Masterplan of Planet Coaster

[SoapyIllusion]

What code they were learning? Like from RCT2 code? Is there an article about the development somewhere actually?

This "learning" was nothing else but normal development and they worked on the game and it´s engine.

Im sorry, are you trying to downplay development time and effort?


If there is anything I've learned from years of working in development, its that almost nothing is what you think it is. Most of the times its harder then you can imagine. Sometimes on a rare occasion its simpler. But your always learning something. Always in the need of improving something. Always being humbled.


And research is very much a part of the development process. A time consuming one.

 

[mr.sugar]

Im sorry, are you trying to downplay development time and effort?


If there is anything I've learned from years of working in development, its that almost nothing is what you think it is. Most of the times its harder then you can imagine. Sometimes on a rare occasion its simpler. But your always learning something. Always in the need of improving something. Always being humbled.


And research is very much a part of the development process. A time consuming one.

Thanks, but I also work in the development, so I know what this is all about. I was just pointing out that I don´t agree that RCT3 development was running for 1 year only + another year for expansions. I do think it took longer (I´m sure about it).

 

[En Anu]

RCT3 took 2 years to develop (1 year for the main game, 1 year for both expansions) and we didnt see a sequel to RCT for like 12 years

Planet Coaster is taking much longer to develop... IF the devs plan on releasing similar expansions with water parks or safaris, it is going to take a few years before they are finished, PC takes a lot longer to develop than RCT did. But just like with RCT3, I really dont see there being a sequel to Planet Coaster anytime soon... Imagine if next year they release water rides, and then maybe the year after that they release safaris... theres still more potential for this game to receive more updates and other add-ons, including the possibility of Mods, CSO/UGC, etc.

My point is, if the devs start working on PC2 in a couple years, they would not be able to "recapture" what they have here... they can release expansions or add-ons to PC1, they can make the expansions compatible with the Steam workshop, but starting a all new sequel with new graphics would seem like it would take way to long for very little value... nobody wants to buy a new theme park game with less features, people want more features to be added in to THIS game. So, I wouldnt even let a sequel cross your mind until long after they officially announce Planet Safari, weve got a long ways to go.

Many companies in the past have designed games where they are not compatible, and very frustrating such as SIMS. So I hope you are right as it would mean starting all over again as a consumer!

 

[Lurker1]

I see quite a bit of "oh I spoke to staff and was reassured that they're heading in the right direction and commited to improving the game"

Then the others who are complaining that staff aren't present and they aren't getting answers to their questions.

I do believe master plan would be helpful, to let people know the key mile stones people can expect the game to reach. Just reassure if they keep buying the DLC which is going to be pumped out. (Which is fine, different people working on the assets, that's good).

As for listening to the community I feel as though, yes I see that lots. I also see that the things that are chosen mostly are shiny things you can easily promote. New features are great, obviously. But some old features would benefit a ton from refinement.

Frontier have made a great game, no doubts. They've obviously implemented several features we've asked for. All I hope is that it continues, with a more varied focus to improve on every aspect of the game.

 

[cerealfruitcakes]

They told us the expo was going to reveal information about the future of Planet Coaster except we don't know anything about the future of Planet Coaster other than an update in a few weeks. No master plan, no 2018 road map or teasers, no DLC or expansion announcements or even a hint about what they're actually planning for its future. I was jealous of Elite Dangerous having a 2018 roadmap and explaining what they're doing for the year in bullet points.

It's so strange that Planet Coaster can't have that same kind of transparency/communication. Example, it was odd that they told us earlier in the year that they weren't working on the picnic tables and squashed all the talk about them, tampering down player expectations. But then *surprise! they actually were working on them. That's just feels like manufactured hype.

edit: I just watched the Haunted House competition stream and they brought up the dissatisfaction. They also mentioned that they've been working on this update for 10-11 months which just adds to their narrative that they completely leave their community in the dark. Their method of updates/hype is surprises vs saying "We're working on the tables and a scenario editor. We're also adding a new staff feature we think you all will love! Stay tuned!" This is just not the kind of communication they want to do.

 

[En Anu]

It will be very interesting to see what happens at the anniversary point, this would give us a 'clear' indication with regard to their attitude toward sorting out the base game...time will tell.

 

[CedarFairFanBoy]

for ride skin with the object moving with the ride, i got somthing for you... Vekoma and Mack rides Madhouse... is gonna be fun[happy]

 

[seeker939]

They told us the expo was going to reveal information about the future of Planet Coaster except we don't know anything about the future of Planet Coaster other than an update in a few weeks. No master plan, no 2018 road map or teasers, no DLC or expansion announcements or even a hint about what they're actually planning for its future. I was jealous of Elite Dangerous having a 2018 roadmap and explaining what they're doing for the year in bullet points.

