5767]

No amtrak sorry

[Driverman2008]

No amtrak sorry
That's dumb.:mad: Why would the Amtrak logo be in the game? And not a single Amtrak train? Plus, how are the Americans in the game going to go from station to station if there's no passenger/Amtrak train to pick them up? I'm talking out of the box. Not third party stuff. It just doesn't make a lot of sense to me.:confused:

Well, there's still plenty of time before the game is released. Who knows, maybe the people at Microsoft and Aces will throw some Amtrak locomotives and cars in the default roster (at least that's what I'm hoping for) before it gets released. Besides, Amtrak appeared in MSTS 1. I think it's only right if it comes back in MSTS 2.

[Company Notch]

That's dumb.:mad: Why would the Amtrak logo be in the game? And not a single Amtrak train? Plus, how are the Americans in the game going to go from station to station if there's no passenger/Amtrak train to pick them up? I'm talking out of the box. Not third party stuff. It just doesn't make a lot of sense to me.:confused:


A couple things:

Amtrak trains appeared in MSTS1 because we modeled an Amtrak-owned route (the Northeast Corridor). That's not the case in MSTS2.

There are a tremendous number of partnership issues that go on "behind the scenes" before a company like Microsoft can use the brand/logo/image of a large rail company like Amtrak. These are neither trivial or even possible to solve in some cases.

Bottom line, for each of the routes, there are things we're not able to do that, arguably, we "should" be doing. That's just the reality of a product like this. The product design process is all about tradeoffs. I completely understand the desire for Amtrak trains in this version, but we're not in a position to make it happen _out of the box_ for MSTS2.

And besides, for every person who wants Amtrak trains, there are others who want a Union Pacific route and models, or a CSX route and models, or Australian content, or Japanese content, or, well, fill in the blank with just about anything you can think of. Bottom line, we simply can't do everything, and as I've stated before, there's MUCH more that goes into the decision about what gets included beyond what would be "cool" to model.....

The third party providers will no doubt step up and fill the Amtrak "void" and the others listed above. While some may feel this is a less-desirable option, it really is one of the foundational tenants on which we are building this product - it's an open platform that can be extended to include content for virtually any train/rail line in the world. We can't possibly build content to make everyone happy. Instead, we make it easy for others to build lots of content for a wide variety of interests.

-Rick

Rick Selby
Lead Game Designer
Microsoft Train Simulator

http://yardlimits.spaces.live.com

[eaglefan9727]

Like for myself, I want a fleet of Southern Pacific units with a couple Rio Grande units thrown in as well. You cant always get what you want. Just be happy with what you get and then work from there.

[rrroberttt]

A couple things:

Amtrak trains appeared in MSTS1 because we modeled an Amtrak-owned route (the Northeast Corridor). That's not the case in MSTS2.

There are a tremendous number of partnership issues that go on "behind the scenes" before a company like Microsoft can use the brand/logo/image of a large rail company like Amtrak. These are neither trivial or even possible to solve in some cases.

Bottom line, for each of the routes, there are things we're not able to do that, arguably, we "should" be doing. That's just the reality of a product like this. The product design process is all about tradeoffs. I completely understand the desire for Amtrak trains in this version, but we're not in a position to make it happen _out of the box_ for MSTS2.

And besides, for every person who wants Amtrak trains, there are others who want a Union Pacific route and models, or a CSX route and models, or Australian content, or Japanese content, or, well, fill in the blank with just about anything you can think of. Bottom line, we simply can't do everything, and as I've stated before, there's MUCH more that goes into the decision about what gets included beyond what would be "cool" to model.....

The third party providers will no doubt step up and fill the Amtrak "void" and the others listed above. While some may feel this is a less-desirable option, it really is one of the foundational tenants on which we are building this product - it's an open platform that can be extended to include content for virtually any train/rail line in the world. We can't possibly build content to make everyone happy. Instead, we make it easy for others to build lots of content for a wide variety of interests.

-Rick

Rick Selby
Lead Game Designer
Microsoft Train Simulator

http://yardlimits.spaces.live.com


The only thing that is really needed, is to convert some of the stock from MSTS1, such as, the Acela, since my understanding is that the WOR will include all the rails for the whole world. I take this to mean that the Northeast corridor will be there, at least, generically.

[BNSF5767]

A couple things:

Amtrak trains appeared in MSTS1 because we modeled an Amtrak-owned route (the Northeast Corridor). That's not the case in MSTS2.

There are a tremendous number of partnership issues that go on "behind the scenes" before a company like Microsoft can use the brand/logo/image of a large rail company like Amtrak. These are neither trivial or even possible to solve in some cases.

Bottom line, for each of the routes, there are things we're not able to do that, arguably, we "should" be doing. That's just the reality of a product like this. The product design process is all about tradeoffs. I completely understand the desire for Amtrak trains in this version, but we're not in a position to make it happen _out of the box_ for MSTS2.

And besides, for every person who wants Amtrak trains, there are others who want a Union Pacific route and models, or a CSX route and models, or Australian content, or Japanese content, or, well, fill in the blank with just about anything you can think of. Bottom line, we simply can't do everything, and as I've stated before, there's MUCH more that goes into the decision about what gets included beyond what would be "cool" to model.....

