RCT Discussion / I'm new here, and I need some help
- 26-July 12
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Shaman Offline
Hi there, I'm new to this site and the RCT community as a whole. I wasn't sure where to put an introduction post, so I hope here is okay...
My parents purchased the original RCT for me when I was 11. Since then I have played it through three complete times as I upgraded computers; the scenarios locked up with each install and I had to beat them to open my old parks. I didn't find out there's actually a hack for that until my fourth computer.
I'm brand new to RCT2, RCT3, and these trainers and CSO everyone talks about. RCT3 doesn't interest me but it looks like it doesn't interest anybody. The reality that some of the artists here can create with RCT2 is phenomenal... but at the same time, coming from complete non-sandbox, non-custom scenery modes makes it look very hacked and... "wrong," for lack of a better word. I know I'll probably get hate for that, but I just can't make myself do it. Probably spent too much time in RCT1. I'll use custom scenery, sure. I guess my main issue is with the zero-clearance stuff and the track mixing on rollercoasters.
Right now I have RCT1 deluxe and RCT2 triple thrills pack, the latter of which I've become absorbed into, specifically for the scenario editor. That's what I think everyone wanted out of RCT1; I haven't even touched an objective in RCT2, except to browse. RCT1 is just sorta sitting among my icons, untouched now that there's two more tabs of stuff to beat in addition to the original ones.
I'm 19 years old, and for the past 8 years, I thought RCT was just a dead game, something no one ever played or heard of. Everyone talked of Sims and Zoo Tycoon, but until someone introduced me to this site, I didn't even know there were other people interested in this game. For me, it was 8 years of a private, lonely fantasy experience, just barely enough to be a creative outlet, without the sandbox feature.
This brings me to a few questions. It's all a little overwhelming, this site, and there aren't any clear roadsigns or instructions... what does one do, exactly, as a member? What do you have to do to show a creation to people? What is and isn't allowed, and what is and isn't encouraged? What should I avoid doing that would upset or cause trouble? There's plenty of different types of the same game... what's the "standard" RCT version everyone uses? Do I have to be competitive to receive recognition? What do you all like or dislike about a park?
Specifically, how do you tell if an object is a custom scenery object? I'm sure I have some, because when I go to the scenario editor's object selection, there's a lot that obviously would not have been released with the game, like the colorable backgrounds.
Please be patient with me... there's a lot of jargon I see that I don't understand, and all of this new stuff at once is a little frustrating sometimes. I need to know exactly what is expected of me.
And you can just call me Shaman. -
Xeccah Offline
Sucks that you cant download LL parks then
Try to get RCT1 w/o expansions and then get the expansions seperately. -
Shaman Offline
Sucks that you cant download LL parks then
Try to get RCT1 w/o expansions and then get the expansions seperately.
Wait, loopy landscapes parks won't open in my copy of RCT1, even though it has loopy landscapes? -
Shaman Offline
You can't use the drexler patch on deluxe, and you need that to view LL parks.
What's the drexler patch? -
trav Offline
This brings me to a few questions. It's all a little overwhelming, this site, and there aren't any clear roadsigns or instructions... what does one do, exactly, as a member? What do you have to do to show a creation to people? What is and isn't allowed, and what is and isn't encouraged? What should I avoid doing that would upset or cause trouble? There's plenty of different types of the same game... what's the "standard" RCT version everyone uses? Do I have to be competitive to receive recognition? What do you all like or dislike about a park?
Specifically, how do you tell if an object is a custom scenery object? I'm sure I have some, because when I go to the scenario editor's object selection, there's a lot that obviously would not have been released with the game, like the colorable backgrounds.
I'll try answering a few. We like to build things and share them here, whether it's just through Screenshots in the Ad District, or the actual release of the park, perhaps gaining an Accolade in the process. You've joined at a good time, because we're currently in the Semi-Finals of one of our biggest recurring competitions, Head-2-Head, where teams of people make a park to go up against one another and people vote for their favourite.
