Chris Sawyer's Locomotion Turns 20 and Still Gets Player Improvements [Update]
A new version of the OpenLoco mod, a project that modernizes the classic Chris Sawyer's Locomotion strategy, has been released.
Update
The mod has received update 24.10. The patch primarily fixes several bugs that caused the game to hang (for example, when the wagons did not have a locomotive). However, it also brings couple new features. First of all - objects can be placed in sub folders in new custom object folder. Second - the object selection window now groups relevant object tabs together. Third and last - The charts in the company list window can now be resized.
Previous version of this article (September 9, 2024)
This Saturday, the classic economic strategy game Chris Sawyer's Locomotion will celebrate its 20th birthday. Despite it’s advanced age quite a few people have no intention of stopping playing it. Of course, the title in many aspects is not suited for modern PCs, which is why for years a dedicated group of fans has been developing the OpenLoco project that modernizes the title. This exquisite modification has just received a new version.
What is OpenLoco and why is it so damn good?
OpenLoco is an open-source implementation of the game, which means that it moves game to a new, much improved engine. However, it is not a standalone remake, which means the mod still needs the files of the original to work.
The benefits of this are numerous. The mod provides Chris Sawyer's Locomotion with full compatibility with modern PCs and operating systems. It also improves graphics (including allowing you to play even in 4K), interface and artificial intelligence, and virtually all major bugs and technical flaws have been removed. The options for building and configuring gameplay have also been significantly expanded. In practice, then, this is something that acts as an unofficial remaster.
OpenLoco - what's new in version 24.09?
The new version of the project bears the number 24.09 and brings mainly bug fixes. However, there is also one major novelty - the map generator now allows carving rivers through the landscape..
This year, the authors focused mainly on changes requested by players. The maximum number of displayed windows on the screen has been increased from 12 to 24. An option to disable the size limit of railroad stations has also been added, as well as the size at which the terrain shaping tools work has been increased several times (from 10x10 to 64x64).
