The Sierra Logging map is officially here!
After over a year's work and so many different updates and features that made this possible, I'm so glad to finally call this map finished and release it for everyone to see.
This DLC is completely free and you can get it here on Steam:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/3685460/Rolling_Line__Sierra_Logging/
As talked about already in the previous news post, instead of being a paid DLC, I'm instead releasing this map for free and opening a Patreon for voluntary donations. So if you would have been willing to pay for this map then please consider joining the Patreon to show your support!
I would love to keep updates and maps like this free for everyone, and that depends on how this Patreon idea works out. Remember it's perfectly fine to join the Patreon for just one month and then cancel afterwards if you prefer to just make a one-off donation instead of joining monthly.
So if you would have happily paid $5 for this map then please join the $5 tier, even for just a month, it will really, really help keep me financially able to continue working on Rolling Line!
I'll also be posting some special behind-the-scenes stuff on there, like a 48-minute commentary + tour of the map, where I talk about the design process and inspirations for each area. Though since I don't want to lock anything behind a paywall, I'll also upload this video to Youtube for everyone soon as well (probably in a couple of weeks) but you can view the video on Patreon right now!
The Sierra Logging map
It's finally done! I'm so excited for everyone to finally play this map. This is quite a special one since it's the first official map for Rolling Line that was designed around loading/unloading and operations. You can transport logs from the alpine lumber camps, deliver them to the mill and log pond at Tuolumne, and then even move milled planks over to Standard to be stored in a much larger lumber yard. It makes full use of the log loaders, log pond unloader and loading cranes all added in previous updates this year!
The map is also designed 100% to feel like a real-world model railway and I'm so glad with how this turned out. It feels like the kind of model railway you could walk around and explore in someone's basement, with photos of the logging railway inspirations in real life and lots of history. If you get the chance I highly recommend viewing this map in VR!
Oh and of course this map contains a bunch of Easter eggs to find!
You can download an HD version of the top-down map poster here:
https://imgur.com/PHbN5Cf
And here is a ton of screenshots too:
https://imgur.com/gallery/sierra-logging-rolling-line-map-LpWaJFi
As with all official maps you can access this map from the "New Game" list on the main menu:
(You don't actually need to download the DLC to access it, it's built-in to the base game since it's free!)
Other fixes and features
Alongside the release of the map, this update also includes a few other things:
- A few new audio presets for things like a lumber mill, chainsaw, waterfall and larger river.
- Loaders/Unloaders now have an icon on them to show whether the control lever is in the locked or unlocked position.
- Fixed various minor mesh issues on the Shay model.
- Fixed issue with the physics logs props (the ones that go in a log pond) since the physics pushing was not working when reloading a map.
- Removed the compact comp template map from the new game map list.
- Fixed shadows on some of the roads on the "top of the south" map.
- Added a bunch of new default main menu scenes from the Sierra Logging map.
- Fixed collision issues with the player model pushing physics objects.
- Fixed bug where map terrain objects that are meant to be un-editable could be picked up using the "Edit All" buttons.
- Fixed issue where freight loads would appear offset when held in the players hand.
- Added Patreon names to the in-game credits!
And that's everything! I'm so happy to see this map all the way through to completion. It's become quite a personal project, since this is essentially my own best attempt at making the best map I can in Rolling Line, using all the modern tools and features. It really shows how far the game has come, that a map like this is fully possible using in-game tools. I really enjoyed making it, and I hope you all enjoy playing it!
Oh and for the first time ever, I finally get to say:
Thank you to all my Patreon supporters!
GaugeGang: Trackmeister, SmokeStream
Model railroaders: CAMOGUY54321, Jonathan Ginsburg
Railfans: KathalLasagna, Lynk_Wyland, Jack Fruh, Michelle chan, Gustavo Sanchez, Ben Burch, Detroit_, Joblogh, Richard Prior, Garst, Railraider, TrainMann, Nathan Perez, Outertoaster