RollerCoaster Tycoon (video game)

Infobox VG| title = RollerCoaster Tycoon


caption= "'
developer = Chris Sawyer
publisher = Hasbro Interactive
designer = Chris Sawyer
engine =
version = 1.08.187
released = March 31, 1999 (NA)
genre = Strategy,Simulation
modes = Single Player
ratings = ELSPA: 3+
ESRB: E (Everyone)
OFLC: G (General)
platforms = Windows, Xbox
media = CD-ROM
requirements = Intel Pentium 90MHz CPU, 16MB RAM, 55MB Hard disk space, 1MB GPU
input = Keyboard and Mouse

"RollerCoaster Tycoon" is a simulation strategy computer game that simulates theme park management. Developed by MicroProse and Chris Sawyer and published by Hasbro Interactive, the game was released for Microsoft Windows on March 31, 1999 and was later ported to the Xbox game console. Later a special edition called "Roller Coaster Tycoon Deluxe" was released which contained the original game and the two expansion packs. It is the first game in the "RollerCoaster Tycoon" series and was followed by "RollerCoaster Tycoon 2" and then "RollerCoaster Tycoon 3".

History

Chris Sawyer originally wanted to create a sequel to his highly successful "Transport Tycoon", but after becoming obsessed with roller coasters, he changed the project into "RollerCoaster Tycoon". Sawyer wrote "RollerCoaster Tycoon" almost entirely in assembly language, a difficult feat considering the game's complexity. Some functions were written in C to interface with the Windows operating system. [ [http://www.chrissawyer.com/faq3.htm Frequently Asked Questions: about Chris Sawyer & Game Development] ]

The game was to be called "White Knuckle" for the majority of the game's development. However, to follow the tradition of the "Tycoon" titles, most likely for marketing purposes, the game was renamed accordingly.

For his efforts, Chris received over $30 million [ [http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1546&Itemid=2 Atari Facing Lawsuit by Rollercoaster Creator] ] of the 180 million brought in by the highly popular game.

Gameplay

The premise of the game is to complete a series of preset scenarios by successfully building and maintaining theme parks. The key to any park is building a large amount and diverse range of rides for the visitors. Players can choose from dozens of roller coaster types and can also build log flumes, carousels, bumper cars, haunted houses, go karts, Ferris wheels, and swinging ships, among other rides. The player also has the option of building their own roller coaster designs as well as other rides’ by laying out individual track pieces, choosing the direction, height, and steepness, and adding such elements as zero "g" rolls, corkscrews, vertical loops, and even on-ride photos, using a tile-based construction system. The intensity and type of rides must be balanced, as visitors' preferences vary significantly from person to person; some prefer exciting rides and have high nausea tolerance levels, while others are just the opposite.

Roller coasters must be designed carefully so that they do not crash. On some types of roller coasters such as the dinghy water slide and bobsled roller coaster, cars can crash by flying off the track by going over a crest too fast. Rides must be properly maintained, for example by building brakes, or the chance of a crash caused by ride malfunction increases (very old attractions are also highly susceptible to such malfunctions).

The geography and landscaping of the park can be modified, allowing the player to lower/raise terrain and add water to improve the park's attractiveness, as well as to allow rides to fit into their surroundings more easily. Track rides (such as roller coasters) and pathways may be constructed underground, either partially or even entirely. Players must also balance the needs of the visitors by strategically placing food stalls, concession stands, bathrooms, and information kiosks. Paths must be added to connect the attractions and must be done efficiently so that the visitors do not become lost and lose happiness. If there is no path leading from the exit of a ride, for example, the guests wander around until they find a path.

Adding items such as garbage cans, benches, lights, and various thematic elements and forms of architecture will improve the visual quality of the park. Coordinated themed areas please park guests and increase a player's approval rating. However, garbage cans and benches also serve a practical purpose, keeping the park clean, as it will allow the visitors a place to throw away trash and rest after rides (preventing them from vomiting). Park maintenance is also important to keeping visitors satisfied, and the player must hire handymen (to sweep paths, empty garbage, water flowers and mow lawns), mechanics (to inspect and fix rides), security guards (to prevent vandalism), and entertainers (to increase the happiness of guests). The player must also balance his/her budget by managing the staff and ride operation costs, as well as setting ticket prices, entry fees, and concession prices.

There are 21 scenarios included with "RollerCoaster Tycoon". Some scenarios afford the player empty tracts of land on which to build from scratch, but most place the player in control of an already operational park (although these parks are usually underdeveloped, dilapidated, or suffering from poor planning). To complete a scenario and unlock a new one, a certain objective must be met. For most scenarios, the objective is to have a minimum number of guests by the scenario's deadline of one to four years. The years in this game are only eight months long; from the start of March to the end of October (mirroring the seasons real-life theme parks are in operation). On some scenarios, the player is also required to raise the park value above a certain level by building roller coasters and other rides and maintaining the park well.

There is also a tutorial that can be accessed from the main menu. It takes place in Forest Frontiers. It shows how to build a Merry-go-round, open the park, build a custom roller coaster, hire a mechanic, and exit the game.

