Next update?

[Brett C]

Hi,


How ? where ? When ? Please communicate on that !!!! give us proof of that and make sure do not too much silence too long in the future.

Thanks

Pathing for example, we've have copious amounts of feedback on how it functions in the game. We agree, it needed some TLC to get it to where we want it. Another example is how out game client utilizes CPU/GPU, we've begun work to trim out the cruft that causes the odd-increase in utilization. Please note that of me listing those two example does not confirm they'll be fixed in the next phase of alpha - it's an ever evolving process.

There's also when we opened up the window for you all to name one of our park mascots, Gulpee. See here and here.

I'm here for the long run. I was around for RCT3 development as well - it's been a long 12 years in the wait.

 

[Periocus]

Hi,


How ? where ? When ? Please communicate on that !!!! give us proof of that and make sure do not too much silence too long in the future.

Thanks

I am sorry to say, but when you are asking i guess you don't see the Alpha or/and Coaster Head part of this forum.
It is packed with suggestions, wishes and remarks at least the Alpha part.

 

[DreamMaster]

As for rushing content, if you want us to release an unplayable, buggy, ridden mess of a game client, you're looking at the wrong development team for this genre.

 

[mark0ne]

I'm sorry that you feel this way based per our previous game releases. We've been making sure that isn't the case here on our Planet Coaster forums and community. Especially in our Coaster Head Club and Alpha sections..

I understand that....I was remembering Zoo Tycoon where the game seemed to be dropped from support with no explaniation from Frontier. Also we were promised by Frontier help and workarounds with the limited space available to build in that game and the inherent problems developing from that limit but that never came even though a developer on the game promised it at the time, and again no explanation. But I assume this will be different as Microsoft was the publisher on that. I am hoping this is why Frontier have started publishing their own games for more control over what can be said. But looking through forums on other games you will find that Frontier has developed a reputation of 'stoic silence' for the most part and that hasn't come from nowhere. You quoted Elite Dangerous as having unique problems that slowed developement, yet I wasn't talking about development cycle length, just the lack of communication on any progress or problems. The public would like to share in your trials and tribulations - it is a lot better than months of silence. .

You need to realize that the Xbox platform for Elite Dangerous has had a few hurdles to get through. Especially with a lot of the game's' code and the store support..

We realised this in the ED forums and still asked for any kind of update or communication but very little was given.

As for rushing content, if you want us to release an unplayable, buggy, ridden mess of a game client, you're looking at the wrong development team for this genre..

I really dont want rushed content, I didn't even mention that I did in my post ( maybe you were including this reply in your reply to my post but meant it for others?) - if you see previous posts you will see that I have said as much, that I want slower more polished updates. Again you misread my post! ( in the nicest way possible though [happy] )

As for being swayed, as you're an early bird customer - check the alpha forums. Numerous ideas and feedback that has been shared on the first phase of alpha has changed our views on many items in the game. Some portions of our development process for rides, UI, and so forth has changed as well.

Again you misunderstood my post - I wasn't cmplaining about this - I was just stating that you will not rush out updates or change your alpha development plan of three major updates into smaller more numerous updates becasue the public want more updates released. Frontier have a plan for the alpha updates and will stick to that and not change it.
I am loving the alpha of PLanet Coaster and would not change anything at all !! I am sorry if you feel I was attacking Frontier on this game. Far from it, I think they are doing a superb job and couldn't be happier.

 

[Coasterfan312]

Wait, 24th May? For Phase 2? Wat.

Either it's only for a small update (which would be odd since it's a month away), or I need to start getting super hyped again

 

[Taimaru1]

I have always found Frontier good with communication but understandably they communicate when there is something to be said and they are certain on how a feature or change is going to work. When they are "silent" it is because they are hard at work and still trying to finalise things.

Personally I don't want to hear that they are working on something only to be told they had to pull that feature because of issues. Also I prefer to wait for an update knowing it will be a quality update rather than being a rushed one.

The silence or time between updates might seem a long time but that's only because game programming is complicated and we're an impatient lot [haha].

