Official Atari Games Podcast

Episode 84 - Let's Play Parkasaurus w/ Washbear Studio

Official Atari Games Podcast

Summary

Atari Games announces the upcoming console release of Parkasaurus, set for August 5th on platforms including Switch 2, Xbox Series S, and PS5. The game will feature both the Prehistoric Wonders and Sea Monsters expansions, enhancing the gameplay experience for fans of dinosaur simulation games.

Chris McQuinn, co-founder of WashBear Studios, shares insights into the game's development, revealing that the initial concept stemmed from a doodle by a co-founder's partner. Drawing inspiration from classic simulation games like Dino Tycoon and RollerCoaster Tycoon, the team aimed to create a balance between running a profitable dinosaur park and ensuring the well-being of the dinosaurs. The game emphasizes a unique mechanic where players can dig for dinosaur bones through a time portal, adding a whimsical sci-fi twist to the gameplay.

The discussion also touches on the game's community-driven development process, which involved extensive testing and feedback from players during its early access phase. As the conversation unfolds, the hosts engage in light-hearted banter about dinosaur trivia and the various inspirations behind the game, including popular culture references and the evolution of dinosaurs in gaming. Overall, the episode highlights the excitement surrounding Parkasaurus and its upcoming console launch, while also celebrating the creativity and passion of its developers.

Show Notes

Dinosaurs: you love 'em. Tycoon games: you love 'em! Mash those two together, and you have a delightful peanut-butter-and-chocolate-like combination that is Parkasaurus. Under the bright and whimsical presentation lies a deep park builder with sci-fi twists and endless opportunities to build your dream Jurassic destination. While the title has been out for a few years on Switch and Steam, we partnered with Washbear Studio to bring the title to current-gen consoles with all DLC in tow. Joining me to discuss all things Parkasaurus are Washbear Studio co-founder Chris McQuinn and Atari producer Kay Bell. We go through the origins of the title, the many systems, and, of course, a quick round of trivia.

YouTube: https://youtu.be/rE-gMTMfOA4

Wishlist Parkasaurus on consoles or check it out on Steam now:

Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/591460/Parkasaurus/ Switch: https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/products/parkasaurus-dinoluxe-edition-switch-2/ PS5: https://store.playstation.com/en-us/concept/10017988/ Xbox: https://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/store/parkasaurus-dinoluxe-edition/9NV849PXZM1S

Join the Atari Club on Discord: https://discord.gg/atariclub

Washbear:

Discord: http://discord.gg/washbear X: https://x.com/washbearstudio

Atari:

X: https://x.com/atari BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/atari.com

Kay Bell: https://x.com/deersten

Jason Polansky: https://bsky.app/profile/jaysofdoom.bsky.social

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