Software:Planet Coaster

From HandWiki
Short description: 2016 video game by Frontier Developments

Planet Coaster
Developer(s)Frontier Developments
Publisher(s)Frontier Developments
Director(s)
  • James Dixon
  • Gary Richards
Producer(s)
  • Richard Newbold
  • Steve Wilkins
  • Lloyd Morgan Moore
  • Luke Hale
  • Joseph Phillips
Designer(s)Andrew Fletcher
Programmer(s)Oscar Cooper
Artist(s)
  • John Laws
  • Matthew Preece
  • Marc Cox
  • Sam Denney
Composer(s)
  • Jim Guthrie
  • J. J. Ipsen
EngineCobra Engine v4[1]
Platform(s)
Release
Genre(s)Construction and management simulation
Mode(s)Single-player

Planet Coaster is a business simulation video game developed and published by Frontier Developments for Windows. It was released worldwide on 17 November 2016. Frontier had previously worked in the amusement park construction and management simulation genre with RollerCoaster Tycoon 3 (to which Planet Coaster is a spiritual successor), Thrillville, Software:Thrillville: Off the Rails, and Zoo Tycoon. A version for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S, known as Planet Coaster: Console Edition, was released worldwide on 10 November 2020.[2][3] The PlayStation 5 version was released in North America and Australia on 12 November 2020 and in Europe on 19 November 2020.[4][5] A macOS version, developed by Aspyr, was later released on 17 November 2020 on both Steam and Mac App Store.[6][7]

There are four different modes in the game, namely Sandbox, Challenge, Career, and Scenario Editor. In the career mode, players assume the role of a theme park manager and must complete tasks such as constructing unfinished roller coasters or hiring janitors. In Sandbox mode, players are tasked to construct their own theme park on an empty plot of land. The challenge mode is similar to the sandbox mode, but with added difficulty, as players need to take funds into account. The scenario editor mode, which was added in the 1.4.0 update on 22 November 2017, is similar to the career mode, but allows players to customise their own task in all saved parks.

Originally called Coaster Park Tycoon, the game was revealed on 29 January 2015 and was renamed during E3 2015. Planet Coaster is Frontier's second self-published franchise, following Elite Dangerous. Frontier organised multiple alpha and beta tests before launching the game in November 2016. The game was supported with free as well as paid post-release downloadable content upon launch. The title received positive reviews upon release, with critics praising the game's sandbox mode and creation tools. Criticism was mainly directed to the game's career mode. It was a commercial success, with more than 2.5 million copies sold as of January 2020.

A sequel, Planet Coaster 2, released for PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and Series S on 6 November 2024.[8]

Gameplay

Promotional image of guests riding a pirate ship ride

Planet Coaster is a construction and management simulation video game. Similar to its spiritual predecessor, the game allows players to build different theme park rides and roller-coasters.

Before starting the game on the computer version, the player must create their own avatar. This game function though, is not used or even done in the Console versions. Afterward, the player is able to choose between four game modes: sandbox, challenge, career, and scenario editor.

Similar to Frontier's previous game, RollerCoaster Tycoon 3, the Sandbox Mode enables players to construct their own theme park on an empty plot of land. In Sandbox Mode, all features and rides of the game are unlocked and the player's funds are unlimited. This is the mode most players use to create items (parks, coasters, scenery, etc.) and then post them to Steam's Planet Coaster Workshop (not available for Mac App Store version), or the Frontier Workshop on the console versions.[9]

In the Challenge Mode, the player must construct an amusement park on an empty lot (similar to Sandbox Mode) but with limited funds and research depending on chosen difficulty—Easy, Medium, or Hard. As the player develops their park, the game presents the player with challenges that the player must accept or decline.[lower-alpha 1] Upon completion of a challenge, the player is given a reward such as a park rating boost or a sum of money.

In the Career Mode, the player must complete objectives such as constructing roller coasters, achieving park ratings or hiring janitors.[10] Similar to RollerCoaster Tycoon 3, Career Mode allows players to progress by completing scenarios with objectives in different difficulties.