To show your creations, just take screenshots and post them in the Ad District, that way you can also get feedback on the screens. I'd also suggest taking a few days looking around the Database at some parks that have already been released to get an idea of the sort of standard we come to expect here, and you're also able to teach yourself from these parks, as well as downloading custom scenery.
We have no real 'rules' when it comes to parkmaking, just make things look pretty. On the actual boards, we're a pretty feisty community and we're not afraid to disagree with each other, but as long as you don't go bat shit crazy and start insulting everyone then you should be fine.
The main game people use at this site is just regular Rct2, with no addon packs. We create custom scenery which works much better than the standard Rct2 or WW/TT scenery, so we use that instead. A lot of people don't even have the addons installed so if you include them in your park, you're instantly limiting how many people can open it up and have a look.
You don't necessarily have to be competitive to receive recognition, just post the best work you possibly can and people will give you feedback on how to improve. Take note of the feedback, because it really does help.
Regarding what we like in parks, that's completely different from person to person. Some people like 'realism' in their parks, which means you basically build a Six Flags park or something similar in Rct (For examples, look up Six Flags Carolina, Six Flags Sante Fe and Watkins Woods Amusement Park in the Database). Others like complete fantasy in their parks, and see Rct as a creative outlet (Examples include Taboo, Ghost Cell Crisis and La Reve Parapluie). However, most people tend to stick to 'semi-realism', which is somewhere in between the two. It has more theming than realism, yet doesn't have the wacky-ness of fantasy. (Examples - Rivers Of Babylon, Islands Of Enchantment and Zippo's)
As for how do we recognise Custom Scenery, when you spend a lot of time with the game, you just start to realise what is and what isn't. Standard Rct2 scenery is also generally a lot larger than the custom scenery we use nowadays.
Hope this helps, and if you have anymore questions don't be afraid to ask. -
Shaman Offline
I'll try answering a few. We like to build things and share them here, whether it's just through Screenshots in the Ad District, or the actual release of the park, perhaps gaining an Accolade in the process. You've joined at a good time, because we're currently in the Semi-Finals of one of our biggest recurring competitions, Head-2-Head, where teams of people make a park to go up against one another and people vote for their favourite.
To show your creations, just take screenshots and post them in the Ad District, that way you can also get feedback on the screens. I'd also suggest taking a few days looking around the Database at some parks that have already been released to get an idea of the sort of standard we come to expect here, and you're also able to teach yourself from these parks, as well as downloading custom scenery.
We have no real 'rules' when it comes to parkmaking, just make things look pretty. On the actual boards, we're a pretty feisty community and we're not afraid to disagree with each other, but as long as you don't go bat shit crazy and start insulting everyone then you should be fine.
The main game people use at this site is just regular Rct2, with no addon packs. We create custom scenery which works much better than the standard Rct2 or WW/TT scenery, so we use that instead. A lot of people don't even have the addons installed so if you include them in your park, you're instantly limiting how many people can open it up and have a look.
You don't necessarily have to be competitive to receive recognition, just post the best work you possibly can and people will give you feedback on how to improve. Take note of the feedback, because it really does help.
Regarding what we like in parks, that's completely different from person to person. Some people like 'realism' in their parks, which means you basically build a Six Flags park or something similar in Rct (For examples, look up Six Flags Carolina, Six Flags Sante Fe and Watkins Woods Amusement Park in the Database). Others like complete fantasy in their parks, and see Rct as a creative outlet (Examples include Taboo, Ghost Cell Crisis and La Reve Parapluie). However, most people tend to stick to 'semi-realism', which is somewhere in between the two. It has more theming than realism, yet doesn't have the wacky-ness of fantasy. (Examples - Rivers Of Babylon, Islands Of Enchantment and Zippo's)
As for how do we recognise Custom Scenery, when you spend a lot of time with the game, you just start to realise what is and what isn't. Standard Rct2 scenery is also generally a lot larger than the custom scenery we use nowadays.
Hope this helps, and if you have anymore questions don't be afraid to ask.