The third party providers will no doubt step up and fill the Amtrak "void" and the others listed above. While some may feel this is a less-desirable option, it really is one of the foundational tenants on which we are building this product - it's an open platform that can be extended to include content for virtually any train/rail line in the world. We can't possibly build content to make everyone happy. Instead, we make it easy for others to build lots of content for a wide variety of interests.

-Rick

Rick Selby
Lead Game Designer
Microsoft Train Simulator

http://yardlimits.spaces.live.com


so will union pacific and csx and other rr's that are either fallen flags or are very small rr's

[jamesc25313]

That's dumb.:mad:

Thats kind of harsh. Ill just be happy the dynamic brakes work or the headlights work at night when this thing comes out. Also, I would like to ask if this game will come with a life size cab of our choice in our favorite RR's paint scheme with working cab controls and will realistic smells of dead animal carcass' along the track and diesel be made to us or will we have to model that ourselves? Come on people, some of this stuff I read here is ludacris!

[Driverman2008]

What about American passenger cars? Like BNSF, PRR, and NS passenger car sets. Will they appear in MSTS 2?

Another question, Rick (or anyone at Microsoft). Are there plans after the game is released to make more addons under the Microsoft name (whether it being downloads or DVD products)? Remember you and others at Microsoft did that back in 2002 with the SD40-2 and Class 50 trainsets?

[buzzbenz]

That's dumb.:mad: Why would the Amtrak logo be in the game? And not a single Amtrak train? Plus, how are the Americans in the game going to go from station to station if there's no passenger/Amtrak train to pick them up? I'm talking out of the box. Not third party stuff. It just doesn't make a lot of sense to me.:confused:

Well, there's still plenty of time before the game is released. Who knows, maybe the people at Microsoft and Aces will throw some Amtrak locomotives and cars in the default roster (at least that's what I'm hoping for) before it gets released. Besides, Amtrak appeared in MSTS 1. I think it's only right if it comes back in MSTS 2.

OK, but ask this - exactly how often do you run an "out of the box" Amtrak train in MSTS1 right now? I bet for most people the answer is a single digit, and starts with a "0"...

Fact is, literally every piece of Amtrak rolling stock that came with MSTS1 has been replaced anyway with more accurate models. Chances are some of us who made some of the MSTS1 Amtrak models may be able to do a "quick" re-export of those trains to MSTS-2 pretty quick (depending on the modeling program used and time the modeler has free anyway), which should at least get something going until newer/better models come along...

[Driverman2008]

OK, but ask this - exactly how often do you run an "out of the box" Amtrak train in MSTS1 right now? I bet for most people the answer is a single digit, and starts with a "0"...

Fact is, literally every piece of Amtrak rolling stock that came with MSTS1 has been replaced anyway with more accurate models. Chances are some of us who made some of the MSTS1 Amtrak models may be able to do a "quick" re-export of those trains to MSTS-2 pretty quick (depending on the modeling program used and time the modeler has free anyway), which should at least get something going until newer/better models come along...
Truth is, I don't play MSTS 1 too much anymore. Not that I hate it, it's just that it's "Out-dated", and there are other and newer "Fish in the Sea".

[eaglefan9727]

Another question, Rick (or anyone at Microsoft). Are there plans after the game is released to make more addons under the Microsoft name (whether it being downloads or DVD products)? Remember you and others at Microsoft did that back in 2002 with the SD40-2 and Class 50 trainsets?

Lets just let the Microsoft team get the core sim of the product out first and in working condition before they think of any additions to the sim. I would rather see a working sim than a half ___ sim like a sim that was just released a few months ago.

[jamesc25313]

Lets just let the Microsoft team get the core sim of the product out first and in working condition before they think of any additions to the sim. I would rather see a working sim than a half ___ sim like a sim that was just released a few months ago.

Amen to that.

[tlittle]

So the actual "route" will be there, but RTM will be limited on trains/and or "paint schemes" if you will, correct?

So a BNSF route (http://www.bnsf.com/tools/reference/division_maps/?menu=5&submenu=0) or Amtrak route (http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Amtrak/am2Route/Horizontal_Route_Page&c=am2Route&cid=1081256321887&ssid=133) will be in the Retail version right? Just not the say BNSF or Amtrak trains themselves?

[metrarailboy1]

OK, but ask this - exactly how often do you run an "out of the box" Amtrak train in MSTS1 right now? I bet for most people the answer is a single digit, and starts with a "0"...

Fact is, literally every piece of Amtrak rolling stock that came with MSTS1 has been replaced anyway with more accurate models. Chances are some of us who made some of the MSTS1 Amtrak models may be able to do a "quick" re-export of those trains to MSTS-2 pretty quick (depending on the modeling program used and time the modeler has free anyway), which should at least get something going until newer/better models come along...

BUT were talkin better graphics just like the real thing highly doubt that when 3yrs pass people will not be using the out of the box the engines. Msts need loads of work done to it but this version I dont think theres one thing that might need changing just new locos. But ill sit back and see what might happen.

