Portergraphic, come here...

[Dirty Boy]

Hi! Great to see a member from the team here to help the dozens of curious!

Portergraphic, if possible, can you list the differences between Train Simulator (Kuju, 2001), Train Simulator 2 (canceled) and Train Simulator X? Like, what major improvements are we expecting? I would like to compare all three programs.

-Are we going to see comparison screenshots?

-Would MegaScenery be a possible add-on for MSTS-X? MegaScenery severly enhanced Flight Simulator, so I don't see why they wouldn't do the same for Train Simulator X.

-Are we going to see Subway routes? I'm still not understanding global routes, excuse my ignorance.

-Flight Simulator has ATC communication. Is MSTS-X gonna have a dispatch communication? Heck, even though no communication, atleast some transmission audio (like in the video game Big Mutha Truckers)?

-Record feature? Record AI traffic, replay, etc?

-Simulated movements in the cab? When making turns, your camera view will slightly rock the opposite direction. When braking or accelerating, your view will realistically respond to those movements. Much like FSX.

-Touch sensitive horn?

-Real-time weather system?

-Track lightning?

-Train Simulator Passengers (boarding sounds, much like FS Passengers)?

-Traffic vehicles?

-Backwards compatible?

Thanks a lot and I'm sorry for those questions!

[Portergraphic]

See my answers in line below:

Hi! Great to see a member from the team here to help the dozens of curious!

Glad to be here.

Portergraphic, if possible, can you list the differences between Train Simulator (Kuju, 2001), Train Simulator 2 (canceled) and Train Simulator X? Like, what major improvements are we expecting? I would like to compare all three programs.

To be honest, I am completely new, to the team and the genre. I have been a 3d artist professionally for 13 going on 14 years. My role on the team is Vehicle Art Lead. I can't tell you what the differences are because I haven't really looked at the original simulator. From an art stand point, I think we are doing much better than the original or the canceled, but that's because we are able to do more with polygons and shaders.

-Are we going to see comparison screenshots?

I have not planned to make comparison shots, I prefer to look forward rather than behind. If that's something that I am tasked to do, I will do it, but I think everyone is excited about what we are doing currently and really want to focus on that instead.

-Would MegaScenery be a possible add-on for MSTS-X? MegaScenery severly enhanced Flight Simulator, so I don't see why they wouldn't do the same for Train Simulator X.

I hope severly enhancing something is a good thing ;-). I can't speak for 3rd party content, however I am sure they can make it work for MSTS2.

-Are we going to see Subway routes? I'm still not understanding global routes, excuse my ignorance.

Not this time out. I think that would be fun to do though.

-Flight Simulator has ATC communication. Is MSTS-X gonna have a dispatch communication? Heck, even though no communication, atleast some transmission audio (like in the video game Big Mutha Truckers)?

I am not the correct person to ask about this. Perhaps Stonelance knows the answer.

-Record feature? Record AI traffic, replay, etc?

Unsure about this as well

-Simulated movements in the cab? When making turns, your camera view will slightly rock the opposite direction. When braking or accelerating, your view will realistically respond to those movements. Much like FSX.

We do have a bit of hunting that is visible in cab as well as in the exterior view. As far as the braking and accelerating, I am not sure.

-Touch sensitive horn?

I believe that is the plan

-Real-time weather system?

Yes, just like FSX

-Track lightning?

Can you elaborate?

-Train Simulator Passengers (boarding sounds, much like FS Passengers)?

We will have passengers, not sure about the sounds.

-Traffic vehicles?

Like cars and trucks? If that is what you are asking.. then yes. We will also have AI trains that run the rails as well.

-Backwards compatible?

I am afraid not. We are now using the Flight Simulator engine and therefore are not backwards compatible. We had to make a break from how it was done in the past to advance what we can do for the future.

Thanks a lot and I'm sorry for those questions!


Not a problem.. Sorry I didn't have all the answers.

[MatthewS]

I understand TS2 wont ship with subway routes, but is it possible for 3rd party to build subway routes?

[stonelance]

Subways should be possible for 3rd parties to do.

No replays.

TS2 has an AI dispatcher but no audio communication will be possible with it, except in the context of scripted events in activities.

We will have the same camera "head" movement stuff as FSX.

[westerngy]

Steve if on this go around the audio is not possible can you make the pop up windows for scripted events not halt the sim but pop up while the sim is still running with a mouse click to close it after its been read.

[brew17]

Would be cool to have some scanner chatter.

[stonelance]

Steve if on this go around the audio is not possible can you make the pop up windows for scripted events not halt the sim but pop up while the sim is still running with a mouse click to close it after its been read.

I think it already does that...

[sstyrnol]

It would be good, if you could read these messages also again, if you forgot what they said for instance. That's what I hate with the current MSTS!