On 26 April 2017, Frontier revealed the existence of several cheat codes that were previously undiscovered on their official forums. These included the ability to drive go-karts and the ability for security guards to plough through guests similar to a bulldozer.[11][12]


Development

Concept art of an animatronic redcoat

Before the development of Planet Coaster, Frontier Developments had developed several other construction and management simulation video games, including 2004's commercial and critical success RollerCoaster Tycoon 3, which sold over 10 million copies.[13] Planet Coaster serves only as a spiritual successor to RollerCoaster Tycoon 3 instead of a direct sequel, as the company considered the use of the brand Tycoon "didn't carry the cachet anymore" due to the releases of mainly poorly-received Tycoon games in recent years.[14][15] In a December 2016 interview with Cambridge News, David Walsh (the Chief Operating Officer of Frontier Developments) said that the success of Elite Dangerous enabled the company "to bring Planet Coaster to the market, which is highly significant as it demonstrates we are not a single game company".[16] Frontier Developments spent $6 million on the game's development and an additional $1.5 million on marketing.[17]

The game was announced on 29 January 2015, by Frontier Developments.[18] Originally called Coaster Park Tycoon, the game was renamed into Planet Coaster on 16 June 2015, during the PC Gaming Show at E3 2015.[19] Frontier Developments aimed to turn the game into the company's second self-published franchise, along with the Elite series.[20] The game uses an advanced version of the Cobra engine, which is an in-house proprietary engine developed by Frontier previously used by games like Elite Dangerous and RollerCoaster Tycoon 3.[13] Features confirmed for the game include a hybrid spline/piece-by-piece coaster builder, modular structure building, a voxel terrain editor among others detailed through Q&A's and "Dev Diaries."[21] On the second live stream, the release date of the alpha was announced. Released on 22 March 2016, the alpha emphasized on modular building and paths. The alpha contained two themes: "Planet Coaster" and "Pirate". Although disabled by default, Coaster Building was included in the first alpha through a cheat code.[22]

On 24 May 2016, Frontier released the second alpha build. This build included finances, terrain tools, improved path building, and the official release of a coaster builder.[23] Also, on 25 August, Frontier discontinued further alpha purchases.[24] On 24 September, Frontier announced at EGX 2016 that players who had pre-ordered the "Thrillseeker Edition" would be able to test the game that October.[25][26] At Gamescom 2016, Frontier announced that the game would be released on 17 November 2016.[27] The game was released with Denuvo's anti-tamper technology.[28][29]

To record the audio for the game, sound designer Watson Wu took over the Holiday World & Splashin' Safari theme park in Santa Claus, Indiana, to record the sounds of various attractions.[30] Guests in the park and park staff speak their own fictional language, known as "Planco".[21][31] According to James Stant, Frontier's senior audio designer, the language contains about 7,000 words.[32] After the game's release, Frontier Developments released an official Planco dictionary.[32]

Soundtrack

Planet Coaster features an adaptive soundtrack composed by Jim Guthrie and JJ Ipsen, released under the album titled You, Me & Gravity: The Music of Planet Coaster.[33][34] Additionally, players may upload their own sound files to use in their parks.

Downloadable content

On 21 July 2017, Frontier launched paid downloadable content for the game featuring props inspired by Back to the Future, Knight Rider, and The Munsters.[35]

In August 2017, Frontier partnered with Cedar Point to provide an in-game version of the park's upcoming Steel Vengeance roller coaster before the ride officially opened in 2018.[36]

On 21 September 2018, Frontier announced the "Thememaker's Toolkit". This toolkit will enable players to import custom 3D models into Planet Coaster itself. This was released on 20 November.[37]

The console version adds in an exclusive coaster for those who pre-ordered the game.

