RollerCoaster Tycoon World

RollerCoaster Tycoon World (or commonly known as RCTW) is an upcoming theme park construction and management simulation video game developed by Nvizzio Creations,^[6] and published by Atari.^[7] It is the fourth major installment in the RollerCoaster Tycoon series. Initially planned for release in December 2015, after beta feedback, the publisher announced the title would be released instead sometime in early 2016.^[5] The game will be released for Microsoft Windows, Linux, SteamOS,^[3][4] and OS X.^[8]

Gameplay

Players will be able to build rides, shops and roller coasters, while monitoring elements such as budget, visitor happiness and technology research. Unlike RollerCoaster Tycoon 4 Mobile, the game will not include any micro-transactions.^[9] Similar to RollerCoaster Tycoon 3, the game features 3D graphics instead of the 2D isometric style of the first two installments in the series. When building rollercoasters, the game will make use of a spline system instead of the old style of laying individual pieces. Players will also be allowed to "ride" the roller coasters they have created, and other rides they have placed in their park in the game, in either a first or third person view. A new 'Park Pulse' mechanic was also introduced, allowing players to quickly find out how their park is doing and the customers' thoughts, similar to Zoo Tycoon titles.^[10]

The game will contain several scenery and ride themes at launch, with more in development that will be released via free updates and paid expansion packs.^[11] Features such as restaurants^[12] and dark rides have also been confirmed. The game also introduces an "Architect mode", allowing players to plan and layout the coaster's model before constructing the coasters. Similar to the past installments, there are four different types of coasters available to build: steel, inverted, wooden, and launch-track coasters. In addition, there will be ten roller coasters per type. Players can also place pre-built coasters into their park. The game also allows players to build freeform coasters.^[13] Unlike the previous three games, roller coasters could actually fly off the tracks if the roller coaster is built incorrectly. As a result, a new "safety-rating" option and medical staff has been added. User-generated content (including custom scenery) will be available from release, as well as including Steam Workshop support.^[14] While terrain and environments are randomly generated in a map, players can still gain access to a terrain editor.^[15]

Development

When Atari announced RollerCoaster Tycoon 4 Mobile they promised that a full PC experience was also being developed.^[16] The game was officially announced during Gamescom 2014 with a teaser trailer, subtitled World.^[17] The first screenshots and details of the game were revealed during PAX Prime 2014. Part way through development, Area 52 Games took over as the developer of the game from Pipeworks Software. The reasoning behind this has not yet been published by Atari, who announced the change along with the relaunch of the RollerCoaster Tycoon website. The game was due for release in early 2015, although it was revealed that they will not announce an official launch date until closer to the release of the game.^[18] A closed alpha is also in development.^[15] A new trailer showing gameplay was uploaded on March 5, 2015, showing an intro featuring real life POV footage of Goliath and Colossus at Six Flags Magic Mountain.^[19] The trailer goes on to show mild gameplay including riding a generic roller coaster, which passes over the park, and showing a roller coaster train flying off its track in a ragdoll-style roll. The trailer ends on more filmed POV scenes of Goliath fading out to a VIP Peep character reacting to what has just been shown. No Area 52 Games logo or release date was shown in the trailer. The trailer was received fairly poorly from various video game journalists and existing RCT fans, with most criticism going to World's graphics.^[20][21][22]

Some critics also noted that the game looks worse than 2004's RollerCoaster Tycoon 3 and that it was not much better than a basic mobile game.^[23] Atari later stated that the game was still in "pre-alpha" stages, and that the graphics were not yet coded to their full resolution and will also receive a major overhaul when the game's engine is upgraded from Unity Engine 4.6 to Unity Engine 5.0. They also promised that the new visuals would be of higher definition and higher level of realism.^[24] Atari later revealed that a third developer had taken over from Area 52 Games, later confirmed to be Nvizzio Creations.^[25] At the NVIDIA booth on PAX Prime 2015, Atari unveiled interactive gameplay for the game showing off their development build that featured coaster building and sandbox mode. On September 29, 2015, it was announced the release date would be December 10, 2015.^[26][27] Two beta weekends will precede the release of the game. The first beta weekend was the last weekend of October and this beta was focused on the new spline-based Coaster Builder.^[28] The first beta weekend took place as planned. However, feedback from this beta weekend led to Atari deciding to delay the game's release to early 2016.^[29] The developer noted the additional development time would allow them to add requested items and features such as “predefined piece” coaster building, additional coaster test feedback, a robust fencing tool, improved on-demand grid, and various smaller improvements." Consequently, the second beta weekend was also delayed from November to December, then delayed to early 2016.

The game will be available for both standard and deluxe editions. The deluxe edition will contain two additional maps, terrain texture additions, a digital art book, a gold park entrance, and the panda mascot from the previous games.^[30][31]

References

External links

• Official website