In an exclusive interview with Gamelevate, René Nold, CEO of Weltenbauer Software Entwicklung GmbH, shared insights into the development and evolution of Construction Simulator. Nold discussed how the game was born from a collaboration with astragon in 2011 to fill a gap in their portfolio, aiming to create a realistic and engaging construction simulation.
The team’s dedication to accuracy is evident, as they worked closely with construction machinery manufacturers, and industry professionals. They even leveraged YouTube tutorials to ensure an authentic experience.
From creating a variety of construction tasks to fostering teamwork in multiplayer, Construction Simulator continues to captivate players with its attention to detail and immersive gameplay.
What inspired you to develop Construction Simulator? Was there a specific gap in the market you wanted to address?
The development of Construction Simulator was a joint decision with astragon. Back in 2011, there was nothing comparable in astragon’s portfolio. So, we saw an opportunity to fill this gap in the market by creating a simulation game that focused on construction machinery and the building process. And after several installments for PC, Xbox, PlayStation and mobile devices, I would say, it worked pretty well.
How did Weltenbauer ensure the accuracy of construction equipment and the building process in the game? Did you collaborate with any construction industry professionals during development?
We receive detailed machine data, often CAD data from the construction departments, and, of course, a lot of expert knowledge from the manufacturers we are working with. Additionally, we collaborate with several construction equipment operators and other industry experts. However, we also learn a great deal from hundreds of YouTube videos and tutorials. There’s nothing you can’t find on the internet.
With so many types of construction projects available, how did you balance offering a wide variety of tasks without overwhelming new players?
Every player has their own different preferences. Even in our development team, everyone has different favorite vehicles and activities. So, we create a variety of missions for different interests and try to let players choose what they enjoy most. If a player doesn’t like a task, they can skip it or find someone in a multiplayer session who might enjoy it. This way, we offer many construction tasks but let players control their experience, so they don’t feel overwhelmed.
Can you share more about the multiplayer mode and how it fosters teamwork in construction projects?
Unlike many other games, in our game players don’t compete against each other, but work together. The challenges lie more in effectively organizing and coordinating the team. Each team member can utilize their individual strengths. However, it doesn’t harm the game if there’s a newbie who might still need to learn how to properly excavate a pit or where to strategically position the concrete pump. A chance for more experienced construction workers to teach new players how it’s done. This can create a rather relaxed atmosphere where you spend an afternoon together completing a large construction project.
What challenges did Weltenbauer face during the development of Construction Simulator, especially when creating realistic physics and controls for the machinery?
These are indeed the bigger challenges we have, besides multiplayer.
Real construction machines are often very complex to operate. Breaking down this complexity into “simple” controller operation is indeed often a big challenge. Nevertheless, we always try to stay as close as possible to the basics. Many machines are controlled with two joysticks. We replicate this exactly and assign the axes as in the real machine. So, those who can do it in the game should also be able to quickly get the hang of it in real life with a little practice.
Physics in games is always a delicate subject, especially when, as in our case, large forces or velocities meet absolutely static obstacles. This sometimes leads to the much-seen physics explosions, which can occasionally launch a vehicle into orbit. Of course, we constantly try to improve this, but it can never be completely ruled out. Therefore, we have implemented corresponding functions for resetting and rescuing vehicles in precarious game situations. And by now, the still occasionally occurring physics explosions have almost achieved cult status.
How do you see the modding community shaping the future of Construction Simulator? Are there specific tools or assets in place to support modding?
In the current version of Construction Simulator we don’t have support for modding. We understand that modding is a highly desired feature, and many players would love to bring their own vehicles and missions into the game. However, the complexity and variety of machine types in Construction Simulator lead to a very intricate setup process, with hundreds of parameters to be configured and numerous special cases. This makes creating simple mod editors and providing comprehensive documentation an effort that we currently cannot manage.
However, this doesn’t mean that the topic of modding is permanently off the table. We continuously explore possibilities to offer players the opportunity to create their own content for our game. We remain open to the idea and will continue to evaluate potential ways to support modding in the future, balancing the desires of our community with the technical challenges involved.
Which construction projects or equipment are your team’s personal favorites, and why?
Everyone on our team has their own preferences when it comes to construction projects and equipment. Some enjoy operating cranes and moving cargos from point A to point B, while others prefer pouring concrete or transporting materials to the construction site. Personally, I’m a big fan of all earthmoving equipment. I particularly enjoy working with excavators and bulldozers. There’s something special about digging a large construction pit – I can easily lose track of time when I’m engrossed in the task. Once you’ve gained some experience and developed initial automatisms, you no longer need to consciously think about each joystick movement. At that point, you feel like you’re truly “in the zone.” It’s an excellent way to unwind and disconnect from everything else.
Related: Construction Simulator Expands with New Dynapac Machines
Have you received feedback from real-life construction professionals? If so, how has that feedback influenced the game’s updates or new features?
Yes, we have received feedback from real-life construction professionals more than once. We maintain contact with our player community through various channels and listen to all feedback about our game. Especially in the early phase, shortly after release, there are many attentive players with industry experience who sometimes know certain things even better than we do. They point out missing lights or railings on vehicles, incorrectly assigned controls, or even inaccurate logo placements. Many of our players work with similar or even the exact machines we have in the game in their daily lives, so they know every detail.
At a marketing event last year, we brought together machine operators from the manufacturer JCB and some of our Construction Simulator content creators. They had the opportunity to experience how close we are in terms of controls, first in the game and then on the real machine. Even the professionals were genuinely impressed with how well we captured the machines in terms of visuals and controls.
What can players look forward to in terms of post-launch updates or expansions for Construction Simulator?
We began thinking about additional content options even before the game’s release in September 2022. Since then, we’ve added more machines from both large and small brands, created new mission campaigns, and even introduced a completely new map to the game. This year, we’ve continued to add new brands, expand existing ones, and developed a campaign for building a stadium to coincide with the European Championship in Germany. And we’re not finished yet. The current Season Pass will include more DLCs including an additional vehicle pack and smaller updates for all players.
For new players unfamiliar with simulator games, what tips would you give them to get the most out of their experience in Construction Simulator?
Here are a few tips I have in store:
First and most important: Try everything out.
Each vehicle type and each mission have their own unique challenges. Don’t give up too quickly if a machine seems too complicated. It’s a very rewarding feeling when, after some time, you can operate machines “blindly” and complete missions faster and faster.
Rent vehicles that you find exciting before saving up for a long time to buy them.
Be sure to play both scenarios. Even if you start with your favorite environment, when you’re done you can transfer the money from your first playthrough to a second company and start the other setting with a financial advantage.
Definitely play in multiplayer, even if you don’t usually do that. And if there are no friends online at the moment, play an open game and meet new people who are caught up in Construction Simulator fever.
