Hello everyone , a few weeks ago I asked you all if you would be okay if I can ask a few questions for my master thesis.

Now it's time I ask them haha.
For context I'm a 24 year old student at an Academia of Fine Arts in Belgium. To be specific I'm in the Numerical Arts section of that school doing my second year for my master degree. For my master thesis I wanted to try to understand why people create in digital media and why it matter. Just below I will share a list of question (some specific to RCT3).

If there's some question you don't want to answer to please precise it.
Thank you in advance for all of you who will answer to those question.

-For how long have you been creating trough games ?
-Do you create trough other form (traditional medium , digital drawing , gamedev etc...) if yes can you please precise it?

-Do you consider your creation inside those game to be art? why?

-Why do you create trough those games ?

-You share your creation trough forums why is that?

-Do you consider the game you're creating with a game or more like an engine / another creative software?

RCT3 ONLY :

-Why are you using a 22 years old game when more modern alternative exist?

-The game has an expansive list of mods and custom assets , does the original game still impact your creation or as it just become a simple base to use all of those assets?

-From what I understand some of you even create custom assets in the game can you explain your creative workflow?

-Some of you have been very influential in the modern park tycoon game trough your mods/creations. Would you like to share your tough on it?

-For how long have you been creating trough games ?

For maybe 30 years? Back just before RCT first came out, Sim City and Transport Tycoon were among the few games I played, then Zoo Tycoon and RCT came on the market, but it was when I discovered the fan community that I really got involved.

-Do you create trough other form (traditional medium , digital drawing , gamedev etc...) if yes can you please precise it?

Yes, but really only because of games like RCT3 and Planet Coaster that I taught myself Blender, SketchUp and programs like PaintShop Pro in order to dd even more to what I wanted to create in the games.. My artistic talents otherwise were limited to a little painting and calligraphy.

-Do you consider your creation inside those game to be art? why?

Oh, absolutely! It requires the exact same eye for composition, inventiveness and basic skill any other art form does.

-Why do you create trough those games ?

Ease of access is a big reason. It's easy to pick up right where I left off without having to worry about cleaning up afterwards or preparing it before. It's ready to take up just as soon as I am.

-You share your creation trough forums why is that?

For several reasons. First, other forms like Discord are all very transitory. They are fine for conversing in near real-time about something, but I always feel that I'm dropping in the middle of a conversation and have little idea what the conversation was before. Forums have a bit more permanency (or at least what permanency that comes from being online I guess...) You can present and/or follow a topic in a linear fashion, it's easy to go back and see what happened before, it's easier to maintain a flow on a specific topic. Secondly, forums are what I'm used to. I started out years ago on the old RCT Station, then the RCT Depot, RCTSpace, RCTMart, Vodhin's, the Atari site and of course Shyguy's (and likely a dozen or so other sites over the years...). Forums give a deep sense of community that's not often found on other non-forum formats. And, for me personally, community is just as important as game play, along with a few other old-timers, we've been around for literally decades in this community (not withstanding the fervent wishes of a few...LOL!).

-Do you consider the game you're creating with a game or more like an engine / another creative software?

I'm definitely one of those who prefers park building over park managing. In fact often the parks I'm working on aren't even open to peeps until the final stages, and even then I'm not really 'managing' anything. I do try to build a park that CAN function well and CAN be successful, but that's not my primary concern

RCT3 ONLY : I can't answer the questions below since I no longer play it, but I didn't move to Planet Coaster immediately upon it's release, I continued playing RCT3 for quite a while, I had a lot invested in it with projects and a lot of custom scenery I made. It wasn't until my friend Bitter Jeweler gifted me the base game that I switched. And sadly once I did I never went back to RCT3. I have fond memories of it, of course. The same has now happened as I've moved from PC to PC2....LOT'S of TMTK items left behind, some that I really miss, but I'm liking the new game as I learn it...

-For how long have you been creating trough games ?