"We have more information for you guys soon." It's like Lucy with the football!

The way they started out it seemed like they were going to involve the community in the development process and I guess they have. Until release, things changed after that (exceptions are few, but they do exist). People come up with the wildest theories why Frontier isn't saying anything:
They don't have anyone who could communicate some sort of road map, there are no mid- or long term plans, they can't say anything because other companies are gonna steal their ideas, it's the fault of the mean community etc.

So Frontier doesn't actually have a choice? No way! It's their decision. Of course it's probably more convenient this way but the silence isn't exactly fostering goodwill in the community.

 

[joeee]

many programmers have been deducted to jurassic park but they will come back after the major work so...i think it will come times where more focus is again on pc somthing developer lack currently

 

[blobalbob]

its pretty obvious that they're scaling back on this title. It hasn't done what they wanted financially and player numbers are dropping so why invest in it any more? This will likely be the last free update then a few paid for bits then meh move on. I wish I was proved wrong but doubt it

 

[tyczj]

its pretty obvious that they're scaling back on this title. It hasn't done what they wanted financially and player numbers are dropping so why invest in it any more? This will likely be the last free update then a few paid for bits then meh move on. I wish I was proved wrong but doubt it

They sold a million copies of the game, how could you even say that with a straight face!

 

[Empo]

its pretty obvious that they're scaling back on this title. It hasn't done what they wanted financially and player numbers are dropping so why invest in it any more? This will likely be the last free update then a few paid for bits then meh move on. I wish I was proved wrong but doubt it

The RCTW topic is that-a-way: https://forums.planetcoaster.com/sh...eneral-Discussion/page439?p=213505#post213505

 

[Ramm]

They sold a million copies of the game, how could you even say that with a straight face!

So what are they doing?

 

[tyczj]

So what are they doing?

What do you mean what are they doing, they are steadily putting out updates. I don't understand the question

 

[Ramm]

What do you mean what are they doing, they are steadily putting out updates. I don't understand the question

Well we know in a month there is a new water coaster, flat ride, picknick benches and a scenario editor which maybe finally adds a bit of gameplay. But there are still alot of small things we've been asking for for 1.5 years or so and they do keep getting ignored. So yes, what are they doing seems like a valid question.

Some transparacy like a 'masterplan' is indeed needed. I've seen patience running out a bit not only here on the forums but everywhere on the internet and on steam and so on. It's been a year of being optimistic and thinking sure they will fix it and it will come and frontier keeps saying the same messages about how they are always improving and listening and so on but in the end you see almost nothing of it except for very few exeptions like coaster friction but oh boy did that take alot of time and efford from the community to get the message across.

We've been way past the development time of the game and from now on it looks like we are only getting additions so making it official seems like a good way to go. Just go public what their plans on and don't leave the fans in the dark or hoping for things that won't happen.

 

[tyczj]

Well we know in a month there is a new water coaster, flat ride, picknick benches and a scenario editor which maybe finally adds a bit of gameplay. But there are still alot of small things we've been asking for for 1.5 years or so and they do keep getting ignored. So yes, what are they doing seems like a valid question.

I didn't say it wasn't a valid question I simply said I don't understand what you are asking me like I would know what they are doing or what is planned. I was responding to a statement that was said that the game has not done good financially which is clearly false with 1 million units sold

Some transparacy like a 'masterplan' is indeed needed. I've seen patience running out a bit not only here on the forums but everywhere on the internet and on steam and so on. It's been a year of being optimistic and thinking sure they will fix it and it will come and frontier keeps saying the same messages about how they are always improving and listening and so on but in the end you see almost nothing of it except for very few exeptions like coaster friction but oh boy did that take alot of time and efford from the community to get the message across.

We've been way past the development time of the game and from now on it looks like we are only getting additions so making it official seems like a good way to go. Just go public what their plans on and don't leave the fans in the dark or hoping for things that won't happen.

Perhaps they don't have a "Master Plan" or they had one when they first started the game and customer feedback threw that out the window.

Speaking as a developer myself I know that at my job we do not have "planned releases" we have stuff that we want to do in the future but bugs and other priorities come up that push the future items further. Taking that into account and the fact that Frontier has said they will not comment on things until they are finished its not hard to see they probably wont say anything

 

[ojonas]

Would everyone feel better if Frontier just went out officially and said: "We have heard your suggestions ans we are looking into them. When we have updates we will publish them as soon as possible."

My guess is, like tyzj, that they had a "master plan" or idea on what they wanted to do (they still may have it) but it had to be put on the back burner to take care of other items that got requested here. I can't think of anything released after the initial release, less than a year ago, that wasn't requested and influenced by the forum.

