Prison Architect by Introversion

[paperfist]

http://www.introversion.co.uk/prisonarchitect/

RPS coverage:

http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2012/09/26/introversion-unveil-prison-architects-alpha-launch/

Been keeping my eye on this game. Looks like a fun, tycoon type of game with an interesting take on art work/icons. They have a alpha version available for $30 and if you go up the ladder you can have your name in the game, etc.

Just wondering if anyone has taken a bite out of the alpha offering? $30 seems a little steep to me for the type of game, but I haven't played a good a title in this genre in a long time.

 

[AyashiKaibutsu]

Graphics are a little too poor for me although I don't go nuts for tycoon games to begin with anyway... When you need to start putting giant labels on your rooms so people know what they are you've gone too cheap on the artists : p

 

[PhatoseAlpha]

....OK, what the hell is going on in that shower?

 

[paperfist]

Graphics are a little too poor for me although I don't go nuts for tycoon games to begin with anyway... When you need to start putting giant labels on your rooms so people know what they are you've gone too cheap on the artists : p

lol

Hopefully it's like that because it's an alpha version.

....OK, what the hell is going on in that shower?

I think you missed the little drop the soap icon.

 

[Dankk]

Someone on the Games subreddit posts their experiences: http://www.reddit.com/r/Games/comments/10jwgn/my_experience_with_prison_architect_alpha/

 

[Red Storm]

Graphics are a little too poor for me although I don't go nuts for tycoon games to begin with anyway... When you need to start putting giant labels on your rooms so people know what they are you've gone too cheap on the artists : p

lol I was thinking the same. It's like an Adam West video game!

 

[cytoSiN]

Cool concept, but $30 for those graphics? Yikes.

Also...

....OK, what the hell is going on in that shower?

Wash off your hate?

 

[Karsten]

If you complain about the graphics you don't get the point of this game. Let alone ever tried Dwarf Fortress (DF), which is mentioned numerous times as a inspiration whenever the creators talk about the game.

It doesn't mean a good sim has to have bad graphics but I rather have what seems to be very good compared to DF and concentrate on what makes a good sim.

Aside from that is that... this is an Alpha and as an Alpha the point of this release is to show something to the true fans of the game/style. If you don't know what DF is it's time to move on and maybe take another look when this puppy is finished.

 

[thejunglegod]

I love tycoon games. IMO Tycoon games have the potential to do really well. Sadly, they never pick up.

 

[CPA]

Interesting that they are using different shades of color for the inmates. I wonder if they will have shade ratios that mirror prison populations, if the shades migrate to the same shade, if there is a prevalence of shade against other shade violence, etc.

 

[WiseUp216]

Interesting that they are using different shades of color for the inmates. I wonder if they will have shade ratios that mirror prison populations, if the shades migrate to the same shade, if there is a prevalence of shade against other shade violence, etc.

That is a really shadist thing to say.

 

[Karsten]

That is a really shadist thing to say.

lol, but worthy of DF!

 

[cytoSiN]

If you complain about the graphics you don't get the point of this game.

Not complaining so much as questioning the price point, especially since it's still in Alpha. But I guess it's a way to kickstart the project? Looks like it could be fun.

 

[Karsten]

Not complaining so much as questioning the price point, especially since it's still in Alpha. But I guess it's a way to kickstart the project? Looks like it could be fun.

He was questioned about the price and gave a pretty good explanation.

PCG: Isn’t $30 a little higher than normal for alpha or beta access?

MM: There are a couple of reasons for that. We’ve got a pretty close relationship with the Humble Bundle guys, and we were talking to them a lot about how they do things. Another is that we’re more interested in a smaller number of players that are more engaged in what we’re doing, than a huge audience that want to pay less. There’s a quality bar we’re putting in there.

Imagine the [alpha] went on sale for $10. This is all “ifs”, right? But imagine it goes on sale for $10 or $20, and people chose to buy it, and it doesn’t work for them, and they say, “This is bollocks. I hate this. It’s crap. It’s broken. It doesn’t work.”

http://www.pcgamer.com/2012/09/26/p...-good-behaviour-trailer-and-interview-within/

 

[paperfist]

PCG: Isn’t $30 a little higher than normal for alpha or beta access?

MM: There are a couple of reasons for that. We’ve got a pretty close relationship with the Humble Bundle guys, and we were talking to them a lot about how they do things. Another is that we’re more interested in a smaller number of players that are more engaged in what we’re doing, than a huge audience that want to pay less. There’s a quality bar we’re putting in there.

Imagine the [alpha] went on sale for $10. This is all “ifs”, right? But imagine it goes on sale for $10 or $20, and people chose to buy it, and it doesn’t work for them, and they say, “This is bollocks. I hate this. It’s crap. It’s broken. It doesn’t work.”

Is it just me or didn't his 2 answers make any sense? He's trying to justify the high price by saying only a smaller number will buy it and if it were on sale for $10 or $20 and no one was happy if it were crap?

I don't know about that side of the pond but you're more apt to sell 100 copies at $30 and 500 copies at $10. The underlying common denominator being that it's 'alpha'.

 

[Karsten]

I understand it to be saying that they don't want a lot of buyers now, but rather the crowd that is really interested.

 

[Geosurface]

I wonder if they had the balls to make the prison simulator realistic, as in, the racial clustering that happens in real prisons.

Probably not. I'm guessing you don't have to find ways to keep the racial groups apart to avoid shankings etc.

 

[Fanatical Meat]

I understand it to be saying that they don't want a lot of buyers now, but rather the crowd that is really interested.

hahaha keep telling yourself that. Name one game that had a paid beta that came out good.

 

[Maximilian]

Oooo sim prison? That looks fun!

 

[TakeNoPrisoners]

hahaha keep telling yourself that. Name one game that had a paid beta that came out good.

Minecraft

D'oh

 

[Karsten]

Minecraft

D'oh

Spank! Nice call!
I add FTL, I paid to play it in Beta with Kickstarter.

 

[Fanatical Meat]

Good one

 

[QuantumPion]

Looks sort of like dwarf fortress.

Here's a video of Dr. Strangelove playing it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CK3OkelsWBw&feature=g-u-u

 

[Karsten]

I did bite and got the preview. Even recorded some fraps action that I will post when I get a chance.

It is very much Dwarf Fortress like, with the difference that things are lager and you can give individuals direct commands (nurse heal there, guard go there).
It is very much rough around the edges. It has crashed on me quite a bit (never before an hour+ gameplay). It is fun to learn what needs what and how to avoid your prisoners getting restless.

It is a BETA and you can tell. Workers will get confused and not finishing some buildings. Once I got delivery trucks stuck so far that the prisoner transport was stuck in line and they never made it to my Prison. It is fun already but you won't "complete" or finish a map.

 

[paperfist]

Would love to hear your thoughts!

I was cracking up watching the video QuantumPion posted. Getting me an inch closer to purchasing.

RPS http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2012/09/30/blimey-prison-architect-made-100k-in-72-hours/ is saying they sold 2,667 copies already for $100,000.00 total so far.