What's the First Coaster You'll Make in Roller Coaster Tycoon World?

Greg Tito

PR for Dungeons & Dragons
Sep 29, 2005
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What's the First Coaster You'll Make in Roller Coaster Tycoon World?



There's a lot of love for the original Roller Coaster Tycoon at Pipeworks studios.

It's a sad truth that sometimes modern sequels to classic franchises don't live up to the originals. The first Roller Coaster Tycoon [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/video-games/goodoldreviews/12181-Rollercoaster-Tycoon-Good-Old-Review] was a fun simulation game that's remembered fondly for allowing you to build crazy coasters that made all of your guests or "peeps" throw up - or suffer worse fates. The next few iterations did not quite live up to the expectations and fans have been clamoring for something to come along that would allow them to make peeps throw up all over again. Enter Roller Coaster Tycoon World that's being developed by Pipeworks and published by Atari for an early 2015 release. I got a chance to sit down with producer Sean Kennedy and designer Derek Manning to talk about how World will make Roller Coaster Tycoon fans jump with joy.

First off, they've done a lot to improve the visual look and sound of the game. The new engine entirely in 3D, and the rides, coasters and scenery all look fantastic. Each of the rides have a distinct theme song playing near them and when you zoom in you'll hear that as well as the creak and mechanical noises of the ride itself. Zoom all the way out and you'll get the windy feel of the atmosphere blending with the game's overall theme music.

There's also a lot more character in the theme parks you can build. "Disneyworld is the quintessential theme park," Kennedy said. And they represent the history and character of the parks you build in Roller Coaster Tycoon World with mascots like Robin Raccoon - a Mickey Mouse analogue. You can place rides which highlight the debut of Robin in a 1930s cartoon, as well as build a statue that's reminiscent of the famous "Partners" statue in Disneyland [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disney_Partners_Statue] but with a larger Robin Raccoon holding the hand of a smaller peep. The addition of these nods to popular culture will go a long way towards making your park feel real.

Why is it called "World"? I'm glad you asked! You can create your amusement park on a plot that's connected (by monorail of course) to three other plots. These can be inhabited by your friends' parks or people you meet online to create a multiplayer massive theme park. But before you cry all SimCity on me, Kennedy was quick to point out how Roller Coaster Tycoon World will be different from EA's game.

"You don't have to play with anyone if you don't want to," Kennedy said. "And there will be an offline mode." You can save up enough money to buy the other plots and build your own huge park completely on your own. But if you do choose to play online with people, the option is there.

Kennedy also made sure to point out that the team spent a lot of time playing the older games and many of them were frustrated at the tools to design a custom roller coaster. He gave me a quick demonstration of how to build one in World and it's remarkably easy and intuitive. You'll be able to design the coaster of your dreams with little frustration.

The UI also looks clean and easy-to-use, especially for early alpha code. I love the Americana theme, and it seems like Kennedy is leading the charge for a simulation that will be fun for the players that love to create, as well as manage, a lively amusement park.

Look for Roller Coaster Tycoon World to be on Steam in 2015.


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Barbas

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Oct 28, 2013
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Let's...just see how this goes. I really want to see more before passing any judgement. I've got to see it, it's an RCT game!
 

RicoADF

Welcome back Commander
Jun 2, 2009
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Sounds interesting, as Barbas said I'd like to see more but sofar I like what I've heard sofar. Is there a release date yet? Do we know when reviews will be released for it?

Greg Tito said:
"You don't have to play with anyone if you don't want to," Kennedy said. "And there will be an offline mode." You can save up enough money to buy the other plots and build your own huge park completely on your own. But if you do choose to play online with people, the option is there.
See EA, this is how you release a multiplayer 'tycoon' game, you give the player options and chances are they will follow through anyway, it's when you try to force things that people start resisting.
 

-Dragmire-

King over my mind
Mar 29, 2011
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I've heard the Roller Coaster Tycoon brand took a harsh blow from the mobile game that disappointed and angered many fans. I'm curious what the monetization plans will be, I highly doubt it'll rely on core game sales alone as the only source of revenue.
 

gamegod25

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Jul 10, 2008
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Even if it doesn't go Simcity on us the idea of having four different parks connected just seems...silly to me. Just makes me picture a bunch of people living with no homes, just riding rides all day wandering from park to park, perhaps getting money working at one park and commuting to another park to spend it on rides and fast food. XD
 

Dr.Awkward

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Mar 27, 2013
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I wonder how many would make a custom scenario involving a death coaster and the RCTM team...
 

