What would improve Railroads! ?

Falconer · Post by **Falconer** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 6:00 am

While a large number of players are having a lot of fun with the game, there is a strong discussion about what would improve it in some of the other places I have visited. I tend to agree with quite a few of the suggestions that are made and thought it would be a good idea to set up a list of everything that we feel could use some work.

Post below and I will update this first post to have the most comprehensive list available.

> Ability to place your own signals (improving routing)
> Ability to slow down the speed at which the years pass
> Ability to zoom out further (no doubt this was done to enhance performance)
> Bigger maps
> Cities a little further apart
> More dynamic economical system
> Undo button
> Re-routable goods (drop at a station, pick up by another train)
> Ability to lay double tracks right away
> Issuing bonds to raise cash
> Location of the selected train marked on the map (train route screen)
> Copying/duplication routes (train route screen)
> Buy exclusive cargo rights from base good manufacturers
> Enemy shareholders get a share of the cash you earn (and vice versa)
> Rotate minimap along with rotation on the main screen
> Restart map option
> Set starting cash/fund (for mp)
> Select train types (for mp)
> Ability to easily put in crossings and intersections (via selector)
> A campaign mode

rupertlittlebear · Post by **rupertlittlebear** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 6:03 am

lets not forget the obvious
dumbing down the graphics requirements so more players could play.

After all Skyfox is already 20 years old
we don't need another eye-candy only game.

(Now you know why I was looking for that name)

Falconer · Post by **Falconer** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 6:10 am

Never heard of that game before, I would not have been able to help you.

Olufstar · Post by **Olufstar** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 10:45 am

Falconer wrote:> Ability to place your own signals (improving routing)
> Ability to slow down the speed at which the years pass
> Ability to zoom out further (no doubt this was done to enhance performance)
> Bigger maps
> Cities a little further apart
> More dynamic economical system

You wrote my thoughts right there

Wolfwood · Post by **Wolfwood** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 12:03 pm

Just playin a single game of the demo, I must say that I'd really, really like to be able to zoom out further. As it is, the view shows practically nothing useful unless you scroll around constantly.

Also, at least the map in the demo is pretty darn small. I hope that the full game allows access to some of the code that the map size would be as easy to fix as in Civ IV...

Falconer · Post by **Falconer** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 12:12 pm

Haven't tried all the maps yet, but I think most maps are fairly small.

sherc · Post by **sherc** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 12:39 pm

Falconer wrote:Haven't tried all the maps yet, but I think most maps are fairly small.

Too small, particulary in multiplayer mode

i also agree with all your point in 1st post (to zoom out further, signals ...)

jturie · Post by **jturie** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 1:53 pm

Falconer wrote:While a large number of players are having a lot of fun with the game, there is a strong discussion about what would improve it in some of the other places I have visited. I tend to agree with quite a few of the suggestions that are made and thought it would be a good idea to set up a list of everything that we feel could use some work.

Post below and I will update this first post to have the most comprehensive list available.

> Ability to place your own signals (improving routing)
> Ability to slow down the speed at which the years pass
> Ability to zoom out further (no doubt this was done to enhance performance)
> Bigger maps
> Cities a little further apart
> More dynamic economical system

Nice list...just about covers it without getting too much into micro-management. My couple of add-ons:

>Undo button
>User scenario/map/train dev kit (coming in second patch I believe)
>Ability to drop goods at one station for pickup by another train.
>Immediate track doubling
> track intersections/crossings
>Ability to run on competitor's track with usage charges.
>Borrowing $$$ via issuance of bonds

Wolfwood · Post by **Wolfwood** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 2:11 pm

jturie wrote:>Ability to drop goods at one station for pickup by another train.

I actually played it like this until I realised that the goods merely disappeared...

sherc · Post by **sherc** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 2:40 pm

jturie wrote: >Ability to run on competitor's track with usage charges.

i don't like that one

Falconer · Post by **Falconer** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 5:08 pm

Not so sure about that either... Tricky stuff that, before you know it, your own tracks are overcrowded by AI trains..

Atheai · Post by **Atheai** » Sat Oct 28, 2006 7:31 pm

Both Falconer and jturie have some valid points. Some suggestions of my own:

Train route screen

Location of the train marked on the map
Some way of viewing and altering the train's next destination. (Useful in mess-ups/gridlocks)
Copying/Pasting/linking routes. Very useful in circling city routes.

Economy

More money-sinks. (After buying out opponents there's not much to spend money on other than maximizing profit from the train networks.)
Ability to buy not only industries, but also manufacturers (Like gold mines, fisheries and so on. The purchase would not yield money, but would give exclusive rights to the cargo)
Money incentive dependant on year/cash value. So far I have yet to see a bonus that wasn't 100 000$, is this working like intended?
Shareholders get rights to an amount of the revenue. (Didn't RR Tycoon 2 have this? )
(GUI) Red coloring of negative results.

Graphics / Performance

First of all; Something has to be done, this is not acceptable performance.
Track building needs alot of attention. Another way of calculating track layout, perhaps? (The longer the track, the more "lag", as it is now.)

Generally, I'm asking for some more advanced opportunities. I know it's a simple game, but simple won't last forever

Falconer · Post by **Falconer** » Sat Oct 28, 2006 8:00 pm

*updated*

@ rupert: I ran Railroads at minimum settings on a lowly Radeon 9800 Pro. I run it now with a 7900GS TOP and the performance of the game hasn't changed. I don't think the solution to the performance problems lies in the graphics.

@jturie: I believe an editor is being worked on yes. Also, isn't it already possible to make crossings and intersections? Usage charges was not unanimously agreed upon in some other forums I think... Anyone else who would like this?

@Atheai: The 'next destination' thing would probably mean some major changes and complications. Haven't listed it up top but if others will 'second' it, we'll put it up. Some of your other suggestions are already adressed in the upcoming patch.

Atheai · Post by **Atheai** » Sat Oct 28, 2006 8:22 pm

Falconer wrote:@Atheai: The 'next destination' thing would probably mean some major changes and complications. Haven't listed it up top but if others will 'second' it, we'll put it up. Some of your other suggestions are already adressed in the upcoming patch.

Hum, you might be right. Another (and easier) solution to my gridlock problems though could actually be making a button that allows a train to turn on the spot, if it stands still. I've had some huge gridlocks lately

By the way, one newfound suggestion:

- (Minimap/GUI) Ability to make the minimap rotate with my view. I find it very difficult navigating with the minimap when it's oriented upside down compared to my view

Falconer · Post by **Falconer** » Sat Oct 28, 2006 9:15 pm

True, but it would be even better if the grid lock problems themselves were solved.

Other suggestion added.

Smr Simple!

What would improve Railroads! ?

What would improve Railroads! ?

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