This update affects both the Demo and the main build for any testers with access to that
Many testers have rightly pointed out that money comes too easily, so we've added maintenance costs. Running a train will now cost money, so you have to carry enough passengers to break even on that service. This shouldn't be hard to achieve, but you will need to run the right number of trains rather than just spamming more now. Let us know how this goes!
Passengers left standing on a platform long enough will now leave in disgust. This is a minor penalty for long waiting times, and it avoids a huge backlog building up early game. You can find out how many passengers have left using the upgraded town info window. Also check out the new train info window. You can see the passage of time via a clock on the top right.
We made the demo public last week on Steam. A heartening number of people played, but we realised we needed a tutorial for players unfamiliar with the conventions of train games. We've expanded the tooltips, and as before these can be turned off in the settings. The tutorial can be ignored.
A few minor tweaks
You cannot create a train with no carriages, and you cannot sell the final carriage without selling the train
The fares in Horseshoe have been brought in line with the actual distance travelled around the map
There is a delete indicator for click-to-delete and click-to-clear orders
And some fixes
Fixed a crash when deleting off the screen
If you try to click-delete occupied track, it shows an error and no longer works
Allowed building onto a town tile that has track already on it (though we still need to add the tile purchase mechanic)
Fixed an issue that caused Iron Roads to fail to boot if your Windows username had non-ASCII
characters
Build train networks to connect people to the towns and places they need to go to. Turn remote wilderness into a thriving metropolis brimming with colour and life as you set up routes to link tourists to resorts, grapes to wineries, and aspiring sleuths to detectiving conventions, among others. See the fruits of your efforts reflected in your burgeoning bank balance while making sure your reputation stays intact.
Iron Roads is a game where you set up train networks connecting your towns and industries. Build infrastructure, buy trains, and fine-tune their routes and timetables to optimise your network. But don't get complacent! As you progress, further towns, industries, events, opportunities, and natural disasters may come your way and threaten to upheave the little train utopia you've just built.
A whimsical top down 2D indie offering for players looking for a streamlined interface and a touch of offbeat humour.