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OpenTTD 13.0 Released
- jabl 4y agoOpenTTD is one of the rare remakes of a classic game that has succeeded in significantly improving upon the original. Though I stay away from playing it because it's so addictive. Choo-choo!
- personjerry 4y agoI usually binge it for a few hours then don't touch it again for years.
- avhception 4y agoI vividly remember playing the trial version over and over as a little kid on my first computer, a PentiumI system. With no internet and no access to any computer stores that carried the game, the game was only a memory in my teens. But then I got Internet access, and some time later discovered OpenTTD. I started with point-to-point rail connections and escalated from there, into complex block-based any-to-any rail networks with train grouping and feeder systems via road and waterway. Then I discovered the FIRS mod and the networks got so complex I had to start inserting comments via the in-game signpost functionality to keep myself from trying to apply disproven "fixes" to certain hotspots. And it even compiles and runs on my OpenPOWER ppc64le system! Can't wait to start a new map, I haven't found enough time for the game the last couple of years...
- pragmatick 4y agoI tried it because I loved the original and remember playing it for hours (and keeping the low difficulty game run over night to get a lot of money). I think the controls haven't aged very well. Compared to modern games laying tracks is so damn complicated. I get that you can build complex layouts without the "helping game" get in your way but I just couldn't get into it anymore.
- db48x 4y agoOn the one hand that is true, but on the other OpenTTD _has_ made improvements to the controls. They are subtle, and very much in the spirit of the original game, but they are there.
- Macha 4y agoThe autorail tool (A, or the fifth button with the cross icon) is the one you want for a click and drag experience, and the most popular modpack, jgrpp, adds a "polyline" patch which lets the autorail tool also add in bends as needed. I suspect that patch will get merged eventually
- LarryMullins 4y agoConsidering OpenTTD has already made a change to hid the classic rail signals by default in favor of path signals (I'm really not on board with this change, but regardless), I think it would probably be justified for them to hide the non-auto tools by default as well. Autorail is really the one most people should be using by default, but the game UI makes it too easy for new players to use the manual rail tools instead.
- ElectricalUnion 4y agoI like the 2.5D RTS-like TTD rail laying, I find the newer Locomotion "RollerCoaster Tycoon" style track laying disturbing.
- dang 4y agoRelated: OpenTTD Game Mechanics - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=32698851 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=32698851 - Sept 2022 (14 comments) OpenTTD 12.0-RC1 - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=28654753 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=28654753 - Sept 2021 (62 comments) OpenTTD 1.11 - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=26660154 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=26660154 - April 2021 (58 comments) OpenTTD 1.10 - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=22772536 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=22772536 - April 2020 (114 comments) OpenTTD Compiled to WebAssembly - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=19538715 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=19538715 - March 2019 (88 comments) OpenTTD 1.8.0-RC1 - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=16725375 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=16725375 - March 2018 (28 comments)
- haunter 4y agoOpenTTD is succesful not just because of the game itself good but it’s a truly free clone of the original. You don’t need the original game files, there are are replacements for the graphics, sound, and music. imo that’s the “problem” with most of the open source game clones. They are just the barebones engine where you need the original files. Which of course doesn’t sound like a big ask especially if it’s an older game but still additional extra steps that makes the users job harder. And also makes the official distribution of the game impossible. See how OpenTTD is available in one package on Steam [0] 0, https://store.steampowered.com/app/1536610/OpenTTD/ https://store.steampowered.com/app/1536610/OpenTTD/
- LarryMullins 4y agoOpenRCT2 seems to be doing pretty well regardless. I don't know how the player counts compare, but the OpenRCT2 community seems very active and the engine seems to have a good deal of care and polish put into it. They upgraded the file format a while ago, greatly expanding the capabilities of the game (increased ride limit, etc)
- rebolek 4y agoThat's because it's a very mature clone. In the early versions, you of course needed original game files. And let's be honest, TTD with user gfx would still be TTD but something like Morrowind with user scenarios would be a different game.
