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1) How did you enjoy your time at Atari?
Ken A: One of my greatest passions is to make games, so when the chance to work for Atari came along the âmother of all video game companiesâ, I was elated! Over the course of my four-year tenure at Atari, I met some pretty amazing folks who share the same passion. Unfortunately, during that period, Atari has gone through a number of significant challenges and changes in the companyâs attempt streamline its operations and find the right leadership. When I left Atari in the round of layoffs in Feb 06, I was saddened to leave all the great people Iâd come to appreciate. Fortunately, the video games industry is like a big family, so I know Iâll keep in touch.
2) It was a sad moment when you announced that you were no longer with them, how did you feel about the response you got from lot of members on various forums?
Ken A: Well to be honest, I wasnât really looking for a response. I have a lot of respect for the regulars who post in the Atari Community, and I felt that, since I have been somewhat active in the forums, I owed the regulars proper notice of my departure. But to your point, everyone has been very supportive and appreciative of my involvement with the community and shared my regret for leaving.
3) How do you feel RCT3 from start (Vanilla) to finish (Wild) went?
Ken A: I am thrilled by the whole experience. The series has won a number of awards and RCT3 is one of the top selling PC games since its release! RCT3 Wild! even beat out one of the Sims expansions for expansion pack of the year (with all due respect to Will Wright)! I realize there is a few things we could have done better, but overall Iâm quite pleased!
4) Were there any plans for an RCT4 or 3rd expansion pack when you were part of the team?
Ken A: First let me qualify my answer by saying I am still bound by the confidentiality agreement I signed while working at Atari, and under the category of trade secrets are marketing and product plans. So, youâll understand if I donât reveal everything I know. But I can tell you I was pretty gung-ho for several more expansion packs and how we could move to a sequel. I was beating the drum pretty loudly at Atari for RCT3's future, and Iâm fairly certain all the right people were listening.
5) Do you think there will be a RCT4?
Ken A: In a perfect world, yes. But let's be honest. Itâs no secret Chris Sawyer is suing Atari, and Atari, at one point, was suing Frontier for taking ThrillVille to Lucas Arts, a game originally commissioned by Atari (although I read recently ThrillVille is being distributed by Atari in Europe - something that would normally be done by Activision - so I think Atari and Frontier are on better terms). I wonât bore you with all the details here, they're easily obtained elsewhere. To be candid, from my perspective, thereâs enough animosity between everyone in this relationship to start a small war. Will there be an RCT4? I suspect that until the lawsuit between Chris Sawyer and Atari is resolved, the likelihood is very small. But thatâs just my opinion based on my reading of the news. Fortunately, in the business world, good businessmen make decisions on what is good for business and not by whose feelings got hurt. So who knows!
6) In what areas would you improve the game?
Ken A: There are a few things I regret, such as not supporting the Intel video chipset and not producing a low-res version of the game for lower end machines. The game scales quite-nicely between high end and low end systems, but there were lots of people at or below our low end spec or had frame-rate lag even at the lowest settings and who wanted to play but couldnât, in hindsight a low-res version just for them would have been something worth planning for. Everyone knows the system requirements labels on PC games are more confusing than ever, so I canât lay fault with consumers who purchased the game only to find it was not playable on their home computer. I just wish we could have done something from a programming standpoint to make the system requirements label on the game box less of a factor.
I also think we could have tightened up the character AI, offered more options in the designs for scenarios, expanded the kinds of marketing campaigns, given the GUI a few tweaks here and there, added a scenery importer, finalized the movie recorder, offered carnival games, produced a wider variety of show-ride options and expanded the RCT3 MixMaster to include rock-and-roll shows. Had I been involved in any future work on the franchise, these are things I would have pushed for. There're also a few logic problems that still bug me, but those are things I can count on two hands.
There are also a number of complaints Iâve read claiming that many of the rides did not accurately portray their real-world counterparts, and I can appreciate the feeling shared by coaster enthusiasts whoâve voiced such an opinion. But let me just say, RCT3 is not a true simulation (in the strictest definition of the word); itâs a scale model - a resource management strategy game. And a pretty darned good one at that! For those who want a detailed recreation of their favourite coaster designs, all I can suggest is that you look somewhere else.
