ECS Vector Closures seem unbalanced

[VoxDissident]

First off, thanks a million to George, Pikka and the rest of the gang for putting so much work into making all of the newGRF sets.

I've been trying to play with ECS vectors for the past few weeks, I've been learning the new production chain, etc, along with a new, ECS compatible train/road vehicle and plane set.

I've been getting very frustrated with the rate of industry closures. When I read the wikis and George's posts, I get the impression that maybe they're not supposed to be closing so frequently, since he says that he lowered the standard (vanilla/trunk) rate of industry closure by some appreciable amount, with no chance of closure if transport from the industry is over 75% or if it is receiving goods. However, if I start play in 1920, by 1950, I find that at least 1/4 to 1/3 of the industries on map are closed and by 1970, easily half have closed down. Given that there might not be many textileras/vehicle factories/gold mines/goods production factories on map, this can be a very inconvenient occurrence.

In addition, I'm finding that industries are closing down even when I do transport over 75% or deliver a large amount of cargo to the industry (or both).

I know there is a certain amount of realism desired with the ECS vectors. I like the increased complexity and skill/knowledge required to play with this industry set. However, with the number of times industries have closed down when, according to what is written, they shouldn't have, is downright frustrating.

So my question is: Does anybody else have the same problem? After setting up a train to load at a station, I usually keep its window up to monitor its loading status, then at 95+% full, I immediately clone the train to keep my rating as high as possible. Over time, I add/remove wagons to make sure that the two (or three trains) I have running from that industry are working as efficiently as possible. I almost never transport below 75% and yet... well here's a screenshot.


June 13, 1937. Rutfingley Oil Refinery is being fed crude oil by a train and half a dozen tanker trucks. On the date of closure, one hundred seventy six thousand liters of oil are waiting to be processed and seventy seven percent of ninety three thousand liters of refined products have been transported over the last month. Two trains transport refined products to a distant chemical factory from which much-needed dyes are transported to a textile factory (the only textile factory) across the map. Closure of this one industry forces the decomissioning/alteration of 2 trains transporting fiber crops, 3 trains transporting wool, 6 trucks transporting oil, 1 train transporting oil, 2 trains transporting refined products, 2 trains transporting dyes and 2 trains transporting goods. All told, it is a tremendous loss of time and potential revenue.


If this is actually working as intended, does anybody know how to modify newGRF numbers to alter the parameters with which they close? I know for some people, the closures aren't that big a deal, but stuff happening like shown above makes me want to tear my hair out.

Thanks,

-Vox

[DaleStan]

but stuff happening like shown above makes me want to tear my hair out.

I know for some people, It's not a big deal, but pictures like the above make me want to tear my hair out.

DON'T SCALE YOUR SCREENSHOTS! The only permissible modification of a screenshot associated with a problem report is crop.

[zypa]

George works on that topic.
He moves all beta4 vectros to beta5 with the following goals:

1) closure in town zone 4 for every industry, in zone 3 for any heavy industry
2) must cargoes do not decrease production when primary are available
3) increase production event goes before decrease production event
4) protection age depends on map size (the formula is required)
5) a parameter to disable storage size
6) a parameter to increase mine capacity to the highest value (applied only when industry starts production, do not affect industry later)

You can start the ECS vectors with parameters so nothing will close ever.
You could play with the daylength patch, so the industires will not close that fast.

I do not know if the 75% service thingy will be changed soon.I do not like it, too. (Super service + statue...)
Anyway, the problem could be caused by my trainset. My freight trains usually have a speed of 80km/h, in normal ttd the can travel much faster -> better rating.
In my games the industries/mines I service do not close any more.I really try to provide a 75% service.

Post this problem in george's ECS thread if you want more information.
URL: http://www.tt-forums.net/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=30188

[Wolf01]

aaaaaah electric blue, my eyes

I noticed a similar behavior with Oil rigs, they produce nothing (like 6,000 litres/month) and their oil stock is like 109,000 litres
One train (loaded in 5 years) and the oil rig closed

I think George wanted to put too much in these wonderful grf sets and now all is so confused

[VoxDissident]

but pictures like the above make me want to tear my hair out.

DON'T SCALE YOUR SCREENSHOTS! The only permissible modification of a screenshot associated with a problem report is crop.

Hahaha. Sorry DaleStan.

Look, I swear to God, I didn't touch that screenshot with anything. No photoshop, not even paint. My monitor is a bit weird and my resolution runs a little funky in TTD. Or maybe its photobucket's fault. I dunno. I don't know if what I'm seeing is what you're seeing. I'd assume so... but whatever.

aaaaaah electric blue, my eyes

Sorry... I'm terrible with colors and I felt like coloring the caption...

I think George wanted to put too much in these wonderful grf sets and now all is so confused

Not all is lost. The ECS vectors are a fantastic concept, its just I think a lot of us agree that they could use some rebalancing and customizeability (is that a word?) to make the entire "ECS experience" a little less frustrating.

[DaleStan]

Or maybe its photobucket's fault. I dunno.

This is why there is an attachment mod on the forums. So you don't have to trust photobucket to behave.