For the first time in its storied history, Atari will be seeking crowdfunding to bankroll a new game.
Roller Coaster Tycoon Switch (tentative title) is currently on offer via StartEngine, a Kickstarter-like platform for crowdfunding projects.
The company is looking for a minimum of $10,000 and could has listed their ceiling at just over one million dollars in development capital. The least an individual can invest into the project is $250, but the way StartEngine works is actually similar to owning a piece of the actual company one invests in. Those who decide to put in money would participate in a revenue-sharing program with Atari. Every dollar buys an investor one “RCT Revenue Participation Unit” and sees the game on its way to release as early as this year.
The company handling production of the title is Nvizzio Creations, the same team that developed Roller Coaster Tycoon Touch on iOS and other mobile platforms.
The Nintendo Switch version they’re looking to release is a port from this mobile version, and it is unfortunately one that has microtransactions and a serious level of enticement to pay real money for in game items. With that said, Nintendo Switch hasn’t been utilized as a platform for micro-transactions in the same way that mobile phones have been, so there may be a big difference between how these actually play out.
Those interested in investing in the game (and living in the USA) can take a look at the proposal from Atari at StartEngine.
The rest of us will just have to wait until the game ships, if it does, later this year.