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Q: I really love the game as it almost takes the place of having my own gigantic layout and in a lot of ways it is a lot better. I would have loved to have seen a game of this kind done by a big software company and wonder why it never was? I always wanted a game that simulated operating a model RR in a prototypical manner and like you I don't need all the fancy graphics. I'm retired and live in Michigan. Great work so far and thanks for a game that keeps me thinking all day long and I can't wait to get up in the morning for this game. The novelty will probably wear off a little but the anticipation of new yards and more improvements should keep it going at a good rate for quite a while.
Thanks, RichA: Thanks for the compliment! The short answer to your question is economics. Kids are the target audience of game developers, and most kids have never been on or around trains, much less have an interest in how our national freight system operates. In general, the number of old-timers like you with an interest in such a game is quite small (but very passionate and loyal.) I am only 31 myself, which is probably half the age of the average player. The guys who play Yard Duty and 'get it', tend to really love the game and it's addictive quality. In my estimation, the technology to do a game like YD has been around for at least 10 years, but it was a rare mixture of elements that brought it into reality, such as:1) A computer programmer to with the skills to code such a game. 2) A relatively 'young' person with an interest in model railroad operations (That's me!) 3) A game player disillusioned with current 3D railroad simulators, who realized that no serious company would be able to financially justify a project like Yard Duty. Even if MSTS goes multiplayer, it will still not satisfy the gap that YD fills. 4) A person with the time spend on such a project. I'm a contractor with big 'gaps' in my work schedule. 5) A person willing to make such a game, regardless of profit potential. Yard Duty is the result of a labor of love and I'll be happy if the game supports itself on an ongoing basis. There is no way that I could ever hope to recover the expense of my labor put into the game.In conlcusion, I made Yard Duty because it is the game that I had been dreaming to play for many years. So I decided to get off my ass and make it, even if only 10 people to play it with me. Jim
Interesting point you make about age, Jim. Am I the only one playing that's not yet of drinking age?-Dave QG 14.32, CSXT Selkirk Sub http://www.davehonan.gcdranet.com/ (The following is a test for purely personal and selfish reasons. Ignore it, or go to my website to see more like it.)
I don't know. I don't ask people for their age, but when a member says something like "Now that I'm retired", "My grandchilren are visiting" or "Back in World War II", I tend to envision a bunch of grey-haired rail nuts gathered around a compuuter trying to sort cars in a nursing home or something. lol Oddly enough, I even thought you were an old timer! Jim
Have to agree the game is very addictive. Sure beats the Microsoft eye-candy. Not sure if I belong to the "grey-haired rail nuts" but at 47 with 29 years railway service behind me could probably be classed as such. I actually started off working in a large marshalling yard so can relive the good old days.There's actually a game in the UK called the TOC Game, invented/programmed by a Finnish guy, which tends to be inhabited by the young. Mainly Brits but a few mainland Europeans. So there are plenty of young 'uns around over here to keep the enthusiasm going.
From looking at the ages that ARE given in the profiles, it seemed to me that most of us were in our 40's.Yea, I guess that would make Dave the youngest. You make up for your age with your knowledge and "connections." btw, great website too.Paul Metzger NS Team Northern Region
What can I say... I have a love for prototype railroading, an insane desire to know, and a modest collection of handy-dandy resources.And thanks for the website compliment. I think it's a small statement about today's society that I've gotten over 8,500 visits to my site, yet fewer than 50 people have ever emailed me to say that they (did or didn't) like it, so every comment boosts my desire to keep updating the site. Now, if only I had the energy to upload the six-month backlog of non-train photos I have sitting on my hard drive...-Dave QG 14.32, CSXT Selkirk Sub http://www.davehonan.gcdranet.com/
