Hello Frontier,
can we know why Atari changed the studios from Frontier to Area 52?
greetings,
Sven.
can we know why Atari changed the studios from Frontier to Area 52?
greetings,
Sven.
General / Off-Topic Why did Atari changed studios
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Harbinger
Volunteer Moderator
I wouldn't be surprised if Atari approached Frontier in the first instance but due to the timing* they were likely too overstretched to take on another project. Also they'd already stated their intention to move away from the Developer/Publisher model to a fully self-published model so doing another to-order game would be taking a step backwards even if Atari were prepared to wait for them to free up some developers.
* Frontier already had 3 projects on the go in August 2014 when Atari announced the game. (Elite: Dangerous, Screamride and Tales From Deep Space.)
By the end of 2014 both Elite: Dangerous and Tales From Deep Space had been released and Screamride was only a further 3 months from release. It made sense for Frontier to revisit the idea of a Coaster Simulation game at that time and by creating their own IP they don't have to share the profits with Atari or Chris Sawyer (although as Chris Sawyer owns a 5.9% stake in Frontier he benefits from their success by default [wink]).
* Frontier already had 3 projects on the go in August 2014 when Atari announced the game. (Elite: Dangerous, Screamride and Tales From Deep Space.)
By the end of 2014 both Elite: Dangerous and Tales From Deep Space had been released and Screamride was only a further 3 months from release. It made sense for Frontier to revisit the idea of a Coaster Simulation game at that time and by creating their own IP they don't have to share the profits with Atari or Chris Sawyer (although as Chris Sawyer owns a 5.9% stake in Frontier he benefits from their success by default [wink]).
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I guess he means the developer switch from RCT3 to RCTW. Why Frontier is not the developer of RCT anymore.
In 2013 Frontier signed distribution rights with Atari for RCT3 on new formats, and to distribute Atari games on their platform. The former has happened already (RCT3 is available on iOS, developed and distributed by Frontier) but there's as yet no sign of the latter. What Harbinger suggests makes a lot of sense in that Frontier clearly want to move away from being a software services provider, and developing another 'coaster game for Atari would have been a retrograde step. I'm sure there would have been discussions about another entry in the RCT franchise.
It appears that Atari hold the rights to the RCT name and RCTW plays on its history. Many people will buy it on the strength of previous titles without necessarily knowing that the developer has changed. Frontier have stated that they wanted to get away from the 'tycoon' name as it has negative connotations (cheap, F2P type games).
Ah, then I misunderstood the question. I'm sorry. [tongue]
But, because say Area 52? Pipeworks was the first developer for RCTW. [happy]
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Oh since we are talking about RCTW
Did you know why they change Pipeworks to Area52 ? I'm curious.
Pipeworks graphics was "correct", Area52 graphics was "bad".
So, why change Pipeworks (on the left) to Area 52 (on the right) ? I dont get it !
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Ha ha ha, oh my god, that picture on the right! I keep forgetting how awful it looked.
Yes! I saw something on the official forums of RCTW:
https://forum.rollercoastertycoon.com/showthread.php?1894-The-Devlopment-Team-Change-Mystery-Explanation&highlight=PIPEWORKS
It is very curious! [hehe]
You are welcome! [up]
It is something that Atari should have explained, I do not understand why not...
It'd likely be horrible publicity for them if they did explain. I'm assuming that they wanted the developer changes to have been as quiet as possible.
I agree that this story is very confusing.
About the blame, I hope not because Nvizzio do their best to save the situation I guess. (in any case, that is the impression it gives)
Joël
Volunteer Moderator
I agree as well. Atari makes it very confusing. It is not clear what problems they had during development of RCTW and the changes of studios.
I do believe that Nvizzio is working hard and that the Nvizzio team is doing the best they can to get the best RCTW possible.
They should not be blamed, as they inherited a half made game from another studio and that may not be whats works best for them, but they have to take things as they are and continue development. Nvizzio does the best they can (indeed, in any case, that is the impression I got from them).
I hope RCTW will become a great game. The team at Nvizzio does seem to give the best they got. I would be very happy if they were to be rewarded for the huge effort that they are giving to RCTW.
This goes for the team at Nvizzio, I am still confused what to say about the people of Atari. They 'keep us in the dark' about certain things. Don't know if that is a known English expression [happy]
I do believe that Nvizzio is working hard and that the Nvizzio team is doing the best they can to get the best RCTW possible.
They should not be blamed, as they inherited a half made game from another studio and that may not be whats works best for them, but they have to take things as they are and continue development. Nvizzio does the best they can (indeed, in any case, that is the impression I got from them).
I hope RCTW will become a great game. The team at Nvizzio does seem to give the best they got. I would be very happy if they were to be rewarded for the huge effort that they are giving to RCTW.
This goes for the team at Nvizzio, I am still confused what to say about the people of Atari. They 'keep us in the dark' about certain things. Don't know if that is a known English expression [happy]
the graphics have changed now, but i still feel like it is bland...
(quite big)
but look, the peeps seem very bland, no expression, comparing to planet coaster, the peeps are not bland at all, and very original!
But rctw, the game itself seems bland.
the expressions, the decorations seem unoriginal,
but planet coaster is full of animations, kinda makes you feel like you're in the game!
It's not as vibrant as Planet Coaster, but they are going for a more 'realistic' look, while PC is going more stylized. both look great though- I actually prefer RCT W's carousel over PC's. To me, PC's iteration kind of look like an antique porcelain figurine/model- very dated, but the ones in the amusement ride teaser look great.
With regards to the peeps.... The peeps in RCT W look like updated versions of those in RCT1/2 while PC's are more like updated versions of RCT3...
With regards to the peeps.... The peeps in RCT W look like updated versions of those in RCT1/2 while PC's are more like updated versions of RCT3...
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