:Theme Park World

{{Infobox video game

| title = Theme Park World

| image = SimThemeParkWorld.jpg

| developer = Bullfrog Productions{{efn|Ported to PlayStation and PlayStation 2 by Climax Development, and Mac OS by Zonic}}

| publisher = Electronic Arts{{efn|PlayStation 2 version released under the EA Games brand. Published on Mac OS by Feral Interactive.}}

| director =

| producer = Jeff Gamon

| designer =

| programmer =

| artist =

| writer =

| composer = James Hannigan

| platforms = {{ubl|Microsoft Windows|PlayStation|PlayStation 2|Mac OS}}

| released = Microsoft Windows
{{vgrelease|NA|3 November 1999|EU|19 November 1999}}PlayStation
{{vgrelease|JP|16 March 2000|NA|22 March 2000|EU|21 July 2000}}PlayStation 2
{{vgrelease|NA|5 December 2000|EU|8 December 2000}}Mac OS
{{vgrelease|NA|8 December 2000}}

| genre = Construction and management simulation

| modes = Single-player

}}

Theme Park World, also known as Theme Park 2, and in North America as Sim Theme Park, is a 1999 construction and management simulation game developed by Bullfrog Productions and released by Electronic Arts. The direct sequel to Theme Park (Theme Hospital and Theme Aquarium are thematic sequels), the player constructs and manages an amusement park to make a profit and keep visitors happy. Initially developed for Windows, it was ported to PlayStation and PlayStation 2 (whose version was titled Theme Park Roller Coaster in North America), as well for Macintosh computers. The Mac version was published by Feral Interactive.

The game was developed because personnel at Bullfrog wanted to bring the original Theme Park up-to-date. Theme Park World contains four different themed areas to build amusement parks in, the ability to ride attractions, and an online service that enabled players to share parks. Reception was mostly positive, with reviewers complimenting the sound and visuals, although some were critical of the interface. The game was followed by Theme Park Inc (also known as SimCoaster) in 2001.

Gameplay

File:ThemeParkWorldGameplay.jpg

Theme Park World tasks players with managing a series of amusement parks.Prima Guide Book, p. 2. To do this, the player must choose how to spend their funds, finding ways to expand the number and scope of their parks while remaining profitable.Prima Guide Book, pp. 4,5. Money can be used to purchase things such as new rides or attractions,Prima Guide Book, p. 37. and hire staff to maintain the park.Prima Guide Book, pp. 6-12. As in its predecessor Theme Park, the staff available for recruitment include mechanics, cleaners (known in some versions as handymenPlaying Guide Book, p. 41.), entertainers, and guards,Prima Guide Book, pp. 6-10 but Theme Park World also introduces a new role: scientists (known in some versions as researchersComplete Guide Book, p. 23.{{cite book|author1=Bullfrog|title=Theme Park World PlayStation 2 manual|date=2000|publisher=Electronic Arts|location=Chertsey|page=20|edition=PAL}}).Prima Guide Book, p. 11 The staff repair rides, clean litter, entertain visitors, ensure the park's security and research new rides, shops, and attractions.Prima Guide Book, p. 6-11. Staff can be trained to make them more efficient,Prima Guide Book, pp. 6-11. and require frequent rest in staff rooms.

Rides can be upgraded to increase their reliability, capacity, and speed,Manual, p. 47. as well as provide additional components for track-based rides, such as jumps and tunnels for race tracks,Prima Guide Book, p. 52. and loops for roller coasters.Prima Guide Book, p. 54. Toilets and features such as bins, speakers, and security cameras can also be purchased.Playing Guide Book, p. 39. Various elements can be controlled by the player, such as the name of the park,Manual, p. 30. the price of admission,Manual, p. 48. the layout of the roller-coaster tracks,Manual, p. 19-22. and the quality of goods in the shops.Prima Guide Book, pp. 22-27. The player can build cafés, novelty stores, restaurants, and parlours for foodstuff such as chips (fries), ice creams, and burgers.Perfect Program Guide Book, pp. 105-111. In the PlayStation version, certain rides and sideshows are playable as minigames such as races and 9 puzzles.Complete Guide Book, pp. 47,51. The player can take loans and purchase additional land for the park.Manual, p. 27.