Mr.Mattress

Level 2 Lumberjack
Jul 17, 2009
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*Whistle Noise* That sure does look good. Now I guess I'll wait to buy this instead of buying RC3 on Steam...

(I just noticed they also copied Super Mario's name scheme.)
 

Inglorious891

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Dec 17, 2011
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After hearing about the abomination that is RCT4, I'm extremely skeptical. Hoping for the best, but if this is anything but a souless cash-grab I'd be amazed.
 

Bindal

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May 14, 2012
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Sleekit said:
has this actually got anything to do with RCT and Chris Sawyer other than the name in use ?
Well, the basic premise and gameplay? You know, this being a sequel and all?
 

Ten Foot Bunny

I'm more of a dishwasher girl
Mar 19, 2014
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If I got the game, my first coaster would be one that hands out "convenience" bags to boarding thrillseekers.

Hang on a sec... sorry. That's on my life's bucket list, not a gaming goal. My bad!
 

FPLOON

Your #1 Source for the Dino Porn
Jul 10, 2013
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My overall interest has been peaked... and I shall await for the game to come out before I jump onto the "shut up and take my money" train...

With that said, I'm going to see if my old copy of the first game can still run on my laptop...
(Spoiler alert: I would not be surprised either way...)
 

Redlin5_v1legacy

Better Red than Dead
Aug 5, 2009
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Required: The ability to torture every single living being unfortunate enough to walk into your park.

Until that is confirmed, I'm not interested.
 

truckspond

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Oct 26, 2013
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Until it is confirmed that the base game will have at least everything that RCT3 had in the base game then I will simply not be interested in this. I have no reason to pay full price for a game with less than what you can get for far less
 

Cowabungaa

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Feb 10, 2008
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Seems like someone learned a lesson from EA. And a good thing too, Rollercoaster Tycoon was the first game I ever owned. I'd be sad if it would go down the Simcity route.
Redlin5 said:
Required: The ability to torture every single living being unfortunate enough to walk into your park.

Until that is confirmed, I'm not interested.


If we can make those kinda things, the game is gold from the get-go.
 

Barbas

ExQQxv1D1ns
Oct 28, 2013
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Redlin5 said:
Required: The ability to torture every single living being unfortunate enough to walk into your park.

Until that is confirmed, I'm not interested.
Has sir visited our newest attraction, Hundred Dollar Toilet Island?
 

Falterfire

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Jul 9, 2012
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Greg Tito said:
Kennedy also made sure to point out that the team spent a lot of time playing the older games and many of them were frustrated at the tools to design a custom roller coaster. He gave me a quick demonstration of how to build one in World and it's remarkably easy and intuitive. You'll be able to design the coaster of your dreams with little frustration.
Wait, really? There were people frustrated with the RCT coaster design controls? I always thought they were about as straightforward as possible: Choose next piece, click to place, repeat until done.
 

eBusiness

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Sep 19, 2012
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Falterfire said:
Greg Tito said:
Kennedy also made sure to point out that the team spent a lot of time playing the older games and many of them were frustrated at the tools to design a custom roller coaster. He gave me a quick demonstration of how to build one in World and it's remarkably easy and intuitive. You'll be able to design the coaster of your dreams with little frustration.
Wait, really? There were people frustrated with the RCT coaster design controls? I always thought they were about as straightforward as possible: Choose next piece, click to place, repeat until done.
I wouldn't say the interface couldn't be improved. That said, I have this nagging feeling that what really happened was that the team found out that designing a good roller coaster is kind of difficult, especially if you are not all that much into physics. So what I take away from the statement is that they have probably dumbed it down.

What was so great about RCT was of course that you would learn to deal with the physics as you played the game. Because building coasters was hard it was so much more fulfilling when you got it right.

So, as a hardcore fan, all I really want is the engineering equivalent of Dark Souls. But I very much doubt that that is what we are going to get.
 

Davey Woo

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Jan 9, 2009
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So it's not going to be a free-to-play game? Awesome, will definitely look out for this.
 

Svarr

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Nov 2, 2011
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Mr.Mattress said:
*Whistle Noise* That sure does look good. Now I guess I'll wait to buy this instead of buying RC3 on Steam...

(I just noticed they also copied Super Mario's name scheme.)
Do yourself a favor and get RCT3, it's well worth it and you know it's good.
This however you don't know much about yet, so why give regret a chance? :3