Simutrans Development

Simutrans is now being developed by large international community of voluntary helpers. Everyone is welcome to help. You can help by painting images, writing texts, bringing ideas or extending game program code. We cannot return you any financial benefit, we can only write your name into credits. But you will be rewarded by a knowledge that you help to extend something, what thousand people love to play and what makes them happy!

This concept keeps the game free and thus available to everyone. In past months there has been few tens thousands of downloads of Simutrans each month. The number is constantly increasing. Any help is always welcome.

First thing you can do to help (if you like the game) is to stop here (Simugraph Forum - Praises section) and drop a few words that you like the game. It is always nice to hear, that you like playing the game and that the effort of all helpers is not futile. I would like to say here very big "THANK YOU VERY MUCH" to everyone, who has helped to create Simutrans!

Help with Graphics

Creating New Graphics
If you feel sad because Simutrans does not include your favorite vehicle or building, there is very simple solution. You can paint it by yourself! It can then become part of the official Simutrans distribution and all players will be able to enjoy it! Best way how to start is to join simu_gfx Yahoo! Group. That is the place where all graphics development is coordinated. You can also visit Simutrans Forum (MakeObj section) and Wikipedia Simutrans manual if you want to try something alone and you need to know how. There is no need for any special software, MakeObj (download from sites above for free), basic image editor and plain text editor will be enough, so you should try!

Help with Text

Translate Simutrans
Simutrans 64x64 version is now translated to about 17 languages, 128x128 version to only 6. So if you would like to help to translate Simutrans to your native tongue it will be most welcome! It is not very difficult, you can learn about it in Simutrans manual - translation section. Now we also have a web based translation system called SimuTranslator, which makes translation really easy. You just look at the image, and wrie apropriate text. If you want to create translation for 128x128 version you can write directly to me and I will create you an account: t_kubes@yahoo.com. Please note, that this is public address and it must be protected by spam filter. Sometimes filter can kill clean messages too. If I will not respond in few days please try to contact me again.
Write the manuals and help texts
State of various help texts for Simutrans is not excellent. Although you can find answers to your questions, game with such a broad attention should probably have better manuals. Manual is currently maintained as Wikipedia, it is open, so you can start when you feel like it. Since the WikiPedia was abused by spammers, it is now password protected. Just send me a new piece of help text you have written and I will tell you the password.

Helping intellectually

Bringing New Ideas
Simutrans is not like commercial games, game development team is listening to you. Your voice counts! If you feel that something is missing in the game, tell it to us. We will talk with you about it, try to understand it, and try to implement it or help you with implementing it yourself. We feel that the touch with players is very important and we listen to everyone (after all developers are players too). Best place where to post your ideas is Simugraph forum. This forum has been established especially to track all new ideas and problem reports. But please before posting, search if your idea was not already posted. Answering again and again to similar questions consumes time, that can be otherwise dedicated to development.

Help with Programming

Code New Things
All ideas need to be transformed to a C++ program code to make them live in Simutrans. If you are skilled C++ programmer and devoted Simutrans fan and you would like to join to programming team and extend Simutrans you can write to Hans. (See Simutrans homepage or Simugraph for contact.) Simutrans is free but it is NOT open source. Your coding work of course will not be stolen from you, nor it will be used on other projects, it will be integrated into Simutrans with your credentials. (It may however get changed by others as Simutrans evolves.) Please apply only if you have serious interest to help and know Simutrans for some time, just peeking in and leaving instantly consumes time that can be used for more meaningful tasks instead.

Contributing to Simutrans

Help with Graphics

Help with Text

Helping intellectually

Help with Programming