149 replies to this topic

[ride_exchanger]

I'm surprised to hear you are using RCT3 at all, Steve. I agree with you on the problems you listed above, and I think you have the skills to prefect your coasters without using RCT3, but it is your project after all. Also, i'm glad to see i'm not the only one who has stayed up all night working on a project (when the "muse" is upon you, you must work! ) Good luck with it and I look forward to seeing it completed.

[coastercrazy]

YAY! I'm glad your back, and thanks again for sending me that recreation of the Giant Dipper. It's greatly appreciated. Looking forward to your new works aswell and I wish you the best of luck.

/CC

[Steve Franks]

I'm surprised to hear you are using RCT3 at all, Steve. I agree with you on the problems you listed above, and I think you have the skills to prefect your coasters without using RCT3, but it is your project after all. Also, i'm glad to see i'm not the only one who has stayed up all night working on a project (when the "muse" is upon you, you must work! ) Good luck with it and I look forward to seeing it completed.

Greetings,

I meant to type a layering problem, not laying problem, btw.

While I think the povs in RCT3 are all MUCH too fast (wish it could be adjusted), riding the front seat of one's recreation is very revealing, if not fascinating. And, it is helpful in making a few tweaks for a better recreation.

I found this to be true on my little Jazz Railway for example. And the RCT2 version is the better for it. Oh, it was just one segment of track that was more effective banked then not for a smoother transition into the second to last turn. But too me, it was a satisfying final jot to an already great little coaster.

Beyond 'playing' in RCT3, it is just too much of a departure from RCT2 and Chris Sawyer's conception.

There are other minor examples, but I need not elaborate.

One thing that killed RCT3 for me was the Virginia Reel tubs spinning in the wrong direction on the turns!!! I brought this observation to the Atari team, and while they did reply back within 24 hours, they said I was the only one to observe and point this fact out. No corrective patch forcoming.

Edited by Steve Franks, 15 January 2008 - 09:27 AM.

[Steve Franks]

Greetings,

The West Park Neighborhood Society, a historical organization in Ohio, has taken great interest my Puritas Springs project and the Cyclone - Mile High Coaster for RCT.

They are having a 50th anniversary remembrance of the closing of Puritas Springs Park this Summer and they'd like a copy of the track, or the completed bench, to run at the function. Newbies could see the coaster in action, and old-timers could re-experience their rides on what was billed as, "The Mile High Coaster."

They were not only kind enough to allow me to use some of their site information, but even sent me a couple previously unpublished photos of the Cyclone.

I have been trying to fill them in on just what RollerCoaster Tycoon is, what track files and benches are all about, and suggestions on where to get a copy of the Sim cheap. RCT3's front seat POV would be by far their most practical choice - just put the coaster in test mode and let it go round the track in pov all day without further attention. Last I heard, they found a RCT3 freak in the group.


PS: That's freak in a nice way.

[bobl1]

I'm glad to see you working on this again and can't wait to see the final product.

[Steve Franks]

YAY! I'm glad your back, and thanks again for sending me that recreation of the Giant Dipper. It's greatly appreciated. Looking forward to your new works aswell and I wish you the best of luck. /CC

Greetings,


I am happy you found the Giant Dipper @ Santa Cruz worthwhile. It is one of my favorite coasters, and it will be one of the first coasters I bring to RCT2. I am anxious to see what can be done in creating a station with the new benches.

A great deal of correspondance went back and forth with a few people who rode the Dipper to fill me in on aspects of the track that could not be found or clarified by photos.

Edited by Steve Franks, 15 January 2008 - 07:14 PM.

[wabigbear]

That is quite interesting about the West Park Neighborhood Society...it's great that you were also able to suggest a rather simple way for people to get a little 'taste' of riding in it!

[Steve Franks]

That is quite interesting about the West Park Neighborhood Society...it's great that you were also able to suggest a rather simple way for people to get a little 'taste' of riding in it!

Greetings,

Yes, I was rather tickled about their taking such a keen interest in what I was doing. I merely emailed them to request quoting a paragraph from their site. They peppered me with questions about the Sim, and if it would be possible to get a copy of the track. Unfortunately, RCT3 has a rather steep learning curve to someone either not a gamer, or one who is not at all familiar with the RCT series.

If they do have a RCT(2 or 3) user in their group, then their problems are solved. Fortunately, there is plenty of time to sort it all out.

[Steve Franks]

Greetings,

I just sent this historical society several screenshots from my RCT3 version of the Puritas Springs Cyclone properly installed in a ravine and well-peppered with trees. A set of screenshots with a roving camera, then more two sets of front seat POVs - several shots around the track during the day, the other at night.

Well, they just about flipped! Especially of the POV screens looking down the first and final drops into the ravine from the front seat.

There hasn't been this much excitement over their in ages.

[wabigbear]

LOL! That's great! I know there's lot's of things wrong with RCT3, but I think this is one thing that really works right, and that's to allow a way for people to experiance that POV. If the screenshots knocked them for a loop, I wonder what will happen if a video POV is made and copied to a disc - they'd be able to share a bit of history with everyone. Very nice job Steve!