Fire Up the Boiler!

There are several ways to fire up a multiplayer game over the internet, but the easiest is to simply board the next train headed over to HEAT.NET. The price is right (free), and the number of rail barons waiting to challenge you continues to grow. So hurry up and register, download the HEAT Katalyst, and then go to RT2 lobby. By the way, when I am on HEAT I go by the name Bozorq... and my room is usually called Boz's Caboose. Say hello if you see me.

Hot (Heat) Tips

Once on Heat there are a few tips to remember to get a game up and running successfully.

You must have the latest patch to play -- version 1.03.

The smaller maps limit the number of players allowed in the game. North America, Central Europe and United States allow the most. If you are the moderator, be sure to select a map, as quickly as possible at start up to insure everyone gets in.

Discuss options such as number of computer opponents (if any), maps, economic settings, and game speed before launching the game.

The best games typically have four or five players (computer & human).

It's best not to include computer opponents unless you have only two or three people. Also note, that computer players tend to do very well in most games. It usually wise to adjust computer revenue to at least even or less than human player revenue to balance out the game. Even if you don't start the game with computer opponents, it is still wise to adjust the revenue setting. If someone drops during the game, the computer will take their place.

Avoid chatting during start up, it can slow things down.

Do not change the economic settings, leave this to the moderator. It is a pain to have to keeping re-setting the economic settings because some moron wants to keep fooling around.

Click the GO button as soon as you are happy with the settings. Don't make people wait.

If you get an Out-of-Synch message during the game don't panic. Tell your opponents you have the problem (use TAB to chat during the game), and then ask to slow the game down for a minute. This sometimes corrects the problem. Also, to avoid this problem do not set the games speed above 4. Although adjusting the speed to 5+ will temporarily give the game a boost, often times it will Out-of-Synch errors and actually slow the game down.

As stated before, it is a good idea to discuss the rules of play before a game begins. For example, once a game has started, any player in the game can adjust the speed of the game. Most players prefer to play at 3 or 4. However, what would happen if you get a margin call from your broker and you need a minute to adjust your portfolio. Not being able to make an adjustment could cost you the game. Most players will accept a pause in the game, if they have agreed up front to such a proposal.

Maps

Every map in multiplayer mode has a unique challenge to achieve victory. For example, the Western United States awards victory to player who builds a personal net worth of $30 million or more. The North America scenario rewards the last player standing. Other scenarios base victory upon the most revenues generated by the company or the book value your railroad at the end of a given period of time.

Some maps also have special limitations. South America does not allow you sell short or buy on the margin. Other maps only allow you to start one company or they only allow you to have one continuous line of track.

Be sure to read the victory and special conditions at the start of each game to make sure you are playing towards the right goal. If you do not remember the victory conditions you can always select Briefing from the Disk Menu during the game.

The End of the Line

Be prepared for a new experience once you start playing online. The game never stops. When you are laying track, checking your portfolio or adjusting your cargo loads the game keeps moving.

Also, be warned that there are a few real losers playing this game online. They will blame everyone else but themselves when a game fails to launch. If they are losing in a particular scenario they will tamper with the game speed to throw the game Out of Synch. They will also quit early when they feel they have lost. This lot of cry babies do not represent the majority of players that I have encountered online, but they are out there. Generally, I write down the names of these abusers and simply refuse to play with them. When I continue have problems with a few of the varmints I start spreading the word online. A bad reputation will quickly keep these types of people out of the game, until they reform their ways.

On the other hand, most of the players I have encountered enjoy playing a competitive gentlemen's game of Railroad Tycoon II. Now don't mistake a competitive spirit with a cry baby attitude. There are some ruthless robber barons just waiting to bring your company to ruin. This is a part of the game. So if you encounter one of these sneaky tricksters, don't lose heart. They may beat you a few times, but once you learn their secrets for taking over companies or destroying your personal holdings, you will be out there practicing their same techniques against them.