V1.3
(Updated 30th October 1999)
Compiled by Paul Wright <paul-wri...@u.genie.co.uk>
and Edward Bernard <edw...@ebernard.greatxscape.net>
and help from
Rémi Denis-Courmont
Rick McGreal
and Josef Drexler
and the reast of AGMT-T
Introduction:
This FAQ is an attempt to cut down on the repetition of questions in the
newsgroup. You should read this first before posting a question to
Alt.Games.Microprose.Transport-Tyc. I
will add any questions posted in AGMT-T in here with each persons answer as
well as, as many questions I cna think of my self
This FAQ will be posted to the AGMT-T newsgroup every 14 days or if a
request is made. The latest
version will always be available from:
The official newsgroup website http://www.ttworld.itgo.com
CONTENTS
[1] The Newsgroup
[1.1] What is the Transport Tycoon newsgroup? What is it for?
[1.2] I've got a question! I'm gonna post it right away!
[1.3] Suggested posting format.
[1.4] I broke the rules and got flamed. It's not fair!
[1.5] Can I post binaries here?
[1.6] I don't understand these terms people use. What are they?
[1.7] Where and what is the official TT newsgroup website?
[2] FAQs
[2.1] General
[2.1.1] Are they any patches, and where can I get it?
[2.1.2] Are they any cheats/tips?
[2.1.3] I'm fed up of the enemy, can I get rid of him?
[2.1.4] Any dirty tricks to keep the enemy at hand?
[2.1.5] Whats a Subsidy?
[2.1.6] Is there a world editor?
[2.1.7] My vehicles keep getting jammed, how can I stop this?
[2.1.8] Trains constantly go back to the depot when i play TTDLX with the
patch,
[2.1.9] How are Station ratings made? The AI get much higher than me! Why?
[2.1.10] Is there any way to change the screen resoloution in TTDLX
[2.1.11] Can I take screenshots in TTO or TTDLX?
[2.2] Online Games
[2.2.1] Can I play TTO Multiplayer?
[2.2.2] Can I play TTDLX Multiplayer?
[2.2.3] What about Online games?
[2.2.4] TTDLX Multiplayer hangs over an IPX connection?
[2.3] TT and the local authority
[2.3.1] Who are the local authority?
[2.3.2] What is the 'influence boundary'?
[2.3.3] Why do they stop me from building?
[2.3.4] What are all these options inside the local authority window?
[2.3.5] Can I improve my ratings in the town?
[2.3.6] Can I make my city grow?
[2.4] Competitions
[2.4.1] Are there any competitions for TTO or TTDLX?
[2.4.2] I would like to start a competition on this newsgroup. I need advice
[2.5] Addons
[2.5.1] Are they any sequels, addons for TTO?
[3] Resources
[4] Misc
[4.1] Credits
[4.2] Copyright
[4.3] Comments
[1] The Newsgroup
[1.1] What is the Transport Tycoon newsgroup? What is it for?
At present there is only one Transpor Tycoon newsgroup:
alt.games.microprose.transport-tyc. This is the newsgroup for all Transport
Tycoon games questions.
Not all ISPs carry all this group. If you find yours doesn't, you should
mail them and ask them to add it.
[1.2] I've got a question! I'm gonna post it right away!
Stop! Don't post yet! Do the following before posting your question:
Read the FAQ, this one and THE ONLINE ONE
Lurk (i.e. read the newsgroup for a while to see what's an acceptable post)
Do a Dejanews search at http://www.deja.com/. You may find an answer there.
You could also post to news.answers, if you are not only newbies to
AGMT-T but newsgroups in general.
[1.3] Suggested posting format.
The following things will lessen your chance of getting an answer:
No content messages with the question entirely on the subject line.
Acting as a troll
Posting entirely in CAPITALS.
Posting in these stupid UpPy DoWnY lEtTErS.