A key focus is maintaining visitor satisfaction: the player is provided with feedback on visitors' merriment in the forms of a happiness meter,Manual, p. 8. and thought bubbles.Perfect Program Guide Book, p. 41. The bubbles convey feelings such as confusion, pleasure, hunger, and hygiene, which are indicators of the park's success.Prima Guide Book, pp. 13-17. There is an advisor who provides tutorials and information about the park's events.Playing Guide Book, p. 12.

The player can earn golden tickets or keys for completing tasks such as getting a certain number of people in the park, reaching a certain happiness level, and making a certain profit in a year.Prima Guide Book, p. 42. Golden tickets can be used to buy special rides that cannot otherwise be researched by park scientists, as well as unlock golden keys needed to open additional parks.Prima Guide Book, pp. 28,29. The requirements for earning golden tickets are similar in each park, but get harder as the game progresses. There are four themes of park: Lost Kingdom (featuring mainly Mesozoic, but also Aztec, Mayan, and Ape-based ridesPrima Guide Book, pp. 46-64.) Wonder Land (described as a "fairy kingdom"Prima Guide Book, p. 94.), Halloween World, and Space Zone,Playing Guide Book, pp. 16-23. with Space Zone being the hardest.{{cite magazine|magazine=Génération 4|issn=1624-1088|title=Manège à trois|pages=160–170|date=February 2000|issue=131|language=fr|author=Frédéric Dufresne}} In the PlayStation version, there are two parks for each theme.Perfect Program Guide Book, p. 45. Each world has setting-appropriate rides, shops, and sideshows.Complete Guide Book, pp. 43-143. Only the Lost Kingdom and Halloween World are available at the start (in the PlayStation version, the players start in the Lost KingdomComplete Guide Book, p. 9.).Prima Guide Book. p. 28.

The player can ride on rides,Manual, p. 31. and tour the park in the first-person view.Complete Guide Book, p. 35. In the PlayStation version, four golden tickets are required to use these features.

There is also an Instant Action mode, in which the player starts with a pre-built park in the Lost Kingdom, some staff, and double the usual amount of money. It features automatic research and cheaper staff, tracks, and expansion, but certain rides, shops, sideshows, upgrades, and features are not available.Prima Guide Book, pp. 44,45.Playing Guide Book, p. 8.

= Theme Park World Online =

The Theme Park World Online website contained news and updates to the game, and featured a page that contained published parks. Invitations to parks could be issued, and players could vote for their favourites.Manual, pp. 59,62. Competitions were hosted, with prizes awarded for the best parks.Manual, p. 60. Players could also visit others' published parks.Manual, p. 64,65. Platinum Tickets, which were used to download rides from the website, were awarded when others visited the player's parks. Postcards could be sent by email,Manual, p. 59. and the service offered a chat feature.Manual, pp. 67-69. The chat service had a function to report abusive players, who would have their connection terminated.Manual, p. 70. Players could also be blackmarked.Manual, pp. 70,71. An account was required to use Theme Park World Online.

