In the voice of Eric Kim
Life is like playing Roller Coaster Tycoon. You’re handed a blank map, a handful of coins, and the ultimate freedom: to build. Some folks play it safe—placing merry-go-rounds, a few food stalls, and a calm little log flume. Others? They build death-defying coasters that flirt with the sky, pushing the limits of physics and imagination. But here’s the thing—both approaches reveal something profound about life, ambition, and the pursuit of happiness.
1. The Joy of Building for Yourself
In Roller Coaster Tycoon, the fun isn’t just about making a park for the guests—it’s about building a space that excites you. Some players get so caught up trying to make the park “perfect†that they forget to have fun. Life mirrors this. We get stuck optimizing for others: for society, for approval, for validation. But when you play life like Roller Coaster Tycoon, you realize the true joy comes from creating a life that you actually want to live.
Why spend time building roller coasters that don’t excite you? Why pursue goals that feel like someone else’s dream? The most iconic coasters in the game—the ones that twist, dive, and soar—come from builders who let their imagination run wild, not from those obsessing over guest complaints about nausea levels.
2. Embracing Risk and Failure
Let’s be honest. Half the fun of Roller Coaster Tycoon is building that one insane coaster that absolutely demolishes the laws of safety. Sometimes it works. Sometimes the cars fly off the tracks. But here’s the point: failure in the game is part of the process. It teaches you to iterate, to try again, to build something better.
In life, we often avoid risks because we fear the fallout. But think about it: when has playing it safe ever led to a legendary roller coaster? Or a legendary life? The most memorable moments often come from pushing the limits, taking that risky turn, and—sometimes—crashing. But it’s through those crashes that we learn. Life is iterative. You build, fail, and build again—each time with a deeper understanding of what works and what doesn’t.
3. The Minimalist Approach: Cut the Clutter
Roller Coaster Tycoon also teaches the beauty of minimalism. Ever notice how overcrowding your park with random attractions leads to chaos? Guests get lost, trash piles up, and the whole experience feels cluttered. The same applies to life. We overcomplicate things—jobs, relationships, goals—thinking more equals better. But often, it’s the simple, elegant designs that bring the most joy and clarity.
Minimalism isn’t about having less; it’s about making space for what matters. That perfectly placed coaster. That quiet park bench with a view. In life, it’s the same. Cut the noise. Focus on what brings you genuine excitement and fulfillment.
4. The Long Game: Patience and Vision
When you first start a park, it’s a blank slate. It takes time, energy, and patience to build something extraordinary. You can’t rush a masterpiece. Roller Coaster Tycoon teaches delayed gratification—saving up for that massive steel coaster, watching your park evolve from simple paths to a sprawling, intricate ecosystem.
Life’s the same. We want success fast—instant results, instant validation. But the best things—the meaningful careers, the deep relationships, the profound self-understanding—take time. It’s about vision. Seeing the park (or life) not as it is, but as it could be. That’s where the magic happens.
5. Remember the Guests, But Don’t Obsess Over Them
Sure, in the game, you want happy guests. But if you obsess over every little complaint—every “I’m thirsty†bubble—you’ll lose the bigger picture. In life, we get caught up in others’ opinions, trying to please everyone. But here’s the thing: you can’t. And trying to will only drain your energy.
So, build for yourself first. Make sure your own cup is full. When you’re genuinely excited about what you’re building—in the game or in life—people will naturally be drawn to it.
Final Thoughts: Be the Tycoon of Your Life
Roller Coaster Tycoon isn’t just a game; it’s a metaphor for life. You get a blank canvas. You choose what to build. You decide whether to play it safe or go wild. And just like in the game, there’s no single “right†way to play—only the way that feels most you.
So, ask yourself: Are you building a life that excites you? Are you taking risks, pushing boundaries, and embracing the thrill of the ride? Or are you stuck optimizing for others, playing it safe, and wondering why it all feels… flat?
Life, like Roller Coaster Tycoon, is about the ups and downs—the loops, the twists, the moments of pure exhilaration. So grab the blueprint, dream big, and remember: the best rides are the ones that make your heart race.
Now go. Be the tycoon of your life.