This articleneeds additional citations forverification.(July 2013) |
Zoo Tycoonis a series ofbusiness simulationvideo games in which the player is tasked with building and running a successfulzoo.The series was initially developed byBlue Fang Gamesand published byMicrosoft Studioswho later in 2001–2008 went on to create two stand-alone video games and seven expansion packs for PC andMacintoshplatforms. In 2013, Microsoft Studios released a newZoo Tycoongame, developed byFrontier DevelopmentsforXbox OneandXbox 360.An enhanced version of the Xbox game,Zoo Tycoon: Ultimate Animal Collection,was released forWindows 10and the Xbox One on October 31, 2017. Frontier Developments, the developer of the finalZoo Tycoongame, released the spiritual successor to the series,Planet Zoo,in 2019.
| Zoo Tycoon | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Genre(s) | Construction and management simulator,business simulator |
| Developer(s) | Blue Fang Games,Frontier Developments,Behaviour Interactive,Asobo Studio |
| Publisher(s) | Microsoft Studios |
| Platform(s) | Microsoft Windows,OS X,Xbox One,Xbox 360,Windows Phone,Nintendo DS |
| First release | Zoo Tycoon October 17, 2001 |
| Latest release | Zoo Tycoon: Ultimate Animal Collection October 31, 2017 |
Gameplay
editZoo Tycoonis a zoo simulation video game putting the player in control of their own fictional zoo business. The gameplay formula introduced in the originalZoo Tycoonin 2001 received updates throughout the series, but its theme and main motifs remain unchanged: players must build, expand, and/or upgrade a zoo by purchasing animals, creating suitable animal habitats, and allocating staff and resources for animal maintenance and care. As the ultimate goal of the game is to earn revenue, players must also provide for visitors by building food/drink stands, sanitary facilities, picnic areas, and an aesthetically pleasing environment. Higher revenue is generated by keeping both animals and visitors happy. If the animals are released from their enclosure, they can kill the visitors.
Zoo Tycoonfeatures four modes: Training, Scenario, Challenge, and Freestyle. The Scenario mode puts players in control of a preset scenario in which they have to accomplish multiple objectives within a time period. New items are unlocked as the scenario progresses. The Challenge mode, first introduced inZoo Tycoon 2,resembles the Scenario mode in that the player is in a preset scenario with limited funds and must accomplish certain goals. It differs in that this mode is not progressive. The Freestyle mode differs in each game, but usually leaves the player free to build a zoo from scratch however they see fit.
Games
editThis sectionneeds expansion.You can help byadding to it.(December 2013) |
Zoo Tycoon(2001)
editZoo Tycoon,released in 2001, was followed in 2002 by two expansion packs:Dinosaur DigsandMarine Mania.Within a year,Zoo Tycoonhad sold over 1 million units, reaching the top-selling status on the software charts.[1]Also, a freeEndangered Speciesdownload was available fromMicrosoft.In 2003,Zoo Tycoon: Complete Collectionwas released which included everything: the original game, the expansion packs, and the downloadable content.
Zoo Tycoon 2(2004)
editZoo Tycoon 2was released in 2004[2]and was followed by the first expansion pack,Endangered Species,in 2005. TheAfrican AdventureandMarine Maniawere released the following year. Also available as a premium download was theDino Danger Pack,available for purchase by credit card from the Zoo Tycoon website. Finally,Extinct Animalswas released in 2007.[3]
Zookeeper Collectionwas a compilation of the original game, theEndangered Species,and theAfrican Adventureexpansions.Ultimate Collectionwas a compilation of the original game and all of its expansions.
Zoo Tycoon(2013)
editMicrosoft released aZoo Tycoongame forXbox OneandXbox 360in 2013 as an Xbox One Launch Title.[4]
Microsoft announced a remaster of the 2013 game,Zoo Tycoon: Ultimate Animal Collection,forWindows 10and theXbox Oneon August 20, 2017.[5]It features 4K resolution,HDRand 60FPSsupport onXbox One X.In addition to improved graphics and gameplay, new animals such askangaroos,koalas,andcougarswere included. It was released on October 31, 2017. There are multiple campaigns and challenges with animals from across the globe.
Handheld and mobile editions
editIn addition to the main series, there are several handheld and mobile games.Zoo Tycoon DS(2005) andZoo Tycoon 2 DS(2008).[6]Zoo Tycoon 2and its expansionMarine Maniaare both available for themobile phone.With the exception ofZoo Tycoon 2 DS,none of these games were developed byBlue Fang Games.Zoo Tycoon: Friendswas afree-to-playtitle developed byBehaviour Interactive,released in 2014. In April 2015, Microsoft permanently shut downZoo Tycoon: Friendsservers due to technical problems.[7]
Board game
editZoo Tycoon: The Board Gamestarted it's Kickstarter in October 2022 and eventually released in September 2023.[8]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^""Zoo Tycoon" PC Game Celebrates 1 Million Units Sold, Releases "Zoo Tycoon: Marine Mania" Expansion Pack ".Stories.2002-10-21.Retrieved2021-01-22.
- ^"When Will There be a Zoo Tycoon 3 - Ask Jeeves".uk.ask.Archived fromthe originalon 21 October 2013.Retrieved15 January2022.
- ^Andy Gold, Sr. UI Developer."Zoo Tycoon 2 Extinct Animals - Files - Zoo Tycoon 2: Extinct Animals Demo - Official Demos - Game Front".gamefront.
- ^Nunneley, Stephany (June 11, 2013)."Zoo Tycoon announced for Xbox One and Xbox 360".VG 24/7.videogaming247 Ltd.Retrieved18 July2013.
- ^Romano, Sal (August 20, 2017)."Zoo Tycoon: Ultimate Animal Collection coming to Xbox One and Windows 10 on October 31".Gematsu.Retrieved21 August2017.
- ^"Nintendo".nintendo.
- ^"Microsoft will euthanize Zoo Tycoon Friends on April 28 due to technical failures".Windows Central.28 January 2015.Retrieved7 May2017.
- ^Blake, Vikki (9 October 2022)."Zoo Tycoon: The Board Game is coming next year".Eurogamer.Gamer Network.Retrieved9 October2022.