Name Release date Description
Winter Update 15 December 2016 The Winter Update added new rides, blueprints, stores, and staff features.[38][39] One of the newly added rides, the "Collider", was determined by a community vote.[38][40]
Spring Update April 2017 The Spring Update added new rides and a crime system.[41]
Summer Update 27 June 2017 The Summer Update added the ability to create firework shows, such as for the American Independence Day, New Year's Day, and Bonfire Night. Furthermore, the fireworks can be triggered by other events in the park and can be synced to custom music.[42] This update also added the ability to add customizable images and video into the game.[42][43]
Spooky Pack 25 September 2017 The Spooky Pack is a paid DLC pack that includes over 200 new building and scenery pieces as well as two new tracked ride types and a new entertainer, "King Ghoster".[44]
Anniversary Update 22 November 2017 The free Anniversary update included several new rides and roller coasters in addition to picnic benches and a custom scenario editor - other smaller features allow for interchangeable coaster cars and relaxed track restrictions. More management features were also introduced including more control over vendors and staff rooms for tired employees.[45]
Adventure Pack 18 December 2017 The Adventure Pack is a paid DLC pack that includes new water boat rides, a swinging mine train roller coaster and 320 new scenery and building pieces in addition to a new entertainer, "Renée Feu".[46]
Studios Pack 27 March 2018 The Studios Pack is a paid DLC pack inspired by movie studio theme parks such as Disney's Hollywood Studios and Universal Studios. This pack includes new scenery, animatronics and three dark ride systems. This was released alongside a free update containing hotels, glass walls and path tunneling.[47]
Vintage Pack 10 July 2018 The Vintage Pack is a paid DLC pack inspired by classic amusement parks. It includes new coasters, rides, scenery and audio.[48] This was released alongside a free update containing a wild mouse coaster, vending machines, camera effects, scenery grouping, and custom staff uniform coloring.[49]
World's Fair Pack 16 October 2018 The World's Fair Pack is a paid DLC pack introduction theming elements inspired by ten different countries. It includes new coasters, a transport ride and scenery.[50]
Magnificent Rides Collection 18 December 2018 The Magnificent Rides Collection is a paid DLC pack that features 10 new rides including attractions based on Vekoma, Schwarzkopf and Mack Rides roller coasters. This pack features little theming elements compared to previous DLCs.
Classic Rides Collection 18 April 2019 Like the Magnificent Rides Collection, the Classic Rides collection adds in 10 rides. This was released along with a free update that contains a virtual recreation of Carowinds' Copperhead Strike coaster.
Ghostbusters Released: 4 June 2019 Discontinued: 4 September 2024 Ghostbusters is a paid DLC pack featuring a story-driven scenario, new gameplay mechanics, new rides, characters and scenery from the classic 1984 film, Ghostbusters. The pack also features Dan Aykroyd reprising his original role as Raymond Stantz and William Atherton as Walter Peck.[51] This was released along with free downloadable content containing a shooting dark ride.

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
MetacriticPC: 84/100[52]
PS4: 79/100[53]
PS5: 81/100[54]
XONE: 85/100[55]
XSX: 83/100[56]
Review scores
PublicationScore
Destructoid7.5/10[59]
Edge8/10[60]
Game Informer8.25/10[61]
GameRevolutionStarStarStarStarHalf star[62]
GameSpot9/10[63]
IGN8.5/10[64]
PC Gamer (US)75/100[65]

The game was met with praise upon release of the alpha. Andy Kelly of PC Gamer commented that Frontier was "off to a tremendous start", adding that creating buildings with the creation tools hinted at "immense possibilities".[66] However, Mark Walton of Ars Technica noted several small flaws including the "hard to navigate" menus and the lack of custom built roller coasters.[67] On 27 April 2016, about a month after the release of the alpha, Frontier announced that Planet Coaster had grossed nearly two million dollars.[68]

Matt Wales of Eurogamer recommended the game, concluding that the game is "the finest simulator yet".[69] Meanwhile, Ben Reeves of Game Informer praised the game for its creative mode but criticized the game's career mode, referring to it as "boring" and "tedious".[61] TJ Hafer of IGN compared the game's integration of Steam Workshop to Minecraft and Second Life.[64] Edmond Tran of GameSpot praised the game for its accessible creative tools and for its evocative tone.[63] Jonathan Leack of Game Revolution claimed that the game "resurrected the [theme park simulation] genre".[62] In a critical review of the game, Jody Macgregor of PC Gamer praised the game's challenge mode but criticized the game for not innovating enough from RollerCoaster Tycoon 3. The original score (70/100) was retracted due to miscommunication between Frontier Developments and PC Gamer with the game version they received; its reevaluated score is 75/100.[65] Patrick Hancock of Destructoid noted that the game suffers frame rate issues in larger parks.[59] Furthermore, Edge noted that the game's "fiddly" camera makes some actions harder.[60]