Posting in HTML (which many newsreaders cannot read) [unless it is needed
for a joke]
The following things will earn you a snark up the backside:
Not bothering to <snip> long messages when you reply.
Setting your system clock forward when posting in order to keep your message
at the top.
Posting binaries. See below.
Spamming
[1.4] I broke the rules and got flamed. It's not fair!
Yes it is. None of these rules are compulsory, but if you choose to break
them, that's your problem I'm afraid. It is difficult to end flame wars.
[1.5] Can I post binaries in alt.games.microprose.transport-tyc?
No! Do so, and we don't have any sympathy for what happens next
We are not the type to get nasty, but if there is one thing that we
don't like, it's binaries!
If you wish to post a binary, do so on alt.binaries.games.microprose,
and you can post a promotion link on here.
You could also put it on your website, and promote it here. However,
we have an official newsgroup website, where your scenarios etc will
get full coverage, more details in section [1.7]
Note that text files, if posted as an attachment,
still count as a binary. The correct way to post .cfg files and similar, is
to cut and paste them into your message using a text editor such as notepad.
[1.6] I don't understand these terms people use. What are they?
AGMT-T: Alt.Games.Microprose.Transport-Tyc
Binaries: An attachment
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Newbies: A New person to AGMT-T
'Oldies:' The old farts (me included!) who have been here for ages, and know
the group inside out.
TTO: Transport Tycoon Original
TTDLX or TTD: Transport Tycoon Deluxe
PPL: People
[1.7] Where and what is the official TT newsgroup website?
The official newsgroup website is http://www.ttworld.itgo.com. It is maintained by
many people here, and we are always on the lookout for new scenarios,
competitions, your sites, patches, sound effects and screenshots.
The official site has the backing of the group, so anything that goes on
here, is almost certainly viewed by everyone on the group. Any poster to
this group may add anything they want to this site.
If you wish to do so, please email webmas...@ttworld.itgo.com and I will add
it to the site, ensuring that you get thanks for it.
On the site we have all mentioned above, plus a hall of fame - where you can
submit your highest ever scores on TT to it, and links to TT reviews.
So in conclusion, this site is the best place for maximum coverage of your
TT objects.
[2] The FAQs
[2.1] General
[2.1.1] Are they any patches, and where can I get it?
There is a patch for TTDLX, it does tons of cool things to TTDLX and is by
Josef Drexler. The only way to find it is to get it
from:
http://publish.uwo.ca/~jdrexler/ttdpatch/
There is also a couple of other patches on
http://www.ttworld.itgo.com
[2.1.2] Are they any cheats/tips?
For TTO there are a few tips, no cheats but there is a bug:
THE TUNNEL BUG
To do this first you need to start a new game with the settings you want.
Then go to the bottom end of the map and clickthe tunnel option, train or
road doesn't matter. Hold down shift as you build it and itf it gives you a
huge minus number try to build it. The game gets confused and gives you the
price of the tunnel.
[2.1.3] I'm fed up of the enemy, can I get rid of him/her?
Not really, you can possible bankrupt the enemy by getting all the subsidies
and good runs. But this alone won't really bankrupt the enemy, to do this
you have to force them to take out a huge loan and get drowned by the
interest [set hte rates a 6%] OR you can follow my tricks on the next bit
and bankrupt them a bit easier.
First get your enemy onto the verge of bankruptcy, then when the option to
buy shares come up, buy 75% and leave the window open. Then leave the
company to go bankrupt. Once they are bankrupt sell the shares and make
£'s!!!
[2.1.4] Any dirty tricks to keep the enemy at hand?
Tons, I'll go through the iones for diferent types of transport
TRAINS
This is not an obvious trick to do but it is always affective. Forst build a
depot onto the back of the enemy station and buy a train. Leave the Train in
the depot until the enemy train comes. Then force the train to leave the
station. It should hit the other trainand blowing it up. Cpsting them money
and loosing them a fewpoints off their town ratings.
