Updating software

[buzz456]

If this AI thingamajig is so great riddle me this. How come we don't have it update the core engine that all the geeks are always complaining about so TSC would be the latest and Greatest Train Simulator Ever and it would allow us to just do whatever we want it to do?

[AmericanSteam]

Whether or not it is possible to use AI to improve TS. The issue is with the core game, it is obsolete. It is my opinion that there is absolutely no desire from DTG to update. DTG believes that there is a better future with TSW and more profit from that franchise to be made.

[RAILSOHIO]

Most of you may know there is a flight simulator mode for Google Earth. The day is coming where all of these platforms will be obsolete. You will tell an AI program you want to operate a train from point A to point B,what year,type of locomotive,time of year,etc,etc. It will generate everything you see based on historical record. If someone had proposed this idea 10 years ago,I would say it was far-fetched. From what I can tell,we may be nearly there. I spent years asking for a few little tweaks to our favorite sim. I believe that you are right,there will be no real updates to this simulation. Last night I purchased TSW and the Sand patch route. I have not given up on TSC,I am just going to check it out. I hate learning a whole new system. It is very unlikely there will be a simple route editor/creation tools that we have with TSC,as they only want to sell route packages.

[buzz456]

I hope you are not disappointed. I played around with TSW and other than the graphics didn't at least to me offer much. I have to admit I was a little tongue in cheek with my comment since I consider at this point anyway that AI is just another way to dumb down the human race (like we need any help) so we don't have to learn anything by study. Really I think it's a sad state of affairs and will not end well.
I hope I'm wrong but so far I don't see much in the way of improving life in any way. Code writers seem to be the only people drooling over this latest attempt to solve a problem that doesn't exist.
Just one guys opinion.

[harryadkins]

Based on several years of conversations about both TSC and TSW, I still think the core engine for TSC is superior. TSW has a lot of limitations directly related to its core. Steam operations are just one example. Other simulations such as Run8 and Trainz have seen improvements, but they are no match for the Kuju engine.

I think AI can be a helpful tool for TSC and TSW. AI is not a magic wand, it is just a far superior method of accessing data. I think AI could be used to add additional features to both engines, but it cannot go beyond the existing limitations. To be honest, the ancient Commodore Amiga had a better graphics engine than most of today's cores and the engine MSTS was going to use for its version 2 was awesome. Let's be honest, the bottom line with all gaming software is $$$. The noble goal of helping us enjoy the hobby more is a dream.

I've tried TSW and am excited about the products currently produced by the guys at HIS. It would be interesting to have a round table discussion with those guys to evaluate the potential of TSW. They seem to have found some new techniques that might make TSW more appealing. Right now, TSC is my sim of choice.

Harry

[mindenjohn]

What makes (most) humans different to animals is the brain, using it to learn and adapt. Take that away and what's left?
Already there's a generation who don't study they Google or Wikipedia with no actual retention so they actually know nothing.
Where's the originality, the curiosity, the desire to improve things and life?

[RAILSOHIO]

It is not lost on me that Buzz was talking about aiding and improving this platform with AI. Let me say this. I still dabble in Trainz,checking in to see what is new. Prototype route building is way more complex in that "game". That is indicated by the fact that a vast majority of the routes for TSC are real world based,and Trainz are 90 percent fictional. I asked an AI if it can generate a prototype route in Trainz. It said yes,but much of it was still telling you what the steps are,not actually doing it. (So it lied) But that day is coming. And if someone uses AI tools to create a helper,you may be able to tell it what route you want to build,and it will generate it.
I have played around with trial and free mesh generation tools to make some locomotives. The results are mediocre to horrendous. But that will continue to improve. I am very concerned about the rise of AI. But it is inevitable. I hope its powers are used for good.