Japan Set for OpenTTD

[ToniBabelony]

Hello all,

 

Most of you out there have probably heard of Transport Tycoon or have played it. It's quite an old game, but there is still lots of development going on in the open source version: OpenTTD.

 

A few years ago I discovered the Japan Set and started playing with that add-on. Not very long after that I started to be involved with sprite designs and data research on Japanese trains, stations and whatnot. About two years ago I stopped with this project, since I got interested in other stuff. Now, I got started again on the Japan Set for OpenTTD as one of the previous developers. The reason for this was that there was still work going on, but at a pretty slow pace (or so it seemed to me). Most of the work is being done on the background, but there is still lots of work going on.

 

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At the moment I'm working on a somewhat private project called TIAS (Toei Interlocking Add-on Set) to add an interesting set of standard-gauge rolling stock to the bunch. Now there are only a few Shinkansen and a the Hankyu trains (made by our own forum staff stevenh ) that run on the normal speed tracks, so there's not so much to behold. In the TIAS will be trains from these companies: Keisei RR, Keikyu RR, Toei (Asakusa-line), Chiba Express RR, Chiba Newtown RR, Hokuso (Kaihatsu) RR, Shibayama RR and Shin-Keisei.

 

In the attachments there is a screenshot of the complete database of the set, with the same database of in file (for those of you who'd like to sort data and compare). Next to that is the first finished train (Keisei 3500 Type) in three different versions.

 

About the database: it's really difficult to group trains in a way that it's usable for gameplay and in such a way that there aren't too many to choose from. Like in real life, the choice of trains in the 1950s to 1970s is very large, since at that time Keisei was sorting out the Aoden (those trains who couldn't enter the Asakusa-line), the Akaden (those trains who could enter the Asakusa-line), developing new train types and sending older types to the Shin-Keisei lines. In the 1990s there is also a slaughter of trains when older types are replaced with contemporary types.

 

Another difficulty with this database is that Keisei and Keikyu developed differently from each other before they got connected in late 1950s through the Toei Asakusa Line, but this shouldn't be much of an issue I think. I thought about concentrating on Keisei line trains only, but than you would miss out on some Keikyu trains that I like (2100 Type, 4-door types, 2000 Type, etc.). If possible we could decide on making a parameter that can switch to a Keikyu or Keisei foucs (the latter rendering out Shin-Keisei trains).

 

 

Next to that side-project, I'm also working on a 20kV, 50Hz AC-part (Tohoku focus for the Alpine Climate) of the general JapanSet, but this has a lower priority in my list. There is also the need for early station buildings and platforms, so that's more important for now.

 

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Anyway, I'm posting this here since I'm asking for your help on the data for the TIAS. There is quite some data missing  or maybe even wrong. For instance, I have no clue how much tractive effort trains deliver and I'm missing out on some weight and kW data for some trains. My question is: where can I find such data on the internet (I tried my best, honestly) and who is willing to help me on my quest? Otherwise I have to guess the data which will probably be less accurate than anything.

 

Cheers!

 

Toni

[stevenh]

Really really really really really really really nice....

I wish I had time to help out... Must stop doing work for others on the side.

 

Meanwhile, you can play the current game on my OTTD Server: "StevenH's Japan".

 

:)

[ToniBabelony]

Hello all,

 

First of all, a happy new year and all the best for 2012! This year already promises good stuff, such as the grand release of the new Japan Set! I'm already looking forward to it, but it still needs quite some work.

 

The parties have died off, I've settled down a bit with my girlfriend and thus there is time for work on other stuff than boozing and hugging. Foremost, I have to work on my thesis, work at the mail and start up a company soon. Next to that I'll also be picking up work on the Japan Set, make music and work on my web comic again. Things are looking good so far.

 

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Not only to bump this topic, but also to keep you guys updated with the progress on the data search for the Toei Interlocking Add-on Set (TIAS). I've transferred a part of the database to Google documents, so it now can be publicly accessed under: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AtpEj0laMW4cdEU1ZFRRa1JYUHp3Tk5WSk9JZ2ZubkE Permission is given to view only, not edit. For now, only the Keisei part is given, but I'm working on the Keikyu part. In the end, I'd like to divide it into Keisei and Keikyu parts by parameter from the start.

 

The only things that are missing at the moment are the conversion from the power in kWh to HP (which will be of later concern) and the tractive effort numbers (in nM). The latter one is very hard to find and if anyone knows where to get some accurate numbers, please let me know!

 

If anyone is interested in editing the database, please let me know as well and I'll make sure you can access the editing mode as well.

 

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Anyway, please don't worry that the work on the Japan Set has halted briefly, it just has been a busy time (which isn't all that uncommon at this time of year). ;) We'll soon be back on track again!

 

Cheers!

 

Toni

 

P.s. if anyone missed the explanation on the TIAS, please visit my weblog!: http://lasertrain.blogspot.com/2011/12/openttd-toei-interlocking-add-on-set.html

[ToniBabelony]

Hello all,

 

Great news! The TIAS (now renamed from Toei Interlocking Add-on Set to: Toei Inter-connecting Add-on Set) has now entered its testing phase. The NewGRF is now playable for OpenTTD (newest version recommended), but is limited to Keisei-network only operating trains. This means that only 4 types of Keikyu trains are available.

 

Requirements for playing with the set are the use of all of the latest Japan Set NewGRF releases, otherwise the set won't appear properly and is unplayable.

 

In the three attachments you can see (1) the trains how they appear when they are first released, (2) how they look like in their final/current livery, and (3) the chronological list of appearance from roughly 1912 up to today. The total number of trains is 96, with roughly 7.400 sprites and 16 different sounds (seven different horns and nine other sounds).

 

For the moment, I'm going to put my work on the TIAS on hold, since I really have to finish my final paper for university. In the meantime, for those who would like to have a go at testing the TIAS, please send me a PM and you'll be put on the TIAS Playtesting List (you'll be send the TIAS through PM of course). There is no manual as of yet, but I think the set explains itself by playing with it. It's a pretty easy to understand system, but you are required to read the description of every train carefully. Just not to confuse oneself during the game.

 

Cheers!

 

Toni

 

P.s. eventually when the TIAS goes public, a proper manual and dedicated website will be put online. Don't worry about that! ;)

[ToniBabelony]

Hello all,

 

First and foremost of all, I'd like you to meet the first public release of TIAS, TIAS 1.0-alpha! This NewGRF is part of the JapanSet and will only work in combination with the Japan Set Trains and Tracks loaded before TIAS.

 

In the link at the end of this post you'll find a download link and a Read Me file (which could be handy if you're not familiar with how TIAS works/will work out for you).

 

So, please enjoy!

 

Get your download for OpenTTD here: http://www.tt-forums.net/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=5358&start=4120#p998733

readme.txt