So is RCT2 triple thrill pack like RCT1 deluxe, in that the expansions don't seem to count? Like what Shotguns was saying about RCT1 deluxe's loopy landscapes, it's not the same as downloading RCT1 and loopy landscapes separately. If I use RCT2 triple thrill pack, is that what people can't download?
Are there free downloads of RCT1 and RCT2, or if not, are there downloads that are less than, say, $5? What is it recommended that I have on my computer? Like which exact programs and expansions? If I need RCT1 with just loopy landscapes (no one's mentioned corkscrew follies), and plain RCT2, what else do I need? What custom scenery packs does everyone use, where can I find them?
In other words, what is the exact typical setup of a user of this site?
And there's no list as to what standard scenery comes with the game? -
trav Offline
So is RCT2 triple thrill pack like RCT1 deluxe, in that the expansions don't seem to count? Like what Shotguns was saying about RCT1 deluxe's loopy landscapes, it's not the same as downloading RCT1 and loopy landscapes separately. If I use RCT2 triple thrill pack, is that what people can't download?
Are there free downloads of RCT1 and RCT2, or if not, are there downloads that are less than, say, $5? What is it recommended that I have on my computer? Like which exact programs and expansions? If I need RCT1 with just loopy landscapes (no one's mentioned corkscrew follies), and plain RCT2, what else do I need? What custom scenery packs does everyone use, where can I find them?
In other words, what is the exact typical setup of a user of this site?
And there's no list as to what standard scenery comes with the game?
Rct1 Deluxe does include the expansions, but the coding of the deluxe pack means that you're unable to install the Drexler Patch, which is what you need to open Rct1 parks that you download from this website. If you get LL and Rct1 separately, then you're able to install the Drexler Patch.
As for the Triple Thrill pack, that works fine, you don't need to worry about that. If you want to build something in a sandbox mode though, I'd encourage you to use a Workbench that you can find on the NE Database as that doesn't include any WW/TT addon scenery/rides.
Corkscrew Follies comes together with LL, so if you find a cheap LL disk, that already has CF with it. As for the Custom Scenery packs, just download a workbench and start working on that, the most up to date one is the H2H6 Custom Workbench by Louis, which you can find in the database.
There used to be a huge list for scenery, but I don't think it exists anymore, sadly. -
Shaman Offline
Rct1 Deluxe does include the expansions, but the coding of the deluxe pack means that you're unable to install the Drexler Patch, which is what you need to open Rct1 parks that you download from this website. If you get LL and Rct1 separately, then you're able to install the Drexler Patch.
As for the Triple Thrill pack, that works fine, you don't need to worry about that. If you want to build something in a sandbox mode though, I'd encourage you to use a Workbench that you can find on the NE Database as that doesn't include any WW/TT addon scenery/rides.
Corkscrew Follies comes together with LL, so if you find a cheap LL disk, that already has CF with it. As for the Custom Scenery packs, just download a workbench and start working on that, the most up to date one is the H2H6 Custom Workbench by Louis, which you can find in the database.
There used to be a huge list for scenery, but I don't think it exists anymore, sadly.
Okay. So the drexler patch is what I need... but that leads me to another question. I looked it up, and in the description for the patch, it says that it's used to open parks that have been edited with trainers. Does that mean everyone here uses trainers? Like... if I don't use a trainer, will I be banished, or something?
And does the H2H6 workbench have all the custom scenery you guys use, and anyone can open parks made from that workbench?
Is there a download for the original RCT1 that I can play without a disk? I like the way GOGcom did that with the deluxe and triple thrill packs. -
MikaRCT2 Offline
All the rct2 parks in the database are exported, which means that the scenery in that park is installed automatically. -
Shaman Offline
All the rct2 parks in the database are exported, which means that the scenery in that park is installed automatically.
Yes, a friend showed me the export objects option. Doesn't that mean everyone can download anything from one RCT2 to the next, regardless of what they already have? Or are the WW objects not exported like that? -
MikaRCT2 Offline
Only WW/TT objects aren't exported, but if you need them, it's the best to convert them with the Object Editor, since a lot of people at this site don't have WW/TT. There are some rides that don't export, but those are included in the zip file of the download, and you just have to copy paste them into your objdata folder. -
Fisch Offline
Yes. You will be banished from this site when not using a trainer.
