Planet Coaster 2 Dev Talks Inspiration, Favorite New Features, and More

I'm already approaching my 8th birthday, planet coaster is still widely regarded as one of the best theme park management/building games, and harkens back to genre icons such as: Roller Coaster Tycoon while adding plenty of modern bells and whistles. The successor to that legacy awaits. Planet Coaster 2 It was released in just a few weeks and the development team couldn't be happier.

Game Rant recently Planet Coaster 2's Executive Producer Adam Woods discusses the upcoming sequel. In the interview, Woods spoke candidly about his upbringing and personal history with theme parks and games, his favorite parts of development, his favorite new additions in the sequel, and a few other fun tidbits that fans might want to know. The following has been edited for clarity and brevity.

Planet Coaster 2 was created by passionate developers.

Q. What rides have you never been on but would like to?

Woods: Ferrari Land's launch coaster (Red Force) is in the front row, so you'll need special glasses! I really want to do that.

Q. Was there a particular ride that inspired you while creating your work? Planet Coaster 2?

Woods: I couldn't say I was riding it once. It has more to do with my childhood and family. I grew up with everything from the very simple steel Crocodile coaster at Claxon Pier to the Wicker Man at Alton Towers and the Vampire at Chessington. I have just started introducing my son and daughter to theme parks as well. We go to the water park in Zante on our holidays.

Indeed it is. That's what I did when I was young, and I still do it now that I'm older, and I feel like I still do it with my kids. The ability to then take that and combine it with what you had planned in the original game is a bit of a dream come true.

Q. You mentioned your passion for theme parks. Where does your passion for games come from?

Woods: I think it probably came from my father. He wasn't a computer expert, but he bought me and my sister an Amiga 500 when we were about 6 years old. He thought the future would be computers, but he didn't know how to use them. He had just bought an Amiga for his six-year-old and thought, “Well, maybe he can figure it out.”

That's where it really started. that cartoon classic pack, there was captain planet, lemmingsand the simpsons. I started from there and have been playing the game ever since. Now I am very fortunate to be able to help develop that.

Q. What do you like most about the general game development process? And what is the one thing that encourages you to persevere until the end? Planet Coaster 2Development of?

Woods: I have two. Seeing progress happen never gets old. I update my builds regularly and suddenly there's something new. It was a word in the design specs, it was a word in Visual Studio, and suddenly it was a big part of the game. It's absolute magic to me. I have been in the industry for 17 years. Computer games are still downright magical. How it is actually made and how it is put together.

The other side is that you get to work with incredibly talented and smart people. They put so much heart and passion into these games across the industry, and it's such a privilege to see it.

Senior Executive Producer's Favorite New Addition to Planet Coaster 2

Q. What is your favorite addition? Planet Coaster 2?

Woods: I think it's a creative option for customizing flat rides and coasters. I've already seen some pretty weird designs. Especially on the coasters where people put fire particle effects and trees and all kinds of things on them. There's room for some really wild designs.

But when you look at what some concept artists have created for flat rides, it's really amazing to see how all the scenery pieces can be put together and mounted and create these custom rides. I think that's probably my favorite new feature. Planet Coaster 2.

Q. Is there a new theme that you like the most in a similar vein?

Woods: It's like asking me to pick a favorite child… but I will! I love them all. Of course I love them all. But the Viking signs have incredible detail, making them look as if they were made from chopped wood. I remember seeing some of the early mythological concepts as well. And there was this really lovely verticality. The idea was that God was in the clouds. They are all lovely.

Q. Is there one part? Planet Coaster 2 Can't wait for the community to get their hands on it?

Woods: It's hard to say. It's the result of all the tools we put into it. We are watching how they will build squares and parks, create posters and attach landscapes. But there is a park at the end. I can't wait to see what they do with all the tools.

How Planet Coaster 2 handles the onboarding process

Q: Strategy and management games can be a bit difficult for beginners to start with. how Planet Coaster 2 Do you have any advice for new players who want to ease the transition and jump right into the sequel?

Woods: Career mode has two dedicated tutorial levels. The first is based on the basics of theme park management and coasters and flat rides. The second focuses more on the water park aspect. Completing these two will give you a solid foundation to prepare for the rest of Career Mode.

Additionally, the way we design user interfaces is to layer complexity. For example, during a ride you have an information panel and the first tab is the summary. However, you can dig deeper into the details and use the heatmap to navigate to the management screen. First, look at all the screens. Then you'll grow with the game and start to get used to the rest.

Another piece of advice is to look at the riding blueprint. Now we can create a blueprint for a flat ride. This means you can quickly and easily place some really lovely looking rides that your guests will find very appealing. You can then use it to inspire yourself.

You also need to call the community very quickly. We have such a lovely, engaged and passionate community around us. planet coasterThey are just happy to help others and provide tips and tricks. Watch the workshops, see what they are making, and really immerse yourself in it.