Tropico 4 to feature 20 new buildings and possibly volcano theme parks

Tropico 4 designer Boian Spasov has spoken out on some of the new features to be found in the follow up to last year's topical island dictatorship sim.

Speaking to Big Download, Spasov described additional buildings accessible in the sequel.

"There are about 20 brand new buildings, including a Chemical Factory, Mausoleum, Roller Coaster, and Fire Station," he said, adding that all constructs from the previous game and its expansion, Absolute Power, had been retained. "We tweaked old buildings a bit, especially the ones related to tourism as part of our redesign of the related game mechanics."

Tourism plays an unlikely role in the latest iteration, as players find new and calculating ways to deal with the island's near-inevitable natural disasters.

Spasov first suggested the possibility prioritising firefighter activities during urban fires, and followed up with a slightly kookier example.

"(I)f a volcano erupts on your island experts will recommend banning air travel because of the ash in the air. ... Alternatively, you can start a volcano-themed tourism campaign trying to capitalize on the unique situation of your island."

Tropico 4 is tentatively scheduled to release in the second quarter, and Spasov stresses that interactive disaster sequences may transform beyond recognition in the remaining development period.