In 2020, Rock, Paper, Shotgun rated Planet Coaster in their top 10 management games for the PC.[70]

Many fans made favourable comparisons to RollerCoaster Tycoon World, which received largely negative reviews.[71] The game has "very positive" reviews on Steam.[72]

Sales

Upon release, the game topped the Steam "top sellers" charts.[16] The game sold over 400,000 copies in the first month of its release.[73] Despite being released in the later part of the year, Planet Coaster was featured on Steam's "Top 100 Best Sellers of 2016" chart as a "silver tier" game.[74] In August 2017, the game sold its one millionth copy.[75] In July 2018, a leak in Valve's API revealed that over 1.68 million Steam users owned Planet Coaster.[76] Two million copies of the games were sold by January 2019.[77] As of January 2020, 2.5 million copies of the game had been sold.[78]

Accolades

Year Award Category Result
  1. REDIRECT Template:Reference column heading
2017 13th British Academy Games Awards British Game Nominated [79]
Develop Industry Excellence Awards Animation Nominated [80]
Music Design Nominated
New Games IP Nominated
Sound Design Nominated

Sequel

A sequel, Planet Coaster 2, released on 6 November 2024. The sequel allows players to build water parks, with the ability to construct pools and waterslides. The sequel also gives players the ability to add tilt tracks, track switches, and turntables to their rollercoasters.[81]

Notes

  1. ↑ This function is not available on console, the challenges are just given to the player.