Like Wagi, nearly 30 years I would guess.

-Do you create trough other form (traditional medium , digital drawing , gamedev etc...) if yes can you please precise it?

I've dabbled in many conventional art forms, drawing (pencil, charcoal, pastels) acrylic and oil painting, music composition, scale model building, video, and game design. Today, it's strictly theme park building in games like Planet Coaster 1&2, Planet Zoo, and Jurassic World Evolution 3.

-Do you consider your creation inside those game to be art? why?

Yes. I have always enjoyed creating things. I consider myself an artist and designer, so yes, I consider my creations in these games as another form of art.

-Why do you create trough those games ?

Because there's no mess to clean up afterwards. 😁 It's also a lot cheaper. I originally created scale modes, including a couple theme parks, including Wonder World, which I've built over and over in theme park sims. I don't have the space, the patience, or the eyesight to create miniature models like I did in the past.

-You share your creation trough forums why is that?

Forums allow me to document my progress in an organized manner, and allow others to view each of my projects from start to finish, each in their own separate thread. Forums like this create a more intimate community, as opposed to the bigger platforms like Discord and Reddit, where your work will get lost among the mass of other posts.

-Do you consider the game you're creating with a game or more like an engine / another creative software?

I don't consider these games. The game elements are, honestly, poorly designed and don't interest me at all. I use these games as a form of expression and a platform in which to create my parks.

RCT3 ONLY :

-Why are you using a 22 years old game when more modern alternative exist?

I no longer play RCT3.

-The game has an expansive list of mods and custom assets , does the original game still impact your creation or as it just become a simple base to use all of those assets?

When I played the game, yes, it was a great base for the 1000's of custom created assets. I would have lost interest in the game years before I actually stopped playing it. Custom content was pretty much the only reason I played it so long.

-From what I understand some of you even create custom assets in the game can you explain your creative workflow?

I created many CS sets for RCT3. I mainly created sets of objects I needed to create the parks I was building. I then released these sets to the public, in hopes they would find them useful for their own work. They did. 😉

-Some of you have been very influential in the modern park tycoon game trough your mods/creations. Would you like to share your tough on it?

I think my RCT3 parks were very popular because of the CS I was creating for them. People were excited to see the new assets I was using to create my parks, knowing they would soon get their own hands on these sets to use in their own parks. When people think of me today, they still associate me with RCT3 and my CS sets. I got my 15 minutes of fame. Something I feel proud of.

Edited March 31Mar 31 by shyguy

-For how long have you been creating trough games ?

Well my parents claim since I was 2 so 26 years I guess.
-Do you create trough other form (traditional medium , digital drawing , gamedev etc...) if yes can you please precise it?

I used to use Photoshop and Illustrator religiously. I could use SolidWorks to make models but that is my job during the day so that would be a bit much 😅.

-Do you consider your creation inside those game to be art? why?

Absolutely, my main medium is theme park games where I take real-world experiences and creations and adapt to my own ideas.

-Why do you create trough those games ?

Just a creative outlet and something I have done for MANY years. I also think creations in theme park games is more fun than other mediums. With the games having the people in them, you can get some fun reactions to your creations.

-You share your creation trough forums why is that?

I have been on forums for many years, I did not start posting projects until 2016 when I was in college. It quickly evolved into becoming a prominent member then staff member.

-Do you consider the game you're creating with a game or more like an engine / another creative software?

I would say it is a creative software at this point.

RCT3 ONLY :

-Why are you using a 22 years old game when more modern alternative exist?

There has been so much custom content released that it almost feels like a whole different game. There are still things being created for it and plus I have projects that I joke will never die.

-The game has an expansive list of mods and custom assets , does the original game still impact your creation or as it just become a simple base to use all of those assets?

The original game does serve as a base. I do still use in-game elements to plan what to put custom ontop.

