Roller Coaster Tycoon creator sues Atari
by Ross Miller 
{ Nov 8th 2005 at 6:00PM }
Chris Sawyer, the mind behind the Roller Coaster Tycoon
franchise, is suing Atari unpaid royalties over his theme park-simulation title. The series has made around $180
million, of which $30 million has already been given to Sawyer. However, after a forensic accountant had audited the
royalties due to him, it was discovered that he was owed just a little bit more - to the tune of $4.8 million in unpaid
royalties.
Since Sawyer may still own the intellectual property to the game, the outcome of this trial could affect the release
of future Roller Coaster Tycoon titles. With some fairly recent
financial woes, Atari probably needs this franchise more
than it needs them.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jay @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
I don't really like RCT3 that much. much prefer 2. but alas! Chris Sawyer did an excellent job with the original series and with Ataris recent financial problems they probably are cheating him. sad a bit. I hope this means the next RCT games are sang to the tune of a top quality 3D RCT2 and not some mediocre 3D attempt.
Go get 'em, Chris!
Does anyone know if Allister Brimble did the music for RCT3 like he did for 1 and 2? that guys a legend.
Kevout @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
Atari completely butchered Rollercoaster Tycoon
Chiablo @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
#1 was my favorite. I spent many hours creating ultimate death machines you humans call... roller coasters.
I don't know why, but I couldn't really get into #2, and #3 kept my attention for about 15 minutes before I uninstalled it.
Rico @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
I don't know, I really enjoyed RCT3 although it was too easy - build a bunch of rides, fast forward for ten minutes, come back and you've won. But it did everything else right, with beautiful graphics and scale, time controls, better mission objectives, tons of scenery etc. Once fully patched it is definitely worth your attention. Therefore, I really hope this is sorted out so RCT 4 can be released by the same team. They deserve it.
scaryface @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
Oh, RCT 1, I loved dropping all my customers into a fenced in area and forcing them to go on my worthless roller coaster. I never actually played #3
Jason Anderson @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
All I know is if the third one isn't as good as the first two in ease of use and fun, I will hate them for it and curse them for not just porting the first two to the Mac.
World of Warcraft @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
Heh, I loved the first roller coaster tycoon game. I would place all of my shops outside and all the visitors would spend most of their money before entering the theme park. lol
number8888 @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
Atari did a terrible job with RCT3. There were too many bugs and even an average sized park would have unplayable framerates. The first two were so much better even though they weren't 3D.
Ed @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
Chris Sawyer is one bad ass game designer and programmer. Anyone that is willing to build multiple games in pure x86 assembly gets my respect. I still play Transport Tycoon Deluxe and that was released back when Windows 3.1 was released. It's still that good.
Atari, pay up. The man is a friggin genious.
GTgamer @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
I enjoyed RCT 1/2, but I haven't played 3 yet. I'll probably pick it up once it's discounted.
The best part of this article is that it made me discover that a modern successor to Transport Tycoon was released (Locomotion). I've been waiting for Chris Sawyer to make a modern successor to TT:Deluxe for ages. It seems that Atari didn't do much to hype Locomotion as this is the first time I heard about it. Though the IGN review makes Locomotion sound pretty bad and maybe that's why. Damn...
Andrew T @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM
Hi Chris I love way RCT3 went to 3D! Please please!! Don't take away RCT3 and all the add-ons. I love to ride the rides etc. Even my friend enjoys play RCT3! I love the fireworks,laser shows, and ride the awesome rides! And they are improving the tunnel system allot. Remember "all" games has bugs. I glad they went to 3D. I also own your old RCT1 and RCT2 games and there add-ons but I just want RCT3 to stay.