Throughout development, we had a list of âwouldnât it be niceâ features, and some of those never made it in. As with any project where deadlines and street-dates are always looming, youâve got to prioritise whatâs important. So in a sense, we have similar pressures to that of movie editors who've have had to leave some of their favourite scenes on the cutting-room floor.
7) Which is your favourite game, Soaked or Wild?
Ken A: Wow, thatâs a tough one. Both expansion packs were very innovative in their own ways and each offered new levels of fun and excitement. I honestly donât think I could choose between the two.
8) Are you aware of any news about the future of RCT?
Ken A: The only news Iâm aware of is that of ThrillVille, about which you can read elsewhere. I must admit Iâm a little disappointed I wonât be involved with this game because the whole idea of bringing RCT to the PS2 and changing the gameâs focus to be more peep-oriented was originally my idea. My colleagues at Sony (SCEA) were exited about it too when I presented the concept to them for approval as a PS2 title. And I would have liked to have stayed at Atari long enough to influence the game design for ThrillVille to the level I did for the PC versions of RCT3. But, as a seventeen-year veteran in the games industry, I know you canât dwell on regrets like this and that you have to move on. I donât know what will ultimately become of ThrillVille, but I have confidence the game is in very capable hands and that Lucas Arts will take good care of it.
9) Do you keep in touch with Chris Sawyer?
Ken A: Iâve had very little interaction with Chris Sawyer, and usually have dealings with him through Frontier or his agent. He seems like a likable fellow, but he enjoys his privacy, and I respect that.
10) You suggested an Open Source RollerCoaster game. Do you have any news on this?
Ken A: Iâve been intrigued of late by the notion of open source projects. And one of the things I think makes some games successful is user-created content, the RCT franchise being one of these. One day I thought to myself, 'What if the whole game were made up of user-created content??' I donât know if open-source is the right answer, but Iâm looking into what can be done and what makes sense. Apparently, a lot of Atari Community members find the notion intriguing as well.
[i]11) Can you give us a general overview with what you'd like t
Ken Allen Interview with RCT3X.net
1) How did you enjoy your time at Atari?
Ken A: One of my greatest passions is to make games, so when the chance to work for Atari came along the âmother of all video game companiesâ, I was elated! Over the course of my four-year tenure at Atari, I met some pretty amazing folks who share the same passion. Unfortunately, during that period, Atari has gone through a number of significant challenges and changes in the companyâs attempt streamline its operations and find the right leadership. When I left Atari in the round of layoffs in Feb 06, I was saddened to leave all the great people Iâd come to appreciate. Fortunately, the video games industry is like a big family, so I know Iâll keep in touch.
2) It was a sad moment when you announced that you were no longer with them, how did you feel about the response you got from lot of members on various forums?
Ken A: Well to be honest, I wasnât really looking for a response. I have a lot of respect for the regulars who post in the Atari Community, and I felt that, since I have been somewhat active in the forums, I owed the regulars proper notice of my departure. But to your point, everyone has been very supportive and appreciative of my involvement with the community and shared my regret for leaving.
3) How do you feel RCT3 from start (Vanilla) to finish (Wild) went?
Ken A: I am thrilled by the whole experience. The series has won a number of awards and RCT3 is one of the top selling PC games since its release! RCT3 Wild! even beat out one of the Sims expansions for expansion pack of the year (with all due respect to Will Wright)! I realize there is a few things we could have done better, but overall Iâm quite pleased!
4) Were there any plans for an RCT4 or 3rd expansion pack when you were part of the team?
Ken A: First let me qualify my answer by saying I am still bound by the confidentiality agreement I signed while working at Atari, and under the category of trade secrets are marketing and product plans. So, youâll understand if I donât reveal everything I know. But I can tell you I was pretty gung-ho for several more expansion packs and how we could move to a sequel. I was beating the drum pretty loudly at Atari for RCT3's future, and Iâm fairly certain all the right people were listening.
5) Do you think there will be a RCT4?
