Dispatcher

Since everyone is making their wish lists for MSTS2, I suppose I will make my wishes known too. I would most like to see a radio added to the cab while I'm driving. To me this would add the most realism to the sim. I want to hear the dispatcher give me a form D to operate on the number 3 track between mile posts whatever. I want the dispatcher to tell me that the I will meet train MOPO engine 315 at MP 241(let's see who guesses what route I live by. It seems like right now I am driving in a deserted world much like FS used to be. When MS added ATC to FS it really made the whole world come alive, for me anyway. If they added this feature I would honestly not care if they used the same bad graphics engine as msts1. Graphics are great but realistic operation should be first if people want to refer to this as a SIMULATOR instead of a game. I know I'm going to take heat for this but as a long time Flight Simmer, MSTS 1 is just a game. An easy test of my theory is to ask yourself if you could climb into the cab of an engine and operate it fully: startup, break test, operation, talk to the dispatcher, shut down, ect ect, solely based on what you've done in MSTS. I know I couldn't. But I can say that I can fly a small airplane. I've done it.So the interactive dispatcher should be top priority. If they do that I'll be very happy. Then maybe in future versions they could add some stuff like hotbox detectors, random equipment failures, multiplayer(also a top wish list item for me) and so on. A route editor that doesn't take a PhD to use would be nice, and how about autogen scenery like in flight sim to populate those areas that are deserted. Just some thoughts, feel free to yell at me now. I have a feeling my post might not make to many friends seeing its my first post in here. I don't want people to think I don't like MSTS though. Obviously I wouldn't be posting hear if I didn't. Sorry for such a long post.

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RE: Dispatcher, OTTODAD, Jan-07-04, 07:11 PM, (1) RE: Dispatcher, wakeboarder82, Jan-07-04, 08:48 PM, (2) RE: Dispatcher, OTTODAD, Jan-08-04, 08:31 AM, (3) RE: Dispatcher, ruifonseca, Jan-08-04, 03:29 PM, (4) RE: Dispatcher, wakeboarder82, Jan-08-04, 03:53 PM, (5) RE: Dispatcher, prr4ever, Jan-08-04, 04:32 PM, (6) RE: Dispatcher, wakeboarder82, Jan-08-04, 05:31 PM, (7) RE: Dispatcher, QRIG, Jan-19-04, 09:15 PM, (8) RE: Dispatcher, OTTODAD, Jan-20-04, 09:10 AM, (9) RE: Dispatcher, heffed, Jan-20-04, 03:18 PM, (12) RE: Dispatcher, Dep, Jan-20-04, 12:24 PM, (10) RE: Dispatcher, vince31874, Jan-20-04, 02:25 PM, (11) RE: Dispatcher, Dep, Jan-20-04, 03:33 PM, (13) RE: Dispatcher, vince31874, Jan-20-04, 05:28 PM, (14) RE: Dispatcher, Dash9_Man, Jan-20-04, 06:39 PM, (16) RE: Dispatcher, vince31874, Jan-20-04, 06:48 PM, (17) RE: Dispatcher, dgauci, Jan-21-04, 10:05 AM, (18) RE: Dispatcher, vince31874, Jan-21-04, 04:10 PM, (19) RE: Dispatcher, OTTODAD, Jan-20-04, 06:07 PM, (15)

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Snap !I think I had similar ideas on that subject:http://www.train-sim.com/cgi/dcforum/dcboard.cgi?az=show_thread&om=78&forum=DCForumID18&omm=37&viewmode=O t t o

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hmm... I was reading that thread earlier today and you posted right after that. Well I guess we are thinking on the same wavelength. Great minds think alike Otto. It seems to me that creating a dispatcher would not be difficult for MS. They did it for FS ATC. A 3 dimensional airspace with 23,000 airports is far more complicated than the the rails of MSTS. Somehow I doubt that MS will add this feature but it would be nice.

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After the release of the next MSTS, which hopefully will be using Graphics Technology similar to FS-2004, raking in a lot of money for MICROSOFT and other PAYWARE Developers, they will have to think about how to improve the next releases after that to make some more money ! It took Microsoft 8 years to add Air Traffic Control to their Flight Simulator they way we now know it in FS-2004 and hope that it is not going to take that long to aid a similar Traffic Control system to MSTS.I might not be around to see it happen ! O t t o

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I couln't agree more with wakeboarder82.
I completly subscribe those wishes and that would greatly improve the realism of the simulation...
I totaly disagree with people that say that just having moving people or loading containers is the best thing to have in a driving simulation...
... please...

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Don't get me wrong, I do think that moving people would be fun, and so would loading containers, but MS can only take on so much in each release. I just think that realistic driving experience is more important than the bonus eye candy at this stage of developement. MSFS is on version 9 and there is still no moving or still passengers for that matter. Instead they have put their efforts into developing ATC, AI, and very accurate physics models. That's the direction that Train Sim needs to go in my opinion.

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I agree fully with all of you. There are some things that would add realism however that I would like to have. Steam locomotive operation needs to be more realistic, like some low water alarms, smoke getting in the cab in tunnels,much better forward views for the engineer or at least a quick way to glance inside at his gages and controls and then outside again. Even FS2004 does not have that yet! I have been engineer or fireman on many steamers and I sure don't go down the railroad staring at the backhead! There are inside windows in a steam cab too you know! AT 20 below zero I sure don't drive a steamer with my head out the window! We also need a way to check tender water and coal levels, a way to load the tender with coal and water etc. This ain't diesels folks! Now, when I get cinders in my eyes, we will be getting REAL!Dave

Dave

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I don't know how good your chances are of getting that last wish but if you pay me 10 bucks an hour, I'll sit next to your computer and tend a small fire, coal or wood (your choice), and blow smoke and burning embers into your eyes. Just kidding... I'd definitely need at least 50 bucks an hour.Good point about steam locos though. I hadn't even remembered this area not because I dislike steam but because I am just hooked on Diesel. MS had better do some work on the steam stuff or they will tick off the steam enthusiasts for sure.

