RCT2 and the "realism" debate!

I think that the new changes are fantastic. I think it's important for those posting about the "realistic" or "not realistic" changes to keep in mind that RCT was meant to be a cartoon-like mockup of a real world themepark. The changes that lead to more realisim are great but must be measured against the bounds of practicality for the purposes of gameplay. I am an oldschool computer game player and I can tell you that the days of the original computer game (ie. ZORK, infocom) didn't have ANY graphics. The graphical element was in your imagination and that is a BIG part of RCT. It's graphics are meant as a familiar representation of the real world... impressionist if you will. The GAMEPLAY is all important and RCT has the best gameplay element i've ever seen of any contemporary computer game...period. So, it would be a complete failure on Chris Sawyer's part to rewrite the entire structure/interface of the game to satisfy a disjointed "realism" element such as a 3D view from the peeps perspective. Believe me, when I see one of the trains, full of little computer peeps, crest the lift hill on a coaster that I have created, I can clearly see and feel the excitement that little peep represents. The graphic is a "representation" NOT a "recreation" of the excitement we have all felt (at least those of us who are real world coaster riders) when preparing to plumet down that first hill. I feel that excitement EVERY TIME I play RCT and now that there is a chance to experience even more of that feeling induced by new graphics, choices, colors, etc. I can only feel that old familiar lump of excitement in my throat just like the one I got when I ran the original RCT Demo version prior to it's release. Finally, I thought, someone has created the perfect game and it feels like it's just for me. Bring on RCT2!!!

Actually, I think RCT is *very* realistic. What other coaster game even attempts to emulate so many different recognizable coasters from different manufacturers? There is nothing in RCT that hasn't been done in real life.

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He let the contents of the bottle do the thinking; can't shake the devil's hand and say you're only kidding.

I completely agree with you Den, you hit on all the main points.

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Don't Fight It, Ride It, RAGING BULL!!!!!!- SFGAm

Well, yes, RCT is "Realistic" in that it depicts aspects about amusement parks which exist in real life. But there are MANY aspects of RCT which do not fall into the "Realistic" category at all. For example, how many real amusement parks do you know that have built a complete double-looping, corkscrew style coaster for the total price of $3500.00? How many people have you actually witnessed become ill to the point of vomiting on the sidewalk at say... Six Flags? Cedar Point? let alone whole groups of people in that condition. How about the entrance fees and attendance levels? You can BARELY keep a park operating in the black with a $40.00 - 45.00 entrance fee and no individual ride charges in RCT and a typical park may see 8,000 - 15,000 guests in a single day. I've NEVER had a park top more than about 4,000 guests at one timein RCT. I'm not trying to argue, I'm just clarifying my point which is these things are representative of real world parks not re-creations. As long as the representation is such that it makes you suspend your disbelief and accept them as "real" then the game creator has done his job. That is what makes the gameplay in RCT so fantastic. Chris Sawyer has managed to strike the perfect balance between reality and "representing reality". That's why we love this game so much!

*** This post was edited by AMartin777 on 7/24/2002. ***

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Den said:
Actually, I think RCT is *very* realistic. What other coaster game even attempts to emulate so many different recognizable coasters from different manufacturers? There is nothing in RCT that hasn't been done in real life.

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He let the contents of the bottle do the thinking; can't shake the devil's hand and say you're only kidding.

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I would be to differ. A SeaFood Stall? ;) (I could be wrong though) :)

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A CoasterForum Member
www.thrillnetwork.com/boards/index.php?referrerid=211

Yes, a seafood stall, in Europe and Asia stalls like that are very common.

i visit several european parks a year and have never seen a seafood stall.

and i dont think you will find a dive machine with a loop anywhere in the world

Yea, but B&M offers inversions on the dive machines Bucko, also it's a simulation, a person equals more than one, and anyways it's not supposed to be perfect, if you don't like it don't play.

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(Former Signature replaced due to bad joke with accident) The Beast at night-Two peas in a pod?

Peaple in less you want another Sim Theme Park id be quite and be happy to the fullest exstint.

Outer Hanks at Carowinds is a sea food resturant

Here's something that isn't in the real world to my knowledge no park empties out the que line of a ride to add another train

RCT is still the best game of its type ever even with its few flaws

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JOHN
RCT INSOMNIACS
KIMBERLY LAKE INC.

You know what I think is funny? I find it funny that some people who complain about their perceived lack of realism in the game, but yet go onto build parks with nothing but coasters some with the most outlandish unrealistic layouts ever dreamed up.

AMartin777 has hit it right on the head. Its a Simulation, not a Recreation. While it may not be the most "realistic" looking, it is certainly VERY playable. Also... bottom line... it is incredibly fun. (Of course, I am starting to be convinced that I am one of the few people on earth, or at least on these boards, who ride coasters because they are FUN. I could care less about world records, manufacturer, park chain, etc.)

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Kind of hard to take a post as objective if a park or coaster name is part of the "user name"

First of all, am I the only person who remembers when all video games were completely unrealistic? Remember the Golden Age of video games? Pac-Man? Defender? Marble Madness? Dig Dug?

Now every new game that comes out looks like you're watching TV. Personally I think it sucks. I will be content with my Super NES and Nintendo 64 (stocked with all games that look like cartoons, most with the word "Mario" in the title), and a hard drive full of Sega Genesis and NES emulations.

At any rate, making everything "realistic" on RCT would be impossible and, frankly, not very fun. It'd be alot harder for you to keep track of your finances if you were going through millions of dollars. And if the time was more realistic, the game would be incredibly boring.

As far as puking goes, I bet the amount of puke is just about right, considering how fast the time moves. It probably averages out to 3-4 people puking each day, which is probably a low number.

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He let the contents of the bottle do the thinking; can't shake the devil's hand and say you're only kidding.

AMartin777, you should be a Gospel Preacher! Looks like you've got a lot of followers right here (including me)!

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Cedar Point: America's Rockin' Roller Coast!