And from Alpha, a lesson

[Lokius1]

So I have been playing the game with my children in my lap and they are as big of fans as I am. I found that while I am frustrated with not having access to all the great features and more complex mechanics you are adding soon, for my three kids the alpha mechanics are much more digestible. In fact my six year old can ALMOST play a bit by herself. I know that most games only include a "difficulty" setting, but I wonder if there is an opportunity to include an age, or perhaps "experience" setting that would allow the game to be turned to an "easy" mode where rides can be placed with pre-attached queues and exits, one doesn't run out of money, and

I am aware I am not selling this very well, but I guess what I am saying is that potentially there could be a way to select the simplicity of the interface and maybe even game mechanics to satisfy a broad range of users/ages.

Just a thought.

 

[TheLighterDark]

I think the UI is about as simple as it well get and most of the mechanics are already on the forgiving side of things. As you mentioned, attaching queues, exits and the path system as a whole seems to be the most challenging part of the game. Hopefully they'll patch things up or completely overhaul the system to be less ruthless.

 

[Lokius1]

Thanks for the reply. I am certainly not criticizing the complexity, as I mentioned I can't wait for more of it! I think the mode I am envisioning is as simple as possible, and think that simplifying the game more would lower the lower age limit that could get involved. For example parks with pre-laid paths, or the rides with exits and queues built in, or some other things that would make it largely point and click.

 

[TheLighterDark]

You may introduce the kiddos to RCT1 and RCT2, RCT mobile or Parkitect. The isometric views caters to simplicity pretty well, but when you introduce 3-D elements, it adds layer upon layer of complexity to almost every aspect, including the simple placement of queues and paths.

 

[MrCow]

i think this will be too much work as of right now, maybe once the full game is released someone will mod a "easy mode" but i doubt it that the devs will make it themself as their audience target is mature by the looks of it. which means they can add more complexity into the game, something that kids can have issues with, but on the other hand is real good for kids as it increases their problem solving skill

 

[breezerHOG1]

Have your kids play RCT1 I always felt it had a great level design for introducing beginners. I'm sure they wont like RCT after seeing PC but thats the best option for now. As others have said, the jump to 3D makes even simple things more complex, thats why the game is so great to offer so many features.

 

[Lokius1]

I don't think people are quite getting the point. I am not asking why my kids can't play this game, nor am I asking for recommendations on what similar games they would be able to play. What I am saying is that as I play the alpha I am surprised how CLOSE to a playable game it is for a very young age. I am suggesting that if it was simple enough, adding an option to make the game more accessible for younger ages would greatly expand the audience for the game. You could even have a campaign built for this that starts basic and gradually (much more so than would be in a typical tutorial) introduces new concepts and challenges. This would make the game fun AND educationsl for younguns, and it would create a nice family dynamic of sharing something.

 

[MrCow]

I don't think people are quite getting the point. I am not asking why my kids can't play this game, nor am I asking for recommendations on what similar games they would be able to play. What I am saying is that as I play the alpha I am surprised how CLOSE to a playable game it is for a very young age. I am suggesting that if it was simple enough, adding an option to make the game more accessible for younger ages would greatly expand the audience for the game. You could even have a campaign built for this that starts basic and gradually (much more so than would be in a typical tutorial) introduces new concepts and challenges. This would make the game fun AND educationsl for younguns, and it would create a nice family dynamic of sharing something.

yeah i got that and thats why i said this will probably not be done by frontier themself at this point in time since it seems like their target audience is of higher age, and thats also why i said maybe someone that mods the game comes up with a custom scenario for what you're looking for. but only time can tell if an "easymode" will be in the game i do however support it and would love to see atleast a tutorial

 

[breezerHOG1]

I don't think people are quite getting the point. I am not asking why my kids can't play this game, nor am I asking for recommendations on what similar games they would be able to play. What I am saying is that as I play the alpha I am surprised how CLOSE to a playable game it is for a very young age. I am suggesting that if it was simple enough, adding an option to make the game more accessible for younger ages would greatly expand the audience for the game. You could even have a campaign built for this that starts basic and gradually (much more so than would be in a typical tutorial) introduces new concepts and challenges. This would make the game fun AND educationsl for younguns, and it would create a nice family dynamic of sharing something.

I dont think this would be a feature that would improve the game, or be that useful for most people. as your kids grow and learn the game, they will not need such a feature