May & June Scheduling Update
Hello all,
We’ve been busy this last week or so with continued work on the deliverables needed for our next dev vlog, and while we had hoped to catch a reprieve from the things that prompted the initial delay of May’s video, additional struggles were sent our way. From marriages to medical malaise, loss of family members and the impending arrival of new ones and the responsibilities of paternity have been an unforeseen whirlwind of emotions of both the highest highs and lowest of lows for our team. We’re a stubborn and tenacious bunch, and the ambition to work has persisted despite everything, but at the end of the day we are human and must take care of each other first and foremost. The game is a product of love from the people who give of themselves every day for it, and those people need some love from time to time, too. We will continue to work on the deliverables for May’s update video at a more manageable pace, and take time to heal in our personal lives as we look forward to our summer development goals.
While we were aiming for June 7th as a tentative date, May’s video is likely to be out closer to the end of June to afford our small team time to grieve, recover, and return in more comfort, so with that in mind, we will be pausing payments for this month, as we want to ensure we’ve earned your patronage each and every month before we can accept it.
We want to give a shoutout to our modeling team especially which has been knocking it out of the park this month, and the culmination of many additional items for future videos that we haven’t even shown off yet is really exciting. As always we continue to work towards our internal goals and at this point that’s still focusing on Industry Interactions and secondary gameplay pertaining to that. We thank you again for your support and your patience, and we will keep you updated on our progress as the month progresses.
Be safe, be loved, and keep being awesome,
–Studio 346
Comments (40)
Is there anyway I can force my payment to go through this month? I have been very busy and have not been able to look at any of my Patreon updates from anyone for the past month or so so I was surprised to see my payment paused this month. I’d like to still be able to support you guys
If someone wanted to use century of steam as a way of learning how to operate and run an american steam locomotive , would that be one of the best ways to learn how a digital model works or do you recommend something else
Disney land railroad simulator is a pretty good one. All aspects of running and firing those engines are pretty much covered in that game
I'd rather you didn't pause my payment for the month. I signed up to support the entire team. If my payment can be used to help cover expenses caused by a sudden death or birth or whatever, please use it
Ironic this is posted as I’m visiting the Mojave and surrounding railroad museums
Okay not to be harsh, but this isn't ironic at all. Oversharing.
Take your time and take care of yourselves.
I’ve got a question. How long until we can expect to see one of the mikados that can be seen in the trailer shown off?
If I had to guess not until the Colorado map is shown off more. Also seeing as they redid the DL, they will probably be either heavily modifying/re-doing the mikados shown in that trailer
Sorry to hear some of the team is going through some rough times, no matter the overall motivation, sometimes you can't just push on through, and it's not constructive to try too much to do so, as it's counterproductive, both to (most importantly) the your wellbeing, and the impact your wellbeing has on motivation and productivity over the long term. For those going through happier but chaotic times, those times are important and understandably cause an adjustment of priorities. I'm sure you're all working harder than can be reasonably be expected anyway. As to the impact on deadlines, well... “I love deadlines. I love the whooshing noise they make as they go by.” - Douglas Adams (Hmmmmm.... ....I wonder does Hya-synth simulate that whooshing noise?)
When all is said and done they should put Easter Eggs in game using the dates that dev logs dropped, way bills marked 34th of February and a calendar where May has 60 some days!
Hmm, talc. Couldn't imagine a world without talc. Almost as bad as a world without zinc! Love seeing these little previews, it's like a where's Waldo of what might be new. Take it easy on yourselves, family and health come before this game (no matter how cool it looks). Wishing everyone at 346 good health and best wishes. Highball!
How long will it take to fire up an engine?
The devs have previously said that locomotives will be "hot and ready", that is they will be in steam with a fire lit, so you just have to get on, build up the fire and water as required and go. Although there was some mention of it being linked to Roundhouse facilities, however they haven't mentioned (as far as I'm aware) any cases where the loco would not be in steam and would go completely cold. If locos use fuel and water when left, and what happens if they run out are details that haven't been covered.
Take the time you need. For me the screenshots are more than enough to make up for the delay.
I’ve been on the production side of things while dealing with grief, and from my experience it’s always better if you can afford the opportunity to handle that in a healthy way instead of wasting your health on your work, so I’m glad that’s a priority here. Life happens, and I’m glad you’re all choosing to deal with these things properly. Besides, typically longer wait times means the end product you guys put out is that much better, so you won’t hear complaints from me about this. Take care you all
Yall take your time, we all have things that come up and yall have personal lives that take priority over the train game; take care of yourselves and those you care for. I know a handful of people on the CoS team and consider them close friends, and they deserve all the time they need Much care and lots of love sent your way!