Development

Theme Park World was announced (as Theme Park 2) in April 1999.{{cite magazine|magazine=PC Zone|issn=0967-8220|pages=12, 13|issue=75|date=April 1999|title=Theme Park 2|location=London}}{{cite web|title=Bullfrog Unveils Theme Park World|url=http://uk.ign.com/articles/1999/04/21/bullfrog-unveils-theme-park-world|website=IGN|access-date=4 September 2017|date=20 April 1999}} Many Bullfrog personnel had wanted to produce an updated version of Theme Park. Producer Jeff Gamon said that and that players wanted to ride rides they created and Bullfrog built on the original game's success using the latest technology. Gamon also said that Theme Park World would be less objective-based and more open-ended than the previous Theme games.{{cite magazine|title=Chunder Wonder Returns |magazine=Computer and Video Games|issue=216|publisher=EMAP|date=November 1999|pages=44, 45|issn=0261-3697|location=Peterborough}} Early in development, there were 12 artists, who were led by Darran Thomas before he left Bullfrog with Jeremy Longley and Glenn Corpes to found Lost Toys.{{cite magazine|magazine=Edge|issn=1350-1593|department=Audience|pages=107–111|issue=71|date=May 1999|title=An Audience With Lost Toys|location=Bath}}

The game used a 3D engine to eliminate the need for a 3D accelerator card, and an advanced behavioural artificial intelligence system (programmed by Ben Board{{cite magazine|magazine=Retro Gamer|location=Bournemouth|issn=1742-3155|title=Revisiting Bullfrog: 25 Years On|pages=60–67|issue=110|date=December 2012}}) that gave visitors different behavioural traits. Board said that the most important feature was the queuing behaviour, and that he spent a while making it look interesting when visitors were in long queues. Many management features of the original game were retained,{{cite web|author1=David Finn|author2=Scott Udell|title=Theme Park World|url=http://www.cdmag.com:80/articles/020/152/themep_preview.html|website=Computer Games Magazine|access-date=5 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030709103919/http://www.cdmag.com/articles/020/152/themep_preview.html|archive-date=9 July 2003|date=19 June 1999|url-status=dead}} but some, such as supply ordering and competition with other parks, were removed.{{cite magazine | url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_183.pdf#page=72 | title=Theme Park World | magazine=Computer Gaming World | date=October 1999 | access-date=5 September 2017 | pages=68, 69 | publisher=Ziff Davis | issn=0744-6667 | issue=183 | author=Chris Lombardi | archive-date=18 July 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210718015421/http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_183.pdf#page=72 | url-status=live }} Staff would no longer get strike action because it was considered confusing and annoying.{{cite book|author1=Bullfrog|title=Theme Park World Addendum|date=1999}}

Theme Park World originally used the Populous: The Beginning engine, but it was "limiting", and a new one was built.{{cite magazine|magazine=Edge|title=Theme Park World|department=Prescreen|pages=28, 29|issue=76|date=October 1999|issn=1350-1593|location=Bath}} Most of the development team were from Mindscape: they were brought to Bullfrog to complete Dark Omen. After Theme Resort was cancelled, its team joined the people from Mindscape to develop Theme Park 2. As of October 1999, development of the PlayStation version was two months behind the PC version, and there was a greater emphasis placed on the minigames to compensate for its lack of internet connectivity. The internet connectivity and the ability to ride on rides were developed in response to criticism of the original game's repetitiveness.

In August 1999, Theme Park World was renamed as Sim Theme Park for North America, and was released as part of Maxis' (a sister company of Bullfrog) Sim line.{{cite web|author1=James Fudge|title=Theme Park World Gets North American Name Change|url=http://www.cdmag.com:80/articles/021/185/tpw_name.html|website=Computer Games Magazine|access-date=4 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030709114703/http://www.cdmag.com/articles/021/185/tpw_name.html|date=7 August 1999|archive-date=9 July 2003|url-status=dead}} The renaming was to make the game easy to recognise by all types of gamer. Bullfrog General Manager Bruce McMillan said that the Theme series was much stronger in Europe and Asia than North America, and the re-branding would inform gamers of the type of gaming experience the game would offer. He also said they were pleased to work with Maxis, which would allow the game to become popular in the United States. Luc Barthelet, Maxis' General Manager, said Theme Park World "is a great game" and that he was pleased to have it as part of the Sim series, but expressed jealousy at Bullfrog for developing such a game before Maxis.