If the enemys train stations have not yet been built then stopping them be
built at all is a dolddle! All you have to do is when the enemy places the
two stations at the places then surround the with diagnal track so the
cannot build bridges over it or go round it!
Another way to stop the enemy from building tunnels and bridges it to do
what Steven Lalewicz did:
"On a different topic....
A tip for making life harder for the AI I discovered is to build long
diagonal train lines. If I had two points I wanted to connect, I always
used to do a long horizontal and then vertical rail line. For some
reason I thought the trains would not like long diagonal ones. So I
tried to see if it did make any difference. I then discovered something
quite interesting, your opponents can't build bridges over them and have
severe problems connecting two stations if they placed them either side
of your long diagonal line (hee hee hee!)."
There is a problem with diagonal lines, as it can stop cities from growing.
Use only in the countryside
Planes
Planes are another hard one to stop. There is no actual way to get rid f
enemy planes but there are some ways which neary always work.
1. Build your own airport next to theirs.
2. If you have an airport build trees all round it and put on more regular
services.
3. Build large hills round there airport to block it off from the town. Put
disasters on and with any luck they may be a few plane crashes.
Automobiles
Not too hard here, all you need to do is put rail tracks over the road and
dimolish it, blocking the emnemys vehicles from moving a they are too think
to simply build another road, then put a railway line on the road and put a
cheap train on it, if you have breakdowns on it won't be long before there
are a few train/vehicle crashes!
Boats
This is a hard one to do as it does not always work, wait till a boat breaks
down and is parked straight on, then try and build a bridge over it,
sometimes it will work, sometimes it will be refused. Hard to do,
[2.1.5] What is a subsidy?
A subsidy, is when the town council offer you a bonus rate for providing a
transport service which they want. For example, if the town wants a
passenger service from that town to a neighbouring town, they will advertise
in the paper. What you then do, is if you provide that service within 1
year, all fares will be multiplied by a certain factor set in the difficulty
settings at the start of the game.
e.g. a £10,000 delivery before subsidy would equal £40,000 on a x4 subsidy.
[2.1.6] Is there a world editor?
Yes there is. It comes with TTDLX, and there is also a separate one
available.
TTDLX has just been rereleased in the UK, from £5-10. Electronics Boutique
and Software Warehouse sell it.
[2.1.7] My vehicles keep getting jammed, how can I stop this?
In TTDLX, you can press the reverse button at the same time on all the
vehicles, and the congestion frees.
In TTO, you can only wait...but I have been told you can press skip
[2.1.8] Trains constantly go back to the depot when i play TTDLX with the
patch,
This is a problem with "new
service interval", until I post the next version the only workaround is
to set the date back a few years. It happens when the current
year+service interval gives a date outside of TTD's possible range of
years, thus it happens if the year is after 2058 I believe.
The author is working on fixing this problem
[2.1.9] How are Station ratings made? The AI get much higher than me! Why?
We recently had a debate on this, and Josef Drexler, our resident expert,
reliably informs us with a very long answer!...
"Rating out of 255[1] =
-90 (base value)
+ LastVisitRating
+ CargoRating
+ SpeedRating
+ AgeRating
+ StatueRating
+ ComputerRating
In Percent: Rating / 255 * 100%
This gives the maximum value attainable, the actual rating will grow or
decay to that value in a certain amount of time.
Maximum: 271.5, or 106% for people
334.5, or 131% for highly intelligent (yeah, right!) computers
LastVisitRating: (Ships four times longer)
130 < 3 days
95 < 6 days
50 < 12 days
25 < 21 days
0 >=21 days
Total Value: 130 (51%)
CargoRating:
130 < 100 units[2]
120 < 300 units
100 < 600 units
90 < 1000 units
55 < 1500 units
0 >=1500 units
Total Value: 130 (51%)
SpeedRating:
(LastSpeed[3] - 85km/h)/4 (Note: km/h not mph)
Total Value: 42.5 (17%)
AgeRating:
33 < 1 year[4]
20 < 2 years
10 < 3 years
0 >=3 years
Total Value: 33 (13%)
StatueRating:
26 if Statue in city
Total Value: 26 (10%)
ComputerRating: [only for computer players]
63 high intelligence
31 medium intelligence
0 low intelligence
Total Value: 63 (25%)
[1] That's how they are calculated internally
[2] units: passengers, bags, tons or 100 liters
[3] or 255km/h, whichever is lower
[4] age: current year - year built (changes Jan 1) of the last carriage with
that particular type of cargo
The AI gets higher ratings usually, as it has the extra addition, as is
mentioned earlier.