Guests

Guests are the visitors to the park. They have specific tastes in rides, such as liking rides with an intensity rating "above 4" or "between 2 and 6." Their nausea tolerance levels vary, from "none" to "high." Guests have ID numbers instead of names ("Guest 172"), but can be renamed individually by the player. Players can choose to track certain guests. Guests only vary in clothing colors, they all have the same age, hair color & style, and skin color. Visitors bring certain amounts of money with them to the park, but never below $30. Guests have opinions about rides, the park's scenery, and what they need at the time. However, the guests' AI is very limited, with little common sense type behavior. For example, if a path is built that leads to the edge of a lake, river, or other body of water, guests will follow this path into the water and drown.

cenarios

"RollerCoaster Tycoon" features 21 scenarios, with the first five open from the start. Successfully completing a scenario will unlock the next one. Additionally, Mega Park is unlocked when all 21 scenarios are completed. This scenario has no objective (except "Have Fun!"), but allows the player to build on nearly the entire map, and eventualy has all attractions available to build.

*Forest Frontiers
*Dynamite Dunes
*Leafy Lake
*Diamond Heights
*Evergreen Gardens
*Bumbly Beach
*Trinity Islands
*Katie's World (Katie's Dreamland)
*Dinky Park (Pokey Park)
*Aqua Park (White Water Park)
*Millennium Mines
*Karts and Coasters
*Mel's World
*Mothball Mountain (Mystic Mountain)
*Pacific Pyramids
*Crumbly Woods
*Big Pier (Paradise Pier)
*Lightning Peaks
*Ivory Towers
*Rainbow Valley
*Thunder Rock
*Mega Park (unlocked after completion of all scenarios)

There are two official scenarios available for download from [http://www.atari.com/rollercoastertycoon/scenarios2.html Atari's website] , Fort Anachronism and Alton Towers. Alton Towers was included with the Loopy Landscapes expansion and was updated to take advantage of the new game components. Both scenarios are also included as part of Roller Coaster Tycoon Deluxe. The UK edition of Rollercoaster Tycoon Deluxe contained Blackpool Pleasure Beach in place of Fort Anachronism.

Bugs

While running the game, if the game is being played on an old operating system, such as Windows 98, when the clock changes due to daylight savings, it sometimes erases the scenario progress. However, there is a patch available to fix this.

Guest names

Renaming a guest a certain name can affect their behavior. These names include:
*Tony Day - Guest will eat many hamburgers
*Katie Brayshaw - Guest waves at other guests
*Simon Foster - Guest paints pictures of the park
*Chris Sawyer - Guest takes photographs of the park
*Melanie Warn - Happiness of guest is 100%
*John Mace - Guest pays double for a ride ticket
*John Wardley - Guest is impressed by everything in the park, thinking "Wow"
*Damon Hill - Guest moves faster on go-karts
*Michael Schumacher - Guest moves much faster on go-karts
*Mr Bean - Guest moves slower on go-karts

Reception

The original PC version was widely praised for its originality and success in simulating a theme park. The roller coaster designer was a popular feature and was also praised for allowing very creative coasters to be built. GameSpot rated the game 8.6/10 [ [http://www.gamespot.com/pc/strategy/rollercoastertycoon/review.html?sid=2532721 "RollerCoaster Tycoon"] at GameSpot] , while IGN scored the game an 8.5/10. [ [http://pc.ign.com/articles/160/160759p1.html"RollerCoaster Tycoon"] at IGN] Common complaints about the game were that it lacked a sandbox mode and that there were sometimes awkward building situations caused by the isometric camera angle.

The Xbox port got mixed ratings due to very little improvement. The only exclusive features were no menu buttons (They were accessed by holding the X and A buttons.) and a magnifying glass cursor that could be toggled by clicking the right thumbstick.

Expansion packs and sequels

There were two expansion packs released for the original "RollerCoaster Tycoon" game. The first was "Corkscrew Follies" (otherwise known as "Added Attractions" in the UK and Australia), which added additional scenarios, rides, facilities and also new scenery with additional themes. One of the most important additions of this expansion pack is a banner sign that can be used not only to decorate the park, but also to close unimportant pathways to prevent guests from becoming lost.

The second expansion pack, "Loopy Landscapes" added much of the same, but also introduced a number of different new objectives for scenarios, such as building ten roller coasters with an excitement rating above a certain level, completing the construction of five unfinished coasters with an excitement rating above a set level, and achieving a monthly income from rides above a target amount for four months. On many of the scenarios in "Loopy Landscapes", the player is given an unlimited amount of time to complete the objective. There are even some scenarios in this expansion pack where the player has an unlimited amount of time and cash to attract a very high number of guests to the park; the only catch is that the player must maintain a high park rating or the park will close.

Two sequels would follow "RollerCoaster Tycoon" (and its expansion packs): "RollerCoaster Tycoon 2" and "RollerCoaster Tycoon 3", and a special edition was released that included the core game, plus both expansion packs.

ee also

*Amusement park
*RollerCoaster Tycoon 2
*RollerCoaster Tycoon 3
*RollerCoaster Tycoon (series)
*Theme Park (computer game)
*Theme Park Inc, also known as SimCoaster
*Thrillville

References

External links

* [http://www.atari.com/us/games/rollercoaster_tycoon/pc?PHPSESSID=0e0792c9de35911ca01a79c6252a841b "RollerCoaster Tycoon"] on the Atari website.