Theme Park World was released for Microsoft Windows on 3 November 1999.{{cite web|title=Theme Park World - PC|url=http://uk.ign.com/games/sim-theme-park/pc-12060|website=IGN|access-date=4 September 2017}} The Japanese version was published by Electronic Arts Square.{{cite magazine|magazine=DOSV Magazine|title=正しいテーマパークの作り方，教えます！～テーマパークワールド攻略|date=15 March 2000|pages=268–271|department=Gamer's Index|language=ja|author=Yuki Nisio|url=http://www.4gamer.net/conquer/Pdf/ThemeParkWorld.pdf|access-date=10 September 2017|archive-date=30 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210830165541/https://www.4gamer.net/conquer/Pdf/ThemeParkWorld.pdf|url-status=live}} It was released on Macintosh by Feral Interactive on 8 December 2000.{{cite web|title=Product Info: Sim Theme Park|url=http://www.insidemacgames.com/info.php?ID=73|website=Inside Mac Games|access-date=4 September 2017|archive-date=5 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170905052754/http://www.insidemacgames.com/info.php?ID=73|url-status=live}} The PlayStation version (developed by Climax Studios{{cite book|title=Theme Park World PlayStation manual|date=2000|publisher=Electronic Arts|location=Slough|page=37|edition=PAL|chapter=Credits}}) was released on 22 March 2000 (16 March in Japan{{cite magazine|title=テーマパークワールド|trans-title=Theme Park World|url=https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=9608|magazine=Famitsu|access-date=5 September 2017|language=ja|archive-date=5 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170905150903/https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=9608|url-status=live}}),{{cite web|title=Theme Park World - PlayStation|url=http://uk.ign.com/games/sim-theme-park/ps-13684|website=IGN|access-date=4 September 2017}} and the PlayStation 2 (titled Theme Park Roller Coaster in North America) version was released on 5 December 2000 in North America and 8 December 2000 in Europe{{cite web|title=Theme Park Roller Coaster|url=http://uk.ign.com/articles/2000/12/13/theme-park-roller-coaster|website=IGN|access-date=4 September 2017|date=12 December 2000|archive-date=19 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191219045521/https://uk.ign.com/articles/2000/12/13/theme-park-roller-coaster|url-status=live}} (28 December 2000 in Japanhttps://www.amazon.co.jp/%E3%82%A8%E3%83%AC%E3%82%AF%E3%83%88%E3%83%AD%E3%83%8B%E3%83%83%E3%82%AF%E3%83%BB%E3%82%A2%E3%83%BC%E3%83%84-%E3%83%86%E3%83%BC%E3%83%9E%E3%83%91%E3%83%BC%E3%82%AF2001/dp/B00005OVTT) The European PS1 and PS2 versions were released in July 2000 and December 2000, respectively. Theme Park World was released on the PlayStation Portable and PlayStation 3 via the PlayStation Store in North America on 11 February 2010,{{cite web|title=Sim Theme Park™ (PS3™/PSP®)|url=https://store.playstation.com/#!/en-us/games/sim-theme-park-(ps3-psp)/cid=UP9000-NPUJ01069_00-0000000000000001|website=PlayStation Store|access-date=5 September 2017|archive-date=12 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160512225848/https://store.playstation.com/#!/en-us/games/sim-theme-park-(ps3-psp)/cid=UP9000-NPUJ01069_00-0000000000000001|url-status=live}} and in Japan on 24 December 2009.{{cite web|title=テーマパークワールド|trans-title=Theme Park World|url=https://store.playstation.com/#!/ja-jp/%e3%82%b2%e3%83%bc%e3%83%a0/%e3%83%86%e3%83%bc%e3%83%9e%e3%83%91%e3%83%bc%e3%82%af-%e3%83%af%e3%83%bc%e3%83%ab%e3%83%89/cid=JP0006-NPJJ00316_00-0000000000000001|website=PlayStation Store|access-date=5 September 2017|language=ja|archive-date=12 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160512225848/https://store.playstation.com/#!/ja-jp/%e3%82%b2%e3%83%bc%e3%83%a0/%e3%83%86%e3%83%bc%e3%83%9e%e3%83%91%e3%83%bc%e3%82%af-%e3%83%af%e3%83%bc%e3%83%ab%e3%83%89/cid=JP0006-NPJJ00316_00-0000000000000001|url-status=live}}

The adviser is voiced by Lewis MacLeod in UK release.Manual, p. 74.

