Planet Coaster 2 Developer Interview: Enhancing Simulation Games and Evolving a Beloved Classic

As we approach the highly anticipated release of Planet Coaster 2 on November 6, 2024, many details about the game remain undisclosed. What will multiplayer gameplay entail? Will water parks feature prominently? To address these questions, I had the opportunity to interview Rich Newbold and Adam Woods, the game director and senior executive producer for Planet Coaster 2.

The Art of Creating Simulation Games at Frontier Developments

A small theme park in Planet Coaster 2 featuring a pool, a ground ride, and a go-kart track. — Screenshot by GameSkinny

Frontier Developments has established itself as a leader in the realm of management simulation games. Not only is it responsible for the successful Planet series, with Planet Coaster 2 being the latest entry, but the company also has a rich history of developing theme park titles dating back to RollerCoaster Tycoon 3 and Zoo Tycoon.

This heritage has greatly aided the studio in overcoming the distinctive technical hurdles posed by the genre, such as accurately simulating detailed and sprawling crowds. Rich Newbold informed me about the studio’s “rich background” in management simulation gaming, particularly highlighting their ability to tackle the “technical challenges of having a large crowd,” ensuring that both detailed close-ups and clear bird’s-eye views coexist as some of their strongest aspects.

“We’ve had extensive experience in enabling players to get in close to guests, utilizing ride cameras to observe their excitement on the rollercoasters,” he stated.

However, it’s essential to acknowledge that these guests are individual actors with the potential to make critical decisions that could either enhance or detract from the park’s success. “When you zoom the camera out, we’ve ensured that the game can manage a multitude of guests navigating your park, as well as all the intricate management systems and decision-making processes they undergo,” he explained.

The ability to zoom in and experience the park through the eyes of an individual visitor resonates deeply with the Planet Coaster community. Customization played a crucial role in the success of the original game, but players won’t need to import textures and 3D models to create stunning parks in Planet Coaster 2. The various themes available will facilitate this creativity.

Water Parks and Exciting New Themes

Two pools full of swimmers viewed from above in Planet Coaster 2. — Screenshot by GameSkinny

Upon release, Planet Coaster 2 will include five distinct themes: classic Planet Coaster, Resort, Aquatic, Vikings, and Mythology. Although this may initially seem like an eclectic mix, Frontier was meticulous in its selection process. “We explored a wide variety of potential thematic content and ultimately settled on several themes that would inspire and encourage creativity in players as they construct their dream theme parks,” Newbold elaborated.

The inclusion of water parks significantly influenced the decision to incorporate some of the more unconventional themes. According to Newbold, the Vikings and Mythology themes “harmonize well with water, which is integral to that theme.” Similarly, the Resort theme captures “that California west coast surf vibe.” However, players are not obligated to create water parks. “Some of these themes also lend themselves well to constructing theme parks without water attractions,” he noted.

However, as you delve deeper into Career Mode, the focus may shift somewhat. Adam Woods explains, “Within Career Mode, the tone can change slightly. We’ve designed challenges that will compel players to utilize their knowledge and expertise throughout their careers. Some challenges may center more on roller coasters or water park attractions.”

The specifics of Career Mode will remain a mystery until the game’s official launch on November 6, 2024. However, it is confirmed that the diversity of pools and water-based rides will make creating pure water parks a feasible option, especially in Franchise and Sandbox modes.

Moreover, water parks serve more than just aesthetic purposes; they can significantly impact your economic strategies as well. Newbold emphasizes that from an economic standpoint, “the water park component necessitates proper infrastructure, such as changing rooms, to ensure guests can ready themselves.” He elaborates that “they need to purchase pool passes, which means they will be spending money before entering the pools,” enabling the creation of parks that focus solely on water attractions. This introduces a radically different economic model when compared to the traditional theme park approach, which often revolves around attracting guests to ride specific attractions.

Innovative Features and Multiplayer Modes

Building the cue road to the entrance of a theme park attraction in Planet Coaster 2. — Screenshot by GameSkinny

Newbold characterizes Franchise mode as “an asynchronous online feature that allows players to collaborate with others. You can share your in-game parks and work on various segments of parks you download.” This form of collaborative park building was already somewhat integrated into Planet Coaster 2. Newbold explains that they drew inspiration from “the way the community shared parks and collaborated to create remarkable-looking attractions.”

Planet Coaster 2 builds upon the fan-favorite practice of park sharing via Steam Workshop in two significant ways. Firstly, Franchise mode will reside entirely within the game, fostering “an ecosystem where players can […] collaborate in a franchise and compete against leaderboards featuring other franchises.” The second major enhancement is cross-play functionality, enabling players to share their parks with anyone, irrespective of their platform—be it PC or console.

This wraps up everything discussed during our detailed interview about Planet Coaster 2. For more updates and news regarding the game, be sure to check our Planet Coaster 2 page.

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