[Rails-devel] Update on Rails 2.0, Beta 3 coming soon

[Stefan F. <ste...@we...>]

To keep you updated/interested in Rails 2.0, some news:

What are the missing bits for a Rails 2.0 release candidate?

Mainly three topics: Map Corrections, end of first StockRound and 1880 
bug fixes

*** Map Correction Actions:

As in Rails 1.x correction lays should still be possible. However this 
will be re-implemented as all other tile/token laying stuff in Rails.

As we have full rules compliance for tile/token lays, it is important 
which subset of rules are still enforced even in correction mode.

* Correction Tile Lays

The correction tile lay is assumed not to be executed by a specific company.

Rules still enforced:
- Blocked hex edges. This includes blue bars (water), edges at the map 
border, and edges bordering to gray tiles without track.

- Tile upgrade tree (only allow tiles that are descendents of the fixed 
tile of that hex)

- Availability of each tile (thus no tiles are created out of thin air)

Otherwise ignore all other rules, including

- Phase for allowed tile colors, thus at any time all tiles can be laid

- Building costs: The correction tile lay will always be free of charge
(If required costs can be adjusted manually by a Cash Correction)

- Tile rotation given the fixed and/or current tile

* Correction (Base) Token Lays:

As base tokens always belong to a specific company, it is assumed that 
the token lay was executed by that company.

Rules still enforced:

- Availability of tokens for the company (again no tokens are created 
out of thin air)

- Availability of a token slot (if there is no free slot, no token can 
be laid)

- Token costs according to the standard rules have to be paid (again 
this can be changed manually - if needed)

Again all other rules are ignored, mainly all those that require that 
the token slot is reachable.

*** End of first StockRound

As I mentioned earlier on the mailing list, there are different rules, 
when the first Stockround is over. As this varies between games and in 
some games the rules are not 100% clear I will add a GameOption for this.

This definition is important as in many 18xx it is not possible to sell 
certificates of the public companies in the first StockRound.

There will be two selections:

* Before StartPacket is Sold
This implies that the official "first stock round" can finish in what 
Rails calls "StartRound". In most 18xx this is a auction/selection 
process that sells/divides the "StartPacket".

This was the initial reason for this GameOption, as 1835 rules clearly 
state, that all player passing during the distribution of the 
StartPacket finishes the first StockRound.

* Only after StartPacket is Sold
This is e.g. the default (interpretation) for 1830.

A mail with the default for all other 18xx in Rails will follow soon.

*** Bug Fixes for 1880

Unfortunately (but not unexpected) the development between 1.9.x and 2.0 
for 1880 diverged for some minor bits. Another follow-up mail will 
detail all open bugs/required fixes for 1880 for 2.0.

In any case expect a 2.0 Beta 3 release this week, which includes some 
more minor fixes/improvements not included in this mail. :-)

Stefan