Transports News

Development Update for the upcoming version 1.16!

How to get the testing branch update?
Select Transports in your Steam library and open the settings window. You'll see a Beta Tab where you can choose the "testing" entry.

Hi everyone!
I've updated the testing branch version of the game with the latest features and changes:

Customizable rail waypoints
I have completely revised the rail system and built in the option of defining your own waypoints for curves and intersections (with mods). As a result, it is now possible for trains to move smoothly around curves.


Diagonal tracks
Thanks to the adjustments to the rail system, diagonal tracks can now also be implemented (Curves are replaced by diagonal tracks).


I uploaded a first mod for diagonal train tracks to the Steam Workshop.

Block delivery of goods
It is now possible to block the delivery of goods to a station.


Exceptions for the placement of tracks
I have also implemented a system that blocks certain track constructions that shouldn't be possible.
For example:


Outlines
Outlines can now be activated in the themes. (By default, outlines are disabled in the game's standard theme)


Bug fixes and improvements
Saved games can now be deleted from the save game menu.
In addition, an option is now available in the game start customization without starting a new game credit.
Some problems related to goods delivery were fixed.

When will the update be released on the default branch?
I'm still working on fixing some bugs. I'll release the update to the default branch in one of the following weeks.

Feel free to share your thoughts.
Thanks for your patience and support.

- Update 1.15b -

-Changes to the UI
- New information text system implemented: When hovering over UI elements with the mouse, more and better formatted information can now be conveyed
- Bug fix: a crash related to zeppelins was fixed
- New cloud system
- Bug fix: the prestige project progress wasn't displayed correctly in the city window
- Bug fix: pressing 6 or 7 while editing text in a textbox will no longer activate or deactivate the first person camera
- Bug fix: When destroying city buildings, the city will no longer randomly build new buildings on the destroyed area
- Industries can now be demolished once they are in the player's possession
- The delivery of goods to a station can now be turned off
- You can scroll the game with the mouse on the border of the game window now (option in the settings menu)
- Changes to the trains pathfinding algorithm
- Functionality for unlocking industries by manufacturers has been added
- New water shader
- Trailer information can now be viewed in the vehicle window
- Reduction of the save game file size by ~20%
- video scene manger (The game is currently not making use of it. In the future it will allow me to create small cutscenes.)
- Sliders for the UI
- Bug fix: Hot air balloons will no longer get stuck in a loop by a manager
- Manager costs will now depend on the vehicle count
- Headquarters system: A headquarters foundation can now be built. The headquarters can be expanded by purchasing departments.
Finance department: Another year can be seen in the finance overview.
Human Resources: Staff quality levels are now visible.
Research department: Two researches can be started at the same time.
Management department: The manager activity history is now visible and additional settings are available.
- New staff abilities added
- Bug fix: The manager did not correctly calculate the price of replaced vehicles.
- Bug fix: The price of research by the manager was not calculated correctly.


I recommend starting a new game to test all new features.

Development Update for the upcoming version 1.15b.

How to get the testing branch update?
Select Transports in your Steam library and open the settings window. You'll see a Beta Tab where you can choose the "testing" entry.

Hi everyone!
I've updated the testing branch version of the game with the latest features and changes.

Changes to the UI


I've made changes to the UI and changed some windows. The vehicle window for example shows additional information for trailers now.

Reduces save game file size

Some changes to the save game system reduce the size of save games by ~20%.

Water shader


I've changed the water shader. I hope it makes a more realistic impression now.

Cutscene editor

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]
One of the most time consuming things of the last months was the creation of the cutscene editor. The new tool will allow me to create small cutscenes for my games. In the video you can see a sample scene with assets from my upcoming game Tree House Survivors. I know it's not perfect, but it's a start...
In the future I would like to bring a scenario system into the game, which can then use cutscenes.

Industries can be destroyed

Once you own an industry you can destroy it now. You'll find a button for that in the industry window.

Headquarters

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]
I've implemented a headquarters building system to the game. Originally I wanted to add a system that allows the players to buy floors which will be added to a headquarters model ingame. But I got inspired by Oskar Stålbergs Townscaper and thought a more dynamic system would be more enjoyable. I've created a voxel engine last year and used that to create a system in which players can build the headquarters block by block. The building gets generated procedurally with each change the player makes. Take a look at the video to get an idea how it works.

Industries with manufactories

Manufactories can unlock industries now. While the current standard theme in not using this feature at the moment, mods can make use of it.

New clouds

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]
I've replaced the static clouds with dynamic ones. I hope to increase the visual quality with it.


When will the update be released on the default branch?

I'm still working on the measures from the headquarters system and have to make some changes to the UI. It'll take me some more time to finish it.


Feel free to share your thoughts.
Thanks for your patience and support.

- Update 1.15a -

- GUI changes
- bug fix: production/comsumption list could be empty when switching cities
- heavy performance optimization on the GPU side
- GPU memory usage optimization
- fixed: a bug with the airships
- ThemeSettings structure added
- visual bug fixed: specular light could be seen through objects
- new terrain system for overview maps implemented (this will get in use with the next update 1.15b)
- canals added to the game
- fixed: a crash related to schedules
- GUI changes: rework of the research window
- GUI changes: rework of the rank window
- changing the vsync value will not require a restart anymore
- visual bug fixed: shadow map depth was to short - that resulted in grey blocks on the map
- fixed: a bug in the shader code for units that could lead to incorrect height calculations for the water interaction

I recommend starting a new game to test all new features.

Development Update for the upcoming version 1.15a

Please note: The update is available on the default branch now.

I've updated the testing branch version of the game with the latest features.

How to get the testing branch update?
Select Transports in your Steam library and open the settings window. You'll see a Beta Tab where you can choose the "testing" entry.

Canals
Channels can now be built in the game. Canals serve as transport routes for ships. Buoys can be built on the canals as a stop for ships.

Game performance improvements
I was able to improve the performance of the game considerably. On systems with a weaker graphics card, the game can run up to 2.5x faster. The game remains CPU intensive and that is a point that I will address in the upcoming updates.

ThemeSettings
All game data are summarized in a theme definition. In this definition, certain settings can now be changed (by mods). For example, Vehicle types or certain information windows can be deactivated now.

New scenario overview map
A system for overview maps was already implemented in the past. I have now replaced this with a new, more flexible system. In the future, the overview maps will serve as an entry point for scenarios (predefined maps with a fixed game goal). However, I will still need some time to complete the scenario system.


I've spent a lot of time improving my developer tools in the past few months. I have therefore decided to split update 1.15 into two smaller updates and thus shorten the waiting time for new content. The upcoming update 1.15b will offer, among other things, a new corporate headquarters system. With the construction of a headquarters and its expansion, additional options are unlocked, for example, with the managers.


Feel free to share your thoughts.
Thanks for your patience and support.