[TUTORIAL] Installing and setting up Simutrans

February 17, 2009, 10:40:49 pm

Author: IgorEliezer
Translation: Vilvoh
Aspect: game
Level: basic
Summary: Installing and setting up Simutrans in any language.

1. Introduction

This tutorial will try to explain how to install and set up Simutrans, so you can play with the interface and game texts in your own language (if supported)

2. Downloading the game

2.1. Where do I get it? what should I download?

The latest release is available here:

Download Simutrans

In that page, you must download at least two compressed files:

Binary, this is the executable that makes the game run. Choose a binary compatible with the operating system you usually use in your PC.
Pakset, this is the set of graphics; there are servera, each one with its own style or topic, so that you can choose.

Download both files inside a single folder, for an easy installation.

2.2. Which pakset should I choose?

Simutrans has several sets of graphics, called paksets. Each pakset has its a its own topic, style and size of graphics. This website has a sample of the different paksets of graphics available: United Faces of Simutrans - Paksets

note: Simutrans development is carried out using pak64. You will find development and stable versions at download site.

3. Creating the directories and folders

After downloading the binary any pakset, you must do the following:

Decompress the zip files: each zip file contains a folder, called simutrans
Join both in a single folder: to make the game work, the content of both folders must be in a single folder (it's possible that after decompressing the files, the contents are already organized in such manner). If not, open one of the "simutrans" folders and move ALL CONTENT to the other simutrans" folder

Example: If you have downloaded the windows binary and the pak64, after joining the content of both folders, the simutrans directory should be organized more or less like this :

In the case of the previous image, the pak folder may have a different name. It depends on the pak you've downloaded. For example, if you've chosen the pak128, that folder will be called pak128 instead of pak.

4. Launching the game

After placing all in a single folder, locate the executable (exe in windows, elf binary in Linux) that is in simutrans folder and just click on it.

Then, will appear the Simutrans loading screen.

5. Choosing the game language

After the loading screen, will appear several windows. One of them, is language window, where you can choose the game language, if it's supported. Just choose one and click on the button.

Re: [TUTORIAL] Installing and setting up Simutrans

Reply #1 – June 03, 2009, 08:17:02 pm

Hi

I am happily playing on PAK64 V102..

Yet I am considering taking part in a forum event that requires Pak128. V102.

Can i safely install pak128 without affecting my PAK64 game?

Can I easily switch between saved games/different pak sets? Would I need to reboot or anything like that between the two different configurations?

Re: [TUTORIAL] Installing and setting up Simutrans

Reply #2 – June 03, 2009, 08:56:24 pm

You can do everything you have mentioned. Just install the new paksets in Simutrans folder. If you have a look at the image, you'll notice I've installed 5 different paksets: pak, pak128, pak128Motw, pak192comic,, and pakPeluffo folders.

Then when you click on simutrans executable, you'll see this splash screen where you must choose which pakset do you want to start simutrans with (it only appears when you've installed more than one pakset)

Just choose the one you want, and enjoy..

Happens the same with savegames. It doesn't matter if you have savegames from different paksets saved. At savegames window, the game will show the savegame name and the pakset it belongs to. There's no possibility of confusion.

Of course, it's obvious you can't play a pak64 savegame if you've choosen pak128 as the pakset you want to play with. There's no cross-compatibility between savegames from different paksets. If you want to play with a different pakset, you'll have to reboot Simutrans.

Re: [TUTORIAL] Installing and setting up Simutrans

Reply #3 – March 24, 2010, 03:41:52 pm

I have never downloaded anything other than pakset64 as I was unsure how it would work and didn't want to lose my current save. This has been most helpful.