Reception

{{Video game reviews

|GR = 77% (PC){{cite web |title=Sim Theme Park |url=http://gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/1294.asp |website=GameRankings |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=10 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020827195705/http://gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/1294.asp |archive-date=27 August 2002}}

|CGW = {{rating|4.5|5}} (PC){{cite magazine|author=Robert Coffey|title=Sim-ply Irresistible|magazine=Computer Gaming World|issue=187|publisher=Ziff Davis|date=February 2000|issn=0744-6667|url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_187.pdf#page=93|access-date=6 September 2017|page=89|archive-date=3 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303173818/http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_187.pdf#page=93|url-status=live}}

|IGN = 8.4/10 (PC){{cite web|title=Sim Theme Park|url=http://uk.ign.com/articles/1999/11/20/sim-theme-park-2|website=IGN|access-date=5 September 2017|date=19 November 1999|archive-date=19 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191219045530/https://uk.ign.com/articles/1999/11/20/sim-theme-park-2|url-status=live}}
8.5/10 (PlayStation){{cite web|author1=Sam Bishop|title=Sim Theme Park|url=http://uk.ign.com/articles/2000/03/29/sim-theme-park|website=IGN|access-date=6 September 2017|date=28 March 2000|archive-date=19 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191219045528/https://uk.ign.com/articles/2000/03/29/sim-theme-park|url-status=live}}
8.4/10 (PlayStation 2){{cite web|author1=Doug Perry|title=Theme Park Roller Coaster|url=http://uk.ign.com/articles/2000/12/13/theme-park-roller-coaster|website=IGN|access-date=9 September 2017|date=12 December 2000|archive-date=19 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191219045521/https://uk.ign.com/articles/2000/12/13/theme-park-roller-coaster|url-status=live}}

|GSpot = 8/10 (PC){{cite web|author1=Ron Dulin|title=SimTheme Park Review|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/simtheme-park-review/1900-2533024/|website=GameSpot|access-date=5 September 2017|date=24 November 1999|archive-date=21 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190521132504/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/simtheme-park-review/1900-2533024/|url-status=live}}
8.3/10 (PlayStation 2){{cite web|author1=Jeff Gerstmann|title=Theme Park Roller Coaster Review|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/theme-park-roller-coaster-review/1900-2664058/|website=GameSpot|access-date=9 September 2017|date=12 December 2000|archive-date=10 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170910040213/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/theme-park-roller-coaster-review/1900-2664058/|url-status=live}}

|CVG = {{rating|3|5}} (PC){{cite magazine|magazine=Computer and Video Games|publisher=EMAP|issn=0261-3697|page=72|issue=218|date=January 2000|title=Theme Park World|location=Peterborough|author=Pete Walker}}

| NGen = {{rating|4|5}} (PC)
{{rating|2|5}} (PS)
{{Rating|4|5}} (PS2)

|rev1 = PC Zone

|rev1Score = 70% (PC){{cite magazine|magazine=PC Zone|issn=0967-8220|page=83|issue=85|date=January 2000|title=Theme Park World|location=London}}

