24 replies to this topic

[Wizard]

Well I've been playing this for nearly a week now and I can really remember what it is about this game that I love. It brings out the child and his trainset in anyone and as I come from a generation that actually ran around outside and played with real toys, this game has me gripped. I am barely at about 2% in discovering all that has been added to this game since it went openGL and it's great fun trying. So as I've been promising to start a topic for those of us that miss our trainsets and can now have thousands of trains sprawled over miles I think we should get this underway. You can show off your networks, update on new OpenGRF's, post advice and ask for help, which is what I intend to start with.

Biggest problem for me in this new game is the bloody signalling system. Now back when it was released as just Transport Tycoon I simply used signals to stop trains hitting each other at crossings, but this time around, and after a lot of poking into the OpenTTD wiki and forums (don't try the forums if I were you, they are a maze!), I simply cannot get my head around them. So to start off, let's all consider this fairly basic problem.

2 trains, 1 [2 way] track. Let's not worry about why this way, just that I want to create it. I had thought I'd solved it, but it seems like I haven't quite got it right. After setting up various passing areas along a fairly long route, I've created one Pre-Entry signal at each end on the single track section and two exit signals, one on either track. Something like this:

However this causes a problem as two trains can meet at these points:

So, does anyone have a suggestion as to how to prevent this? Is it just a case of putting a blocking signal inbetween the two exit signals, here?

[CodeCat]

A simple solution would be to use one-way signals in the double track. That way, trains going one way will never try to go the same route as trains going the other way. This is how things happen in real life as well.

[Wizard]

I'll try that, but I believe (and can't be 100% certain) that I've had issues with 1 way signals in the past. I will, however, try it later and let you know. Although on the face of it, 1 way signals would be the answer.

Didn't actually work, however I've solved the problem by simply using pre-entry signals and blocking signals rather than exit signals.

Edited by Wizard, 09 April 2010 - 17:21.

[CodeCat]

Personally, I love the new replacements for the graphics, sound and music. Not only are they free, but they are also well done and fit well with the style of the original. Especially the music is just as catchy as the first.

I was also thinking, maybe we could get together and have a head-to-head game of it sometime with FS people? Tycoon Thursday?

Edited by CodeCat, 15 April 2010 - 21:55.

[Wizard]

I take it you mean you've installed the 32bit version? On the point of the musak, I can't play withit, can't live without tbh. It's both annoying and addictive at the same time.

[Wizard]

Just going to bump this a little as I want to find out if anyone else, beside Codecat and I play this. I know it got bugger all response last time, I am just being hopeful.

I've played this game on 'n off since the original came out back in 1994 and 8bit was da bomb and games on CD's were novel.

Site incase there is anyone else even marginally interested.

[Kaido]

Well, im playing it

[Wizard]

Well done that man. Mind showing some screenies. Although I've been playing this a while and can make a profit, would be interesting to see someone elses setup.

Perhaps worth expanding on this a little. What is your general setup? Do you look for passenger/passenger & mail routes first? Train or van? Ro-Ro or In Line or does it depend?

Right now I have a semi decent operation on the go where I've just literally focused on Coal to Plant transport which sured me up nicely. Added in one of the two factories after that and added just the one Passenger service (Hate Pass services, always money loosers for me). I always do what I can to keep down the running costs and in this save I have a [train] profit ratio of 24:1 and 19:1 including property maintenance. I don't think that's a bad little setup.

Edited by Wizard, 24 July 2010 - 00:43.

[Kaido]

I look for profitable Industries and from there try to expand more and more. Mainly i use train only and In Line.
And this is where i started at my current game.

As you can see i started with the "Farm Route" And use ships to deliver the food to the city now far from there.

[Wizard]

Interesting map. I assume that is a scenario you've created??

I've found a hugely successful way of making yourself plenty of cash early on is to concentrate solely on Coal transportation. I have been able to set up 12 trains within 2 years and clear down the initial loan within 18 months this way, as coal is the 2nd highest earning per mile transported, plus infrastructure costs are minor compared with all other effective industries, bar valuables & passengers.

[Kaido]

Wizard, on 26 Jul 2010, 22:11, said:

Interesting map. I assume that is a scenario you've created??

