Dear reader,
Whether you are a member of the Frontier team, a player, or simply someone who happened to pass by, thank you for opening this message. I hope you take the time to read it to the end, even though it is a bit long.
When I was 10 years old, I discovered my very first management game thanks to Frontier. RollerCoaster Tycoon 3 had just been released, and I was immediately captivated by the creativity and love behind this game. Initially, I came to create the amusement park of my dreams, but I stayed for its accessible yet demanding park management gameplay. For weeks, then months, I shared my adventures with my parents and friends. I played the game for hours and discovered my calling: to undertake my own projects. It was the beginning of my own adventure, and I didn't know it yet.
Over the years, my parents saw my passion for video games grow and encouraged me to persevere to eventually earn my master's degree in computer science. I shared RCT3 with them, of course, but also many other games I had the opportunity to play.
Even though my mom never really understood how it all worked, she was always fascinated by the innovations and creativity in video games. RCT3 first, then Planet Coaster later (which my little brother gave me for Christmas with access to the closed beta), and finally Planet Zoo (she and I have always loved pandas, hence my profile picture).
Once I was old enough to work, I opened my first company while finishing my studies. I was able to participate in video game development right here in France, and it was a universe that immediately inspired me. As difficult as it was stimulating, as creative as it was demanding, it is a field where being average is not enough, especially when you want to stand out from others.
After that, I became a franchisee for a large French computer equipment company and still live in my hometown of Caen, Normandy. There, I found expenses and revenues, monthly goals to achieve, my clients' tolerance for breakdowns, and many other things. My parents supported me by investing their time, energy, and money in this project, and their support never wavered, even in difficult times.
Unfortunately, in February 2025, my mom passed away due to cancer. I recognize that this ordeal will be particularly difficult to overcome, but I can count on my family and friends to help me through it.
During the months leading up to her passing, I spent as much time as possible with her. Now that she is no longer here, I recognize that since the beginning of the year, I have had a hard time finding joy in the things I used to love doing.
Then, one weekend when I was visiting my dad, he asked me this question: "Do you still have your game, Roller Tycoon or Coaster Tycoon, I don't remember?" According to him, to move forward, you sometimes have to take a step back to gain momentum. 21 years ago, RCT3 gave me that momentum, then Planet Coaster, then Planet Zoo after them. So I reinstalled RCT3, and I took time for myself to rediscover the flame that had driven me in all my projects for years. This game is one of the things that helped me find meaning in my life; it helped me grow, work hard, and nurture my passions.
It's not magical, but I can say with certainty that the comforting warmth of a small fire is indeed back after this sad period. One after another, each scenario of the base game and its two expansions challenged me again, and once again, I triumphed over a game that had accompanied me throughout my life.
I will continue to nurture the fire, make it grow, and turn it into fuel for my future projects because that's where my inspiration lies. My mom always pushed me to follow my dreams and work hard to achieve them; I had simply forgotten.
So, with 21 years of delay, I would like to thank all the Frontier teams, the entire community whose advice and numerous mods I have greatly benefited from, and all those who, like me, share this overwhelming passion for video games.
To all of you, thank you, from the deepest of my heart
Yanis
PS: The internet is often skeptical (rightly so, I must say), so here are some screenshots and a link to my OneDrive with all my 100% completed saves.
1drv.ms
Whether you are a member of the Frontier team, a player, or simply someone who happened to pass by, thank you for opening this message. I hope you take the time to read it to the end, even though it is a bit long.
When I was 10 years old, I discovered my very first management game thanks to Frontier. RollerCoaster Tycoon 3 had just been released, and I was immediately captivated by the creativity and love behind this game. Initially, I came to create the amusement park of my dreams, but I stayed for its accessible yet demanding park management gameplay. For weeks, then months, I shared my adventures with my parents and friends. I played the game for hours and discovered my calling: to undertake my own projects. It was the beginning of my own adventure, and I didn't know it yet.
Over the years, my parents saw my passion for video games grow and encouraged me to persevere to eventually earn my master's degree in computer science. I shared RCT3 with them, of course, but also many other games I had the opportunity to play.
Even though my mom never really understood how it all worked, she was always fascinated by the innovations and creativity in video games. RCT3 first, then Planet Coaster later (which my little brother gave me for Christmas with access to the closed beta), and finally Planet Zoo (she and I have always loved pandas, hence my profile picture).
Once I was old enough to work, I opened my first company while finishing my studies. I was able to participate in video game development right here in France, and it was a universe that immediately inspired me. As difficult as it was stimulating, as creative as it was demanding, it is a field where being average is not enough, especially when you want to stand out from others.
After that, I became a franchisee for a large French computer equipment company and still live in my hometown of Caen, Normandy. There, I found expenses and revenues, monthly goals to achieve, my clients' tolerance for breakdowns, and many other things. My parents supported me by investing their time, energy, and money in this project, and their support never wavered, even in difficult times.
Unfortunately, in February 2025, my mom passed away due to cancer. I recognize that this ordeal will be particularly difficult to overcome, but I can count on my family and friends to help me through it.
During the months leading up to her passing, I spent as much time as possible with her. Now that she is no longer here, I recognize that since the beginning of the year, I have had a hard time finding joy in the things I used to love doing.
Then, one weekend when I was visiting my dad, he asked me this question: "Do you still have your game, Roller Tycoon or Coaster Tycoon, I don't remember?" According to him, to move forward, you sometimes have to take a step back to gain momentum. 21 years ago, RCT3 gave me that momentum, then Planet Coaster, then Planet Zoo after them. So I reinstalled RCT3, and I took time for myself to rediscover the flame that had driven me in all my projects for years. This game is one of the things that helped me find meaning in my life; it helped me grow, work hard, and nurture my passions.
It's not magical, but I can say with certainty that the comforting warmth of a small fire is indeed back after this sad period. One after another, each scenario of the base game and its two expansions challenged me again, and once again, I triumphed over a game that had accompanied me throughout my life.
I will continue to nurture the fire, make it grow, and turn it into fuel for my future projects because that's where my inspiration lies. My mom always pushed me to follow my dreams and work hard to achieve them; I had simply forgotten.
So, with 21 years of delay, I would like to thank all the Frontier teams, the entire community whose advice and numerous mods I have greatly benefited from, and all those who, like me, share this overwhelming passion for video games.
To all of you, thank you, from the deepest of my heart
Yanis
PS: The internet is often skeptical (rightly so, I must say), so here are some screenshots and a link to my OneDrive with all my 100% completed saves.
Microsoft OneDrive
1drv.ms
