Hmmm, Im starting to work over some new ideas for PGS, this rather random style of "post any old station sprites and I'll code 'em" has worked rather well, but its getting to a point where we have lots of basic station graphics, but not much in the way of depth for them.
So, what I am proposing, is that we take the big four styles for stations (Three of which are coded, or atleast partially) and develop them to produce some of the depth and complexity that MB has produced. No, I dont propose 15-16 different variations, no no, but well, Ill explain.
Plan
The Arte-Pro/Cornelius Suburban/City style:
Good, Ill need though, a version of the platforms with no wall, and also maybe a benched version.
The Astath Country style:
Also good, need some overpasses, shelters, benches, and a version of the platform with no hedge along the side.
The Born Acorn City/Suburban/Freight Style:
Need some basic shelters for the passenger stations, an overpass (Or under-pass) and maybe some benches.
The Singapore Kid Dutch Style:
Need an overpass, and also a version of the city stations with the roofs starting at the same height as the suburban dutch stations so that they sit side-by-side nicely.
Just because your work isnt on this page, doesnt mean it hasnt made 'the cut', but for now I want to develop these four styles up more and produce some MB style kick-ass-ish-ness.
For ideas of features to add to stations, look at the type of thing Michael has added, also, delving into a bit of freight/goods wouldnt hurt to badly.
Now, on the coding front, Im thinking very seriously about re-coding the entire .grf. No-where near as much work as it seems, as I have all the rel values and such, which is most of the work in the first place. Also, due to new knowledge, I can code layouts much more effectivly.
I am also not going to stick stations in a class by their function, ie: generic station, generic platform, basic platform, goods, etc... Each style will feature their own station class (About four, roughly the same as last) and will feature all their own accessories in the similar style.
Now, for my reasons, this current method of just spitting up basic, although very nice, graphics is good, and has worked rather well, MB's stations undoubtable beat us in the flexibility area. Just gotta look at the type of stations you see people building with them. Overpasses, underpasses, little plant-pots, billboards, the works. Whereas we just have a whole heap of basic stations in different styles. I say we keep the heap of styles, but start to bring the level of depth into it aswell. From an non-artists point of view, I dont think it should be too hard, designing accessories shouldnt be too much more diffcult.
I really appreciate all the sprites that have been drawn lately, they're fantastic, but a little more co-ordination would rock right now, we have a fantastic set of sprites already, and with a little more work (And a s*** load of work on my part) we can start to threaten MB's strangle hold on the stations front
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Now, if you'll exscuse me, Im going to go perve on MB's stations some more...
*Aegir runs off to his DBSetXL8 game*
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