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Simutrans Extra #3: UI improvements, new paksets, new online server and more!
We couldn't make a Simutrans release last year, the reason behind this being the war in Ukraine. Another negative effect of the war is that Ukrainian developer Pelya was drafted for the military. Pelya is not directly related to the Simutrans project, but he maintained a set of scripts that enabled games like Simutrans and OpenTTD (between others) to be compiled on Android. Unfortunately, the build for Android stopped working and to fix it one would have needed to fix Pelya's scripts. But no one in the team knew how to do so, so the release was delayed until we could release for all supported platforms at once. Seeing that the war was not going to end anytime soon, I stepped in some months ago to do something about this. I developed a new build system for Simutrans on Android completely from scratch. It took quite a lot of work, but the end result is a far simpler build and, more importantly, one I know how to fix in case it stops working! Wars are bad. But you know what's good? UI improvements! A few of them are currently under development, so you can expect a new release when we are done with them. Let's see which they are!
Thanks to the work made by developers Hajo and Dwachs, font anti-alising is nearly ready for Simutrans. While you can currently set any TrueType font in Simutrans 123, they look quite a bit ugly without anti-aliasing. Introducing anti-aliasing will finally make these fonts look good at any size (although the UI still needs to be redesigned to adjust to font sizes, specially very large ones). We will also take this opportunity to move away from bdf fonts and change Simutrans' default font, probably to Noto Sans font.
A screenshot showing how Simutrans looks with Noto Sans and anti-aliasing.
What was initially going to be an addition of a "Play Tutorial" button in the initial banner has evolved into a redesign for the entire banner, adding a few more options and now working as a "main menu" to which you come back when you want to start a game.
The new main menu. Final version may change. Consequently, the options windows and other windows will be simplified and adapted to the new flow.
The options windows. Final version may change.
When legendary Hajo came back earlier this year, he focused on improving various part of the UI (which Simutrans is indeed in need of improving). One of his most exciting ideas was a new appareance for station labels and markers which could be defined by themes.
Just look at those, they look fantastic! Hajo has unfortunately not been active since the start of this year - but you can bet I will do my best to finish this and include it in the next Simutrans version.
You may remember that one of the Anniversary events of the last year was a post showcasing the music of Simutrans, where we asked for help to identify the unkown musicians for some of the songs. Now with help from jm764 and other members, we have fully identified all the creators of Simutrans music! To honour them, in the next version, Simutrans will display credits for the current song!
Another of Hajo's comeback works has been a rework of pak44.Excentrique - now with better graphics!
Who said Simutrans paksets have to look old? The project is on hold as Hajo is not active at the moment.
Okay, hear me. One of the most exciting things about Simutrans is the degree of personalization you can achieve. Experimental paksets like the recently announced pak48.bitlit are a proof of that.
What if your Simutrans game was set in a world made by Electrons, Bytes, Memory and CPUs? Welcome to pak48.bitlit, where you will transport Electrons instead of passengers, Data instead of mail, through uni- and bi-flows instead of roads and tracks!
In the previous weeks I have been experimenting with the hosting of Simutrans game servers, with the intention of hosting a permanently online Simutrans game server based on Simutrans stable (Simutrans 123.0.1 currently) and Pak128 stable, so anyone who just installed Simutrans can join to experiment online play. I've learned enough in the process, so I will go on and open a new game server in the following days called "Simutrans Public Server" (the precursor server, "Roboron's Public Server", will close soon). Everyone is welcome to join! If we manage to fill all slots, I will spin up a second game server. [...] We have come to the end of this Simutrans Extra. But worry not, because you will hear from me again, soon. Don't forget that, as every year, we will celebrating a Screenshot Contest by the end of this year. And for this edition we have a surprise! I will reveal all the details in a few weeks! Until then, happy Simutransing!
Simutrans is an open source project. That means that anyone - including you - can improve it! Did you ever want to contribute to Simutrans but you have no skill for coding? Worry not, you can contribute to Simutrans in a variety of ways:
Simutrans is constantly updating and adding texts so we are always in need for translators:
Simutrans is always looking for artists! If you want to paint graphics for Simutrans, check:
[ 2023-10-22 11:28:49 CET ] [ Original post ]
Welcome to Simutrans Extra! I have been pretty quiet so far this year as I needed a break after the Anniversary events of last year, but a lot of things have been happening in the Simutrans world meanwhile. It's time to review them! But first, let's talk about the elephant in the room.
When there will be a new Simutrans release?
