Planet Coaster 2 Devs Talk New Power Systems And More

Planet Coaster 2 Devs Talk New Power Systems And More

As a seasoned enthusiast of roller coasters and water parks, I must say that the upcoming release of Planet Coaster 2 has me utterly thrilled! The attention to detail, from the wading guests to the different pool types and tiling colors, is truly remarkable. It’s like they’ve managed to capture the essence of a real-life water park experience, right down to the subtle changes in guest behavior as they navigate through varying water depths.


The sequel to “Planet Coaster,” titled “Planet Coaster 2,” is an upcoming theme park simulator developed by Frontier Developments. Players can craft their ideal theme parks bit by bit in this highly anticipated title, catering to both management simulation enthusiasts and fans of the original game, which was released about eight years ago. In “Planet Coaster 2,” players will find a plethora of new and improved systems and features, such as revamped heatmaps and entirely new power and water filtration systems. Some other additions include changes to Franchise Mode.

After attending a practical preview event for the upcoming game, Planet Coaster 2, Game Rant held conversations with key members of the development team such as game director Richard Newbold and senior executive producer Adam Woods. They shared insights about new features in Planet Coaster 2, particularly the power and heatmaps systems. Additionally, Woods hinted at more specifics regarding the Franchise Mode featured in Planet Coaster 2. For your convenience, the following discussion has been condensed and clarified.

Planet Coaster 2’s Power, Water Filtration Systems, And Heatmaps

A: I see you’ve been wondering about the latest power system. After experimenting with various connections, I believe you have a general idea of its operation. To provide a quick summary, here’s a brief explanation of how it functions:

Newbold: Absolutely! In Planet Coaster 2, many attractions and amenities require energy to operate, which your guests can enjoy. To provide this power, you’ll need to set up power stations within your park. These power stations generate the electricity that you can distribute using various points in your park as anchors. Keep in mind that the distribution area is influenced by these anchors.

To maintain your service, ensure that both your rides and facilities fall within a specific range (radius), and that your suppliers are interconnected by cables for efficient power distribution. The generators will generate electricity, which the distributors will then distribute evenly. It’s crucial to establish accessible routes to the generators so that maintenance crew can reach them as they may gradually deteriorate over time.

Planet Coaster 2 Devs Talk New Power Systems And More

As a park manager, it’s crucial for me to maintain my power generators and water systems to prevent any interruptions. If the power goes out, my rides and facilities could shut down, which isn’t ideal for keeping guests entertained. The power system is quite similar to the water one, where I have pumps and wells to ensure a steady supply of clean water. This water is then distributed throughout the park via filters, ensuring that everything from my flumes to my ports has a reliable water source.

A: It appears that the heat maps are playing a significant role in identifying issues. Can you discuss the adjustments you’ve implemented regarding the heat maps? Now, they appear to encompass the entire park, rather than focusing on individual attractions only.

Woods: Absolutely! You’ll find numerous heat maps available to assist the player in navigating their park effectively. These maps will enable them to swiftly grasp the overall situation, identify areas requiring attention, and pinpoint where needs are not being met.

As I mentioned earlier, management aspects within the game span across various levels and not just power or water alone. You have the ability to address guest needs, gauge their happiness, evaluate scenery ratings, and more. By focusing on these elements, you can maintain a visually appealing park, thereby enhancing guests’ moods, which in turn ensures they have an optimal day.

Weather In Planet Coaster 2

Q: I see that the weather is now a big thing and guests can buy sun cream from the pool shop. Could you talk about the new weather features and how they affect park management?

Newbold: Absolutely, the weather and water parks theme are key points. The actual encounters with these water parks often involve sunburn, so it’s crucial to provide ample shade or offer sunscreen for sale to protect our guests from excessive sun exposure during periods of intense sunlight.

It will be difficult for the builders of the fantastic theme parks to ensure guests remain content during inclement weather. This involves providing easy access to essential items like sunscreen (to increase sales) and ensuring there is adequate shade.