[Company Notch]

So the actual "route" will be there, but RTM will be limited on trains/and or "paint schemes" if you will, correct?

The World of Rails will ship most all the world's track, yes. It will not always be accurate in terms of all the sidings, signal locations, and yards, but the main track will be there, along with default scenery.

So a BNSF route (http://www.bnsf.com/tools/reference/division_maps/?menu=5&submenu=0) or Amtrak route (http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Amtrak/am2Route/Horizontal_Route_Page&c=am2Route&cid=1081256321887&ssid=133) will be in the Retail version right? Just not the say BNSF or Amtrak trains themselves?


No Amtrak equipment, but you will have access to the BNSF equipment we ship for the Stevens Pass route. That means you can run it anywhere, including the other BNSF trackage reflected in the World of Rails.

-Rick

Rick Selby
Lead Game Designer
Microsoft Train Simulator

http://yardlimits.spaces.live.com

[SCrails]

i've asked this question a long time ago and found out already. thanks anyway guys.

[buzzbenz]

BUT were talkin better graphics just like the real thing highly doubt that when 3yrs pass people will not be using the out of the box the engines. Msts need loads of work done to it but this version I dont think theres one thing that might need changing just new locos. But ill sit back and see what might happen.

Not saying anything about the quality of the equipment included in MSTS2. From the screen grabs included, i think the default stuff will be in use quite a while.

My comment was about the fact that there won't be any Amtrak trains in MSTS2. 3rd party content is used for most Amtrak trains in MSTS1 anyway, so i don't see what the big deal is if it's not included in MSTS2. Like i had said, some of the 3rd party builders of the current Amtrak equipment may be able to re-export something quick so that there won't be too long of a period where MSTS2 users don't have Amtrak.

[adam3544]

No Amtrak equipment, but you will have access to the BNSF equipment we ship for the Stevens Pass route. That means you can run it anywhere, including the other BNSF trackage reflected in the World of Rails.

-Rick

Rick Selby
Lead Game Designer
Microsoft Train Simulator

http://yardlimits.spaces.live.com

I read you message and ask myself a simple question:
Will MSTS 2 have any passenger train at all or not. I really don't understand this issue.

Adam

[Portergraphic]

Yep, we are shipping with passenger equipment. Just not Amtrak passenger equipment.

We don't currenly have a partner agreement with them.

Thanks

[Driverman2008]

Yep, we are shipping with passenger equipment. Just not Amtrak passenger equipment.

We don't currenly have a partner agreement with them.

Thanks
OK.

Will there still be American passenger cars? Or possibly "Undecorated" Amtrak stuff (like a silver Genesis with silver doubledecker and amfleet cars) that we could paint over later?

[eaglefan9727]

Or possibly "Undecorated" Amtrak stuff (like a silver Genesis with silver doubledecker and amfleet cars) that we could paint over later?

What part of "Just not Amtrak passenger equipment" dont you understand? I highly dought that they will create passenger rolling stock that closlely resembles any of the amtrak passenger cars as they dont want to cross the line of pushing themselves in dangerous ground with amtrak.

[Driverman2008]

What part of "Just not Amtrak passenger equipment" dont you understand? I highly dought that they will create passenger rolling stock that closlely resembles any of the amtrak passenger cars as they dont want to cross the line of pushing themselves in dangerous ground with amtrak.
No pal. I said "Undecorated" stuff. Meaning rolling stock that Amtrak has, just with NO Amtrak logos on it. That's what I thought "No Amtrak" meant. The logo, not the train models. Ya catch my drift now?

[eaglefan9727]

No pal. I said "Undecorated" stuff. Meaning rolling stock that Amtrak has, just with NO Amtrak logos on it. That's what I thought "No Amtrak" meant. The logo, not the train models. Ya catch my drift now?

I knew what you meant from the start. All I will say is just be happy with whatever comes with the sim. They will give us whatever they want us to have out of the box and there is nothing you, Joe Schmo, or I can do about it either.

BTW, They are already giving us more than they have to with the "Worlds Of Rail". What more does people want? Heck, We're even lucky that microsoft is making a sequel to the original train simulator.

[Company Notch]

No pal. I said "Undecorated" stuff. Meaning rolling stock that Amtrak has, just with NO Amtrak logos on it. That's what I thought "No Amtrak" meant. The logo, not the train models. Ya catch my drift now?

We have no plans to do any undecorated rolling stock at this time. If we were going to go through all the effort to do the model and cab interior, we'd just texture it and be done with it so we could offer another finished piece of rolling stock. Remember, as I've said before, there is a lot more that goes into partnership decisions beyond what's cool to include in the game.

So, that means it's not gonna happen this time for Amtrak equipment. No Amtrak partnership means no access to equipment for photography, measurements, and documentation. And that means we won't be doing any of their equipment, textured or not.

But as Porter hinted at, we have some other plans we're not ready to talk about just yet....

-Rick

Rick Selby
Lead Game Designer
Microsoft Train Simulator

http://yardlimits.spaces.live.com

[westerngy]

You know someone needs to slow there heart rate down here.Since this topic has been answered by the MS developement team I see no point of it continuing on.