PSG 134 Review
So another #openttdcoop game draws to a close. Game 134 was a foray into the world of ECS set on a 1024×1024 temperate map, using parameter bit 15 (no primary industry closures). Goals were simple, figure out and connect the ECS industries. Plans fell into two groups; “Loops” and “Grids”. Eventually Thraxian’s plan won the voting, which featured splitting the map into a 3×3 grid (the eastern most three merged into a 1×3) with each part playing host to an ECS vector, effectively turning the map into one large ECS flow chart.
Construction
Once voting finished, the map was split, and construction of the ‘MainLine Loop’ was quickly under way, complete with multiple styles of RoRo stations. After a short lull in building, being the simplest, plans for the machinery vector were drawn, masterminded by ODM, and soon after put into place. Soon after plans for Chemical (Chris Booth) and Wood (KenjiE20) were drawn up and built. As we progressed and got used to ECS, we started working out what was needed to complete the vector’s production. Basic was hastily connected up to the MainLoop and exporting from all connected vectors began in force. Shortly after Construction was finally given it’s network, the town drop was tentatively being laid out, and a collaborative plan was decided for the biggest vector of the lot, Agriculture.
Soon after the framework for Agri. had been put in place, it became apparent that the MainLoop was struggling under the vast amount of primary exports from one vector to another, due to both the short Train Length and poor orders. Sometime around here the Town Vector got it’s Castle, serving as both eye-candy and tourist centre for the eventual town vector. Thraxian spearheaded the station extensions and the new order system, whereby a train only stops at an exporting vector and if it was full dropped at importing and resumed where it left off in the loop. Meanwhile Ammler began designing a minimalistic Service Centre for updating trains, and almost single handedly converted the entire MainLoop rolling stock from TL7 to TL14. Finally Agriculture was finished and running, and the town drop was connected to about 3 of the 4 directions it was intended to be.
Results
By the end of this nearly 2 week long game, the 4 lane MainLoop had 221 TL14 trains alone, and the entire network comprised of some 995 trains.
While ECS is highly confusing (and occasionally badly documented) to start, it can also make for interesting game play.
The archive entry of this game can be found here.
New Game
Evidently ECS made an impression on the PS crowd, as game 135 starts as a 256×256 ECS island game. Making for some interesting choke points. Should be interesting, feel free to join in!