|rev2 = Jeuxvideo.com

|rev2Score = 15/20 (PC){{cite web|title=Test : Theme Park World|url=http://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0000/00000372_test.htm|website=Jeuxvideo.com|access-date=5 September 2017|language=fr|date=26 November 1999|archive-date=6 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906133519/http://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0000/00000372_test.htm|url-status=live}}
15/20 (PlayStation){{cite web|title=Test : Theme Park World|url=http://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0000/00000620_test.htm|website=Jeuxvideo.com|access-date=6 September 2017|language=fr|date=28 April 2000|archive-date=6 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906133612/http://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0000/00000620_test.htm|url-status=live}}
15/20 (PlayStation 2){{cite web|title=Test : Theme Park World|url=http://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0000/00001100_test.htm|website=Jeuxvideo.com|access-date=9 September 2017|language=fr|date=22 December 2000|archive-date=4 June 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040604224516/http://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0000/00001100_test.htm|url-status=live}}

|rev3 = FiringSquad

|rev3Score = {{rating|4|5}} (PC){{cite web|author1=Bob Colayco|title=Sim Theme Park Review|url=http://www.firingsquad.com/games/simthemepark/|website=FiringSquad|access-date=6 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130421140715/http://www.firingsquad.com/games/simthemepark/|archive-date=21 April 2013|date=1 December 1999}}

|rev4 = Absolute Playstation

|rev4Score = 71% (PlayStation){{cite web|title=Theme Park World|url=http://www.absolute-playstation.com/api_review/rsimthemepark.htm|website=Absolute PlayStation|access-date=6 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160812212818/http://www.absolute-playstation.com/api_review/rsimthemepark.htm|archive-date=12 August 2016|date=April 2000}}

|rev5 = Génération 4

|rev5Score = {{rating|5|6}} (PC){{cite magazine|magazine=Génération 4|issn=1624-1088|title=Tournez manège!|pages=136–144|date=December 1999|issue=129|language=fr|author=Rémy Goavec}}

|rev6 = Game Revolution

|rev6Score = 2.5/5 (PC){{cite web|author1=Ben Silverman|title=Sim Theme Park Review|url=http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/33119-its-a-sim-world-after-all-review|website=Game Revolution|access-date=9 September 2017|date=1 January 2000|archive-date=10 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170910040317/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/33119-its-a-sim-world-after-all-review|url-status=live}}

|rev7 = Inside Mac Games

|rev7Score = 8.75/10 (Macintosh){{cite web|author1=Michael Phillips|title=Sim Theme Park|url=http://www.insidemacgames.com/reviews/view.php?ID=137&Page=1|website=Inside Mac Games|access-date=10 September 2017|date=23 February 2001|archive-date=11 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170911023852/http://www.insidemacgames.com/reviews/view.php?ID=137&Page=1|url-status=live}}

}}

Theme Park World received generally positive reviews, though it failed to match the success of its predecessor.{{cite magazine|magazine=Retro Gamer|location=Bournemouth|issn=1742-3155|title=Company Profile: Bullfrog|pages=52–57|issue=43}} In North America, it sold 309,516 units and earned $8.51 million from January through October 2000, according to PC Data.{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010202214600/http://www.quartertothree.com/features/pcdata_top_10/years_bestsellers.shtml | url=http://www.quartertothree.com:80/features/pcdata_top_10/years_bestsellers.shtml | title=The Year's Ten Best-Selling Games | author1=Asher, Mark | author2=Chick, Tom | author-link2=Tom Chick | work=Quarter to Three | archive-date=2 February 2001 | url-status=dead | df=dmy-all }} These figures rose to 563,299 units and $13.08 million by the end of 2000, which made Sim Theme Park the region's eighth-best-selling computer game for the year.{{cite journal|author=|date=April 2001|volume=8|issue=4|title=It's All in the Numbers|journal=PC Gamer US |pages=40, 41 }} In 2001, the game took ninth in the United States for the year,{{cite press release | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030820032731/https://www.npd.com/press/releases/press_020207.htm | url=https://www.npd.com/press/releases/press_020207.htm | title=NPD Reports Annual 2001 U.S. Interactive Entertainment Sales Shatter Industry Record | publisher=The NPD Group | date=7 February 2002 | location=Port Washington, New York | archive-date=20 August 2003 }} with sales of 514,288 units ($9.92 million).{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040619191112/https://cat.nyu.edu/current/news/media/marklesimcity.pdf | url=https://cat.nyu.edu/current/news/media/marklesimcity.pdf | title=Markle Forum on Children and Media | author=Bradshaw, Lucy | author-link=Lucy Bradshaw (game developer) | date=31 January 2002 | publisher=New York University | archive-date=19 June 2004 | url-status=live }} The game was later given a "Platinum" sales award by the Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA),{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090515224703/http://www.elspa.com/?i=3944 |url=http://www.elspa.com:80/?i=3944 |title=ELSPA Sales Awards: Platinum |work=Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association |archive-date=15 May 2009 |url-status=dead }} indicating sales of at least 300,000 copies in the United Kingdom.{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170918063107/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/112220/ELSPA_Wii_Fit_Mario_Kart_Reach_Diamond_Status_In_UK.php |url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/112220/ELSPA_Wii_Fit_Mario_Kart_Reach_Diamond_Status_In_UK.php |title=ELSPA: Wii Fit, Mario Kart Reach Diamond Status In UK | author=Caoili, Eric | date=26 November 2008 |work=Gamasutra |archive-date=18 September 2017 |url-status=dead }}

