[New release] Pak128.Britain-Ex 0.8.3

[jamespetts]

A new version of Pak128.Britain-Ex is available to-day: 0.8.3. Download the pakset here, or alternatively, get a complete package with Pak128.Britain-Ex 0.8.3 and the latest Simutrans-Experimental (Windows only) here.

This is a version of Pak128.Britain adapted to work with Simutrans-Experimental. It does not work with Simutrans-Standard. See here for more information on the Standard Pak128.Britain. Note that this pakset is only compatible with Simutrans-Experimental 10.4 and later.

Although this is a largely complete and working pakset, there are a number of areas that are not finished, including an incomplete set of passenger boats/ships, an incomplete (although happily growing, thanks to Giuseppe) set of aircraft, missing bridge graphics (steel/concrete/suspension bridges use graphics of other types of bridges), an incomplete set of narrow gauge vehicles, ways and buildings, and incomplete support for the (cosmetic) liveries feature. Additionally, the price balancing is currently somewhat approximate, and is awaiting detailed refinement, which is likely to be a substantial task (and is likely to require further refinement of the Experimental code to balance properly). Nonetheless, the pakset is eminently playable in its current state, and has been refined by several years of playing and testing, including, more recently, online playing.

We (I and the maintainers of the Standard version of this pakset) always welcome contributions of artwork, research, etc.: see here for more information on contributing graphics to Pak128.Britain (including Pak128.Britain-Ex).

This version is a relatively minor bugfix release, albeit including a few new steam locomotives and player colour stations (from Standard). A full list of changes from 0.8.2 follows:

Changes from 0.8.2

   
• ADD: Snow images for the small parks (WLindley)
• CODE: Some changes to image definitions (although of doubtful necessity)
• FIX: Remove / character from vehicle names, as this would interfere with translations
• FIX: Narrow gauge menu button interfered with the slope adjustment tool
• CHANGE: Allow bankruptcy enabled (this is better for network games)
• CHANGE: Add pakset download link for network games
• CHANGE: Reduce the speed of the BR 2MT tank
• CHANGE: Increase the power and reduce the running cost of the GNR Stirling Single
• CHANGE: Increase the speed of the GWR Castle class
• CHANGE: Reduce the speed and increase the power of the GWR Hall class
• CHANGE: Reduce the price of the GWR Hall class
• CHANGE: Increase the speed of the GWR King class
• CHANGE: Increase the speed of the GWR Saint class
• CHANGE: Increase the power of the LBSCR L class
• CHANGE: Reduce the speed of the LMS 2P class
• CHANGE: Increase the running cost of the LMS 2P class
• CHANGE: Dedicated graphics for the MR 483, LMS 4P and LMS 2P classes, and livery images for all those and the MR 1000 class.
• CHANGE: Reduce power of LMS 4P
• CHANGE: Increase weight of LMS 4P
• CHANGE: Reduce maximum speed of the LMS 3P
• CHANGE: Reduce maximum speed of the LNER A1 (but not A3)
• CHANGE: Increase power of the LNER B17
• CHANGE: Reduce power of the LNWR Prince of Wales Class
• CHANGE: Reduce the purchase and running cost of the LNWR Prince of Wales Class
• CHANGE: Increase the speed of the LNWR George V Class
• CHANGE: Reduce the power of the LNWR George V Class
• CHANGE: Reduce the running cost of the LNWR George V Class
• CHANGE: Reduce the speed and power of the LNWR Prince of Wales tank
• CHANGE: Reduce the capital and running cost of the LNWR Prince of Wales tank
• CHANGE: Reduce the speed of the LNWR Precursor tank
• CHANGE: Increase the speed of the LNWR Precursor (tender) locomotive
• CHANGE: Put back the retirement date of the LNWR Precursor (tender) locomotive
• CHANGE: Reduce the capital and running cost of the LNWR Precursor (tender) locomotive
• CHANGE: Reduce the speed of the MR 483 class
• CHANGE: Increase the running cost of the MR 483 class
• CHANGE: Bring forward the retirement date of the MR 483 class
• CHANGE: Increase the top speed for the improved wrought iron track
• FIX: Typing error in image definitions for the Metropolitan Dreadnought carriage
• FIX: Delete rail electrification icon would show as narrow gauge toolbar icon (temporary fix using tram electrification icon - very unclear why rail electrification icon no longer works).
• ADD: Further snow images for stations (The Hood)
• ADD: Graphics for the staging post and staging inn (WLindley)
• ADD: Private road sign and private rail gate
• FIX: Narrow gauge horse stables had the wrong traction type defined
• FIX: Private way sign for narrow gauge had the same name as for standard gauge.
• ADD: Narrow gauge mail carriage (W. Lindley)
• ADD: Narrow gauge/standard gauge crossing (W. Lindley)
• REMOVE: Original private road sign (superceded by the barrier)
• CHANGE: Road signs are now only available from the early 20th century onwards
• CHANGE: Further interim rebalancing of boat costs (this time, all boats are included)
• CHANGE: Increase the power of the (previously underpowered) first generation DMUs
• FIX: The overall roof narrow gauge station was incorrectly set as a standard gauge station
• FIX: No translation text for the narrow gauge overall roof station
• FIX: Some early LNWR tanks were not set as bidirectional
• FIX: The LBSCR D2 class was incorrectly set as bidirectional
• CHANGE: Slightly increase the level of comfort needed for mid-distance journeys
• CHANGE: Make the name for the Bloomer tender more generic, as it is shared with other locomotives
• FIX: Introduction date of Bloomer tender.
• ADD: Snow images for station extensions (from Standard)
• ADD: Snow images for some remaining road/water stations/stops (from Standard)
• ADD: New headquarters, including snow images (from Standard)
• ADD: Mersey ferry (from Standard)
• CHANGE: Adjust retirement date for the Clyde Steamer to match the Mersey Ferry's introduction date.
• CODE: Add a .gitignore file
• FIX: Compatibility with old road signs
• FIX: Important bogus lines in en.tab (it works now) (Neroden)
• CODE: Merge from Standard and eliminate some unnecessary differences (Neroden)
• CHANGE: Minor formatting improvements to simuconf.tab
• CHANGE: Reduced the city car lifetime
• CHANGE: Show station/stop names using the new format without a backing box.
• ADD: Plate girder graphics from Standard (used with existing Experimental bridges).

The following features are supported by this release of Pak128.Britain-Ex:

   
• Comfort
• Loading times (including minimum and maximum loading times)
• Catering
• Upgrading
• Way constraints
• Reversing
• Air resistance values
• Tilting trains
• Overcrowding
• Industry obsolescence
• Industry upgrading
• Weight limits
• Tractive effort
• Traction types in depots
• Liveries

See here for a more detailed description of the work outstanding and so far completed, and also for information on how to get involved in contributing to the project and obtaining the sources.

Any feedback on this pakset variant (especially relating to the gameplay balance) would be very much welcome. This topic is locked, as it is intended to serve as an announcement: please post bug reports and feedback/suggestions in separate threads, one for each bug/topic. Thanks to all those who have helped to test Pak128.Britain-Ex so far - happy playing!