General / Off-Topic RCT3 on iOS published by Frontier?

joeybolufe · Apr 5, 2016

I just discovered that RCT3 is on iOS and noticed that it is published by Frontier and not Atari. There's even an ad for Planet Coaster in the main menu of the game! How is this possible doesn't Atari own the rights to the Rollercoaster Tycoon franchise?

DrVagax · Apr 5, 2016

Atari still holds the rights of RCT 3 though, that is still their own thing. Chris Sawyer owns the intellectual property (IP) rights and trademark while Atari is is the holder of the rights to actually produce and market RCT games.

Also since its definitely worth a mention, Rollercoaster Tycoon 2 is currently being ported by Chris Sawyer himself to iOS and Android!

joeybolufe · Apr 5, 2016

DrVagax said:
Atari still holds the rights of RCT 3 though, that is still their own thing. Chris Sawyer owns the intellectual property (IP) rights and trademark while Atari is is the holder of the rights to actually produce and market RCT games.

Also since its definitely worth a mention, Rollercoaster Tycoon 2 is currently being ported by Chris Sawyer himself to iOS and Android!

Ohhh alright I was just so confused lol a rct2 game on ios would be sweet!

Harbinger · Apr 6, 2016

Frontier signed a couple of agreements with Atari in 2013 for RCT3 distribution rights:

Agreements signed with Atari: Frontier to publish RollerCoaster Tycoon 3 on new platforms and to distribute Atari titles.

29 October 2013 - Cambridge, UK. Frontier Developments plc (AIM: FDEV, "Frontier" or the "Company"), a leading developer of video games with studios in Cambridge, UK and Halifax, Canada, has signed two agreements with Atari Interactive, Inc. as part of its future ecommerce plans, relating to the publication of RollerCoaster Tycoon 3 (‘RCT3’) on new formats and also online distribution of the existing RCT3 and other Atari titles on PC and Mac platforms.

RCT3 was developed by Frontier and has sold approximately 7 million units on PC and Mac in the nine years since its first release in 2004, and is still selling in significant quantities today. The agreement gives the option for Frontier to develop and publish versions of the game for new formats such as today’s tablet computers and game consoles, and provides another strong title - along with Elite: Dangerous, LostWinds and Coaster Crazy - for Frontier’s self-publishing portfolio.

The distribution agreement allows Frontier to distribute RCT3 on PC and Mac, facilitating a full multi-format RCT3 offering for consumers and Atari becomes the first third party whose products will be distributed by Frontier.

David Braben, Frontier’s CEO:

“These agreements represent excellent progress as we continue to implement our self-publishing and online commerce plans. They will help accelerate our plans to grow new revenue streams from self-published and online commerce.”

[source]

This is what allowed them to self-publish RCT3 on mobile devices.

joeybolufe · Apr 6, 2016

Harbinger said:
Frontier signed a couple of agreements with Atari in 2013 for RCT3 distribution rights:

[source]

This is what allowed them to self-publish RCT3 on mobile devices.

Very cool. Great job by Frontier to get the rights and get some extra revenue streams.

PiLhEaD · May 28, 2016

I just stumbled across this - how cool - not one, but two Roller Coaster games in a year!

Some might say they're just showing off. I say damn-well-done, and more power to FDev!

gregorburns · May 28, 2016

henry1491 said:
I just stumbled across this - how cool - not one, but two Roller Coaster games in a year!

Some might say they're just showing off. I say damn-well-done, and more power to FDev!

It's a shame there's not going to be an Android version.

Oops, I went there.

bltman · May 29, 2016

gregorburns1 said:
It's a shame there's not going to be an Android version.

Oops, I went there.

I agree. But, there are good reasons IMO. People argue that the Android install base is way bigger than iOS so a port should be made. The problems with this argument are: 1) Android users don't like to pay for apps and 2) most Android devices would be under powered to run this (just look at which iPhone and iPads are supported). Full disclaimer - I only own Android devices.

Dalenotchip · May 29, 2016

bltman said:
I agree. But, there are good reasons IMO. People argue that the Android install base is way bigger than iOS so a port should be made. The problems with this argument are: 1) Android users don't like to pay for apps and 2) most Android devices would be under powered to run this (just look at which iPhone and iPads are supported). Full disclaimer - I only own Android devices.

Number one is not exactly true. IOS users do spend more money but also many apps that cost money to IOS users we get for free. (Plants Vs. Zombie is a good example) Also good solid apps are paid for by both formats. There is plenty of money to be made with Android as seen by many of the very sucessful board game ports.

cerealfruitcakes · May 29, 2016

Wow, I bet Atari is frustrated seeing Planet Coaster advertised in an RCT3 app and not RCTW while having zero control over that because of a deal they made. [mouth shut][mouth shut][mouth shut]

Hindsights a...female dog?

PiLhEaD · May 29, 2016

DrVagax said:
...Rollercoaster Tycoon 2 is currently being ported by Chris Sawyer himself to iOS and Android!

I'm a huge fan of his work - loved Transportation Tycoon - and still play Open TTD from time to time. I really wish he'd re-jig, or work with his chums in Fdev to re-jig, TTD in the Cobra engine!