The PC version was praised highly by Robert Coffey of Computer Gaming World: he believed the game is "Wildly entertaining" and liked the ability to tour parks and ride rides. His only real criticism was the difficulty of constructing roller coasters. The game was awarded the Editors' Choice award. A reviewer from IGN described the presentation as "clear, concise, and fun", and was impressed with the sound. Ron Dulin of GameSpot also liked the "amusing" visual appeal, but complained about the amount of detail the player must manage once the park becomes popular, and said it takes away the enjoyment of the player's creation. Computer and Video Games{{'}}s criticism was that the game is much more freeform than Theme Hospital: he said no specific goals are presented, and that golden tickets are often won suddenly. PC Zone{{'s}} reviewer complained that the player cannot build more than one of the same item at a time, and must keep re-entering the menus and select it again. He also described the adviser as "incredibly annoying", and the rides as "tamer than a sedated penguin". Despite these criticisms, Theme Park World was also described as "Very addictive". Jeuxvideo.com's reviewer thought Theme Park World is better than the original due to the 3D graphics, and also praised Bullfrog's humour, but also described the appearance as "repetitive". Bob Colayco of FiringSquad found the 3D graphics as colourful, and liked the refined user interface, describing it as "context sensitive" and believed that hotkeys play a greater role than in the previous game. He believed the game is "cuter" than RollerCoaster Tycoon. Génération 4{{'}}s Rémy Goavec was highly complimentary: he said Theme Park World was "a real treat" and "possibly the best Christmas gift Bullfrog could give". It was also described as "beautiful", "funny", and "intelligent". Theme Park World was more heavily criticised by Ben Silverman of Game Revolution: he liked the graphics, but described the adviser's advice as "worse than a nagging housewife". He also complained about the lack of variety, and said that the rides are repeated across the four worlds. Daniel Erickson of Next Generation stated that "hardcore sim fans might miss having to trade stocks and manage land grants, but everyone else is in for a treat".{{cite magazine|last=Erickson|first=Daniel|title=Finals|magazine=Next Generation|volume=3|issue=2|publisher=Imagine Media|date=February 2000|page=101}}

File:Theme Park World BAFTA Award, Sound, 2000.jpg

The PlayStation version was described by IGN's Sam Bishop as "a fantastic game". He thought the sound is "fantastic" and the adviser's voice acting is "perfect", but criticised the sprites as not becoming more detailed as the player zooms in, making close-up views a "pixeled horror". Absolute PlayStation said the music is repetitive, and disagreed with IGN on the adviser by describing him as "infuriating". A staff member described the game as "just more of the same". Jeuxvideo.com's reviewer thought the PlayStation version's gameplay is "mediocre", and criticised the interface for being too complex, although the action was described as "rich". Eric Bratcher reviewed the PlayStation version for Next Generation, and stated that "although there's nothing else like it on PlayStation this sluggish, homely, online version of a great PC title would have been much better suited for the next-generation systems".{{cite magazine|last=Bratcher|first=Eric|title=Finals|magazine=Next Generation|volume=3|issue=5|publisher=Imagine Media|date=May 2000|page=101}}

