Cold start in multiplayer

[Gazz292]

i think some people have no idea how a multiplayer real time train and dispatching simulator works.

You can't just reset the server for the other 75+ players because you want to do a cold start of a train as it's spawned at the beginning of the timetabled day.

 

So the alternative is you will have to give up the ability to join a server and get control of a train at any time of the day,

You will need to join the server, choose the train you'd like to drive, then wait ... and wait... and wait until that train which is already running on the server, being signaled by other people and the AI, and seen by other drivers on the tracks pulls into a station / change over point,

Then you will have a couple of minutes to stop what ever else you were doing and get in it and take over before you delay the other services timed around your train.... i doubt you'd be sat watching the trains progress on a map for upto 3 hours waiting for your time slot to take it over??

With a cold start, you'd need to be logging into the server at the exact time the train is spawned, a lot of trains are cold started early in the morning and then stay running all day, i don't fancy setting my alarm for 05:00 / 5 AM to get up and take over a virtual train that has just been spawned on the server... which if no one else takes over needs to automatically cold start and get moving to be part of the days traffic.

 

[Ricqs]

10 hours ago, uetam said:

I'm not saying that cold start in multiplayer wont happen in the future but for now we are focused on fixing bugs.

 

It is clear that fixing the current problems is the priority. I didn't write that this should be included in the multiplayer section immediately.

We're just talking about how the multiplayer mode would be more varied.

 

[KagurazakaYukari]

 

Well. Let's say cold start is implemented, then how do you drive a train?

Case 1 for people who want to be professional, just place a few trains on the platform or sideline, as it must be parked there either by last services completed or spawn from the border of the map and "should or need" to do a crew change. Then you can do a full service from the beginning by cold start (but battery and some equipments are already actived). To be able to do this, you need to have a booking list to book this service, then go to the platform/sidelines to wait for them, or they are already parked there just waiting for you to start a pleasant journey. Cold starting from the depot is another thing, trains can just spawn there and operate just the same from the other two ways. 

Case 2 for people who don't want to go through all the complications and just want to hop a train and drive, just stay with the current multiplayer driver mode. When it's time to depart but there's no case 1 driver driving it (let's say 30 seconds to go?), the train will automatic takeover and depart by AI, then case 2 player can join the scenario.

The current Pendolino services as an example, Katowice to Warsaw. Same as before when spawning and entering the station by AI. But instead of AI taking control, here the train is parked and shut down. Then it's case 1's turn. Cold start from the beginning and driving all the way to Warsaw Wschodnia, Parking there and letting AI take over when you get off, continue to the border of the map, then despawn. If a driver didn't take over from the beginning, or if a driver left the server for some reason, it will be the same as now.

The same goes for trains at Katowice Muchowiec Staszic, but there's only one way out, so you should be able to drive in there as well.

 

This video for example. There's a train arrived at platform and AI been deactivation the cabin.

 

Edited January 19, 2023 by KagurazakaYukari

[Ricqs]

Whoever says whatever, this is currently a dispatcher "simulator" and not a railroad. At least when it comes to multiplayer mode. That's why the things that are so familiar on the railways are missing. Currently, everything is subordinate to the dispatcher mode. That's why AI is running 24/7 and why you can teleport onto a moving train. That way, there's always someone you can control on a railway line.

[Stele]

W dniu 15.01.2023 o 17:41, Gazz292 napisał(a):

If you are in the EU07 loco, there's a panel on the desk way over on the left,
Lift that up and inside you find a big knife switch, with positions that you can change it to for where the batteries get charged from, internal from the converter, or external.

Could the external position be for plugging into a battery charger at the shed/depot? maybe you could find your loco with dead batteries, and need to plug it in to 'jump start' it (as you need air pressure and battery power to raise the pantograph)

This is all speculation by me, but having that big knife switch modeled and animated kinda makes me wonder why 🤔

Exactly that. It's for external charging and It doesn't do anything. As many things as possible are prepared for animation, so could be implemented in the future without changes to the model. Animated heating spiral cover doesn't mean, there's planned kettle DLC though. 😛