- derefr 4y ago> TTD with user gfx would still be TTD but something like Morrowind with user scenarios would be a different game. Isn't that an apples-to-oranges comparison? Both games have graphics; you could substitute user graphics with the same semiotics, for the same objects into Morrowind, while retaining the same game feel, just like they did in OpenTTD. Morrowind does additionally have scripted scenario dialogue and descriptive text. But you're picturing the wrong thing if you're picturing a need to substitute entirely custom scenarios. Instead, picture "paraphrasing to avoid copyright." Plagiarism isn't illegal; only literally republishing the text of another copyrighted work is. A hypothetical open-source Morrowind project could convey the same scenario with merely different prose — the same as they could convery the same object assets with merely different artistic direction.
- nallerooth 4y agoIt's the year 2237 and OpenTTD is still in active development. :D I love this game and I'm amazed at the amount of time and love spent on improving this gem.
- LarryMullins 4y ago> Feature: Hotkey to honk a vehicle's horn (#10110) Gamechanger! I love this game, this and factorio are like crack to me.
- petepete 4y agoThe addition of a horn button makes it a very worthwhile upgrade. I love the game and have put hundreds of hours in over the years but I just wish there was an option to make depots realistically sized.
- fabioborellini 4y agoI kind of agree, but that would make depots the size of largest cities on the map. As with small ones - that sometimes happens with small towns with railway junctions, in real life. Cities and towns are out of scale in the game, anyway, compared to the rail systems.
- morsch 4y agoScale always seems to be off in city builder games (a different but related genre, I suppose). Small roads that are too wide. Stadiums and even large power plants that are barely larger than condominiums. These structures should dominate the surrounding landscape, and I think a city sim would be better if it modeled it more accurately.
- db48x 4y agoCities: Skylines is not too bad in that regard. The core game has some really silly assets (like the international airport which feels big until you realize that the runways are about ¼ or less of the proper size, and the concourse and terminals are scaled down to match), but for a lot of things you can build them to the proper scale with a little creative thinking, a DLC (like the airports DLC), or mods (get one of the parking lot mods so that you can put 10k parking spots around your realistically–sized stadium, for example).
- speedgoose 4y agoCities skyline is about redoing the urban planning mistakes of the last century. And it’s fun.
- eightman 4y agoFirst played TTD in 1995, still playing OpenTTD today.
- benj111 4y ago>Multi-track level crossings to keep road vehicles from stopping in the middle of the crossing. How are you to run over your competitors if they don't stop in the middle of the crossing?
- mdtrooper 4y agoThe biggest change of OpenTTD was in 2007 when it became full free software because the time when they released full free the assets (sounds, sprites, music...). I hope that OpenRCT2 (and OpenLoco) are near to this point.
- planede 4y agoWhile I appreciate the free assets, it's hard to beat the origin TTD soundtrack. Those were even recorded with real instruments for a rerelease[1], which turned out to be awesome, but I like the original midi one as well. [1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuJy9oCdUns https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuJy9oCdUns
- cbm-vic-20 4y agoWow, this is great!
- foobarian 4y agoI usually have this on repeat while I work. So good!
- Slartie 4y agoYeah, I also constantly catch myself mindlessly humming some of the original midi songs while doing household chores etc.
- jwmoz 4y agoLoved this game back in the late 90s. Prior that, Sim City. Good times.
- unnamed76ri 4y agoI wonder if they fixed the exploit that allows you to basically kill the AI. The AI players will run their vehicles on a certain route and if you just run a short train track across the road and stop an engine in the crossing, their vehicles will just stack up there and never reroute.
- unnamed76ri 4y agoIn case it isn’t widely known, you can also get OpenTTD on mobile. Though it isn’t the easiest to play that way.
- _puk 4y agoOr, run a short track butting up to the end of their track, buy the cheapest locomotive and park it at the end. Wait for the inevitable crash of locomotives. Repeat, and watch the AI's company value crater. Buy them for $1
- sharpneli 4y agoEven better: Make the train stop right before lights turn red. With careful timing you can wreck the car with no harm to the train.
- ElectricalUnion 4y agoI don't remember trains ever suffering anything from (full speed or not) road vehicle collisions.
- jokoon 4y agoI guess this game requires the same treatment dwarf fortress received: a better UI, some tutorial maybe.
- _fat_santa 4y agoId say compared to Dwarf Fortress, OpenTTD is a much easier to understand game. It's mouse driven (though there are hotkeys) and you can generally figure out how to play the game in about 20 minutes without reading a tutorial.