I've found a hugely successful way of making yourself plenty of cash early on is to concentrate solely on Coal transportation. I have been able to set up 12 trains within 2 years and clear down the initial loan within 18 months this way, as coal is the 2nd highest earning per mile transported, plus infrastructure costs are minor compared with all other effective industries, bar valuables & passengers.

Nah, i didnt create it, and its Estonia with part of Latvia and Russia as well. And i just started another game and i agree with you, coal is the best way to start.

Edited by -drag-, 26 July 2010 - 20:28.

[Wizard]

I've never bothered with scenarios tbh. Besides that one (which obviously has an appeal for you ) got any others you can recommend?

[Kaido]

Atm not much.. but im trying to make one my own. Though it needs more work atm

Edited by -drag-, 26 July 2010 - 20:37.

[Wizard]

I can imagine. Something tells me that the randomness of the Terragen maps will take something special to be beaten.

Do you use any of the new opengrf sets?

[Kaido]

Yes, yes i do.

[Wizard]

-drag-, on 26 Jul 2010, 21:41, said:

Yes, yes i do.

Which ones

[Kaido]

Aviators Aircraft Set
http://www.pikkarail...av8/pb_av8w.grf
BK Tunnels
http://www.tt-forums...e.php?id=112686
Total Town Replacement Set (v3)
http://www.ttdpatch....f/25/ttrs3w.zip
Airport Asphalt
Citibank
Docks with containers and cranes
Heliport
Main HQ
Font
New Stations
Transmitter
Urban Renewal Set
http://users2.tt-for...ttdur/ttdur.htm
ECS Houses set
http://george.zerneb...ad/ECSHouse.rar
FIRS Industry Replacement Set
http://www.tt-forums...e.php?id=130639
Long road vehicles v4
http://george.zerneb...wnload/4LVw.rar
North American Renewal Set
http://www.pikkarail.../grf/nars2w.grf

[Wizard]

Ooooh, nicely done. Thanks for those, will take a look.

Have you been able to install the 32bpp version graphics at all? I have had some issues.

[Kaido]

Where did you download it? If you downloaded it through ingame thing then it wont work.

[Wizard]

http://www.tt-forums...hp?f=36&t=46682

This is where they come from, buggered if I can make em work though.

Here is a small screenie of station that took me far to long to signal properly



*swears @ Photobucket for resizing*

Edited by Wizard, 26 July 2010 - 23:58.

[Kaido]

Photobucket, Open More options (behind Tip: Hold down CTRL to select multiple files.) and


And i got 32bpp version working.
Downloaded both these

And changed the openttd.cfg

Quote

[misc]

blitter = "32bpp-optimized"
sprite_cache_size = 64

[Wizard]

-drag-, on 27 Jul 2010, 8:14, said:

Photobucket, Open More options (behind Tip: Hold down CTRL to select multiple files.) and

I know but did you see the time I editted in that picture, I'll reupload it later tonight.

-drag-, on 27 Jul 2010, 8:14, said:

And i got 32bpp version working.
Downloaded both these

And changed the openttd.cfg

Quote

[misc]

blitter = "32bpp-optimized"
sprite_cache_size = 64

Excellent, cheers for the assistance!

[NergiZed]

I'm thrilled that someone else plays this game. I've been playing ever since the original TT, and now I'm just lovn' OTTD.

How well does the 32bit version work? and is it a graphical enhancement or just something on the computational level? (because there are making a 32 bit graphical upgrade)

[Wizard]

I'll let you know, I'm just about to give it try. No doubt there'll be some nuance in the train cost/running cost that makes it annoying, like most addons.

It looks like it's just graphical, replaces pixels with polys and adds in a more detailed zoom level.



Does greatly increase system resources though.

Edited by Wizard, 27 July 2010 - 12:01.

[NergiZed]

That's so weird, because I've been keeping track of that project (the 32 bit + Extra Zoom level) for a while now and apparently they've got an 'easy-to-install' version out quite some time ago; I'm baffled to why I missed it.

Edit: Oh, that's why I missed it, because it's not done yet...

Edited by NergiZed, 27 July 2010 - 14:10.