Every month we put four amazing Planet Coaster creators in the spotlight; each Featured Creator will have one week dedicated to them, their amazing Workshop, and other wonderful contributions to our community. This month we are talking to Aritario, Woody, ShadowXPhoenix, and Fricker, who can also be found on the Planet Coaster globe!
We will continue with:
FRICKER!
Workshop Link: YouTube channel: http://steamcommunity.com/profiles/76561198088688990/myworkshopfiles/?appid=493340
Finally we get to talk to Fricker! How did you get started with Planet Coaster?
I was first introduced to Planet Coaster while browsing around on YouTube one day. I believe Ctop and Bdoubleo100 were the channels where I first saw Planet Coaster during Alpha. I instantly fell in love with the art style and the amount of creative freedom you have within the game. Amazing to look back now and to think that was just the tip of the iceberg.
After watching a few episodes, I knew I had to have this game even though I had no previous experience with any type of coaster or park simulation games or PC games in general for that matter. I just wanted a place to have some creative release. I come from Xbox and didn’t even know the Steam workshop existed. I had no idea that you could post your creations at first until I decided to upload my first creation to this thing called the “workshop”. This happened to be a Star Wars snow speeder. After seeing my snow speeder in several Star Wars parks on Jonny’s Channel5 Gaming YouTube channel I thought I had made it to the big leagues! This was still well before I had discovered “the front page”. Still curious how it did that week… Anyway, I’ve been hooked ever since. This amazing community fuels my desire to keep creating. Nothing is more gratifying than seeing everyone’s kind and thoughtful comments and support.
What makes you (and your creations) stand out?
I’d like to think that I have a certain style that is unique to myself to where when people look at a thumbnail of mine they know it’s made by me without having to look down at the name. I try to think of ways to create things that haven’t been seen on the workshop before, but yet would fit in some of the common themes that most people tend to stick to while building a park. I have a very heavy art background so I take pride in my use of composition, colours, lighting etc. It’s all very important which is why I tend to run out of piece count quickly no matter what I build.
What is your favourite feature in the game?
This may sound silly and simple but my favourite feature in the game is the advanced move tool. Just the fact that we have so many options to place whatever we want, wherever we want, opens up so many opportunities to be creative. We see something new we have never seen on the workshop every single day because someone has found a new way to use an object you forgot was even in the game. I am completely blown away every time I look at what this community is coming up with next.
What is your favourite creation/video you’ve ever created (so far)?
My favourite creation so far has to be my “Be Our Guest” teacup ride skin. Sure, it may be a little over the top just for a ride skin, but I enjoyed every second making it. What’s not fun about making some of the characters you grew up watching time and time again? I couldn’t help but feel proud after creating Lumière. After that I just had to keep going until I ended up with a 4k blueprint for a ride skin.
How do you feel about being part of the Planet Coaster community?
Like I stated before this community is absolutely amazing. It’s so refreshing coming from the putrid vile you hear while playing some FPS all the while listening to a corrective mother in the background. This community has been nothing but kind and supportive. Every stream you sit on pins and needles waiting to see which of your friend’s creations will be featured next.
So many of the amazing creators that you see time and time again on the front page of Steam or featured on a livestream etc. but I have yet to come across any that would not go out of their way to help with any issues I may have. Building coasters, I’m terrible at coasters, but any time I have a question I know I can go to Xaphor and ask the stupidest question and without hesitation he is willing to jump in and help. I don’t know of any other community where you will find such support.
Tell us a little about yourself, what you study/work/do in real life.
I come from a very heavy art background. I started taking private art lessons in about the 3rd grade. I continued to compete in art contests all the way through high school doing anything from oil paintings to graphite drawings and even timed still life drawing competitions. I continued to follow art into my college career where I studied as a commercial art major and graphic design minor. After that I soon came to realize that I needed to make some money so I also got a degree in Computer Aided Drafting and Design. I did some work as an architectural draftsman for a while and now I do something completely unrelated as a Technical Advisor to the aluminum industry. Life huh? But thanks to Planet Coaster I still have a way to be creative and show my work to this gracious community.
In addition to my full-time job which is very demanding on my time I also have a very supportive family (wife and two boys 1&7) that is gracious enough to support my need to be creative and to share with this community. This is why you may not see something new from me every week. Not to mention I am a very slow and meticulous builder.
If you were to dress up as a Planet Coaster mascot, which one would it be?
What mascot would I dress up as? Definitely Dex-R, most underrated mascot in the game. Plus, I’m a sucker for sci-fi.