People wanted more flat rides, Frontier has released more flat rides.
People wanted more coasters. Frontiers has released more coasters.
People wanted more scenery, Frontier has released more scenery.
People wanted Fireworks. Frontier released fireworks.
People wanted billboards. Frontier released billboards.
People wanted custom audio, Frontier released custom audio.
People wanted no collision, Frontier implemented that.
People wanted friction adjustment. Frontier implemented friction adjustments.
People wanted to have custom biomes. Frontier found a way to implement custom biomes.
People wanted spooky/scary scenery. Frontier released a spooky DLC pack.

The list can go on and on.

A lot of these items were probably not on the road map to be released during the first year (my guess). How should Frontier prioritize all the stuff we want to have implemented/adjusted? It is an impossible task to do when you have over 1 million customer all having their own ideas on what should be worked on next. My guess is that a higher percentage of those 1 million appreciated getting new rides (flat and coasters) than improving coaster smoothness as an (extreme) example.

 

[Joël]

Would everyone feel better if Frontier just went out officially and said: "We have heard your suggestions ans we are looking into them. When we have updates we will publish them as soon as possible."

My guess is, like tyzj, that they had a "master plan" or idea on what they wanted to do (they still may have it) but it had to be put on the back burner to take care of other items that got requested here. I can't think of anything released after the initial release, less than a year ago, that wasn't requested and influenced by the forum.

People wanted more flat rides, Frontier has released more flat rides.
People wanted more coasters. Frontiers has released more coasters.
People wanted more scenery, Frontier has released more scenery.
People wanted Fireworks. Frontier released fireworks.
People wanted billboards. Frontier released billboards.
People wanted custom audio, Frontier released custom audio.
People wanted no collision, Frontier implemented that.
People wanted friction adjustment. Frontier implemented friction adjustments.
People wanted to have custom biomes. Frontier found a way to implement custom biomes.
People wanted spooky/scary scenery. Frontier released a spooky DLC pack.

The list can go on and on.

A lot of these items were probably not on the road map to be released during the first year (my guess). How should Frontier prioritize all the stuff we want to have implemented/adjusted? It is an impossible task to do when you have over 1 million customer all having their own ideas on what should be worked on next. My guess is that a higher percentage of those 1 million appreciated getting new rides (flat and coasters) than improving coaster smoothness as an (extreme) example.

Thank you for posting that list.

It is a hard job for Frontier to develop a game that will please as many players as possible. During development, they constantly need to find a balance on what several types of players want for the game and develop accordingly. This can be tough as suggestions (demands) often change based on development itself; players continue to suggest new things as soon as previous suggestions made it into the game. Finding the right balance in developing the game is hard.

 

[En Anu]

Would everyone feel better if Frontier just went out officially and said: "We have heard your suggestions ans we are looking into them. When we have updates we will publish them as soon as possible."

My guess is, like tyzj, that they had a "master plan" or idea on what they wanted to do (they still may have it) but it had to be put on the back burner to take care of other items that got requested here. I can't think of anything released after the initial release, less than a year ago, that wasn't requested and influenced by the forum.

People wanted more flat rides, Frontier has released more flat rides.
People wanted more coasters. Frontiers has released more coasters.
People wanted more scenery, Frontier has released more scenery.
People wanted Fireworks. Frontier released fireworks.
People wanted billboards. Frontier released billboards.
People wanted custom audio, Frontier released custom audio.
People wanted no collision, Frontier implemented that.
People wanted friction adjustment. Frontier implemented friction adjustments.
People wanted to have custom biomes. Frontier found a way to implement custom biomes.
People wanted spooky/scary scenery. Frontier released a spooky DLC pack.

The list can go on and on.

A lot of these items were probably not on the road map to be released during the first year (my guess). How should Frontier prioritize all the stuff we want to have implemented/adjusted? It is an impossible task to do when you have over 1 million customer all having their own ideas on what should be worked on next. My guess is that a higher percentage of those 1 million appreciated getting new rides (flat and coasters) than improving coaster smoothness as an (extreme) example.

You are forgetting the main areas such as tools, tile sets, guest brain evolution and a proper management structure, instead they placate the appears to be younger audience with design and glamour.

 

[ojonas]

You are forgetting the main areas such as tools, tile sets, guest brain evolution and a proper management structure, instead they placate the appears to be younger audience with design and glamour.

Not sure what does items has to do with my post? I was listing items the community has asked for (among 100s (1000s?) of requests that Frontier actually has implemented/given us. How and why they decided for these, among many other, items I do not know (don't work for Frontier or have any inside information). They decided to do these items which made a lot of people happy but it may not have been the first choice for everyone. You have to email or call Frontier for an answer to why.