Changes in game mechanics

[morriswalters 16]

It seems to me that some things have quietly changed.  Unlock points, possibly pollution effects, resources production.  With the new colored overlays its hard to tell.  Can anybody confirm or deny?

[soltangris 42]

Well, unlock points are changing constantly. I can confirm that they changed the agricultural special building unlock points (they unlock faster now). They had changed for a while the way profit was described (instead of 100% or lower, it was usually 10 - 15% or something), but then it went back with the last patch. Polution effects are also being tweaked constantly, I think. For example, offices and high-tech started reacting differently - it seems air polution affects more high tech now.... And of course, the plazas and park areas now have a positive effect (as opposed to none).

Well, all of that is to be expected - MC are doing their job, generally improving the mechanics That's the good part in having the autors take care of the game constantly!

[DazzaDazza 29]

Well they sound like good changes to me, Good job MC keep them coming

[pete1061 0]

The one thing that changed that bugs me is bridge/tunnel creation.

It's difficult now to tell if you are creating a truly straight bridge/tunnel.

[soltangris 42]

Why do you need to create a truly straight bridge/tunel? As long as it goes where you want...

[zwr100 2]

Originally posted by: soltangris

Why do you need to create a truly straight bridge/tunel? As long as it goes where you want...quote>

I like my CBD to be a perfect grid.  I want my bridge/tunnel to extend the grid rather than break it.  Usually I build a massive residential grid, then I build rows of high density offices between the residential area and water (river / lake / ocean - whatever).  It looks great!

If I can span the water with a straight bridge I can continue the grid on the other side.  With curvey bridges the grid fails and I end up with slightly lopsided blocks, which waste space and thus are completely unrealistic in a heavily populated CBD   Of course I can create a new grid on the otherside and have roads connecting the two disjointed grids, but that can create aesthetic problems, and if there are places where you continue your grid around the water, they won't mesh again.  Also, I don't think suspension bridges ever curve irl?

I guess I don't need a truly straight bridge/tunel, but sometimes I want it.

I assume (hope) they're working on bugs and had to remove things before improving them.

[Ephemeron 17]

Originally posted by: soltangris

Why do you need to create a truly straight bridge/tunel? As long as it goes where you want...quote>

A lot of people seem to hate the idea of a curved bridge. I remember from the original site that some people disliked a particular sceenshot that depicted a curved suspension bridge. Not realistic at all.

[zero7 68]

Don't forget MC are based in France so they will be more than slightly aware of the Millau Viaduct - curvy bridges - you bet!  (Cable-stayed rather than suspension)

 

The wide angle lens is exaggerating the curve, but the bridge far from straight.

[morriswalters 16]

I love that bridge and I am always surprised that it's not in the game.  But I don't think it curves.  That shot is taken with a fisheye lens.

[bluespottedhorse 49]

Originally posted by: morriswalters

I love that bridge and I am always surprised that it's not in the game.  But I don't think it curves.  That shot is taken with a fisheye lens.

quote>

Your incorrect, the bridge is curved in real life.  Just google map it and you'll see info and pictures about it.

[zero7 68]

Yes it is a fish-eye lens which is exaggerating the curve, but due to the height Lord Foster gave it a slight curve and a slight incline - apparently it helps drivers cope better. 

[morriswalters 16]

Cool.  As I said I love that bridge but would probably be terrified of driving on it.

[zwr100 2]

I see that cable stayed bridges can curve irl, but the bridges for expressways and the goldengate type bridges in the game are suspension bridges which cannot curve irl.

I believe suspension bridges can only run in straight lines from tower to tower irl.  And I assume the towers must be perpendicular to the cables, so to even have angles (as opposed to the impossible curves) you would need a seperate tower.

I'd be more accepting of curvey bridges in the game if they were the types of bridges that made sense.  The option to make straight bridges, and more bridge types please! =D

[Ocram's Razr 963]

They need cable-stayed bridges in the game. Suspension bridges do not curve.

[soltangris 42]

Not true, zwr, they just built a big suspension bridge in Sao Paulo that is curved. Look at Google Earth/Maps, the bridge is on Rio Pinheiros, the west part of the city. It's called 'Octavio Frias de Oliveira' bridge, look it up in Wikipedia also. By the way, all of you guys could look at it, it's quite an amazing construction!

[pete1061 0]

Originally posted by: zwr100

Originally posted by: soltangris

Why do you need to create a truly straight bridge/tunel? As long as it goes where you want...quote>

I like my CBD to be a perfect grid.  I want my bridge/tunnel to extend the grid rather than break it.  Usually I build a massive residential grid, then I build rows of high density offices between the residential area and water (river / lake / ocean - whatever).  It looks great!

If I can span the water with a straight bridge I can continue the grid on the other side.  With curvey bridges the grid fails and I end up with slightly lopsided blocks, which waste space and thus are completely unrealistic in a heavily populated CBD   Of course I can create a new grid on the otherside and have roads connecting the two disjointed grids, but that can create aesthetic problems, and if there are places where you continue your grid around the water, they won't mesh again.  Also, I don't think suspension bridges ever curve irl?

I guess I don't need a truly straight bridge/tunel, but sometimes I want it.