[2.1.10] Is there any way to change the screen resoloution in TTDLX
No, to put it bluntly!
[2.1.11] Can I take screenshots in TTO or TTDLX?
In TTO, you'll have to use an outside program. But in TTDLX, in the question
mark menu, there is an option to take a screenshot, or a giant screenshot.
The latter takes up lots of space, and takes ages. The file is stored in
your game directory as a PCX.
[2.2] Online Games
[2.2.1] Can I play TTO Multiplayer?
Yes, you may play TTO via null-modem serial link (2 players).
The World Editor allows you to play via modem.
[2.2.2] Can I play TTDLX Multiplayer?
Yes, you may play via null-modem, modem or IPX network.
For IPX, you may use either Novell IPX with LSL or Windows 95 IPX compatible
protocol.
[2.2.3] What about Online games?
We don't believe you can play multiplayer games over the net, however, there
was talk of a TCP/IP protocol emulator called Kali which uses the IPX
protocol to simulate a TCP/IP one. Whether it works or not, we don' know.
[2.2.4] TTDLX Multiplayer hangs over an IPX connection?
I suppose this is due to game synchronisation problem.
When this happens, both computer hang at the same time.
To limit data loss, you should use frequent AutoSave.
[2.3] TT and the local authority
[2.3.1] Who are the local authority?
The local authority, are those that run and expand the city. They have their
own opinions, and can make your stay a hard time!
[2.3.2] What is the 'influence boundary'?
The influence boundary is the radius from the city in which activities such
as ad campaigns, and exclusive transport rights will operate. To find this
area, you have to use the query tool. If the station is not in the authority
that you are advertsing, or buying exclusive rights in, then the station
will not be affected.
[2.3.3] Why do they stop me from building?
Town councils or local authorities may stop you from building when your
ratings inside the city
council local authority window go on or below Mediocre. They stop you,
basically because they are biased. If you have a low rating, they think that
any new stations will also have the same. They will refuse to let you build.
[2.3.4] What are all these options inside the local authority window?
There are many options in the local authority window. All of them affect
gameplay one way or another:-
Small Ad campaign - Increases ratings of all stations under the local
authority influence radius of about 20%
Medium Ad campaign - Increases ratings of all stations under the local
authority influence radius of about 40%
Large Ad campaign - Increases ratings of all stations under the local
authority influence radius of about 60%
Fund local road reconstruction - Bad for you and bad for AI. All roads in
the city get bulldozed and replaced. During this time, the road is blocked.
This is bad for you when you have vehicles in a city, but good for you when
the AI has vehicles in a city because all his vehicles will be stranded for
six months, and his ratings will suffer accordingly.
Build statue of company owner - Not only increases your ego, but adds 10% to
the ratings of all stations in the town. So there is some use for it after
all
Fund new buildings - Encourages the town to expand by building any type of
building. The town council will use the money to mainly build a couple of
roads, and mainly builds commercial buildings with it, but can also build
resedential buildings too.
Buy exclusive transport rights - Gives you the sole rights to transport
material, and leaves the computer stranded, for one year. It also increases
you ratings to 100% temporarily. Note, this will only work for stations
inside the influence boundary.
[2.3.5] Can I improve my ratings in the town?
There is no fixed way of increasing ratings, but the best way, is to plant
as many trees as possible within the influence area. This should increase
rating sufficiently.