:dexr:
Now, favourite mascot in the game has to be Foxy! She has the voice of an angel! ;-)
What inspires you?
Google Images? Just kidding. Honestly anything and everything to me can be inspiration. However, it typically comes from watching a movie or playing a game and being like I want to see if I can make that.
Now when it comes to motivation… hands down this community drives me to be better, to keep creating, trying something new and to stretch my creativity. This community is just overflowing with artists that may have never touched a pencil or paint brush. Every Planet Coaster item on the workshop is a piece of art. Sure some may be better than others but that doesn’t mean each isn’t stretching the limit of that person’s creative limits. Each time getting better and better and learning new ways to express their creativity.
Tell us a little about your creative process – how long do your creations take, do you listen to music or work for hours and hours until something is perfect?
I tend to do everything faster and more efficient if I’m listening to music. I just google gaming music and I’m in the zone! However, I rarely listen to music while playing Planet Coaster. As I stated before most of my time is devoted to my family and my job. My allotted time for Planet Coaster is usually a few hours here and there when I can fit them in. Not to mention I am a slow builder. I can only get something out every couple of weeks or so. I envy the ones that can put out a new build every day. Cough (wikz) Cough.
Pass on the praise: which creator do YOU admire?
It pretty much goes without being said that Whitesider is one that I strive to be able to emulate. Everything he makes is just stunning! You can just tell he comes from a very strong artistic background. His compositions are always just spot on and your jaw drops to the floor every time.
It wouldn’t be right if I didn’t mention my best bud in the community, Wikz. He is just a monster. It blows my mind how he can keep producing content day after day reinventing himself and doing something new each time. He must be doing something right because he has a very loyal group of followers and gets featured every stream just about. It can be hard not to be jealous but I am happy for his success and there isn’t anyone more deserving.
Xaphor is another that I have the utmost respect for in this community. Everything he puts out is 5 stars every time. With that being said he has never once turned down a question. He is always so eager to teach and for that I can be nothing but grateful.
Xtra come back to us! You are missed my friend.
One last final shout out I would like to give is to Operateur. You are the next big thing. Keep up the good work!
P.S. For my Featured Creator week I have decided to create 7 blueprints. All of these blueprints will include a guide to match them all together to create one large immersive 4D coaster blueprint. Please keep an eye out and sub for each one so you don’t miss out on the entire experience. Hope you all enjoy!
We will continue with:
FRICKER!
Workshop Link: YouTube channel: http://steamcommunity.com/profiles/76561198088688990/myworkshopfiles/?appid=493340
Finally we get to talk to Fricker! How did you get started with Planet Coaster?
I was first introduced to Planet Coaster while browsing around on YouTube one day. I believe Ctop and Bdoubleo100 were the channels where I first saw Planet Coaster during Alpha. I instantly fell in love with the art style and the amount of creative freedom you have within the game. Amazing to look back now and to think that was just the tip of the iceberg.
After watching a few episodes, I knew I had to have this game even though I had no previous experience with any type of coaster or park simulation games or PC games in general for that matter. I just wanted a place to have some creative release. I come from Xbox and didn’t even know the Steam workshop existed. I had no idea that you could post your creations at first until I decided to upload my first creation to this thing called the “workshop”. This happened to be a Star Wars snow speeder. After seeing my snow speeder in several Star Wars parks on Jonny’s Channel5 Gaming YouTube channel I thought I had made it to the big leagues! This was still well before I had discovered “the front page”. Still curious how it did that week… Anyway, I’ve been hooked ever since. This amazing community fuels my desire to keep creating. Nothing is more gratifying than seeing everyone’s kind and thoughtful comments and support.
What makes you (and your creations) stand out?
I’d like to think that I have a certain style that is unique to myself to where when people look at a thumbnail of mine they know it’s made by me without having to look down at the name. I try to think of ways to create things that haven’t been seen on the workshop before, but yet would fit in some of the common themes that most people tend to stick to while building a park. I have a very heavy art background so I take pride in my use of composition, colours, lighting etc. It’s all very important which is why I tend to run out of piece count quickly no matter what I build.
What is your favourite feature in the game?
This may sound silly and simple but my favourite feature in the game is the advanced move tool. Just the fact that we have so many options to place whatever we want, wherever we want, opens up so many opportunities to be creative. We see something new we have never seen on the workshop every single day because someone has found a new way to use an object you forgot was even in the game. I am completely blown away every time I look at what this community is coming up with next.