Everybody here uses trainers because they allow for a lot more options when making parks. Sandbox mode is basically not sandbox mode without trainers...the trainers just allow us to go beyond the usual limitations of rct. So if you don't want to use a trainer for your parks that's perfectly fine...people were just saying that if you want to download parks that were made with RCT1 from here, they'll 99.9% of the time include hacks we did with trainers...therefore you'll need the drexler patch to view them. RCT2 doesn't need any patch in order to view hacked parks though so you can start downloading rct2 parks from the database. -
posix Offline
Shaman, after reading all of your questions, I think you have ask yourself what it is you want from the site, not vice versa.
This community has been pushing the boundaries of what is considered "possible" with the games for over a decade now. To make certain things possible people came up with trainers that allow to hack certain things. It's something people love doing.
On RCT1: Theoretically you could open RCT1 parks with your Deluxe version had the Drexler patch been updated to work with it. Unfortunately, it wasn't.
On RCT2's CSO: I'm pretty much a non-RCT2 person, and the missing indicator that tells you what is CSO and what isn't was one of the major reasons why I never got into the game.
You should have a look at these topics:
History on the site:
http://www.nedesigns...w-element-2002/ (and following)
Our Release Paradigm and Accolade regulations:
http://www.nedesigns...lease-paradigm/
Guide on RCT1 (although I assume you've found that already)
http://www.nedesigns...ll-v12-126x126/
Oh, and yes, sort the Database by Score to find the best parks from recent years and look through them. -
Shaman Offline
Shaman, after reading all of your questions, I think you have ask yourself what it is you want from the site, not vice versa.
This community has been pushing the boundaries of what is considered "possible" with the games for over a decade now. To make certain things possible people came up with trainers that allow to hack certain things. It's something people love doing.
So from the time it was released, the fanbase has modified the game to be... better? And this site is where everyone shows their creations?
I guess what I'm saying is, I want a place to showcase designs that have been created in the original state of the game, i.e. things I have already built and things I am in the process of building. I'll adapt to these trainers and custom scenery, but is there a category where non-modified parks can be shown? I'm sure there are people who like the original game... the hacks and the new scenery are wonderful, and I've already spent plenty of time in the database. But surely there's some people who like RCT for how it was originally. -
Xeccah Offline
So from the time it was released, the fanbase has modified the game to be... better? And this site is where everyone shows their creations?
I guess what I'm saying is, I want a place to showcase designs that have been created in the original state of the game, i.e. things I have already built and things I am in the process of building. I'll adapt to these trainers and custom scenery, but is there a category where non-modified parks can be shown? I'm sure there are people who like the original game... the hacks and the new scenery are wonderful, and I've already spent plenty of time in the database. But surely there's some people who like RCT for how it was originally.
... You mean NCSO?
I'd look at these:
-Castello Del Mare(look at the top)
-The Black Mask
-Atlantic Adventures
-Six flags Xtreme Holland( not a release, but an AD topic, its made by fizzix)
-possibly some of MCI's work, he's close to scoring an accolade.
I'd suggest to try using CS then return to NCSO, It'll do wonders. -
Shaman Offline
... You mean NCSO?
I'd look at these:
-Castello Del Mare(look at the top)
-The Black Mask
-Atlantic Adventures
-Six flags Xtreme Holland( not a release, but an AD topic, its made by fizzix)
-possibly some of MCI's work, he's close to scoring an accolade.
I'd suggest to try using CS then return to NCSO, It'll do wonders.
I mean no custom objects and also no zero-clearance, no track merging, no custom flat rides... anything that isn't possible in the original state of the game. -
Xeccah Offline
I mean no custom objects and also no zero-clearance, no track merging, no custom flat rides... anything that isn't possible in the original state of the game.
some of MCI's stuff, Atlantic adventures, and castello dal mare all fit the bill.
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