Quickstart for #openttdcoop Public Server
How to join, and what to expect

The Essentials

• Public Server
• IRC
  In addition to just connecting to the IRC channel, it would be wise to pay attention to the 'topic', as it is often updated with FAQ info about the current game on the Public Server.
  The topic is usually shown in the main chat window upon channel joining, and at the top of the chat window in most GUI clients.
• Cooperation
• Ruleset
• Communication
• Naming conventions

Getting In Game

Now that the basics are out of the way, you'll want to get in-game:

• First off, jump into IRC and make yourself known.
• The topic will tell you which nightly we are currently using (e.g. "PSG #123 (r*****)").
  You can get this yourself from OpenTTD, or you can use the Bot Commands to give you a link:
  

  !dl lin|lin64|osx|win32|win64|win9x

  (Pick one as appropriate)
  You can also use AutoUpdater under win32 to help manage and update multiple installs of OpenTTD.

How to get BaNaNaS content

• You'll also want the GRF Pack (be sure to follow the readme).
  If there are additional GRFs used in the game, the topic should contain: "Get your missing newgrfs from BaNaNaS" or a link to the file.
  See also: http://wiki.openttd.org/wiki/index.php/Online_content
• Once you've got all that together you can boot up OpenTTD, search for the server and join. But before you do, be sure to set your player name, you can do this in the top right of the server browser, or if you forget to, by pressing the 'tilde' key ( ` - it's to the left of 1, above tab ) and using
  

  name MyName --e.g. name Kenji

• You can find our server on the advertised servers list, or directly by using 'Add Server' and entering "ps.openttdcoop.org"
• On connection to the server, you will be asked for a password. Use

  !password

  in IRC to get in.

Game Progression

Once in, you'll need to know how things progress in a coop game.

Before everything, though, be sure to read the signs as soon as you join the server -- they will list any specific tasks, goals and quirks for that game.

Games progress in 'Stages'. You can usually see the current stage from the IRC topic (e.g. "Stage: Planning")

1. Stage: Looking
   This usually doesn't last long so tends to be skipped from the IRC topic. It represents the point where first joiners are taking a look at a new game and working out where stuff is.
2. Stage: Moneymaker
   Quick and dirty set-ups for making lots of money to fund plans and main construction. Usually coal trains or long distance PAX aircraft. See also: Game Start and Moneymaker.
3. Stage: Planning
   This stage happens after the main MM is settled and running. An isolated spot on the map is picked and signposted for plans. Each player that wants to set up a plan cordons off a space and signs it with "!plan /{name}". See also: Planning.
4. Stage: (Planning &) Voting
   After a few plans have been created, voting commences. A voting board is set up, and people sign their name according to the vote style.
   Normally, voting is for the plan you like the most, but occasionally the New Votesystem is used.
   New plans can still be added during this stage.
5. Stage: Building
   Once voting is done, coop really goes into action. Everyone pitches in and starts building the required backbone sections to make up the core of the network (as per the accepted plan). Placement signs and purchased land are often used to help mark complex sections.
   See Guides, Junctionary and most of the rest of the wiki for everything else. Or, when in doubt, ask.
6. Stage: Finalising
   Finally, once everything is connected, and jams have been removed (for the most part), and everyone starts to get mildly bored, the game gets finalised. Any major problems are fixed, nothing new is added. (Think 'feature-freeze' in software development.)

See Also

• A Newbie Guide To #openttdcoop - A good guide to how to start getting involved with the #openttdcoop games