It's all downhill from here, as Frontier Developments announces the commencement of the early bird alpha version of Planet Coaster, their new theme park simulation. The game is not due for full release until Q4 of this year, but in the meantime, you can play the in-development version and influence its development by purchasing this through the Planet Coaster page for $74.99 USD. An alpha tutorial video offers a look, and here's word:

Frontier Developments plc (AIM: FDEV) today launched the Planet Coaster Early-Bird Alpha for PC. Planet Coaster is the next great leap for coaster park simulation, building on a decade of experience from the studio behind the genre’s benchmark.

Planet Coaster’s Early-Bird Alpha places the game’s first creative tools in the hands of the community. Players can build rides, lay paths, place scenery and explore the revolutionary modular construction system to create truly unique parks for their guests to explore.

Future phases of the Alpha will add further features on the road to the Planet Coaster’s launch in Q4 2016, when Planet Coaster will deliver the best creation tools, the deepest coaster park simulation, the most expressive and believable crowds, and the most comprehensive sharing and community features, all in the world’s most authentic coaster park game. We hope you’ll join us for the ride.