RollerCoaster Tycoon World to upgrade game engine following negative reaction to trailer
"We have heard you, and we concur..."
The people behind RollerCoaster Tycoon World have vowed to improve the game's graphics following the overwhelmingly negative reaction to a recently-released gameplay video.
Earlier this month RollerCoaster Tycoon World's graphics went under the microscope after the release of its first gameplay video, with many saying it looked worse than 2004's RollerCoaster Tycoon 3.
In a post on the RollerCoaster Tycoon website, developer Area 52 Games, which is working with RollerCoaster Tycoon owner Atari, announced plans to upgrade to the latest version of game engine Unity.
"We have heard you, and we concur; the trailer did not show the final game and the game everyone should expect from the RCT franchise," the developer admitted.
"Regarding the current state of game graphics, we have been exploring prototypes for a while and are happy to announce we will be upgrading to the Unity 5 Engine. We hope to be able to share the results of the upgrade by this summer.
"We hope to take full advantage of the many new environmental, lighting, and shadow improvements as well as many other features in our original Unity 4.6-based engine to create a game that looks great. Our early results are extremely promising. We know that today these words must ring hollow, but trust that we are doing everything we can to make the game look excellent."
Also in response to the reaction to the trailer, Area 52 Games will adjust the art in the game to make it higher definition as well as more realistic.
"We want the rides to feel like they can be found in real life," the developer said. "Even though some of the rides may never actually exist, we want them to look like they could, and are constructed with real materials.
"Along with this, we are also taking a pass on our Americana theme to make sure those rides are closer to those you may find today when visiting your favourite amusement park."
Area 52 Games vowed to only release the game when it's ready. "If the game needs to be 'put back into the oven' then we will do it," the studio said.
"We have waited for more than 10 years for the next great edition of RCT, and we plan to take the franchise to new heights with RCTW. We will take the time required to achieve that goal. We will communicate on the expected release of RCTW later this year. The team needs the time to craft the experience that so many of you have been waiting so patiently for."
All eyes now turn to RollerCoaster Tycoon World's next gameplay trailer, which we expect at some point in the summer. But will it be enough to assuage the fears of fans of the once-great strategy series?