Ken A: In a perfect world, yes. But let's be honest. Itâs no secret Chris Sawyer is suing Atari, and Atari, at one point, was suing Frontier for taking ThrillVille to Lucas Arts, a game originally commissioned by Atari (although I read recently ThrillVille is being distributed by Atari in Europe - something that would normally be done by Activision - so I think Atari and Frontier are on better terms). I wonât bore you with all the details here, they're easily obtained elsewhere. To be candid, from my perspective, thereâs enough animosity between everyone in this relationship to start a small war. Will there be an RCT4? I suspect that until the lawsuit between Chris Sawyer and Atari is resolved, the likelihood is very small. But thatâs just my opinion based on my reading of the news. Fortunately, in the business world, good businessmen make decisions on what is good for business and not by whose feelings got hurt. So who knows!
6) In what areas would you improve the game?
Ken A: There are a few things I regret, such as not supporting the Intel video chipset and not producing a low-res version of the game for lower end machines. The game scales quite-nicely between high end and low end systems, but there were lots of people at or below our low end spec or had frame-rate lag even at the lowest settings and who wanted to play but couldnât, in hindsight a low-res version just for them would have been something worth planning for. Everyone knows the system requirements labels on PC games are more confusing than ever, so I canât lay fault with consumers who purchased the game only to find it was not playable on their home computer. I just wish we could have done something from a programming standpoint to make the system requirements label on the game box less of a factor.
I also think we could have tightened up the character AI, offered more options in the designs for scenarios, expanded the kinds of marketing campaigns, given the GUI a few tweaks here and there, added a scenery importer, finalized the movie recorder, offered carnival games, produced a wider variety of show-ride options and expanded the RCT3 MixMaster to include rock-and-roll shows. Had I been involved in any future work on the franchise, these are things I would have pushed for. There're also a few logic problems that still bug me, but those are things I can count on two hands.
There are also a number of complaints Iâve read claiming that many of the rides did not accurately portray their real-world counterparts, and I can appreciate the feeling shared by coaster enthusiasts whoâve voiced such an opinion. But let me just say, RCT3 is not a true simulation (in the strictest definition of the word); itâs a scale model - a resource management strategy game. And a pretty darned good one at that! For those who want a detailed recreation of their favourite coaster designs, all I can suggest is that you look somewhere else.
Throughout development, we had a list of âwouldnât it be niceâ features, and some of those never made it in. As with any project where deadlines and street-dates are always looming, youâve got to prioritise whatâs important. So in a sense, we have similar pressures to that of movie editors who've have had to leave some of their favourite scenes on the cutting-room floor.
7) Which is your favourite game, Soaked or Wild?
Ken A: Wow, thatâs a tough one. Both expansion packs were very innovative in their own ways and each offered new levels of fun and excitement. I honestly donât think I could choose between the two.
8) Are you aware of any news about the future of RCT?
Ken A: The only news Iâm aware of is that of ThrillVille, about which you can read elsewhere. I must admit Iâm a little disappointed I wonât be involved with this game because the whole idea of bringing RCT to the PS2 and changing the gameâs focus to be more peep-oriented was originally my idea. My colleagues at Sony (SCEA) were exited about it too when I presented the concept to them for approval as a PS2 title. And I would have liked to have stayed at Atari long enough to influence the game design for ThrillVille to the level I did for the PC versions of RCT3. But, as a seventeen-year veteran in the games industry, I know you canât dwell on regrets like this and that you have to move on. I donât know what will ultimately become of ThrillVille, but I have confidence the game is in very capable hands and that Lucas Arts will take good care of it.
9) Do you keep in touch with Chris Sawyer?
Ken A: Iâve had very little interaction with Chris Sawyer, and usually have dealings with him through Frontier or his agent. He seems like a likable fellow, but he enjoys his privacy, and I respect that.
10) You suggested an Open Source RollerCoaster game. Do you have any news on this?
Ken A: Iâve been intrigued of late by the notion of open source projects. And one of the things I think makes some games successful is user-created content, the RCT franchise being one of these. One day I thought to myself, 'What if the whole game were made up of user-created content??' I donât know if open-source is the right answer, but Iâm looking into what can be done and what makes sense. Apparently, a lot of Atari Community members find the notion intriguing as well.
[i]11) Can you give us a general overview with what you'd like t
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