[UNIV]Thomas the tank engine set [Coder Needed]

[WWTBAM]

The problem was noone was willing enough to code it. It may come allive gain. Its best chance of coommming allive again is in two years roughly.

[Bad Hair Day]

just mind that HIT don't catch wind of the set. they WILL sue you to hell for this.

HIT are b*****ds though. My local line has been considering pulling the plug on all Thomas Events because it's just too damned expensive. Which arse let them have the rights to it all anyway?...

[krtaylor]

I have a hard time imagining HIT ever hearing about the set. If perchance they did, they'd have a fun time chasing all over the world to try to figure out who in the heck to sue - and like as not, if they ever did they'd discover that person was more or less penniless.

[WWTBAM]

and theyd have a hard time finding a version that would be a real threat to their profits.

[DaleStan]

I have a hard time imagining HIT ever hearing about the set. If perchance they did, they'd have a fun time chasing all over the world to try to figure out who in the heck to sue

Well, I imagine they'd start with cease-and-desist letters to the webhost.

and theyd have a hard time finding a version that would be a real threat to their profits.

Loss of profits is not necessary for a copyright suit.

[krtaylor]

If there is any particular fear of a lawsuit, it might be prudent to arrange for webhosting somewhere out of reach of the lawyers - the Czech Republic, say, or the Palestinian territories. I know that can be done, though I've never done it.

[Dave]

HIT took control of the company when Britt Allcroft sold up, I believe. Do think Thomas was associated with Gullane Entertainment at one point, which I think is also under the ownership of HIT Ent now.

HIT are quickly becoming a multi-national production company.

[Aphfaneire]

Any chance this will ever be used to convert toy mode into Island of sodor?

It would be fun to see this with the legoland version of toyland that some were trying to build.

[hectobar]

what about bulgy? the double decker bus?

[Railwaymodeler]

My guess is that the project is dead, but Bulgy would be easy- just get George to let the devlopers of this set redraw his Routemaster slightly.

But overall, it sounds like the project won't get off the ground anytime soon.

[krtaylor]

Honestly, it isn't really a practical set because it doesn't evolve much over time. You pretty much have the same (very limited) selection of vehicles all the way through. So it would be kind of a boring sort of game.

[Bad Hair Day]

But overall, it sounds like the project won't get off the ground anytime soon.

That, I don't doubt, though if anyone is willing to take over, feel free.

[Railwaymodeler]

Honestly, it isn't really a practical set because it doesn't evolve much over time. You pretty much have the same (very limited) selection of vehicles all the way through. So it would be kind of a boring sort of game.

Yeah, but if it is a Toyland replacement, then what's the difference? Toyland only had a few locomotives, and a couple airplanes.

Now, the set's intro dates could follow the year that the characer was introduced to the book series, or TV show. That would make it 'evolve' a bit more, methinks.

[krtaylor]

True, but you'd be restricted to starting the game in 1950 or so, as I think that's when the books first came out.

[WWTBAM]

Dragonhorseboy has been talking to me about this on IRC and has said he has ideas for a new tracking table. I found http://ttte.wikia.com for stats whilst looking around PikkaWiki. We also need a new coder. It would be best off restarting from scratch as the old grf was built using GRFMaker.

[WWTBAM]

We have nearly got a new tracking table up to look at. We need a new coder as mentioned in the last post. I am realy eager to see this set finished. We have quite a few of the well known locos drawn. The new revised plan is to get all the well known trains drawn and coded first with the respective rolling stock. Then work will begin on he rest of the locos and rolling stock plus ships, RV's and infrastructure. We plan to release the set kinda like the Japanset as individual grf's. The set will be for temperate initially as the Island of Sodor is imaginarily placed near the Isle of Man of which it is based upon.

[oberhümer]

I would help. All I need is the sprites, and I should be able to do at least the engines in no time.

Whoever is not happy with the stats after that may feel free to complain.

[WWTBAM]

Could all artists please tell me what pallete you used so that our coder can start coding.

[planetmaker]

Could all artists please tell me what pallete you used so that our coder can start coding.

You will find out quickly which (or if any at all). Converting graphics to the chosen palette is part of coding (in my experience).

[FooBar]

Converting graphics to the chosen palette is part of coding (in my experience).

That really depends on the artist I think. When I do some drawing, I always draw in the correct palette from the start. That way I immediately know that it's going to look good (or not). Converting always leads to disappointment if you're unaware what the converting process is up to.

Here is what colours are used in the 8bpp palette(s): http://wiki.ttdpatch.net/tiki-index.php ... oordinates
Also have a read through Purno's drawing tutorial. You can find a link in his signature.