WIP Project Neuendorf

After many years of playing OMSI. I've finally decided to up my game from just driving buses to creating maps. It's a skill I've been wanting to learn for a while and OMSI editor isn't as intimidating as it looks, surprisingly!

Project Neuendorf!

This will be a free update, modernising the 80's streetscape of the fictional German city of Neuendorf, which was released with the MB O305 DLC years ago. This will be modernising the map to how Neuendorf has grown from a mid sized town into a modern city with a massive population increase.

Neuendorf has always been my personal favourite map, however it was released over 10 years ago. With respect to the original developers and their hard work, the map seems very basic by today's standards compared to newer OMSI maps, so I am taking on this project to give Neuendorf a makeover.

This project is still in it's early days, however I do plan on releasing a full rework of the existing map across multiple updates.

New features:

- A brand new bus network across the city, featuring a dynamic 24/7 timetable with new, modern vehicles and also older vehicles and some classics make regular appearances.

- Map extensions, including an extended downtown area, fully functional railway line and airport, connecting with the bus network.

- A variety of over 10 buses scheduled within Timetable mode.

- A complete rework of scenery and textures. With respect to the original developers. the original map is very basic in this regard as side streets and open spaces along the map are lacking in detail.

- Modern wayfinding and functioning PID's (Passenger Information Display) at bus stops and onboard the buses.

- Updated AI and pedestrians.

Q&A

Will I need to pay to download this map?

This is a free DLC. You will need to have certain paid add-ons for the map to work, however I can't confirm or deny which ones as of yet. When I am closer to release, if there is a sale on Steam for the required add-ons, I will post it here.

When will this update be released?

I don't know. Hopefully I will be able to release a small DLC around Christmas, however this is an ambitious project as a whole so keep an eye on this page for updates. This is a project I am taking on in my spare time, I'm not a game developer by any means, and as this is my first project, it might take a while. I have a life and career outside of gaming, so it could take 6 months to 6 years, I honestly can't answer that question.

What buses will be included?

The MB O305/O305G and O405/O405G will make a return to the game as historic vehicles. Modern buses have since taken their place in route service, including Volvo's and double deck buses.

What can we expect with the new bus network and route?

Short answer is Bus Rapid Transit. A network where high capacity buses move people from A to B, and connecting bus routes take commuters to other destinations on local routes. This is still in the concept phase, as it is dependent on the map development. One thing I will say is that there will be a historic route featuring the older buses, operating as a free shuttle for tourists, because who doesn't love a heritage bus ride.

Will I need other paid DLC's for this map to run?

Yes, there will be some assets used from other maps and DLC's. You will need to have those installed for Project Neuendorf to be able to operate.

How far into the project are you?

Into the project, literally?! Sorry, I'll get my mind out of the gutter now . The project has only just begun, there is a lot to do including extending the existing map, creating and finalising new routes etc.

I will say however, this is a project transforming Neuendorf into a decent sized city from a town, so who knows when it will be anywhere close to release.

Can I be a beta tester?

Nope, you should get a job irl, because it will be a while before I'm anywhere near that phase. There will be opportunities where I will seek community members to assist with the project, such as for the onboard announcements. I'm a native english speaker from Australia, it wouldn't really make sense to have my unbearable antisocial voice for this lol.

Can you show us a photo of the DLC?

Fine, here is bus 712 at Bahnhof Neuendorf operating route 339 to the Bus Depot. Route 339 operates as an hourly staff shuttle, connecting with train services, encouraging staff members to leave the car at home and catch public transport to work.

I look forward to sharing progress of creating this DLC with you all!

Yeah I hope I haven't bitten off more than I can chew with making this map lol. Sorry I was half asleep when I made the original post last night. To clarify, the DLC will be free in it's entirety. I'm not doing this for money, nor would it be right to use assets created by others, use them in my own map and take all of the profits. As I said before, you will need to have some paid DLC's installed already to have the map functional, as to which ones other than the O305 and O405 buses, I'm not too sure right now.

I hope I can at least have a small portion released before Christmas but I'm aiming for quality over quantity so it might be a while.

Now that I've gotten the hang of the OMSI editor, which is fairly straight forward surprisingly, I'll give a little bit of an update.

I've now left the design phase of the project onto making the map. I'm planning on release this across multiple updates as this DLC will be bigger than even I expected.

City of Neuendorf Update 1 will include:

- 10+ new playable routes, including multiple express routes across the City.

- New districts of the City including, Little Italy, Bahnhof Hainichplatz, Weinbergen Heights and Bad Eichsfeld

- A new bus depot next to Bahnhof Hainichplatz

- Approx 20+km of new playable surrounding the existing map

Update 1 will mainly focus on expanding the existing map and will include additional 3xx series routes.

1xx, 2xx and 4xx series routes will be included in additional updates for separate areas of the map.

A lot of assets have been reused from other maps and creators so it wouldn't be fair to profit from their creations. I think a lot of map makers give up after a while, understandably. The amount of work that goes into it to get the small details perfect and make sense for the surrounding environment is overwhelming. I remember when the Manly ACT 1 map was being produced, and the creator gave off sarcastic replies to "When is it coming? can you include this? can you make this area? etc. I could only imagine how much work he put into the map, creating it from scratch.

Neuendorf is a great little map, however it's very linear i.e. A to B with not much deviation from the main roads, something which I'm currently working on. I've gotten the hang of the editor. It's going to be interesting to see the scale of the first update, as it's going to add a lot of new area to the existing map.