We couldn't make a Simutrans release last year, the reason behind this being the war in Ukraine. Another negative effect of the war is that Ukrainian developer Pelya was drafted for the military. Pelya is not directly related to the Simutrans project, but he maintained a set of scripts that enabled games like Simutrans and OpenTTD (between others) to be compiled on Android. Unfortunately, the build for Android stopped working and to fix it one would have needed to fix Pelya's scripts. But no one in the team knew how to do so, so the release was delayed until we could release for all supported platforms at once. Seeing that the war was not going to end anytime soon, I stepped in some months ago to do something about this. I developed a new build system for Simutrans on Android completely from scratch. It took quite a lot of work, but the end result is a far simpler build and, more importantly, one I know how to fix in case it stops working! Wars are bad. But you know what's good? UI improvements! A few of them are currently under development, so you can expect a new release when we are done with them. Let's see which they are!
Font anti-aliasing is coming to Simutrans!
Thanks to the work made by developers Hajo and Dwachs, font anti-alising is nearly ready for Simutrans. While you can currently set any TrueType font in Simutrans 123, they look quite a bit ugly without anti-aliasing. Introducing anti-aliasing will finally make these fonts look good at any size (although the UI still needs to be redesigned to adjust to font sizes, specially very large ones). We will also take this opportunity to move away from bdf fonts and change Simutrans' default font, probably to Noto Sans font.
A screenshot showing how Simutrans looks with Noto Sans and anti-aliasing.
Main menu
What was initially going to be an addition of a "Play Tutorial" button in the initial banner has evolved into a redesign for the entire banner, adding a few more options and now working as a "main menu" to which you come back when you want to start a game.
The new main menu. Final version may change. Consequently, the options windows and other windows will be simplified and adapted to the new flow.
The options windows. Final version may change.
Improved Station labels and markers
When legendary Hajo came back earlier this year, he focused on improving various part of the UI (which Simutrans is indeed in need of improving). One of his most exciting ideas was a new appareance for station labels and markers which could be defined by themes.
Just look at those, they look fantastic! Hajo has unfortunately not been active since the start of this year - but you can bet I will do my best to finish this and include it in the next Simutrans version.
Lost and found musicians
You may remember that one of the Anniversary events of the last year was a post showcasing the music of Simutrans, where we asked for help to identify the unkown musicians for some of the songs. Now with help from jm764 and other members, we have fully identified all the creators of Simutrans music! To honour them, in the next version, Simutrans will display credits for the current song!
Pak144.Excentrique
Another of Hajo's comeback works has been a rework of pak44.Excentrique - now with better graphics!
Who said Simutrans paksets have to look old? The project is on hold as Hajo is not active at the moment.
Pak48.bitlit
Okay, hear me. One of the most exciting things about Simutrans is the degree of personalization you can achieve. Experimental paksets like the recently announced pak48.bitlit are a proof of that.
What if your Simutrans game was set in a world made by Electrons, Bytes, Memory and CPUs? Welcome to pak48.bitlit, where you will transport Electrons instead of passengers, Data instead of mail, through uni- and bi-flows instead of roads and tracks!
New online server
In the previous weeks I have been experimenting with the hosting of Simutrans game servers, with the intention of hosting a permanently online Simutrans game server based on Simutrans stable (Simutrans 123.0.1 currently) and Pak128 stable, so anyone who just installed Simutrans can join to experiment online play. I've learned enough in the process, so I will go on and open a new game server in the following days called "Simutrans Public Server" (the precursor server, "Roboron's Public Server", will close soon). Everyone is welcome to join! If we manage to fill all slots, I will spin up a second game server. [...] We have come to the end of this Simutrans Extra. But worry not, because you will hear from me again, soon. Don't forget that, as every year, we will celebrating a Screenshot Contest by the end of this year. And for this edition we have a surprise! I will reveal all the details in a few weeks! Until then, happy Simutransing!
How can YOU contribute to Simutrans
Simutrans is an open source project. That means that anyone - including you - can improve it! Did you ever want to contribute to Simutrans but you have no skill for coding? Worry not, you can contribute to Simutrans in a variety of ways:
Translating
Simutrans is constantly updating and adding texts so we are always in need for translators:
- To help with translation use the SimuTranslator web tool.
- To request a translator account use the Translation Sub-Forum.
Painting
Simutrans is always looking for artists! If you want to paint graphics for Simutrans, check:
- The "Creating images" section of the Development Index..
- The General Resources and Tools Sub-Forum.
Coding
- Check out the Technical Documentation Sub-Forum.
- Do not open Pull Requests in GitHub. Use the Patches & Projects Sub-Forum instead.
Reporting bugs and submitting suggestions
- Report bugs on the Bug Reports Sub-Forum.
- Send suggestions to the Extensions Request Sub-Forum.
