RollerCoaster Tycoon is a simulation strategy computer game that simulates theme park management. Developed by MicroProse and Chris Sawyer and published by Hasbro Interactive, the game was released for Microsoft Windows on March 31, 1999 and was later ported to the Xbox game console. Later, a special edition called Roller Coaster Tycoon Deluxe was released which contained the original game and the two expansion packs. It is the first game in the RollerCoaster Tycoon series and was followed by RollerCoaster Tycoon 2 and RollerCoaster Tycoon 3, but RollerCoaster Tycoon 3 was developed without input from the franchise's creator, Chris Sawyer.
Chris Sawyer originally wanted to create a sequel to his highly successful Transport Tycoon, but after becoming obsessed with roller coasters, he changed the project into RollerCoaster Tycoon. Sawyer wrote RollerCoaster Tycoon almost entirely in assembly language, a difficult feat considering the game's complexity. Some functions were written in C to interface with the Windows operating system.
For his efforts, Chris received over $30 million of the 180 million brought in by the highly popular game.
The premise of the game is to complete a series of preset scenarios by successfully building and maintaining theme parks. The key to any park is building a large amount and diverse range of rides for the visitors. Players can choose from dozens of roller coaster types and can also build log flumes, carousels, bumper cars, haunted houses, go karts, Ferris wheels and swinging ships, among other rides. The player also has the option of building their own roller coaster designs as well as other rides’ by laying out individual track pieces, choosing the direction, height, and steepness, and adding such elements as zero g rolls, corkscrews, vertical loops, and even on-ride photos, using a tile-based construction system. The intensity and type of rides must be balanced, as visitors' preferences vary significantly from person to person; some prefer exciting rides and have high nausea tolerance levels, while others are just the opposite.
The geography and landscaping of the park can be modified, allowing the player to lower/raise terrain and add water to improve the park's attractiveness, as well as to allow rides to fit into their surroundings more easily. Track rides (such as roller coasters) and pathways may be constructed underground, either partially or even entirely. Players must also balance the needs of the visitors by strategically placing food stalls, concession stands, bathrooms, and information kiosks. Paths must be added to connect the attractions and must be done efficiently so that the visitors do not become lost and lose happiness. If there is no path leading from the exit of a ride, for example, the guests wander around until they find a path.
There are 21 scenarios included with RollerCoaster Tycoon. Some scenarios afford the player empty tracts of land on which to build from scratch, but most place the player in control of an already operational park (although these parks are usually underdeveloped, dilapidated, or suffering from poor planning). To complete a scenario and unlock a new one, a certain objective must be met. For most scenarios, the objective is to have a minimum number of guests by the scenario's deadline of one to four years. Years in the game are only eight months long; from the start of March to the end of October (mirroring the seasons real-life theme parks are in operation). On some scenarios, the player is also required to raise the park value above a certain level by building roller coasters and other rides and maintaining the park well.
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