Last week, the OpenTTD team issued a cautionary note regarding the impending changes to their beloved open-source remake of Transport Tycoon Deluxe. This nostalgic title, which has been available for free on platforms like Steam and GOG, faced a significant shift due to the re-emergence of the original Transport Tycoon Deluxe, a classic business simulation game from 1995, now being revived by Atari as a commercial offering.
As anticipated, the launch of Transport Tycoon Deluxe led to the removal of OpenTTD from these storefronts, a move that did not sit well with the gaming community. Currently, the new iteration of Transport Tycoon Deluxe is grappling with a “mostly negative” rating on Steam, with some reviews expressing their discontent in colorful terms.
Collaboration and Compromise
In light of these developments, Owen Rudge, a developer from OpenTTD, shared insights into the collaborative efforts between the OpenTTD team and Atari. The compromise reached allows OpenTTD to remain accessible for free via its official website, while limiting its availability on Steam and GOG to those who purchase the new Transport Tycoon Deluxe. This decision aims to minimize disruption for existing players while ensuring the visibility of OpenTTD continues.
Rudge emphasized the deep-rooted connection between OpenTTD and the original Transport Tycoon Deluxe, stating, “The OpenTTD project owes a lot—indeed, it owes everything—to Transport Tycoon Deluxe and to Chris Sawyer. Without TTD, there would be no OpenTTD—it’s as simple as that.” He noted that while OpenTTD has evolved significantly since its inception in 2004, it remains fundamentally tied to the essence of the original game.
Furthermore, Atari has agreed to contribute towards the maintenance of OpenTTD’s server infrastructure, a gesture that Rudge views positively. While acknowledging Atari’s mixed history, he noted that the company’s approach in this instance has been fair, allowing OpenTTD to continue thriving as a free project, albeit outside the major digital storefronts.
Despite the collaborative spirit, reactions within the community are mixed. Some players express gratitude for the clarity provided by OpenTTD’s update and appreciate Atari’s willingness to work together. However, others remain critical, labeling the move as greedy or extortionate, with a notable portion of the discourse reflecting frustration towards Atari.
Rudge acknowledged these sentiments, urging the community to share their opinions respectfully. He expressed a desire for the Transport Tycoon community to continue enjoying these cherished games for many years to come, highlighting the joy they have brought to his life over the past quarter-century.
For those interested in experiencing Transport Tycoon Deluxe as it was originally designed, it is available for purchase on Steam or GOG for a modest fee. Meanwhile, the free version of OpenTTD can still be accessed at openttd.org, ensuring that this beloved project remains alive and well for its dedicated fanbase.