I assume (hope) they're working on bugs and had to remove things before improving them.

quote>

Exactly!

I'm glad others feel as I do.

Is it wrong to want a certian degree of precision?

I don't think it is too much to ask, especially when the ability was there before, but they removed it.

[legoman786 1]

This is what I do...

I first take a normal road and go with the '8-way' setting all the way to the other side. I take note, place my finger in place of, etc, the green dot on the in-game grid. I, then, place a short piece of straight road there. Then, proceed to connect both ends with a bridge/tunnel. It's the only way I've found, so far, with the missing 8-way bridge/tunnel button.

[Ocram's Razr 963]

Originally posted by: soltangris

Not true, zwr, they just built a big suspension bridge in Sao Paulo that is curved. Look at Google Earth/Maps, the bridge is on Rio Pinheiros, the west part of the city. It's called 'Octavio Frias de Oliveira' bridge, look it up in Wikipedia also. By the way, all of you guys could look at it, it's quite an amazing construction!quote>

Actually, it is obviously a cable-stayed bridge. Definately NOT a suspension bridge. Suspension bridges cannot curve and the Golden Gate Bridge would have to be magic to do that.

[Baracus250 0]

You can actually still change it to a locked straight or 8-way bridge. Just start the bridge then select the road tool again, it will remain in bridge build mode but then you can select the "straight" or "8-way" icon and carry on placing waypoints... HTH

[soltangris 42]

Hm, I probably don't understand the difference between suspension and cable-stayed bridge. Still, you can't deny it's curved

[morriswalters 16]

This is a very simplified explanation.  However here we go.  A suspension bridge is basically a pair of cables strung between two towers.  The cables aren't rigid so they so they hang in a straight line between the towers.  Like holding a string suspended between your two hand.  The roadway is suspended from the cables.  And that is why suspension bridges must be straight.  Cable stayed bridges are supported by a central mast, as long as the mast is balanced they road way can curve.

[zwr100 2]

Originally posted by: Baracus250

You can actually still change it to a locked straight or 8-way bridge. Just start the bridge then select the road tool again, it will remain in bridge build mode but then you can select the "straight" or "8-way" icon and carry on placing waypoints... HTH quote>

Not any more... In PO, once you click on the bridge tool the options for straight, 8-way, and curved dissappear.  I've tried selecting the striaght or 8-way tool before selecting the bridge tool, but it defaults back to the curved tool   As the OP stated, this recently changed unexpectedly... hopefully tofix some other problem before they add it back in

[soltangris 42]

Thanks, morris. I won't pretend I understood everything, but I understand that there's a difference

[morriswalters 16]

zwr100

Baracus250 is correct.  If after you start the bridge if you click on the roads button you can select the 8 way tool.

[zwr100 2]

Originally posted by: morriswalters

If after you start the bridge if you click on the roads button you can select the 8 way tool.

quote>

Hmmmm...

I used to click the bridge tool, then click the 8 way tool to make straight bridges... this doesn't work atm since the road options go away.

I see now that you said "after you start the bridge" so I'll have to give that a shot when I get home.

The next patch will be here before I get used to the changes from the last one

[BattleshipAgincourt 1]

Originally posted by: zero7

Don't forget MC are based in France so they will be more than slightly aware of the Millau Viaduct - curvy bridges - you bet!  (Cable-stayed rather than suspension)

 

The wide angle lens is exaggerating the curve, but the bridge far from straight.

quote>

The viaduct can't be curved.  It used an unconventional method of construction where the sections were constructed on solid ground and then they literally slid both ends together.

I am not trying to contradict anyone, but this particular bridge couldn't have been curved based on the method of which it was constructed.  Other viaducts, such as those in Milwaukee, are definitely not straight.

[morriswalters 16]

BattleshipAgincourt,

That was my immediate reaction but according to the Wikipedia article it has a radius of curvature of 20 km.  When you think about it you will see it doesn't matter.  All they had to do was to design the machines to take into account the curve.  As long as the curve is constant it doesn't matter.

[Herdervriend 46]

If you watched the documentary on NGC, you will know the real answer about that bridge, it's NOT curved.

Also, you can clearly see the picture is fake, bit to, fake. But yeah.

They should use more then 1 style bridges. Because there are so many kinds.

[bluespottedhorse 49]

Sorry guys...let's get the facts straight and do your research. The bridge is SLIGHTLY CURVED. There are many bridges that are curved, that's nothing new.

http://artofdesign.wordpress.com/2006/11/01/the-millau/

[zwr100 2]

Originally posted by: morriswalters

zwr100

Baracus250 is correct.  If after you start the bridge if you click on the roads button you can select the 8 way tool.

quote>

I need a tutorial with pictures please.

Here's what's happening to me:

I select the bridge tool and pick the bridge that matches the road type.  Notice that the options for 'straight, 8-way and curved' dissappeared:

I clicked one anchor for the bridge so you can see it's curved.

Next I went to the 'roads' tool to see if I clicking on it would bring back the option to pick straight 8-way or curved:

Notice the dialogue box indicating I'm hovering over the 'roads' tool.

When I clicked, the bridge dissappeared: