12 replies to this topic

[Commander Cosmos]

Greetings Space Cadets!

Forgive me for using Space-type technical jargon to you, but now that I have punched the whatchamacallit button on the little doohickey that sent a signal to the thingamajig that uncloaked the threads about VP3D Rules, Prizes and Judging there at RCTSpace Headquarters...I figured that some of you may have questions, suggestions and even comments for me.

Please note that requests for autographs, personal appearances, and pieces of my personal lingerie can still be sent to me via the PM function.

I wonder if Dear Abby started out this way?

Ask away Cadets!

[mikecoolguy]

I haven't been on here in a long time. But I was wondering if you're still doing the RCT3 Vacation Parks. I only saw that one a long time ago (Ensure or something like that). But there hasn't been a new once since. So is the fun from RCT2 going to live on in RCT3?

Mike

[Commander Cosmos]

Thanks for asking mikecoolguy, and it's great to see you here!

One year ago, back on 10 March 2005, Buckeye Becky posted the following announcement on behalf of RCTSpace...

A Letter To Our Members...

As many of you well know, the current Roller Coaster Tycoon 3 game has proven to be problematic for many of our Community's members, larger parks are often difficult to view and explore, while others are unable to even open and enjoy the game, all due to the fact that many member's computers are not compatible with the game's requirements.

These problem's have affected plans here at the RCTSpace Network as well. It was hoped that we would be able to expand our Vacation Parks Series and add RCT3 parks to our long line of honored RCT2 parks.

Unfortunately, we have found it very difficult to locate members who would be able to properly judge a functioning park. Many of our members would be unable to download and enjoy RCT3 Vacation Parks due to the problems encountered with their video cards and other game needs. We have found it frustrating to try to view someone's hard work only to be stymied by the exceedingly slow frame rate and other bugs in the game.

After much soul-searching and discussion among the entire RCTSpace staff, we have reached the decision to postpone the RCT3 Vacation Park Series until the problems with viewing large functioning parks are addressed by Atari/Frontier. We will still continue to run RCT2 VP, so please continue to send those entries in.

This is not an easy decision to make, we know there are some members with high-end computers capable of accessing these game files. However, for the majority of our members, viewing these parks is a frustrating experience. We would like to call upon Atari/Frontier to address these issues. We have heard from many, many members who have spent good money for RCT3 only to find it nearly impossible to play. We believe that future growth for the Roller Coaster Tycoon franchise will indeed depend on how the problems in this current game are addressed. Atari/Frontier must treat seriously the disappointment many in the community have felt.

Despite our decision concerning RCT3 Vacation Parks, we still recognize that RCT3 is the future. Improvements by the developers, or lacking any, then by the community itself, will continue to improve the playability of the game.

Therefore we will celebrate those things we can do in RCT3 with contests and events that take advantage of what the game does well, but in a more limited fashion, thus trying to include the largest number of members who play RCT3 as possible. We are scaling back and will have a monthly contest specifically for RCT3 only. I introduce to you..

Recently we have revamped our Nutz 'n Boltz program, it's now used by our good friend Walter Krum and his team of top-notch research assistants as a testing area for new Theme Park designs. Interest is picking up and Walter reports that there were a number of outstanding portfolio's submitted this month, and a lot of interest shown in their newest challenge.

The RCTSpace Command Glee Club and Senior Staff also reviewed our commitment to RCT3 in general. While MANY of the problems from one year ago remain unaddressed, with the advent of custom scenery creation members are finding ways to work around the limits in the game. We have decided to do this as well. Thus I have been recalled from the far-flung reaches of the galaxy to lead our newly invigorated VP3D Program. You'll note that we have placed specific limits on bench sizes so as to foil the Evil Emperor Lag can be held at bay!

We firmly believe that, while RCT2 is still going strong, we are also going to do our best to make RCT3 - despite it's many flaws - just as enjoyable, and just as supported here at RCTSpace...the FUN will indeed live on!

Thanks for writing!

~Commander Cosmos

[Tribble]

dUD3! g0nN4 do SOMe s+4R Tr3K P4RKS 1N RC+3? Th@+ W0uLd BE 4W3$0M3! l3+ m3 Kn0W ANd i c4N seT 1T Up Ph0r Y4

[Commander Cosmos]

dUD3! g0nN4 do SOMe s+4R Tr3K P4RKS 1N RC+3? Th@+ W0uLd BE 4W3$0M3! l3+ m3 Kn0W ANd i c4N seT 1T Up Ph0r Y4

Are you from Poxpus 4? Because it really sounds like your speaking Poxpusian, but with a Jupiturian accent and just a hint of Gammaese...

Star Trek, hummmm? Well, I not so sure how anything that involves a self-absorbed spaceship captain and his alien crew would be of any interest to members of RCTSpace, but I suppose if someone wants to make a park with that theme and enters it in the competition, we'll certainly give it a spin around the galaxy and see how it goes...


I'll ponder it while I'm having my facial...

[-MoNtU...]

So VP3D is back? If so.. how big can the bench be?

[RCTtom]

I've got a few questions to ask about the VP3D contest. Are you allowed to use trainers or in-built cheats at any time? Does it matter how big the park is? Can custom scenery be used in the park? And finally, are you allowed to show your entry on this site even if it's not finished (e.g a work in progress). I just need some answers on these as it's been bugging me for a while. Please reply as soon as you can!.

[Commander Cosmos]

So VP3D is back? If so.. how big can the bench be?

-MoNtU... are you any relation to Clyde -MoNtU... from Steller Space Systems? If so, I know nothing about how his pet Snerfer ended up in that french maid's outfit...honest!

Anyways, back to the question, we have made a stategic decision to try to limit the VP3D benches to 100X100 tiles...give or take 4-5 tiles. It's our clever ruse to outwit that Evil Emperor Lag...pretty tricky, huh? I thought that one up myself. The Bear suggested sending Lag a box of molasses cookies.

Yeah, like the cookies would ever make it to the post office...

[Commander Cosmos]

I've got a few questions to ask about the VP3D contest. Are you allowed to use trainers or in-built cheats at any time? Does it matter how big the park is? Can custom scenery be used in the park? And finally, are you allowed to show your entry on this site even if it's not finished (e.g a work in progress). I just need some answers on these as it's been bugging me for a while. Please reply as soon as you can!.

Excellent questions Space Cadet!

Since currently there are no real trainers for RCT3, we won't worry about them, as far as the 'cheats' (like 'M Brookes'), since they are available to everyone, they are allowed HOWEVER...changes to the options.txt files ARE NOT ALLOWED.

Custom scenery IS ALLOWED, however you MUST include a list of all custom scenery objects used, and they must be publicly available to download.

As far as showing off your entry here, or anywhere else, you are certainly free to do so. Just remember that you park entry may not have been made available for download previously at any site.

There's a posted set of rules located HERE, that will answer a lot of general questions.

[iCoaster]

I got a few questions.

Can I send in a park that I did in the Sandbox Mode?
When I send in the park do I need to send screens of the park?