Planet Coaster 2 Devs Talk New Power Systems And More

In addition to other elements, it’s important to consider rain. To enhance your visitors’ experience and keep them dry, make sure your stores provide umbrellas. This way, if they purchase additional umbrellas, they’ll stay happy and you’ll earn money simultaneously. The design of the parks should be flexible so that players can create spaces where these shops are accessible. By allowing visitors to buy items in response to the game’s weather, you’ll add an engaging interactive element.

Speaker: Lately, I took my kids to a theme park under an umbrella, experiencing true British weather, and it was quite amusing.

Pool Types And Wave Machines In Planet Coaster 2

A: It’s great to notice wave generators even in swimming pools. Are there any other points regarding wave machines or various types of pools you’d like to discuss? We’ve previously discussed pool shapes, but it’s worth mentioning that there are also diverse kinds of pool machinery at play.

Sure thing!

Here’s one way of paraphrasing: This feature transforms into a leisurely flowing river, which guests can enter to effortlessly glide along, mimicking a genuine river experience. If they have an inflatable purchased from the Splash Emporium, they can use it for a calming, customizable ride around the lazy river you’ve carefully crafted in your park.

Planet Coaster 2 Devs Talk New Power Systems And More

Newbold: Additionally, let me emphasize the versatility of our pool design. It’s not just about changing the shape or incorporating wave machines and jets; we also offer varying depths for customization. This allows you to create gradual slopes into deeper water, which can be perfect for a relaxing shallow incline or for guests who enjoy deep water and use ladders. Our pool designs offer multiple ways to tailor the appearance and ambiance of your pools.

Various types of swimming pools exist, along with an array of tile options. You can customize the color of these tiles within your pool. Numerous building tools are available for players to construct stunning water features akin to those found in water parks.

Woods: Returning to the genuine aspect, I’d like to point out that when I’m walking in a swimming pool up to a certain depth in reality, my walking style changes noticeably, and you’ll observe the same with guests. When they’re walking through slightly shallow water, their gait becomes somewhat different, much like in real life. It’s quite fascinating how they pay such close attention to detail there.

Planet Coaster 2 Themes And Franchise Mode

A: Can you provide additional information on the various topics found in Sandbox Mode and other areas, including the Nautical theme we’re already familiar with?

In Planet Coaster 2, there are several distinctive motifs to explore. One of them, the Planet Coaster theme, captures the essence of the game with its frequent use of blue and white tones. The Resort theme is inspired by the laid-back vibe of Western Coast California Surf culture, which I find particularly appealing. Lastly, there’s the Viking theme that draws inspiration from the rich culture of the Vikings.

It’s quite flattering to see such grand, elongated watercraft in your water parks. The aquatic theme, as you pointed out, gives off a sense of awe-inspiring submarine aesthetics, while our mythology theme is reminiscent of the Greek Mediterranean ambiance, with those impressive stone pillars adding to the allure.

Planet Coaster 2 Devs Talk New Power Systems And More

Among the five topics, there’s a variety of scenic elements that players can mix and match or use individually according to their preferred theme. They also have the ability to adjust the size of certain elements and change their color. Across these five themes, players have numerous options to create visually stunning landscapes for their theme parks and water parks.

Q: Is there anything else that you wanted to share today?

Woods: Just wanted to take a moment to mention Franchise Mode. Although we didn’t showcase it today, rest assured it’s on its way too! It allows for simultaneous teamwork with other players within a shared franchise environment. For instance, suppose you and I are part of the same franchise. I could be responsible for designing and uploading all the park posters. You can then download these designs, and in turn, work on adding the scenery elements and details.

Additionally, we could also enter it into the Leaderboard for comparison with other players worldwide, spanning various platforms. I’m thrilled to discover how Franchise Mode will evolve once players start interacting in-game and exchanging their amazing creations within the in-game community workshop.

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2024-09-14 13:24