-From what I understand some of you even create custom assets in the game can you explain your creative workflow?
I am not that crafty, but I have been known to pinpoint where things are from.
-Some of you have been very influential in the modern park tycoon game trough your mods/creations. Would you like to share your tough on it?

Just go with your imagination and have fun. I take real-world parks I have been to and make different changes to make things my own.

-For how long have you been creating trough games ?

Since the first day RDT came out. Read about it in a PC gaming mag and couldn't wait for it.

-Do you create trough other form (traditional medium , digital drawing , gamedev etc...) if yes can you please precise it?

Mostly through building parks in the game/s. I do like to remodel and design physical places and have created some magical rooms throughout the years. I also love making videos on various topics which is an art form of creation IMO.

-Do you consider your creation inside those game to be art? why?

Sure - basically starting with a blank canvas and creating a faux world that comes alive.

-Why do you create trough those games ?

Its a great way to keep my mind active and there is a sense of self accomplishment when you can look at what you created.

-You share your creation trough forums why is that?

I had to think about this one. The main reason would be that I hope what I'm doing can inspire others to try to be creative and build their confidence in being creative.

-Do you consider the game you're creating with a game or more like an engine / another creative software?

Creative software. I have never played this like a game, but as a place to create.

RCT3 ONLY :

-Why are you using a 22 years old game when more modern alternative exist?

Don't play RTC anymore

-The game has an expansive list of mods and custom assets , does the original game still impact your creation or as it just become a simple base to use all of those assets?

-From what I understand some of you even create custom assets in the game can you explain your creative workflow?

Always wanted to do this, but technically never could grasp the concept and steps to do this.

-Some of you have been very influential in the modern park tycoon game trough your mods/creations. Would you like to share your tough on it?

Q: For how long have you been creating through games?

A: I started creating content in games and sharing it publicly with RCT3 in 2010, which is now 16 years ago. I began on a forum much similar to this one called vPyro, which was dedicated to the mixmaster and fireworks tool in RCT3.

Q: Do you create through other forms (traditional medium, digital drawing, gamedev etc)? If yes, can you please specify it?

A: Creating content and sharing it from RCT3 was actually a gateway for me into the world of digital art. I learned how to use Adobe software, video editing, graphic design, sound editing, and more through the production, marketing, and sharing of my projects from RCT3. To this day, I still create countless digital content such as assets and events for this community at ParkCrafters, and even at my current job, where I am a UI/UX designer. I've also looked into and dabbled in coding, game design, and development, and more, which could all be traced back to RCT3.

Q: Do you consider your creation inside those games to be art? Why?

A: I very much do! This was something I always truly believed - I always viewed these games as a tool rather than just a "video game". To create something and share that evokes emotion in others is the definition of art for me. I've created projects that have gotten people excited, emotional, and more directly from these types of games. If that's not art, then I don't know what is.

Q: Why do you create through those games?

A: I have two reasons for this. I primarily create firework shows and effects in RCT3 because there really isn't a better option or software out there for this medium. I've tried others, but they don't offer the freedom and versatility that RCT3 does. Surprisingly, even professional software for showmaking isn't as good as RCT3. Still waiting for the day that a software or game can come out that replaces the advanced fireworks editor and mixmaster from RCT3, but until then, I will continue to use RCT3 to create shows. The other option, which might sound like I'm contradicting myself here, but this one leans more towards other games in this genre, such as Planet Coaster and Planet Zoo, is that I just like the challenge of limitations it puts on you. You can only create with the items and scenery sets from the game itself; it forces you to think outside the box and find different ways to tackle the project you are working on. But when you successfully do? There's no better feeling than that!

Q: You share your creation through forums. Why is that?

A: I stated before that I started on a forum similar to this one called vPyro. When that forum and others all started closing their doors, I took it upon myself to create a new home for this community called ParkCrafters. I wanted it to be a forum instead of just another Discord server or social media page/blog. Why? The forum structure supports and works perfectly for this type of community. I way to archive and easily go back to see progress on your projects and others. Everything is more permanent here, things don't get buried in a text chat when you share something. You can take a look back at your projects to see how far you've grown, easily find content, and more. Forums just work so much better than other types of social communities these days.