What is your favourite creation/video you’ve ever created (so far)?
My favourite creation so far has to be my “Be Our Guest” teacup ride skin. Sure, it may be a little over the top just for a ride skin, but I enjoyed every second making it. What’s not fun about making some of the characters you grew up watching time and time again? I couldn’t help but feel proud after creating Lumière. After that I just had to keep going until I ended up with a 4k blueprint for a ride skin.
How do you feel about being part of the Planet Coaster community?
Like I stated before this community is absolutely amazing. It’s so refreshing coming from the putrid vile you hear while playing some FPS all the while listening to a corrective mother in the background. This community has been nothing but kind and supportive. Every stream you sit on pins and needles waiting to see which of your friend’s creations will be featured next.
So many of the amazing creators that you see time and time again on the front page of Steam or featured on a livestream etc. but I have yet to come across any that would not go out of their way to help with any issues I may have. Building coasters, I’m terrible at coasters, but any time I have a question I know I can go to Xaphor and ask the stupidest question and without hesitation he is willing to jump in and help. I don’t know of any other community where you will find such support.
Tell us a little about yourself, what you study/work/do in real life.
I come from a very heavy art background. I started taking private art lessons in about the 3rd grade. I continued to compete in art contests all the way through high school doing anything from oil paintings to graphite drawings and even timed still life drawing competitions. I continued to follow art into my college career where I studied as a commercial art major and graphic design minor. After that I soon came to realize that I needed to make some money so I also got a degree in Computer Aided Drafting and Design. I did some work as an architectural draftsman for a while and now I do something completely unrelated as a Technical Advisor to the aluminum industry. Life huh? But thanks to Planet Coaster I still have a way to be creative and show my work to this gracious community.
In addition to my full-time job which is very demanding on my time I also have a very supportive family (wife and two boys 1&7) that is gracious enough to support my need to be creative and to share with this community. This is why you may not see something new from me every week. Not to mention I am a very slow and meticulous builder.
If you were to dress up as a Planet Coaster mascot, which one would it be?
What mascot would I dress up as? Definitely Dex-R, most underrated mascot in the game. Plus, I’m a sucker for sci-fi.
:dexr:
Now, favourite mascot in the game has to be Foxy! She has the voice of an angel! ;-)
What inspires you?
Google Images? Just kidding. Honestly anything and everything to me can be inspiration. However, it typically comes from watching a movie or playing a game and being like I want to see if I can make that.
Now when it comes to motivation… hands down this community drives me to be better, to keep creating, trying something new and to stretch my creativity. This community is just overflowing with artists that may have never touched a pencil or paint brush. Every Planet Coaster item on the workshop is a piece of art. Sure some may be better than others but that doesn’t mean each isn’t stretching the limit of that person’s creative limits. Each time getting better and better and learning new ways to express their creativity.
Tell us a little about your creative process – how long do your creations take, do you listen to music or work for hours and hours until something is perfect?
I tend to do everything faster and more efficient if I’m listening to music. I just google gaming music and I’m in the zone! However, I rarely listen to music while playing Planet Coaster. As I stated before most of my time is devoted to my family and my job. My allotted time for Planet Coaster is usually a few hours here and there when I can fit them in. Not to mention I am a slow builder. I can only get something out every couple of weeks or so. I envy the ones that can put out a new build every day. Cough (wikz) Cough.
Pass on the praise: which creator do YOU admire?
It pretty much goes without being said that Whitesider is one that I strive to be able to emulate. Everything he makes is just stunning! You can just tell he comes from a very strong artistic background. His compositions are always just spot on and your jaw drops to the floor every time.
It wouldn’t be right if I didn’t mention my best bud in the community, Wikz. He is just a monster. It blows my mind how he can keep producing content day after day reinventing himself and doing something new each time. He must be doing something right because he has a very loyal group of followers and gets featured every stream just about. It can be hard not to be jealous but I am happy for his success and there isn’t anyone more deserving.
Xaphor is another that I have the utmost respect for in this community. Everything he puts out is 5 stars every time. With that being said he has never once turned down a question. He is always so eager to teach and for that I can be nothing but grateful.
Xtra come back to us! You are missed my friend.
One last final shout out I would like to give is to Operateur. You are the next big thing. Keep up the good work!
P.S. For my Featured Creator week I have decided to create 7 blueprints. All of these blueprints will include a guide to match them all together to create one large immersive 4D coaster blueprint. Please keep an eye out and sub for each one so you don’t miss out on the entire experience. Hope you all enjoy!