- LarryMullins 4y ago> and you can generally figure out how to play the game in about 20 minutes without reading a tutorial. This is true but reading the manual really helps and makes the game much better. For instance, I think it's probably hard for a new player to intuitively guess that control-clicking when cloning a train will create shared orders. But shared orders are really good and new players would benefit from learning them as soon as possible.
- phailhaus 4y agoIt's completely moddable, and some of the most popular mods add better graphics.
- gregoriol 4y agoI'm still playing from time to time an OpenTTD game I started more than 10 years ago, maybe even 15 years ago: the earliest save I still have is from 2009 but it was already ~300 years into the game. Started in year 1900 I think; now is year 4100 and some.
- billfruit 4y agoSome years ago I tried it and found that it is quite easy to reach a state where there is too much clashflow, post that there isn't much of a further challenge? Is that still the case? Railroad tycoon 3 for example had sort of dynamic elements that influence gameplay like the historical drop in rail passenger traffic in 20th century, and important choice of diesel vs electric, and of letting other companies run trains on your tracks etc? Does OpenTTD presently offer similar challenges?
- Asooka 4y agoThat was the case in the original Transport Tycoon Deluxe, if memory serves right. Getting cash positive isn't the real challenge, the challenge is growing faster than the competition. Which is a lot more fun if you can play against humans rather than AI. Playing without rival companies is more of a sandbox than anything, where you have to make your own challenges and goals. Can you survive with only buses? Only boats? Make the most optimal rail network? etc. Once you have a grasp of how income is calculated, there are lots of exploits you can do as well to make money practically infinite. This was also the case for Chris Sawyer's later games too - Roller Coaster Tycoon 1 and 2 challenged you not just with having a cash positive park, but with meeting goals under a time limit or with other restrictions. It is something of a cursed problem in game design for sure - if you make the basic act of surviving too hard, you limit player expression and fun; if you make it too easy, you can just as well remove the money system entirely. I would say the proper balance is one where you can run out of cash, but aren't likely to if you just apply a modicum of business sense. Which is how both TTD and RCT play. SimCity is another example of that. The games are most fun when your own creative ideas have enough breathing room to grow.
- billfruit 4y agoRailroad Tycoon 3 ( and 2) achieved a sort of good level of challenge I think. It also seperated personal funds from company funds and had challenges like growing one's personal networth to a certain figure, which involved playing the market. Its business simulation aspects seems well fleshed out.
- couchand 4y agoI'm constantly in one phase or another of a variation of this loop: 1) Play OpenTTD as a transportation game. 2) Get obsessed with the signalling possibilities. 3) Use the logic train mod to build basic logic gates & memory. 4) Start to build a general-purpose computer within OpenTTD. 5) Consider deeply how to design a minimal instruction set for such a train-based computer. 6) Begin development on an assembler, linker, and compiler for a custom instruction set (definitely not self-hosted, but wouldn't that be fun???) 7) Get sidetracked because the project has grown too large. 8) Pick up OpenTTD and play it as a transportation game.
- stingraycharles 4y agoFor me it’s all about making the biggest junctions possible with as high throughput as possible. There’s a lot of similarities with software engineering and concurrency here. I always thought that when people were designing actual CPUs in games like openttd or factorio, they actually used tools to generate save games rather than do everything by hand? Is that not true?
- couchand 4y agoit's not uncommon to see some computational elements in games on public servers, but building a real stored-program computer requires at least the clipboard patch if not direct savegame manipulation. (or incredible patience, i suppose)
- mdwalters 4y agoI mostly do the first one
- JohnTHaller 4y agoThe portable version has been updated as well: https://portableapps.com/news/2023-02-06--openttd-portable-13.0-released https://portableapps.com/news/2023-02-06--openttd-portable-1...
- hyperman1 4y agoWhile looking for a decent AI, I found 'rondje rond de kerk'. https://www.tt-forums.net/viewtopic.php?f=65&t=39756 https://www.tt-forums.net/viewtopic.php?f=65&t=39756 Basically, it's the paperclip maximizer of openttd AI: Every nasty trick in the book is allowed, e.g. selling busses with the people still inside. I never dared playing against it, but was laughing aloud while reading its description.
- glonq 4y agoAfter having not played since owning the original game 25+ years ago, I installed OpenTTD for the first time a couple days ago. Even with community-created graphics and sounds it looks and feels exactly like the original! I'm temporarily weary of big triple-A open world games, so TTD is just what I need right now.