Yep, this blog is dead but I have decided to revive it for this news (if you want to write for RailSimulationUK.blogspot.com see the end of this post). Dovetail Games (formerly RailSimualator.com)
have announced that their next generation of Train Simulator will be coming to Windows 10 and Xbox One in 2016. Now at least we have a release date but in my opinion this is bad news, and that's not because I selfishly want to keep it exclusive because I use PC, it's because the Xbox One is a terrible under-powered games console. This means not only are DTG (formerly RSC) heading more in the game rather than simulator direction (which is the wrong way), but also that the product will most likely be limited on PC to conform to the under-powered games console.
Not only that but then there is "Third Party Content" or "User Generated Content" (all DLC except ones purchased on Steam). Will the Xbox support it? Now the obvious answer is no but it is possible it will via the cloud, as some new games will support modding Xbox as well as PC. Thankfully DTG (formerly RSC) have said they won't be using this as a chance to get rid of "Third Party Content" (as is of course in their advantage not to do so), but the editors could not realistically be used with an Xbox controller. So this will likely mean that the XBO version can't include the ability to created scenarios and routes which are significant features of TS2015 on PC. It would also most likely have to be limited to 30 frames per second as well (which is more than enough but isn't great). DTG have aslo
hinted at a PlayStation4 version
on Twitter, which if it were to come to only one games console would have been a far better choice as it is a lot more powerful and has a much larger audience.
But enough about the XBO version if you're reading this blog you're probably more interested in the full PC version. Now Train Simulator 2016 uses Steam but the it is possible that DTG's (formerly RSC) next generation rail simulation game (as that is sadly what it'll be) won't, and will instead use the Xbox app which comes with Windows 10.
If you have Windows 10 and use the Xbox app, you will notice that Train Simulator 2015 will show up in your games list on the app. Now it is unlikely but it is possible that DTG will choose to use the app to replace Steam and if they do they will be making huge mistake just look at Games For Windows Live which is pretty much the same thing from a few years ago. Microsoft does however claim it doesn't want to compete with Steam "We are not intending to compete with Steam" however they went on to say
"Over time do we want more developers to come over to our store and
offer it in addition to Steam? Absolutely. Is competition good for
people? Absolutely. But our goal right now isn't to do anything else
other than support Steam and help it run great on Windows 10." which seems a bit of a contradiction but does confirm that if they are to stand by this we should the UE4 powered Train Simulator on Steam. As well as of course being available at retail as a DVD but will it still be published by Excalibur Publishing? As they currently only publish PC games. There are loads of questions and not many answers.
We still don't know much more about the game itself other than it will be releasing in 2016 for Windows 10 PCs and XBO.
For your UE4 Train Simulator news check back on RailSimulationUK.blogspot.com.
If you want to write for RailSimulationUK.blogspot.com e-mail railsimulationuk@gmail.com and leave a comment below to say you've sent an e-mail. Only requirements are good spelling and grammar and a reasonable knowledge of railways in Great Britain.