Take the time that you need to take care of yourselves, the fact that you are willing to be open and hounest with all of us in such a difficult time shows just what a great bunch of people you all are!
I've said it a bunch I know but, take all the time you need. I don't mind if you take my money this month. With everything I've ever invested anything into, there have been delays or setbacks. Part of development is planning and nothing ever really goes to plan. It is okay when life gets in the way. We know you all are working hard to make this a reality and we appreciate it. No one else is putting the level of detail and pouring the kind of passion into their game that you all are able to. I know you are just as excited to share what you have been working on with us as we are to see it but please don't stress about getting a dev blog out. Family and health comes first and if you have to tell us about stuff later then so be it. Please don't feel guilty about not delivering a dev blog on time or taking money this month. Please take care of yourselves and each other.
I've already paid this month on the 2nd. Will I not have to pay next month? I ask because I keep a physical ledger of all my expenses and incomes and need to know if I should write it down or not for July 2nd.
Patreon to our understanding charges everyone at different times of the month, so the pause is a grace period from the time of posting the announcement to one month after the post is made; everyone should be exempted from at least one payment during that window.
Thanks for the update. stay safe, take care of yourselves.
Take all the time you need! Your lives are miles more important than developing a game. If virtual hugs were a thing, I’d be giving one to all of you!
Take whatever time you need, your mental and physical health is just as important as any game. Life is like a railroad, sometimes you have to stop at the station for a bit before you can get back going. Take care and we'll be here no matter what.
Right with you guys - I am sure we will all still be here when you get back. It should always be "self" first. Be Safe... (nice loco peeking out in the screening- hat tip to Dan)
Take your time, no worries.
Can I force you to take my money anyway? Jokes aside, take all the time you need, y'all. We can wait.
Well since you asked, you sort of can (unless you're on the top membership tier). You can upgrade to the next higher tier (Patreon charges you the difference), then downgrade back to the original tier almost immediately, the next month they charge you'll be back to your regular payment. So since each tier higher is roughly double the previous one, it's roughly equivalent to not skipping a month (using what you save when payments are paused over the next month, and paying extra the following month). It's what I did last time they paused around December/January, although I appreciate it's not viable for everyone to do it. HOWEVER, it appears Studio 346 have already paused memberships (I think we got warning last time), which means you can't change membership levels at the moment, so making any changes to membership levels will have to wait until they un-pause. It also means I can't confirm the process still works, so use your own judgement, and I'll have to rely on my memory next month.....
At the end of the day your life, your health, and your grief will always take priority, take as much time that you need, we will be here when you are okay
You’re all working so hard to make something magical. We couldn’t ask for anything more than what you’ve given us. I wish the entire team the strength, courage and love they need in this moment and to always put themselves first.
You all got this! You are doing everything right! And best of all your actions match your words. Its rare to see a company, even a young one, put the well being of its people, and the trust of its community so high. Take your time! Please take time to grieve the ones lost, and celebrate the ones yet to be here.
Hopefully yall can recoup and keep going! Don’t let the flame die out, we all want this game!!
Best wishes to you all. We all have lives to deal with and things happen. Don’t rush yourselves!
As its none of our buissness Ill just say, that whatever has brought grief into yalls lives, I and I'm sure we all grieve for your grief with you. Yall have been amazing and I highly doubt a single person could ask for better devs, better communication, or more enthusiastic dedication to your game. Take all the time you need, we'll all be here when the time is come to carry on.
Wishing you all the best
Thank you for the update yall! I pray that yall may have comfort in your lives and with your families. Your decesion to delay is more than reasonable and im fine with it. Again, yall are in my prayers and I hope yall recover safely. Thank you for all the effort yall have put in, yall are doing an amazing job; tracking to create a game that is more than above industry standard. God bless yall
Will there be a whistle compilation
My condolences to your teams losses. Losing a loved one is one of the most tragic things anyone can experience in their life. Please don’t feel the need to rush the dev blog. I’m glad yall are taking time to heal and putting your personal lives first. Century of steam can wait , please take care of yalls selves. And please remember, grief may come in waves and it may feel unbearable at times, but it gradually becomes easier to bear with time. Stay safe and take care of yalls selves. 🫂 P.S. beautiful screenshot btw. Every new one is absolute eye candy ^^
Take as much time as y'all's need. We'll be here when y'all get your gooses lined up
Take your time and dont stress. Yall's lives are more important than this project! Best wishes to the team.