MSTS-2, what are MICROSOFT's Options ?

A post by Jeff Morris saying this about MICROSOFT and their options regarding the next MSTS made me think:1. Develop MSTS-2 themselves
2. Hire another software publisher to develop MSTS-2
3. Cancel MSTS-2Somehow I do not think that #3 is going to be an option, knowing that MICROSOFT is aware of how many users are hooked on MSTS and Train Simming in general. They can surely smell Mega$$$$$ and are not going to miss out making more bucks ! #2 is highly unlikely because I can not think of any Gaming Software developer capable of understanding the basic requirements of what is involved in matching what KUJU designed in the first place and RAILROADING in general.Leaves #1. Now what would you say is the center piece of Train Simming ? I say it is the Tracks Database, the INFRASTRUCTURE around which real Railways are being built, added to by Signalling to make it work and Stations and Freight Yards to service trains and passengers. The surrounding Country Side and Metropolitan Scenery is an added attraction, eye candy !KUJU knew how to do that and I am still amazed how it works almost flawlessly, trains running like being glued to the tracks no matter what speed, although the TDB being corrupt in some Routes, they are still drivable !!!To come up with something as clever as that will take MICROSOFT some time, unless KUJU programmers help them to translate all their know-how into more up-to-date Graphics coding. Rolling Stock and other Objects should be no problem for MICROSOFT's programmers, being used to producing more complicated Graphics as applied to Planes and Cockpit Instrument Panels as well as good looking terrain.What do you think ?O t t o

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RE: MSTS-2, what are MICROSOFT's Options ?, ssw_96, Jan-05-04, 07:21 AM, (1) RE: MSTS-2, what are MICROSOFT's Options ?, Vern, Jan-05-04, 10:27 AM, (2) RE: MSTS-2, what are MICROSOFT's Options ?, OTTODAD, Jan-05-04, 01:34 PM, (3) RE: MSTS-2, what are MICROSOFT's Options ?, Starlight, Jan-25-04, 11:50 PM, (4) RE: MSTS-2, what are MICROSOFT's Options ?, Tony_Hilliam, Jan-28-04, 07:04 AM, (5) RE: MSTS-2, what are MICROSOFT's Options ?, OTTODAD, Jan-28-04, 10:47 AM, (6) RE: MSTS-2, what are MICROSOFT's Options ?, Tony_Hilliam, Jan-28-04, 04:51 PM, (7) RE: MSTS-2, what are MICROSOFT's Options ?, OTTODAD, Jan-28-04, 05:00 PM, (8) RE: MSTS-2, what are MICROSOFT's Options ?, TimHarvey, Jan-30-04, 08:51 PM, (9) RE: MSTS-2, what are MICROSOFT's Options ?, edwardk, Jan-31-04, 02:27 PM, (10)

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Sounds good to me, just as long as it isnt full of errors and such like MSTS1 was. There is plenty of stuff (availible and coming) for MSTS to keep me happy until we know something. But I do wish that Microsoft would at least say if it was going to be availible this year or not. And I wonder if they actually read some of those suggestions that you could e-mail to them??? In the meanwhile, imma ease over and get MSFS and try it out. That will help ease the waiting period.

The best railroad there ever was

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Agree that it's unlikely to be cancelled, would be a big loss to the train simming community at large and indeed to MS (though I guess when dealing in billions, the millions may not matter).I have detected that overall interest levels - myself included - in MTS1 are starting to wane. It's three years old soon and in my experience has actually done well to still be going strong at such a late stage. However if there isn't some news soon I fear by the end of this year the programme will be left to a hardcore of supporters as people drift away to look at what the other programmes have to offer.Starting further wish-lists is pointless but I do hope if "2" is still live the people responsible are looking at what the smaller programmes such as BVE (which I've just got back into in a big way) are offering.

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Made a few "Marketing" mistakes in my time myself, not paying attention to what Customers want, thinking that what I had to offer is what they should buy ! Been approached by a TRAINZ guy before Christmas asking "would I be willing to talk to one of their directors", having noticed my numerous posts and their content in this Forum and others. Never heard from them again, but proves that the major Train Sim Developers do monitor Train Sim Forums to find out what users are commenting on.Got a feeling that MICROSOFT too are watching Train Sims Fora ! Would be against their interest not to. The times when MICROSOFT were able to stuff anything down our throats have long gone !!! There other options now !O t t o

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Comment on Otto's last . . . I have worked for three software companies in the past 15 years and I am here to GUARANTEE you that they read posts in Forums to find out what customers want. Some Forums have to impose stringent rules to keep vendors from posting disguised "commercials" -- that's how much attention they pay.(No, Microsoft is not one of my previous employers, neither is CA. There are come things even I won't do.)David

David

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>Made a few "Marketing" mistakes in my time myself, not
>paying attention to what Customers want, thinking that what
>I had to offer is what they should buy !
>
>Been approached by a TRAINZ guy before Christmas asking
>"would I be willing to talk to one of their directors",
>having noticed my numerous posts and their content in this
>Forum and others. Never heard from them again, but proves
>that the major Train Sim Developers do monitor Train Sim
>Forums to find out what users are commenting on.
>
>Got a feeling that MICROSOFT too are watching Train Sims
>Fora ! Would be against their interest not to. The times
>when MICROSOFT were able to stuff anything down our throats
>have long gone !!! There other options now !
>
>O t t o
Whilst it is against MS company policy to answer forums, the folks at Auran are allowed ,uch more flexibility We approached a number of people prior to Christams and contacted many of them to discus their views on the future of train simming/ rialroad sims etc. I'm not sure why you missed out on the followup call, but if you feel you have something to contribute to this topic (Otto and others) please email helpdesk@auran.com with some contact details and you will probably get a call.CheersTony Hilliam
Auran Director

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Hi Tony !Rare visit ! Got your Bullet Proof Jacket on ? But no, seriously, one of your Customer Relations blokes E-Mailed me before Christmas, would I be interested in one of the AURAN directors phoning me about Train Simming, seeing that I am one having much to say about the future of it. I think it was your name he mentioned ? Did not keep his E-Mail on record after replying saying YES, ANYTIME ! Anyway, had no response from either of you !O t t o

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I'll check into it today. Btw, I'm here more than you think - it's just that I seldom post anything (learnt the hard way ). Tony

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Yes, I know the feeling, Tony ! It's like me spying on what goes on your end, but dare not open my mouth, got shot a few times before ! You want me ? You can find me here: www.otto-wipfel.co.ukTake Care, O t t o.

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>But I do wish that Microsoft would at least
>say if it was going to be availible this year or not.Maybe they don't even know the answer to that themselves

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I suppose the big question is if Microsoft is doing a rewrite, is it a full rewrite or a partial rewrite? Microsoft could very well save the full rewrite for the third release and basically use what Kuju came up with and work with that. This of course leads to another question such as if Microsoft is doing a full rewrite, will they use the physics that Kuju came up as a guideline only or come up with something totally new? At this point, it would be nice if most of everything can be ported over to the new release, but if it's not possible, it's not possible.Edward K.

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