I'm sure when the next update comes out some will be able to download it quicker than it will take to read the update notes [big grin].

 

[Coasterbuff]

Yes just be patient everyone. Frontier have delivered everything so far in a very reasonable state of play and for a first early release, it couldn't have been much better. Just be thankful it doesn't perform and look like the other load of rubbish that the other developers have cobbled together, or we would really have something to moan about.

Frontier are very passionate about this game and just want it to be the best Theme Park game ever made so far. They are not the kind of people who don't care, they want everything to be the best they can do and so far, they have far exceeded all our expectations. Frontier have not let us down so far, nor will they let us down in the future, let's just leave it in their capable hands and we will all be rewarded at the end of the day.

 

[mark0ne]

Personally I don't want to hear that they are working on something only to be told they had to pull that feature because of issues. Also I prefer to wait for an update knowing it will be a quality update rather than being a rushed one.

I agree - there has to be some censorship when releasing information. The people here asking for information are not wanting every little detail. But a quick post such as "nothing special to report but everything proceeding as planned for the next update - on target", or if things are hitting snags then "Developers hit a problem whilst investigating the pathing issues you reported, don't worry we are hard at work on it!" can help alleviate some anxity of those who don't like silence. Some devs even post regular dev updates detailing what problems have been fixed so far or show a completetion list of things achieved so far. Such things don't take much time but help some people feel more involved.

I am more than pleased you feel Frontier communicate well on their games [happy]. It is all relative to experience as you say.....

 

[Angelis1]

[...] As for being swayed, as you're an early bird customer - check the alpha forums. Numerous ideas and feedback that has been shared on the first phase of alpha has changed our views on many items in the game. Some portions of our development process for rides, UI, and so forth has changed as well.

This is a real good move if it's true !!! I really can't wait to hear all of those ideas/suggestion you have kept.

I hope you will make a big news about it, to make us realize how our voice has importance for Frontier.
I think I am right saying that this is what many of us expect.

Personally, I prefer know how we have oriented the choices in the development of the game with our suggestions, ideas and debates, rather than knowing that we have done a good job as "alpha testers" (even if it's also good to congratulate people for this, of course)

My 2 cents. [rolleyes]

 

[Harbinger]

@mark0ne, with regards to Zoo Tycoon (or any other game-to-order that Frontier has made for a third party publisher in the last 20+ years) the burden of responsibility for providing customer support resides firmly on the shoulders of the publisher. In a developer/publisher relationship they would have been paid to produce the game and provide a certain level of support post-release but once the publisher cuts the funding it is taken out of their hands. Frontier would have needed to reallocate their staff to the next paying project even if it meant they couldn't fulfil promises they'd made with the best intentions at the time.

 

[mark0ne]

@Angelis I totally agree. I really dont understand how Brett put in his reply to me anything about wanting rushed content though. That did feel like a personal attack against me on an issue I had not even brought up or stated I wanted?[sad] If he had looked at my other posts in other threads before slapping me down like he did he would have seen that I have argued the case for slower more considered updates in favour of more buggy, rushed content? In fact my post on another thread mirrors his choice of words on that really closely?[up]

 

[Harbinger]

It wasn't an attack against you, it was a sneaky dig at [mouth shut]. (I'm sure you can figure it out. [wink])

 

[mark0ne]

@mark0ne, with regards to Zoo Tycoon (or any other game-to-order that Frontier has made for a third party publisher in the last 20+ years) the burden of responsibility for providing customer support resides firmly on the shoulders of the publisher. In a developer/publisher relationship they would have been paid to produce the game and provide a certain level of support post-release but once the publisher cuts the funding it is taken out of their hands. Frontier would have needed to reallocate their staff to the next paying project even if it meant they couldn't fulfil promises they'd made with the best intentions at the time.

