Atari Now Owns the Publishing Rights to Rollercoaster Tycoon

03.04.2024 - 17:15 / gamerant.com / Herbert M Shaw

Atari has bought the publishing rights to Rollercoaster Tycoon 3, and all major titles in the franchise, from Frontier Developments. The sale closed at $7 million and includes the rights to eight series titles. Atari and franchise creator Chris Sawyer's deal includes a long-term licensing agreement for the games as well.

The Rollercoaster Tycoon franchise is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Upon its release in 1999, Rollercoaster Tycoon popularized the theme park genre in a way that is echoed in some of today's amusement park construction and management simulators. Released in 2004, Rollercoaster Tycoon 3 remains the most current series title on PC and Switch. Some titles are available to play on mobile as well.

Announced on the Atari blog, the company is now the sole publisher of all major titles in the Rollercoaster Tycoon franchise. These include the series titles Rollercoaster Tycoon Classic, Rollercoaster Tycoon 2, Rollercoaster Tycoon 3, and spin-offs likeRollercoaster Tycoon Deluxe, Rollercoaster Tycoon Joyride, Rollercoaster Tycoon World, Rollercoaster Tycoon Puzzle andRollercoaster Tycoon Touch. Frontier Developments will maintain its sole ownership of Planet Coaster, the veritable successor to Tycoon.

The game, as published by Atari, promises to maintain all its original modes and features. The primary update to Rollercoaster Tycoon 3 that set it apart from its predecessors in 2004 was the viewpoint — from an isometric frame to fully immersed 3D graphics. Players can also take a first-person perspective on their own rides, set up musical fireworks performances, and create a wider variety of peeps, the NPCs who frequent the park. And with the replay value of games like Rollercoaster Tycoon, nostalgia plays a role in the popularity of this title as well.

The acquisition of the publishing rights to all major Rollercoaster Tycoon titles by Atari comes with a promise to expand the franchise further. With brand and merchandising collaborations as part of the agreement, new designs and promotions are bound to show up. Without having to worry about publishing, Frontier Developments have continued to expand their horizons with itsown titles, hinting that Planet Zoo could soon be on consoles.

Though 20 years old, the franchise has maintained its popularity, with the complete edition of Rollercoaster Tycoon 3 released in 2020 on Switch. The games will continue to be made with the publishing rights to all major titles now in control of Atari.