OpenTTD

OpenTTD is a free reimplementation (replica ) of the engine of the 1994 publication simulation game Transport Tycoon Deluxe, Chris Sawyer. In contrast to the confined to Microsoft DOS and Windows original OpenTTD has been ported to many other operating systems and platforms, including various Unix -like systems (GNU / Linux, Mac OS X, BSD), OS / 2, PSP, Palm, and Windows Mobile. Even for Apple's iPhone, Symbian devices and the Nintendo DS versions are now available.

Similar to the unofficial modification TTDPatch, for the original Transport Tycoon Deluxe, the original functions of the game have been enhanced and new, such as a multiplayer mode with up to 255 participants in 15 companies added.

History

Development began on March 6, 2004 - about ten years after the appearance of the model - with the release of version 0.1 by Ludvig " Ludde " Strigeus, who is also known for the development of ScummVM and the BitTorrent client uTorrent. This was based on an analysis of the disassembled original files, after which a new version was developed in C using the SDL libraries. The author published only eight days later, the first bugfix version 0.1.1 with some new features. The version 0.2 already appeared in the following month. The popularity of the game and then took to another programmer joined the project at, " Ludde " itself remained to him but only up to version 0.3.3 of 14 July 2004 received. After retiring OpenTTD has undergone a complete refactoring and mostly transmitted in C .

The current state of development can be ordered any time from the Subversion repository. Every day at about 20.00 clock creates a nightly build. In addition to bug fixes, it usually contains changes and updates to the various translations, but sometimes new and therefore untested, functions.

On 1 April 2010 OpenTTD 1.0.0 was released, which could be used for the first time complete without the original game files, but they are still supported.

Differences to the model

Besides the obvious porting to other operating systems and platforms OpenTTD also offers a variety of content and graphic changes and improvements. First and foremost is the neuimplementierte and heavily revised multiplayer mode mentioned, which is in contrast to the model directly integrated and makes it possible to play OpenTTD over IP-based LAN and the Internet. In addition to local dedicated servers are supported on which up to 255 participants can play in more than 15 companies at the same time. There worldwide OpenTTD game days on which players from around the world attend to get to know better, to find bugs in the game and to measure their skills in mutual competition. Compared to the single-player mode, the gameplay changes in the multiplayer mode slightly.

Developed in TTDPatch NewGRF project system for change or extension of the graphics and behaviors of the individual simulation objects contained in the game, and the expansion of automotive and industrial parks, has also been implemented in OpenTTD. However, most settings can be made ​​via a direct in-game graphical interface that also supports the loading and updating of extensions from the Internet from the central " content server " of the project.

Variations

There are many extensions for OpenTTD which including adding new vehicles, roads, houses or scenarios. There are, for example, the DB Set with German trains or the DACH ( Germany - Austria - Switzerland ) Set with trains of these countries.

There are also patches that change the fundamental aspects of the game. For example, passengers and goods with the " CargoDist " patch specific goals and can no longer be unloaded at any place.

Several patches are often considered as patch pack. One of the most famous is Churchill 's patch pack, this one will, for example, the " CargoDist " patch, larger maps, higher mountains and other changes added.

Dependencies

For handwritten compile a current C compiler, a tool chain and a port of the SDL libraries on the target platform is needed.

OpenTTD does not require any files from the original game, all the necessary files can be obtained from the OpenTTD project page, loaded with installing or playing automatically internally or obtained manually. Although the format of the original video and sound files, background music of the original game are currently (as of December 2009) still supported, as they were in the early stages of development is still no alternative, the project provides but with OpenGFX and OpenSFX own, alternately usable graphics and sound packets ( sets) are available, which are based in architecture and design from the models, however, were completely rebuilt. In addition, a separate project that designs stylistically completely new and independently -designed graphics exist. For the most part comes for the free 3D modeling program Blender to use for the various OpenTTD typical standard elements (roads, trees, windows, different wall textures, etc.) centrally available. In addition to new graphics in the game are then also two extra zoom levels are available.

Legal situation

When creating the first published version of the analysis of the original binaries of Transport Tycoon Deluxe for MS- DOS was used as a template, the program code itself, except for a number of numerical constants, was not included. The programmed by Chris Sawyer game published by MicroProse, the recovery and names are property of Transport Tycoon and Transport Tycoon Deluxe at the moment (as of July 2009) at Atari. The company shows no interest but at the moment to supply the legal situation in some form of clarification.

Due to the advancement of OpenGFX, OpenSFX and OpenMSX projects OpenTTD is completely independent of the model. Therefore, there is no need or obligation to have the original game for its use. By using the original files, however, a nostalgic increased play value can be achieved for connoisseurs of the prototype. Since the game itself is under the GNU GPLv2, but put Linux distributions such as Debian also much emphasis on the observance of a strict and clear licensing policy for accompanying data such as music, images and symbols, OpenTTD is without the original files, but for the free alternatives graphics, sounds and music that were created by the open source community, packetized.

Transport Tycoon Deluxe is still sold as new and despite his age so that no abandonware. Chris Sawyer also continues to point to it.