References

  1. ↑ "Cobra Development Technology & Tools". Frontier Developments. https://www.frontier.co.uk/about/cobra-development-technology-tools. Retrieved 2023-12-03. 
  2. ↑ Wales, Matt (15 November 2019). "Acclaimed theme park sim Planet Coaster coming to Xbox One and PS4 next year". Eurogamer. https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2019-11-14-acclaimed-theme-park-sim-planet-coaster-coming-to-xbox-one-and-ps4-next-year. 
  3. ↑ "Planet Coaster: Console Edition adds PS5 and Xbox Series X versions, delayed to this holiday" (in en-US). 2020-06-16. https://www.gematsu.com/2020/06/planet-coaster-console-edition-adds-ps5-and-xbox-series-x-versions-delayed-to-this-holiday. 
  4. ↑ Andriessen, CJ (10 October 2020). "Planet Coaster: Console Edition will probably be the first game I buy for my Xbox Series S" (in en). Destructoid. https://www.destructoid.com/stories/planet-coaster-console-edition-will-probably-be-the-first-game-i-buy-for-my-xbox-series-s-606903.phtml. 
  5. ↑ Phillips, Tom (15 October 2020). "Planet Coaster's console edition will be a PS5 and Xbox Series X launch title" (in en). Eurogamer. https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-10-15-planet-coasters-console-edition-will-be-a-ps5-and-xbox-series-x-launch-title. 
  6. ↑ Henderson, Rik (16 October 2020). "Planet Coaster Console Edition initial review" (in en-gb). Pocket-lint. https://www.pocket-lint.com/games/reviews/154264-planet-coaster-console-edition-review. 
  7. ↑ "Planet Coaster on Twitter" (in en). Twitter. 28 October 2010. https://twitter.com/PlanetCoaster/status/1321379735910469633. 
  8. ↑ https://www.planetcoaster.com/
  9. ↑ Forward, Jordan (19 May 2017). "The best Planet Coaster creations". PCGamesN. https://www.pcgamesn.com/planet-coaster/planet-coaster-creations. 
  10. ↑ Harker, Clover (19 November 2016). "Gamereactor UK". www.gamereactor.eu. http://www.gamereactor.eu/reviews/482583/Planet+Coaster/. 
  11. ↑ Marks, Tom; Fenlon, Wes (26 April 2017). "Planet Coaster cheat lets you drive go-karts in first person" (in en). PC Gamer. http://www.pcgamer.com/planet-coaster-cheat-lets-you-drive-go-karts-in-first-person-make-everyone-puke/. 
  12. ↑ Wales, Matt (26 April 2017). "There's a Cheat Code That Turns Planet Coaster into a Mini Racer". Kotaku UK. http://www.kotaku.co.uk/2017/04/26/theres-a-cheat-code-that-turns-planet-coaster-into-a-mini-racer. 
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Campbell, Colin (22 June 2015). "Planet Coaster is getting ready for a big ride". Polygon. http://www.polygon.com/2015/6/22/8825441/planet-coaster-is-getting-ready-for-a-big-ride. 
  14. ↑ Lopez, Jason (16 June 2015). "Roller Coaster Tycoon spiritual PC successor Planet Coaster announced". GameZone. http://www.gamezone.com/news/roller-coaster-tycoon-spiritual-pc-successor-planet-coaster-announced-3417774. 
  15. ↑ Hutchinson, Lee (18 June 2015). "Elite: Dangerous developers talk to Ars about Planet Coaster". Ars Technica. https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2015/06/elite-dangerous-developers-talk-to-ars-about-planet-coaster/. 
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Flitton, Martin (12 December 2016). "Why Elite Dangerous publisher Frontier's prospects are sky-rocketing". cambridgenews. http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/business/technology/elite-dangerous-publisher-frontiers-prospects-12307142. 
  17. ↑ Gies, Arthur (14 June 2018). "'Jurassic World: Evolution,' 'Elite' Dev on State of Gaming". Variety. https://variety.com/2018/gaming/features/david-braben-interview-1202846009/. 
  18. ↑ Moser, Cassidee (29 January 2015). "Frontier Announces Coaster Park Tycoon for 2016". IGN. http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/01/26/frontier-announces-coaster-park-tycoon-for-2016. 
  19. ↑ Wilde, Tyler (16 June 2015). "Frontier announces Planet Coaster with trailer". PC Gamer. http://www.pcgamer.com/frontier-announces-planet-coaster-with-trailer/. 
  20. ↑ Purslow, Matt (29 January 2015). "Frontier Developments lay-off fifteen staff, Coaster Park Tycoon announced". PCGamesN. http://www.pcgamesn.com/elite-dangerous/frontier-developments-lay-off-fifteen-staff. 
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 Developments, Frontier (11 November 2016). "How Planet Coaster takes SIM gaming to exciting new levels of realism (Paid content by Frontier Developments)". Mashable. https://mashable.com/2016/11/11/planet-coaster-psychology/#M1QPoNr2pkqp. 