The PlayStation 2 version was described by a reviewer of Jeuxvideo.com as "a very good simulation game", and he also said the graphics were good, but could have been "more beautiful". IGN's Doug Perry said the PlayStation 2 version is smoother than the PC version, and praised its "laptop" interface. He described the game as "a fun, clean addictive game that's intelligent and highly amusing". Jeff Gerstmann of GameSpot liked the fact the PlayStation 2 version's goals are made clear, and believed the music fits the parks well and the fact that it has multiple parks made it great for players who like to play for short periods.

Eric Bratcher reviewed the PlayStation 2 version of the game for Next Generation, rating it four stars out of five, and said that "a stripped-down PC sim that shared the strange, hypnotic appeal of amusement parks themselves – you can't logically explain why you're there, but you'll find yourself captivated, unable to wipe the smile from your face".{{cite magazine|last=Bratcher|first=Eric|title=Finals|magazine=Next Generation|volume=4|issue=3|publisher=Imagine Media|date=March 2001|page=81}} This version of the game won GameSpot{{'}}s annual "Best Simulation Game" award among console games.{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020213041653/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/bestof_2000/ | url=http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/bestof_2000/ | title=Best and Worst of 2000 | author=GameSpot Staff | date=January 5, 2001 | work=GameSpot | archive-date=February 13, 2002 | url-status=dead }}

The Macintosh version was believed to be "just plain fun" by Michael Phillips of Inside Mac Games, who also praised the vibrant graphics. He also complimented the music as "themeparkish", and said it adds to the game's mood.

Theme Park World for PC was awarded the 2000 BAFTA Interactive Entertainment Award for Sound {{cite web|title=Interactive – Sound in 2000|url=http://awards.bafta.org/award/2000/interactive/sound-award|website=bafta.org|publisher=British Academy of Film and Television Arts|access-date=27 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150521034909/http://awards.bafta.org/award/2000/interactive/sound-award|archive-date=21 May 2015}} at the time recognising all aspects of Sound and Music in games. The award was collected on stage by composer James Hannigan, Richard Joseph and Nick Laviers of Electronic Arts.

References

= Sources =

{{cite book|author1=Bullfrog|title=Theme Park World manual|date=1999|publisher=Electronic Arts|location=Slough|edition=PC}}
{{cite book|author1=Trenton Webb|author2=Bob Wade|title=Theme Park World : Prima's Official Strategy Guide|date=1999|publisher=Prima Games|location=Rocklin, CA|isbn=978-0-76152-287-4}}
{{cite book|script-title=ja:テーマパークワールドコンプリートガイドブック|title=Tīma pāku wārudo konpurīto gaido bukku.|trans-title=Theme Park World Complete Guide Book|date=2000|publisher=Keibunsha|location=Tokyo|isbn=978-4-76693-480-9|language=ja}}
{{cite book|author1=Studio Click|script-title=ja:テーマパークワールド公式パーフェクトプログラム Perfect Program Official Edition|title=Tīma pāku wārudo kōshiki pāfekuto puroguramu|trans-title=Theme Park World Perfect Program Official Edition|date=2000|publisher=Takahasi Shoten|location=Tokyo|isbn=978-4-47136-049-8|series=高橋書店ゲーム攻略本シリーズ|language=ja}}
{{cite book|script-title=ja:テーマパークワールド攻略ガイド|title=Tīma pāku wārudo kōryaku gaido.|trans-title=Theme Park World Playing Guide|date=2000|publisher=Locus|location=Tokyo|isbn=978-4-89814-105-2|series=ナビブックシリーズ|language=ja}}