GearCity OpenBeta 1.16

[Eric.B]

Once again it's time to update our OpenBeta builds. You can find the download link here: http://www.gearcity.info/download.php?f=...ta1.16.exe

1.16 focused on three major things. First was the Linux port, which has gone pretty well. The OpenBeta 1.16 for it should be coming sometime this week.

We also created an internal text tutorial system. I've been neglecting to make more tutorials for it because of 1.16's delay. Currently we have a base introduction tutorial, but the framework allows us to add many advance tutorials. Once I have everything smoothed out on the Linux port, I will devote at least 1-2 hours a day documenting stuff in the tutorial system.

The last major feature was a redesign of the Racing System. On the outside not much has changed, but internally it's a completely different beast. We've added more series and more interaction with your teams. There is still some minor quarks, but most of the bugs in the system have been ironed out.

Of course we also included many suggestions and fixed many bugs as always.

So enough about the past, what about the future?

For 1.17 we plan on three major features to come out.

First is Unicode support, reformatting the text in the game to be easily translatable, hot loading of translation files (so no more editing GUI), custom font loading, custom font sizes, and a community translation web interface. All of that means one thing. We're translating the game to multiple languages! Hopefully it will be a community driven effort. More details will come as they come.

Second will be Government/Fleet contracting. This has been a heavily requested feature as you can't really do anything during war time. Essentially your HQ government will contract Compact SUV's and Engines during war time, assuming you win bids. Police, taxi's and many other fleets will contract out sedans, vans, etc during times of peace. Remember to grease the politician's pockets!

Last major feature will be a redesign of the Magazine system. We really need to put a lot more information in it, and fix the review system. It's horrible as it is now. So we'll do that!

As always, minor bug fixes and suggestions as I roll along.

1.16 Change Log:
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+Fixed "Resize Factory" incorrect cost bug.
+Fill Research Staff now works on research teams.
+Fixed engine transverse. (Length and width now flip.)
+Fixed bug in fuel mileage testing and performance testing that resulted in worse stats due to mathematical error when all other siders were zeroed out.
+Fixed text errors on Replace Model tool.
+Lowered Monthly factory costs more.
+Fixed Office Crash in the 90s
+Idle Factories Autotool
+Idle Branches and Marketing Autotool
+Ported 1.15.0.1 To Linux. Unified the code base so there is no longer a need to "Port"
-Linux Build
+Fixed crash conditions in Assisted designer due to low skills.
+Fixed bug causing missing component options due to low skills
+Confirmations for deleting save games, modifying a component, and ending production of anything.
+Fixed factory construction complete memo to show City.
+Factory Resize notification in World Map.
+Branch Resize allowed only once per year.
+Factory/Branch retool notification on World Map if 0% wear.
+Fixed world map "save as" bug.
+Possible fix to "Save As" crashing bug. (Will need testing.)
+Cycle through branches and factories on world map using "," and "." hot keys when branch or factory windows are open.
+Fixed game loading screen timestamp format
+Possible crash fixes in RnD department when designing cars
+Tweaked auto production code.
+Adjusted Autoproduction and AI production amounts.
+Fixed crash in showroom when no vehicle is selected.
+Integrated Tutorial System Framework.
+HR department no longer shows unfunded research teams.
+Lobbying no longer has an immediate effect on benefits.
+Hiring in HR now longer has random employee amounts when hiring less than average wages.
+Switched position of maximum supported engine width and length as requested.
+Fixed mega menu shipping priority bug. Mega Menu shipping now defaults to "Normal"
+Are you sure function added to vehicle end production.
+New Game Settings- Removing all wars
+New Game Settings- Removing all economic fluctuations.
+New Game Settings- Start with no Factories or Branches
+New Game Settings- Start with a Loan.
+New Game Settings- Start with custom amount of money.
+Added monthly costs to factory build screen.
+Added factory completion time to mega menu.
+Tweaked player/ai effects on cities, adjusted growth rates to be closer to normal rates.
+Tweaked factory costs just a little bit more.
+Adjusted AI to take advantage of new factory system. So they don't bankrupt as quickly.
+Possible fix to the report list not displaying lines.
+Fixed "chassis is too wide for body" when loading a vehicle body.
+Adjusted vehicle length/width to match chassis wheelbase.
+Basic Introduction Tutorial
+AI Improvements
+UI performance improvements in office.
+Next/Previous Memo Buttons
+Research teams amounts are monthly and comma separated
+Adjusted vehicle weights, luxury and safety ratings have an even greater impact now.
+View Parts Active check box defaults as checked
+Adjusted IPO share price
+Load Body style only shows loadable vehicles.
+Components and Vehicles will now be marked as designed on the closest whole year from which it finishes researching.
+Shipping Distances fixed.
+Adjust Auto Wage
+Fixed more bugs where reports were being cut off from being displayed.
+Added Local Inventories to the Sales and Production Report by City.
+Added a Simple Monthly Summary report.
+Minimum Racing budget
+Racing Budget lock
+Team Overview System
+Racing Driver Quality Focus
+Racing Crew Quality Focus
+Racing Develop or Win Focus
+Racing Focus on team growth
+Racing Focus on smaller teams or larger teams
+Fixed a bug which causes no AI to be loaded when selecting "Random 50" or "Random 100" AIs...
+Added Marque selection to Racing.
+Reduced Factory Wear
+Adjusted Racing Results.
+Applied some patch fixes to DDS codec.
+Fixed Sales bug with vehicles a model year newer.
+Image ratings effected only by components/vehicles of a marque
+Tweaked rating numbers for racing
+Submarques now process their own marque information.
+Redesigned Prestige and Labor Skill reports.
+Increased racing costs
+View Racing Competition
+Fixed Panama Independence news paper crash.
+Fixed weight issue in late game years with high safety.
+Fixed Research Team fundings display bug.
+Fixed vehicle length bug
+Adjusted auto-production shipping distance
+Possibly fixed incorrect starting funds bug.
+Filter vehicles by Type and Base Model on World Map Branch Distribution
+Filter Vehicles on World Map Production window.
+Factories monthly costs are now based on used production lines.
+Added 13 new Vehicle Models.
+Added 156 additional racing series, bringing us to 186 series.
+Fixed engine sized limits.
+Fixed bug allowing you to start a series without selecting components if you started a different series before.
+Fixed header duplication for selected engines if you have no engines.
+Added Team Ratings under the Adjust Team button.
+Fixed view championship years bug.
+Sorted Racing series alphabetically.
+Added season has not started/no champions yet reminders to view current results and champions respectively.
+Added new Racing Series Memo, Folded Series memo, and You won the championship memo!
+Added 5 additional songs.