If it doesn't, TS. You'll have to try and use exisiting stations.
[2.3.6] Can I make my town grow?
Yes. One way to make it easily grow is to fund new buildings. The other ways
which take longer include:
Setting up a decent passenger service between two towns, or more. This
should increase population massively.
Transporting goods to towns: Although not mentioned, this does have an
indirect link in increasing population.
Giving the towns adequate food/water/sweets supplies in the arctic/desert
and ToyLand landscapes
[2.4] Competitions
[2.4.1] Are there any competitions for TTO or TTDLX?
There are competitions running, and an index will soon be available on the
official site http://www.ttworld.itgo.com
A competition is when a group of people get together, and all play the same
game of TT, usually a scenario, and all use the same rules. One person or a
group of people act as the hosts, and they host the site on which league
tables, and saved games may be downloaded. The winner is the one with the
highest, or a combination of the highest, factors that were decided at the
start of the competition.
On this group, we run frequent competitions.
[2.4.2] I would like to start a competition on this newsgroup. I need advice
It is always best to check if there has only been one recently on this
newsgroup. If there has, then post about one, mentioning that you will not
host it for a while, so that you ensure that no one else can take your idea.
If there hasn't then the process begins:-
- Make sure you have a decent website hoster. 15mb should be suffice. And
try to keep the address short. No members.theglobe.com etc. as this is too
long. If neccesary, get one from http://www.freeservers.com
- Post on the group saying you are going to host a competition.
- Watch reaction. If negative, then leave it. If positive, carry on
- Create a scenario yourself, or get someone else to make one. This person
would then become the co-hoster, as they made it.
- Create preliminary rules and post here. Watch debate ensue, and take down
rules.
- Decide on whether to moderate the competition. Do people have to send
their saved games to you for checking?
- Post a final set of rules.
- Post again, asking for all those interested to confirm.
- Once a satisfactory number of confirmations are in, post the scenario on
your website, as well as the rules
- Announce the competition open.
Please try and keep your website updated. People don't like it if there is a
week delay in updating the league table.
[2.5] Addons
[2.5.1] Are they any sequels, addons for TTO?
Transport World is meant to be the sequel to TT. Details on
http://mdstudios.virtualave.net
An addon for TTO, is the world editor. This is difficult to get your hands
on!
[3] Resources
This website, is the official website for this newsgroup. Here,
you'll find, links, sounds, screenshots, scenarios, patches, competitions,
strategy guides, a hall of fame, and links to TT reviews.
The site http://www.ttworld.itgo.com
A good page for TTDLX strategy is
http://www.sgi.net/zeppelin/ttdlx/frames.html
[4] Misc
[4.1] Credits
Credit for the answers in this FAQ must go to the people in AGMT-T.
Paul Wright
Edward Bernard
[4.2] Copyright
Paul Wright & Edward Bernard and AGMT-T
Copyright © 1999 [ TTO, TTDLX and Micropose]. All rights reserved.
Revised: October 23, 1999.
This FAQ may be posted to any newsgroup, ftp or web site, as long as it is
posted unaltered and in its entirety.
This FAQ may not be distributed for financial gain [unless you wanna pay
me!!!!]
[4.3] Comments
FAQ corrections, additions, etc to the newsgroup or
paul-wri...@u.genie.co.uk or edw...@ebernard.greatxscape.net
End of FAQ.
--
____________________________________________________________________
Paul Wright [AGGTA, ABGTA & AAGTA O.R.O]
"Ha ha . Your name starts with P. P like Pee." : Weirdo, 2 4/9/99
Questions,Queries,Comments and Hate E-Mail to: n...@transport-tycoon.8m.com
T-T Mail: http://www.Transport-Tycoon.zzn.com ICQ #38986089
The Transport Tycoon Page: http://drive.to/T-T
This post is 100% Paul Wright, © Paul Wright 1999, Keep Away!
___________________________________________________________________