BVE Multiplayer Development Resume's

Happy New Year, everyone!

It’s been about three years since the last OBND Multiplayer update was released on June 29, 2023. At the time, we had run out of budget to continue development, but we’ve now secured temporary funding to get us back up and running to push this project toward release.

Our last major milestone was migrating from openBVE 1.4.3 to the latest version, openBVE 1.9. Before the hiatus, we completed several major items, which are listed below.

• Performance: A stable FPS range between 40–120 was observed, even with 8–9 players and up to five different trains in use. In some cases, players could improve performance further by moving about two stations away from high-traffic areas.

• Stability & Improvements: Some crashes were observed, primarily related to camera views and other minor issues. These are currently being documented and addressed. No major server crashes were found — overall server reliability was high and performance met expectations.

The following additional issues were encountered during testing and resulted in inaccurate performance readings in 2023-2025:

1.    Improper Game Installation
 .Players ran the program directly from zip folders or merged it with the main BVE game folder.
.This caused OpenGL errors and other file-related issues recorded in bug reports.
2.    Poor File Organization
.Some players ran the game from OneDrive or disorganized directories.
.Missing assets and duplicate folder structures (e.g., /Train/R42/R42 instead of /Train/R42) caused loading issues.
.Files stored in read/write-protected folders prevented the game from accessing critical data, leading to crashes.
3) Unauthorized File Modifications
.Players edited core files (e.g., ats.dll) to modify roll signs, routes, or trains.
.These unauthorized changes sent incorrect data to the server, causing the game to crash.
4) Overcrowding at Spawn Points
.Players lingered in layup areas or spawn zones, leading to server crashes.
.The exact cause of these crashes is still unknown, but players are advised to avoid lingering in these areas after spawning.

This progress has also exposed several underlying vulnerabilities that must be resolved prior to public release. The migration to openBVE 1.9 and the shift from a single-player mode to a multiplayer mode introduces new items we have to plan for which is synchronization, stability, and data-handling challenges.

The next steps moving forward in 2026 will be:

1. Stability and Bug Fixing
Improve and eliminate program abnormalities, including:

• F3 camera issues

• Sound problems

• In-game errors

• Server failures, communication issues, and packet losses found

2. Re-implementing Features from openBVE 1.4.3
Reintroducing and updating previously implemented features for the latest 2025/26 versions of openBVE, including:

A. Dispatcher Board Enhancements

• Upgrading the dispatcher board with a new UI, control menu and system reports

B. Route Information Upgrades

• Enhancing the route information box for players within a session

C. Train Corrections

• Fixing sound issues, animations, and plugin behavior

3. Web Controls and Server Management
Developing the infrastructure needed for reliable and secure multiplayer sessions, including:

• CDN creation

• Asset verification

Backend security systems to prevent tampering with sessions, add-ons, and other features

Our next development phase will focus on system stability, player feature integration, and infrastructure hardening. While we expect to encounter additional hidden issues along the way, with the help of our beta testing team we aim to resolve them early and ensure a smoother, more stable, and more enjoyable experience for players.

The milestones set for this year represent a major turning point in BVE history. After more than 10 years of hard work, setbacks, criticism, and countless technical and personal challenges, we are proud to show that this project is real, functional, and moving forward.

We will continue refining the platform and remain committed to bringing the community new ideas, features, and improvements well into the future. 

To everyone who has stood by us, shown endless patience, and helped shape this project through your feedback — THANK YOU. We truly appreciate each and every one of you.

Multiplayer Development resume: May 4 2026 
Testing to begin: Late May or June 2026


Support us in continuing this project: [every donation helps shape this program big or small] 
https://www.openbvenews.com/support/