Q: Do you consider the game you're creating with a game or more like an engine/another creative software?

A: I sort of answered this above, but yes, I view these games as more of a tool rather than a video game.

Q: Why are you using a 22-year-old game when more modern alternatives exist?

A: I also answered this above. I use RCT3 to create fireworks shows, and no other software has come close to rivaling what you are capable of doing in the game. When a better software or game is released, I would most likely switch to that one. On the flip side, RCT3 is also just very nostalgic to me, and I know it very well!

Q: The game has an expansive list of mods and custom assets. Does the original game still impact your creation, or has it just become a simple base to use all of those assets?

A: My answer might differ from others here since I use RCT3 to create fireworks. I use the base game tools to create custom effects, so the answer to this question is both basically. It very much does impact my creation since I can only choose from the game's base particle style choices, but I also do view it as a base to create and use custom effects that I've created.

Q: From what I understand, some of you even create custom assets in the game. Can you explain your creative workflow?

A: I create custom effects in RCT3 as they are pretty essential to my shows (can't make a fireworks show without fireworks)! It would be a pretty boring show or shows to use the same effects over and over again, so the answer to this question is pretty self-explanatory. I can talk about some of my process when creating these effects, though. I take a lot of inspiration from real-world shows I've seen both online and in person. Some shows that I create may even call for some more fantasy-like, non-realistic effects to further a story or theme. All of these fuel the creative process when making effects.

Q: Some of you have been very influential in the modern park tycoon game through your mods/creations. Would you like to share your thoughts on it?

A: Unfortunately, since I always focused on shows, I don't think modern park tycoon games have focused on showmaking, sadly. I really do believe there is a massive untapped community revolving around showmaking that these newer tycoon games just don't realize is there, since they don't provide the modern tools for them. I would love for games like Planet Coaster to really expand their tools for fireworks, as I would love to see a modern mixmaster tool!

-For how long have you been creating trough games ?

I began back in the 1980s by writing in 8502 machine language to create my own version of the Lunar Lander arcade game. It was clunky and slow, and not very well drawn, but it was mine and I was proud of it. I was never very good at art, so digital code let me express myself in a medium I could work with... math. When games like SimCity and RCT came out that let me express myself without the need to be able to draw or paint, it was perfect for me.

-Do you create trough other form (traditional medium , digital drawing , gamedev etc...) if yes can you please precise it?

I am a Game Master in a weekly Tabletop Role Playing Game. As such, I am called on to create maps, storylines, plots, challenges, etc. I also dabble in writing as a hobby. (I have written 4 novels, 2 novellas, 2 short stories, and a poem, all unpublished just for my own use)

-Do you consider your creation inside those game to be art? why?

Absolutely! Art is self expression at its core. Through building games like RCT, I can express myself without having to have the artistic skill normally required.

-Why do you create trough those games ?

As noted above, I am a terrible artist. Building games give me the opportunity to express myself artistically without the requisite skill at creating art assets.

-You share your creation trough forums why is that?

Forums are the perfect medium for artistic expression through building games. They have a permanence not found in other forms of social media. I choose to share my work on a forum because I want others to share in my self expression. Art that is never seen except by the artist is a waste.

-Do you consider the game you're creating with a game or more like an engine / another creative software?

For me, it's a hybrid of the two. I still play and enjoy the game aspects, but they are also an engine for creative expression.

-Why are you using a 22 years old game when more modern alternative exist?

Because it works. Additionally, because I know it so well, I know how to make it do what I want. I enjoy having to work within the limitations of the engine. (which is why all my creations aren't in sandboxes but using the provided scenarios)

-The game has an expansive list of mods and custom assets , does the original game still impact your creation or as it just become a simple base to use all of those assets?

