OpenTTD 1.0.0 Released

Gmer writes "Eming.com reports that OpenTTD, the open source clone of the Microprose game Transport Tycoon Deluxe, has reached a milestone. OpenTTD 1.0.0 has been released 6 years after work started on the first version, with the help of hundreds of contributors and thousands of testers/players. Over 30 language translations are considered complete, and OpenTTD is available for *BSD, Linux, Solaris and Windows. OpenTTD is a business simulation game in which the player is in control of a transport company and can compete against rival companies to make as much profit as possible by transporting passengers and various goods by road, rail, sea or air."

It's a great way to pass the time

[Anonymous Coward]

on my n900 :)

Is the AI any better?

[Zouden]

Last time I played OpenTTD (a couple years ago), I found it entertaining for a while, but not challenging. The AI didn't present much competition, and I got the impression the game wasn't designed with that in mind. It seemed like it's a game for people who like playing with model trains.

Re:Is the AI any better?

[TechnoFrood]

A while ago they added NoAI which allowed for user coded AIs. Several of these user coded AIs are quite good and certianly much much better than the original.

http://www.tt-forums.net/viewforum.php?f=65 [tt-forums.net]

Re:Is the AI any better?

[Ailure]

This gallery have some examples of TTD AI stupidity [nylon.net].

Have a explanation why the orginal AI is poor [i-want-a-website.com], note that the "glitches, cheats and bugs" mentioned in the FAQ have been fixed in openTTD since a long time ago. ;)

Not only for nerds?

[kubajz]

I am sure that the development team would be glad if a lot of people started playing OpenTTD. However, as things stand you have to download the engine, then do a bit of reading, go to the source repositories and download graphics, sound and music separately (which means the downloader needs to distinguish between nightlies and release, ZIP, source.ZIP, MD5 files...). Perhaps the next step after doing version 1.0.0 might be to put the game into a single installer file for the non-developer part of the world? But still - thanks for all those years, I will gladly return to my young days and share the joys of TTD with my kids :o)

Re:Not only for nerds?

[indre1]

From stable download page:

For OpenTTD you can use the original Transport Tycoon Deluxe data files (you need to own a Transport Tycoon Deluxe CD). There are also the free alternatives OpenGFX (graphics), OpenSFX (sound) and OpenMSX (music) which can be installed automatically by the Windows installer.

Re:Is the AI any better?

[binkzz]

Have you tried SimuTrans [simutrans.com] instead? I found it very challenging even on single player mode.

Re:I Really Must Get To Reading The Docs & Hin

[Archon-X]

(Open)TTD focuses its scope on trains: road/sea/air transport exist, but the main thrust is rail.
Remarkably, while the signaling dynamics are incredibly intricate (most 'real world' rail systems can be duplicated), for those who aren't trainspotters, or don't have days to burn on one single section of rail, simple signalling is still possible, and quite easy to roll in.

There are literally scores of sites a google-hop away explaining all sorts of systems, from one-to-one single and dual gauge systems, right up to 4x4 rolling junctions (nuts)
The general rule of thumb is: imagine you're a train, and follow the rails and signals. Place a signal before a split. Make a split long enough for your longest train, and then some.
Place a signal before the end of the siding. Repeat the operation for the other direction.

While I admit that getting solid signalling + junctioning going for me remains on of the biggest challenges, it's also the most fun.