  22. ↑ Tucker, Jake (21 March 2016). "Planet Coaster Reinvents The Theme Park Genre". https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2016/03/21/planet-coaster-hands-on/. 
  23. ↑ Wales, Matt (24 May 2016). "Planet Coaster's Alpha 2 Arrives with Landscaping, VFX and Sexy Paths". Kotaku UK. http://www.kotaku.co.uk/2016/05/24/planet-coasters-alpha-2-arrives-with-landscaping-vfx-and-sexy-paths. 
  24. ↑ Purslow, Matt (26 July 2016). "Planet Coaster will require Steam and use the Workshop for community creations". http://www.pcgamesn.com/planet-coaster/planet-coaster-steam-workshop. 
  25. ↑ Minotti, Mike (24 September 2016). "Planet Coaster announces a mode dedicated to crashes". VentureBeat. https://venturebeat.com/2016/09/24/planet-coaster-announces-a-mode-dedicated-to-crashes/. 
  26. ↑ Doctor, V (27 September 2016). "'Planet Coaster' Crash Mode Trailer, News & Update: What Happens When a Roller Coaster Goes Off The Rails?". http://www.gamenguide.com/articles/49737/20160927/planet-coaster-crash-mode-trailer-news-update-what-happens-when-a-roller-coaster-goes-off-the-rails.htm. 
  27. ↑ Yin-Poole, Wesley (17 August 2016). "Planet Coaster out this November". Eurogamer. http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-08-17-planet-coaster-out-this-november. 
  28. ↑ "Planet Coaster z wymaganiami sprzętowymi i Denuvo" (in pl-PL). 26 August 2016. http://www.gry-online.pl/S013.asp?ID=100016. 
  29. ↑ Saed, Sherif (8 November 2016). "Dishonored 2 Steam page reveals the use of Denuvo DRM". VG247.com. https://www.vg247.com/2016/11/08/dishonored-2-steam-page-reveals-the-use-of-denuvo-drm/. 
  30. ↑ Paget, Mat (20 November 2016). "To record Planet Coaster's audio, a sound designer took over an entire theme park". pcgamer. http://www.pcgamer.com/to-record-planet-coasters-audio-a-sound-designer-took-over-an-entire-theme-park/. 
  31. ↑ O'Connor, Alice (17 August 2016). "Whooooo! Planet Coaster Rolling Out In November". Rock, Paper, Shotgun. https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2016/08/17/when-does-planet-coaster-come-out/. 
  32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 Stant, James (13 July 2017). "Game Design Deep Dive: Creating a new language for Planet Coaster" (in en). Gamasutra. http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/300997/Game_Design_Deep_Dive_Creating_a_new_language_for_Planet_Coaster.php. 
  33. ↑ Jim Guthrie & JJ Ipsen present You, Me & Gravity: The Music of Planet Coaster, http://ymlp.com/zRKR2A, retrieved 12 December 2016 
  34. ↑ Slingerland, Calum (18 October 2016). "Jim Guthrie & JJ Ipsen to Release Score for 'Planet Coaster' Videogame". http://exclaim.ca/music/article/jim_guthrie_and_jj_ipsen_team_up_to_score_planet_coaster_videogame. 
  35. ↑ Bishop, Sam (21 July 2017). "Gamereactor UK". Gamereactor. https://www.gamereactor.eu/news/575043/Planet+Coaster+gets+new+film-themed+DLCs/. 
  36. ↑ Minotti, Mike (16 August 2017). "Cedar Point's next thrill ride debuts in Planet Coaster". Venture Beat. https://venturebeat.com/2017/08/16/cedar-points-next-thrill-ride-debuts-in-planet-coaster/. 
  37. ↑ van Miltenburg, Olaf (21 September 2018). "Planet Coaster krijgt een Thememaker's Toolkit" (in nl-NL). Tweakers. https://tweakers.net/nieuws/143671/planet-coaster-krijgt-een-thememakers-toolkit.html. 
  38. ↑ 38.0 38.1 Plunkett, Luke (15 December 2016). "Planet Coaster Just Got A Huge Free Update". Kotaku. http://kotaku.com/planet-coaster-just-got-a-huge-free-update-1790163089. 
  39. ↑ Chalk, Andy (15 December 2016). "Free Planet Coaster Winter Update adds rides, blueprints, and Cosmic Cow Ice Cream". pcgamer. http://www.pcgamer.com/free-planet-coaster-winter-update-adds-rides-blueprints-and-the-cosmic-cow/. 
  40. ↑ Stougie, Leon (22 November 2016). "Planet Coaster nieuws: Holiday Update voor Planet Coaster laat spelers een gratis nieuwe attractie kiezen" (in nl). GamersNET. https://www.gamersnet.nl/nieuws/201611/holiday_update_voor_planet_coaster_laat_spelers_een_gratis_nieuwe_attractie_kiezen/. 
  41. ↑ Pereira, Chris (13 March 2017). "Planet Coaster's Free Spring Update Brings Crime, New Rides, And More". GameSpot. https://www.gamespot.com/articles/planet-coasters-free-spring-update-brings-crime-ne/1100-6448669/. 
  42. ↑ 42.0 42.1 Faller, Patrick (27 June 2017). "Planet Coaster's Free Summer Update Adds Fireworks, More Customization, And New Rides". GameSpot. https://www.gamespot.com/articles/planet-coasters-free-summer-update-adds-fireworks-/1100-6451220/. 