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One thing that would really top off a multi-player experience in MSTS is the ability for someone to take on the role of dispatcher/controller ... and be able to communicate with drivers, be able to view the whole territory as a signal panel(switch panel) and route trains appropriately, setup crosses (passing routes), etc.I think thats one of the main things I've wished for in MSTS ... especially when the AI Dispatcher has no idea what its doing most of the time in MSTS1.

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My idea of "Multi-Player" too ! But I think that in order to make this possible there would have to a "Dispatcher" in charge of a Route on his Server so that others "Signing in for Duty" can access and remotely drive Trains in, controlled by the Dispatcher, relaying Visual and Audio Messages to the Drivers in the Route.But would need a MOVING MAP of the Route so that the drivers and the Dispatcher can see what everybody is doing. Goes without saying that a BROADBAND connection to the Internet would be required ! We will eventually get it after MICROSOFT has run out of easier stuff to ADD-ON to make money out of "Updates" to MSTS !O t t o

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>I agree fully with all of you. There are some things that
>would add realism however that I would like to have. Steam
>locomotive operation needs to be more realistic, like some
>low water alarms, smoke getting in the cab in tunnels,much
>better forward views for the engineer or at least a quick
>way to glance inside at his gages and controls and then
>outside again. I never drive steam from the cab. Everything you need to look at appears in the HUD. All within an easy glance. I agree that a dispatcher would be cool, but I would personally rather have the time spent on the bells and whistles (no pun intended) go into model/physics development.In other words, give me great models and realistic operating conditions. Anything else is just fluff.-Jeff

Union Pacific is my drug.

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LAST EDITED ON Jan-20-04 AT 12:28 PM (EST)

Hmmmm...interesting comments. Especially about MSTS NOT being a simulator. I was wondering if MSTS was the only train sim you had?
I bought Auran's TRS2004 just before Christmas last year, and it now occupies a place of pride on the TOP of my computer and OFF my hard drive, because it felt like a toy train simulation instead of a REAL train (among other reasons, which are numerous). Yes, you CAN jump into the cab of MSTS and start driving the train right away. But look at it from Microsoft's perspective, if people COULDN'T do that, and it had a VERY steep learning curve, how many copies of MSTS would it sell (especially to younger buyers)? They would knock out a large percentage of potential buyers/users by making it extremely difficult and compex. I have no problems with them offering an "easy" as well as "difficult/realistic" option on it though. I think MSTS does a MUCH better job of making a SIMULATOR than Auran has done. Lock the brakes up on an Auran train, and it's like slamming the brakes on a Corvette. Ditto for acceleration, just as one example.
Is MSTS perfect? No way. But for my money (which was $20 as compared to $40 for TRS2004), they have done a very good job of it.As to the radio thing...yes, it WOULD be a nice option. But I think there are some much more critical items needed. And I'm not talking about people moving around on platforms or lumber loading on flatcars.
A MAP that tells you where the heck you are might be nice!!! That is one of the good things about TRS2004. You click a function key and you get an overhead, zoom-able view of your train in movement, and it shows you where you are and where you're going. When I operate a train
in MSTS, I feel like a flight sim guy driving at night with no radar or GPS or ANY form of guidance, and with a blindfold on. Even a map you can consult BEFORE you hop in the cab, that tells you where the different activity and switching locations are, so that you can at least write down when to start watching mile markers, would be nice. Even better if you can print it out. I know Otto will back me up on this. Maps..I need maps!!! Dep
P.S. If the map thing has been discussed before, I apologize. We want MAPS in MSTS2!!!!

Dep and Otto

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LAST EDITED ON Jan-20-04 AT 02:25 PM (EST)

"Is MSTS perfect? No way. But for my money (which was $20 as compared to $40 for TRS2004)"MSTS when it first came out was 49.99.......I am sure that TRS2004 will drop in price once it gets old too.Vincent

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>"Is MSTS perfect? No way. But for my money (which was $20
>as compared to $40 for TRS2004)"
>
>MSTS when it first came out was 49.99.......
>
>I am sure that TRS2004 will drop in price once it gets old
>too.
>
>
>
>Vincent Vince: You can have mine right now for $20, and that includes the SP1 patch they came out with on CD. You pay shipping and it's yours. That's how much I like it DepWe want MAPS in MSTS2!!!!

Dep and Otto

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Already got it.Price does not bother me though....I always have to have something right away...

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>MSTS when it first came out was 49.99....... I bought my copy a week after it was released for $32.99 at CompUSA.
-Sam

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Never said I bought it for 49.99....

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>Never said I bought it for 49.99.... But you did say "MSTS when it first came out was 49.99......."I bought mine the first week of release for $29.00 at CompUsa, so some people are correcting your first statement.

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LAST EDITED ON Jan-21-04 AT 04:12 PM (EST)

Wow... thats some differences there.The NYC Comp USA was selling it for 49.99 when it was first released... Of course the price fell out since nobody bought it right away... They overprice everything in NYC anyway....I just buy my stuff online now... much cheaper...

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LAST EDITED ON Jan-20-04 AT 06:09 PM (EST)

Dep,the MAP thing has been discussed mainly by me, for well over one year now ! Migrating from MS Flight Sim to Train Sim that was the first thing I missed !!! Can't be built into this version of MSTS but perhaps the next !As for the rest of your message, SPOT ON !!! O t t o

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