Again I am really not making myself clear. This is my fault I think. I was not talking about programming work or anythign that would have meant any resource or staff relocation as you put it. This was just some hints and tips that the Frontier staff member who worked on t he game said he could give us to help with problems in the game due to zoo size limitations. Workarounds that would help alleviate the problems we were experiencing. He said he didn't have time at that exact moment to give us the information but would do so when things calmed down as Frontier were gearing up for the beta launch of Elite on PC. We waited a number of months and despite repeated request, the promised information was not given and no further reply as to why not. Just a wall of silence. But that is a previous game and if you or anyone else wants clarification on that they just need to head over to the Zoo Tycoon forums on yur own forum boards for that game. I was just drawing on that as an experience I had with Frontier. In balance I would point out that I absolutely love Planet Coaster and feel Frontier are doing an excellent job. I just dont think they will change their plans and rush out content early or alter the dev plan for the Alpha to comply with peoples requests for more frequent updates. I really dont think they will and correct me if I am wrong.

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It wasn't an attack against you, it was a sneaky dig at [mouth shut]. (I'm sure you can figure it out. [wink])

LOL - I see, if that is the case then I understand! [haha]
Though I do own the OTHER game and they are making progress to be fair with a weekly susbantial updates. I just feel sorry for the curent dev of THAT game but not the publisher I hasten to add - heheh.

At least Frontier are holding the reigns on both the publishing and dev side of things and that should make people feel more secure about PLanet Coasters future!

But whatever the reply it was good of Brett to post and address concerns - it is what I am all for! [heart] Thanks Brett.

 

[Wessy]

Pathing for example, we've have copious amounts of feedback on how it functions in the game. We agree, it needed some TLC to get it to where we want it. Another example is how out game client utilizes CPU/GPU, we've begun work to trim out the cruft that causes the odd-increase in utilization. Please note that of me listing those two example does not confirm they'll be fixed in the next phase of alpha - it's an ever evolving process.

There's also when we opened up the window for you all to name one of our park mascots, Gulpee. See here and here.

I'm here for the long run. I was around for RCT3 development as well - it's been a long 12 years in the wait.

This is exactly the news we wanted to hear. I'm so excited now [up]
We really needed a comment from somebody at Frontier, that the feedback, that has been given is heard and accepted and finally, that the few issues there are, will be addressed and improved. We perfectly understand that not everything can and will be in the next Alpha release but at least we now know that it's being worked on.

I think people just need a little teaser every now and then to keep the hype-train going. Even if it's just a small comment like the one above.

Keep up the great work. We trust, that you will make this game even more amazing [yesnod]

 

[Inge Jones]

What's happening here (to me personally) is that I have got bored with laying paths, especially as the path system needs a lot of improvement, and although I have tested the modular building, it's not an aspect of the game that particularly interests me. This means I have stopped playing PC altogether now until May 24th. In the meantime I am increasingly investing time in the rival game, which regardless of any other shortcomings. has sufficiently frequent turnover of new builds to keep my attention. I am not sure PC devs have leaned the right way in this decision to only emerge from hiding three times before release at the end of the year. I think they did say three alpha releases didn't they?

 

[Coasterbuff]

I was wondering how long it would be before someone would mention, that they were getting bored, with PC. and I accept your reason why. But to go and spend your time playing that other game, you will be bored after half an hour. I don't understand what you mean about the PC devs hiding three times before the release at the end of the year (doesn't make sense).

 

[Inge Jones]

I don't understand what you mean about the PC devs hiding three times

*emerging* from hiding three times. Referring to my understanding that there would be just three alpha releases before finished product, which is much later in the year, and the apparent fact that the devs are not writing blogs or doing livestreams to show us progress in between times. Obviously I didn't mean literally hiding, as in trying to elude us

 

[Coasterbuff]

Give them time to do more Bloggs, it's only been four weeks since the first release, there is still another month before the next one. Go and enjoy yourself with the other game, and come back when the next update is released. [haha]

 

[Inge Jones]

Yup, I am not going away, just waiting now

 

[Palaber1984]

Sry but I think frontier have to show us updates independent from the current alpha! Even if they work on the next update, they should show us new information