The original game is the core of my expression. Everything I make has to fit within its constraints. I may have thousands of custom assets, but they just serve to give me more "colors" to apply to my chosen "canvas".

-From what I understand some of you even create custom assets in the game can you explain your creative workflow?

The closest I have gotten to this is editing other people's assets to fix what I perceive as errors or omissions. (like assigning them appropriate costs, stats, etc. when they have none or I feel they weren't done well enough) I have no artistic talent to create visually appealing art assets, so I must rely on the ability of others. My talents lie in other areas such as mathematics, physics, and storycrafting.

-Some of you have been very influential in the modern park tycoon game trough your mods/creations. Would you like to share your tough on it?

Not applicable to me, but I would like to express my deepest thanks to those such as @shyguy and @wolfpaw who have influenced this genre. Without them, we wouldn't be here to give you the data you're seeking. ;^)

-For how long have you been creating trough games?

Not sure about that, something like 20 years I guess.

-Do you create trough other form (traditional medium , digital drawing , gamedev etc...) if yes can you please precise it?

Yes, I'm very much into arts, and especially music (playing, composition and improvisation). I don't think it's really related to the games, but it helps with the creative process.

-Do you consider your creation inside those game to be art? why?

Yes for sure. My creations are mostly asset mods, I've never actually been able to finish any kind of traditional gaming project.

-Why do you create trough those games?

I no longer create things in the game that often, but back when I did, it was because I felt to, and enjoyed doing it.

-You share your creation trough forums why is that?

Mostly because I wanted to share my mods to anyone that could find them useful, so I always published them on whatever forum was active at the time (Realtycoon, SGW, and then Parkcrafters). I also enjoyed having a look at the projects the other members where working on, and seeing how my mods where used by the community.

-Do you consider the game you're creating with a game or more like an engine / another creative software?

I think I'm more for the engine / creative software option, as I really didn't care much for the "game" part of it.

RCT3 ONLY :

-Why are you using a 22 years old game when more modern alternative exist?

Mostly because I feel modern alternatives doesn't actually offer the same customization options as this 22 y.o. game, at least in terms of modding flexibility. On top of that, I really enjoy trying to work around the engine limitations and see what it can really do. For example, quite some time ago I made a mod for diagonal pathways, completely integrated in the game's own path system. It wasn't considered possible, and people were using invisible paths and custom path covers to achieve that. I did too, but I didn't like the fact that custom path covers couldn't have shadows on them. That mod required quite a lot of planning, test, failures, and creative O.O.T.B. thinking to actually trick the engine in drawing diagonals instead of grid squares. All of that to get diagonal paths that could receive shadows. Yay!

-The game has an expansive list of mods and custom assets , does the original game still impact your creation or as it just become a simple base to use all of those assets?

Simple base. Even if as a player I think vanilla RCT3 may be underrated, I don't think someone would still be playing if it wasn't for custom content.

-From what I understand some of you even create custom assets in the game can you explain your creative workflow?

The workflow is not that different from the modern modding workflow, at least for the 3d modeling phase. The only real difference is you have to be very careful about the engine limits (we are talking about a single-core era engine, limited to 2GB of ram). So optimize, make alpha textures instead of complex shapes to save on poly count, optimize again, keep in mind the size constraints to avoid crashing the game when the shadows are on, split meshes if necessary and, again, optimize!

-Some of you have been very influential in the modern park tycoon game trough your mods/creations. Would you like to share your tough on it?

I really think that Belgabor, Vodhin, @shyguy, Markus Lomberg, and a few others needs to be acknowledged for laying the basis of the RCT3 Custom Content Community, while Silvarret, @Wilhelm1407, @wolfpaw, @Cody and many others really made this game shine with their creations. I really think if someone actually wants to make a successful park tycoon game, the importance of custom content support can't be stressed enough.

Edited May 16May 16 by FrancesCoaster
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