The release of multiplayer has been amazing! I'm loving seeing all the stuff that people are up to (like this screenshot above by Trainmann!), it really is a dream come true to finally see Rolling Line multiplayer in action.
One of the top requested features right away was some form of public server browser, so people can easily make their multiplayer sessions joinable by anyone. So I made this an immediate priority! (alongside various bug fixes and such).
The core feature of this update is the new server browser!
When you host a multiplayer server you now have the option of adding it to the public server list. To do this simply open the "Hosting options" when creating a new server:
Then enable the "Show on public server browser" toggle.
From here you can set the server name, and also supply an optional download link for any Steam Workshop content your map requires.
For example, say you wanted to host the Bog Pit Railroad map, you could include the link to the Steam Workshop collection for all of it's required mods (plus the map itself included):
https://steamcommunity.com/workshop/filedetails/?id=2119554155
So when your game appears on the server browser, players will see a "Workshop" download button. When they click this button it will redirect them to the Steam Workshop download page for your collection!
Make sure to click the "Refresh workshop downloads" button after the workshop items have finished downloading. This will load them into the game.
Using the server browser to find a public server is easy!
Just open the "Pause menu -> Multiplayer -> Server browser" menu:
And then you can view a list of all publicly listed servers being hosted by people!
You can click the "join" button to enter the server. If there's a key icon on the join button then that means the server requires a password.
This update also includes a bunch of stuff that I've been working on since releasing multiplayer:
Fixed bug where lead locomotives pulling long trains would start to merge into each other
Fixed various server joining structure bugs to prevent being stuck "waiting in queue"
Fixed bug with modded track styles which was causing issues in maps (scenery failing to load)
Blocked various props from being used as wagon loads (things like drawers, switchboards, etc. Props that would cause errors when loaded)
Fixed incorrectly scaling collision hitbox on turntables
There is now a difference between the "Game version number" and "Server version number" which means that different game versions can still join servers as long as the server version stays the same. I will only change the server version number when changes are made to multiplayer code that would make older versions break.
Fixed bug where the item slots for loaders/unloaders would break when switching between 2D and 3D menus
Switchboard turnout levers are now interactable in miniature mode
In-game multiplayer chat now has a profanity filter. This filter is also used for server names and map names when adding them to the public server browser.
There is now a "hide player models in large scale" setting where you can disable large scale player models entirely, or just hide them when you yourself are in miniature.
And that's everything!
The multiplayer launch has been amazing, and surprisingly stable. Remember if you run into any bugs please let me know in the Multiplayer bug reporting thread here on Steam:
I'm looking forward to seeing what kinds of servers start popping up on the server browser!
Especially over the weekend, which is when most people jump on to multiplayer.
Enjoy!
As I've mentioned in previous update posts, I've recently started a Patreon! This Patreon page allows you to donate directly towards me developing the game. I want to always keep update like this complete free, and if multiplayer is something you really enjoy then please consider showing your support through a Patreon donation!
I've also recently made a new devlog video which goes into a bit more detail about the specific features of multiplayer and how they work (like train driving, player chat, circuitry, etc). You can find that video here, along with lots of other devlog videos:
Devlog - Multiplayer features preview
Taerom, Trainiac 21, Codebag Playz, Joey Drysdale, Clae, The_President, Teapop311, Chloe Surett, Rowan Mackenzie, Matt, Ábris Pataki, NESecretWeapon, JohnR, ItzAerozic, Matthew Johnson, Microcosmologist, Blake Prevett, TrainTiny, Thomas Merolla, Don Willis, Jayton Hawkins, Helga Nordgren, Leto Gloas, TheAmazingRyry, Outertoaster, Nathan Perez, TrainMann, Railraider, Garst, Richard Prior, Joblogh, Detroit_, CAMOGUY54321, Ben Burch, Michelle chan, Jack Fruh, Jonathan Ginsburg, Lynk_Wyland, SmokeStream, KathalLasagna, Rivet, HuskyDynamics, Trackmeister, Lutz
You can join the Patreon to help support me to keep making free updates!