  43. ↑ Donnelly, Joe (14 June 2017). "Planet Coaster to add new rides, player-operated fireworks in free summer update" (in en). pcgamer. https://www.pcgamer.com/planet-coaster-to-add-new-rides-player-operated-fireworks-in-free-summer-update/. 
  44. ↑ Donnelly, Joe (25 September 2017). "Planet Coaster unveils Halloween-themed Spooky Pack with new rides and scenery" (in en). PC Gamer. http://www.pcgamer.com/planet-coaster-unveils-halloween-themed-spooky-pack-with-new-rides-and-scenery/. 
  45. ↑ Chalk, Andy (6 November 2017). "Planet Coaster Anniversary Update adds a scenario editor and new rides later this month" (in en). pcgamer. http://www.pcgamer.com/planet-coaster-anniversary-update-adds-a-scenario-editor-and-new-rides-later-this-month/. 
  46. ↑ Donnelly, Joe (18 December 2017). "Planet Coaster launches Adventure Pack update with hundreds of new items" (in en). PC Gamer. https://www.pcgamer.com/planet-coaster-launches-adventure-pack-update-with-hundreds-of-new-items/. 
  47. ↑ Donnelly, Joe (28 March 2018). "Planet Coaster rolls out Hollywood-inspired Studios Pack" (in en). PC Gamer. https://www.pcgamer.com/planet-coaster-rolls-out-hollywood-inspired-studios-pack/. 
  48. ↑ "Planet Coaster Vintage Pack recreates the golden age of amusement parks - VG247" (in en-US). VG247. 2018-07-03. https://www.vg247.com/2018/07/03/planet-coaster-vintage-pack-launches-july-10/. 
  49. ↑ "Steam :: Planet Coaster :: Update 1.7 - Vintage Pack LIVE now!". 10 July 2018. https://steamcommunity.com/games/493340/announcements/detail/1679162920025522396. 
  50. ↑ Wales, Matt (2018-10-09). "Planet Coaster gets some international flair in its upcoming World's Fair expansion" (in en). Eurogamer.net. https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2018-10-09-planet-coaster-gets-some-international-flair-in-the-upcoming-worlds-fair-expansion. 
  51. ↑ "Update 1.12 - Planet Coaster: Ghostbusters Coming Soon". https://www.planetcoaster.com/en-gb/news/update-112-planet-coaster-ghostbusters-coming-soon. 
  52. ↑ "Planet Coaster for PC Reviews". Metacritic. https://www.metacritic.com/game/planet-coaster/critic-reviews/?platform=pc. 
  53. ↑ "Planet Coaster for Playstation 4 Reviews". Metacritic. https://www.metacritic.com/game/planet-coaster/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4. 
  54. ↑ "Planet Coaster for Playstation 5 Reviews". Metacritic. https://www.metacritic.com/game/planet-coaster/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-5. 
  55. ↑ "Planet Coaster: Console Edition for Xbox One Reviews". Metacritic. https://www.metacritic.com/game/planet-coaster/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-one. 
  56. ↑ "Planet Coaster for Xbox Series X Reviews". Metacritic. https://www.metacritic.com/game/planet-coaster/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-series-x. 
  57. ↑ "Planet Coaster Reviews" (in en). OpenCritic. 22 November 2016. https://opencritic.com/game/1791/planet-coaster. 
  58. ↑ "Planet Coaster: Console Edition Reviews" (in en). OpenCritic. 1 December 2020. https://opencritic.com/game/10513/planet-coaster-console-edition. 
  59. ↑ 59.0 59.1 Hancock, Patrick (21 December 2016). "Review: Planet Coaster". Destructoid. https://www.destructoid.com/review-planet-coaster-404044.phtml. 
  60. ↑ 60.0 60.1 "Planet Coaster". Edge (January 2017): 116. 
  61. ↑ 61.0 61.1 Reeves, Ben (22 November 2016). "Planet Coaster Review – A Walk In The Theme Park". Game Informer. https://www.gameinformer.com/games/planet_coaster_simulation_evolved/b/pc/archive/2016/11/22/planet-coaster-game-informer-review.aspx. Retrieved 22 November 2016. 
  62. ↑ 62.0 62.1 Leack, Jonathan (17 November 2016). "Planet Coaster Review". www.gamerevolution.com. http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/planet-coaster. 
  63. ↑ 63.0 63.1 Tran, Edmond (5 December 2016). "Planet Coaster Review". GameSpot. http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/planet-coaster-review/1900-6416582/. 
  64. ↑ 64.0 64.1 Hafer, T. J. (23 November 2016). "Planet Coaster Review". IGN. http://www.ign.com/articles/2016/11/23/planet-coaster-review. 
  65. ↑ 65.0 65.1 Macgregor, Jody (17 November 2016). "Planet Coaster review". pcgamer. https://www.pcgamer.com/planet-coaster-review/. 
  66. ↑ Kelly, Andy (21 March 2016). "Planet Coaster: hands-on with Frontier's theme park sim". PC Gamer. http://www.pcgamer.com/planet-coaster-we-play-frontiers-theme-park-sim/. Retrieved 27 March 2016. 
  67. ↑ Walton, Mark (22 March 2016). "Planet Coaster: A theme park sim so good its developers forgot to develop it". http://arstechnica.co.uk/gaming/2016/03/planet-coaster-theme-park-sim-alpha-preview/. 