[ 2023-10-22 11:28:49 CET ] [ Original post ]
Simutrans
The Simutrans Team
Developer
Open Source Publishing
Publisher
2016-05-24
Release
Game News Posts:
49
🎹🖱️Keyboard + Mouse
Mostly Positive
(601 reviews)
The Game includes VR Support
Public Linux Depots:
- Simutrans Linux Depot [9.96 M]
- Linux 64 Libraries [3.33 M]
Available DLCs:
- Simutrans - Pak64
- Simutrans - Pak128.Britain
- Simutrans - Pak192.Comic
- Simutrans - Pak128.German
- Simutrans - Pak128.Japan
- Simutrans - Workshop Tools
- Simutrans - Pak64.German
Simutrans is an open-source transportation simulation game available for Windows, Mac, and Linux. Your goal is to establish a successful transport company and build the necessary infrastructure to transport passengers, mail and goods between cities, factories and tourist attractions by land, air and water.
This game was originally developed by Hansjörg Malthaner from 1997 till 2004, before being handed over the 'The Simutrans Team' in 2005. Since the beginning it has been upgraded and updated.
- Establish a successful transport company
- Transport passengers, mail and goods by land, air and water
- Interconnect cities, districts, public buildings, industries and tourist attractions
- Control and watch your finances and the traffic of your vehicles and goods
- Lots of graphics packages to choose from
- Play with people from anywhere in the world in online games
Multiple Choices
- Graphics Packages (Paksets)
In Simutrans you have multiple choices from the beginning to the end. Even before starting the game you have lots of graphics packages to choose from, every pakset giving you a different experience and play style. - Vehicles and Cargo
The success of your company will depend on good planning, and we give you the tools for it. Simutrans can have buses, trucks, trains, trams, ships, airplanes, monorails, maglevs and any other vehicle that goes through air, land or water. Choose them wisely and transport the immense variety of cargo each pakset has to offer, from passengers and mail to raw materials and consumer products.
Dynamic and Intelligent
- Cargo has Destinations
Simutrans citizens and products don't simply jump in your vehicles and go to wherever you send them. They actually have individual destinations: people want to check out attractions, go shopping, or visit friends. Products also have their destinations - factories have contracts with each other and they won't sell or buy from anyone else. If you don't give them the possibility to go where they want, they simply won't use your transport company. - Complete the Chain
Transporting products not only gives you money, but makes the economy roll. As you transport products between factories, they start producing and selling. Every factory receiving the materials it needs starts producing new goods letting you connect more and more factories across the region. - Influencing Cities
Your transportation affects city growth. Every unit of anything you transport will affect the nearby cities making them grow and prosper. Sometimes cities will create new attractions and places of interest, which attract a lot more passengers. Or maybe your service may attract new industries, that give you even more opportunities. But not everything you do leads to good things - as cities grow more cars are on the roads, and you will end up trying to deal with the traffic. What you do shapes the future.
Control and Customize
- Configure All or Nothing
Simutrans has a lot of configurations that you can customize. If you're not a customization freak, don't worry, generally with a few options Simutrans will fit your play style. But if you are, you'll enjoy all the options and ways to change the game. - Build Your World
When you create a new game, don't expect it to be a fixed world. You can shape the world to suit your needs, build roads, factories, houses, and buildings, raise and lower the terrain, create rivers, lakes, and seas, or beautify the world by planting trees.
How You Play
- Multiplayer
Tired of playing alone? Simutrans lets you play multiplayer. You can join a public server and compete and collaborate with people all around the world. You can also play with your friends creating a private online or LAN server. - Hardcore or Casual?
You can challenge yourself in a normal game, trying to make your company successful and rich. Or you can just relax and have some fun playing with no hurry or money, just for your enjoyment and the satisfaction of transporting everything.
Cost
This game will be Free on Steam.Languages
Simutrans offers a range of languages, translated on a volunteer basis. Languages will be listed on the steam page when they reach at least 80% translation of Base Texts, and 65% translation of pak128.History of Simutrans
Simutrans is an Open Source game developed under the Artistic License.This game was originally developed by Hansjörg Malthaner from 1997 till 2004, before being handed over the 'The Simutrans Team' in 2005. Since the beginning it has been upgraded and updated.
MINIMAL SETUP
- OS: Ubuntu 20.04 or later
- Processor: 1 Ghz or faster processorMemory: 512 MB RAMStorage: 500 MB available spaceAdditional Notes: Broadband internet connection required for network play
- Memory: 512 MB RAMStorage: 500 MB available spaceAdditional Notes: Broadband internet connection required for network play
- Storage: 500 MB available spaceAdditional Notes: Broadband internet connection required for network play
- OS: Ubuntu 20.04 or later
- Processor: 1 Ghz or faster processorMemory: 2048 MB RAMStorage: 500 MB available spaceAdditional Notes: Broadband internet connection required for network play
- Memory: 2048 MB RAMStorage: 500 MB available spaceAdditional Notes: Broadband internet connection required for network play
- Storage: 500 MB available spaceAdditional Notes: Broadband internet connection required for network play
GAMEBILLET
[ 6138 ]
GAMERSGATE
[ 3458 ]
FANATICAL BUNDLES
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