  68. ↑ Walker, Alex (28 April 2016). "Planet Coaster Has Nearly Made $2 Million Already". http://www.kotaku.com.au/2016/04/planet-coaster-has-nearly-made-2-million-already/. 
  69. ↑ Wales, Matt (21 November 2016). "Planet Coaster review". Eurogamer. http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-11-20-planet-coaster-review. 
  70. ↑ Smith, Graham (2020-11-24). "The best management games on PC" (in en-US). https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2020/11/24/best-management-games-on-pc-2020/. 
  71. ↑ Yin-Poole, Wesley (18 November 2016). "Steam users have already declared the winner in the great coaster sim war" (in en). https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-11-18-steam-users-have-already-declared-the-winner-in-the-great-coaster-sim-war. 
  72. ↑ https://store.steampowered.com/app/493340/Planet_Coaster/ Reviews: Very Positive
  73. ↑ Flitton, Martin (16 January 2017). "Rocketing sales of Planet Coaster give Frontier a big revenue bump". cambridgenews. http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/business/technology/popularity-planet-coaster-gives-frontier-12462641. 
  74. ↑ Williams, Mike (3 January 2017). "GTA 5 and Civilization 6 Top Steam Best-Sellers of 2016". USgamer. http://www.usgamer.net/articles/gta-5-and-civilization-6-top-steam-best-sellers-of-2016. 
  75. ↑ Phillips, Tom (15 August 2017). "Planet Coaster soars past one million sales". Gamer Network. http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2017-08-15-planet-coaster-soars-past-million-sales. 
  76. ↑ Orland, Kyle (6 July 2018). "Valve leaks Steam game player counts; we have the numbers". Ars Technica. https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2018/07/steam-data-leak-reveals-precise-player-count-for-thousands-of-games/2/. 
  77. ↑ Dring, Christopher (15 January 2019). "Frontier's Jurassic World Evolution and Planet Coaster both cross 2m sales milestone". Gameindustry.biz. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-01-15-frontiers-jurassic-world-evolution-and-planet-coaster-both-cross-2m-sales-milestone. 
  78. ↑ Kerr, Chris (20 May 2020). "Planet Zoo has surpassed 1 million sales in under six months". Gamasutra. https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/363315/Planet_Zoo_has_surpassed_1_million_sales_in_under_six_months.php. 
  79. ↑ Skrebels, Joe (7 April 2017). "Bafta Games Awards 2017 Winners Revealed". IGN. http://www.ign.com/articles/2017/04/07/bafta-games-awards-2017-winners-revealed. 
  80. ↑ Dunning, Jason (13 July 2017). "Develop Awards 2017 Winners: Guerrilla Games Takes Home Studio of the Year". Playstation Lifestyle. http://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2017/07/13/develop-awards-2017-winners-guerrilla-games-takes-home-studio-year/. 
  81. ↑ Cripe, Michael (12 July 2024). "Planet Coaster 2 Announced: New Trailer Reveals Water Park Attractions and Fall 2024 Launch Window". IGN. https://www.ign.com/articles/planet-coaster-2-reveal-trailer-autumn-2024-launch-window. Retrieved 12 July 2024. 
  • Official website
  • MobyGames is a commercial database website that catalogs information on video games and the people and companies behind them via crowdsourcing. This includes over 300,000 games for hundreds of platforms.[1] Founded in 1999, ownership of the site has changed hands several times. It has been owned by Atari SA since 2022.

Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This lengthy approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/. 
  2. ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 
  3. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  4. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
  6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 
  8. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 
  9. ↑ Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 
  10. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner. 
  11. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  12. ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 
  13. ↑ "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 
  14. ↑ "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 
  15. ↑ Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/. 
  16. ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 
  17. ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 
  • No URL found. Please specify a URL here or add one to Wikidata.

Template:Atari





Retrieved from "https://handwiki.org/wiki/index.php?title=Software:Planet_Coaster&oldid=3952248"