Zoo Tycoon | |
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File:Zootycoon.png | |
Developer(s) | Blue Fang Games |
Publisher(s) | Microsoft Game Studios |
Series | Zoo Tycoon |
Platform(s) | Microsoft Windows, Nintendo DS, Macintosh |
Release | October 17, 2001 |
Genre(s) | Economic simulation |
Mode(s) | Single player |
- This is the article on the video game. For the series of video games, see Zoo Tycoon (series).
Zoo Tycoon is a simulation computer game developed by Blue Fang Games and released by Microsoft Game Studios. It is a tycoon game in which the player must run a zoo, and try to make a profit. Although first released for Microsoft Windows and Macintosh in 2001, it was ported to the Nintendo DS in 2005.[1][2] It was followed by two expansion packs, Zoo Tycoon: Dinosaur Digs and Zoo Tycoon: Marine Mania, which were released in 2002, as well as a sequel, Zoo Tycoon 2, released in 2004.[3]
Gameplay
The goal of Zoo Tycoon is to create a thriving zoo by building exhibits to accommodate animals and keeping the guests happy. Exhibit building is one of the primary goals of Zoo Tycoon. To keep the guests and animals happy, exhibits should be suitable to the animal; for example, a lion is best suited to a savanna environment.[1] Choices in terrain, foliage, rocks, shelters, and toys all contribute to the suitability of an exhibit and the happiness of the animal. Guest happiness is dependent on animal choice, buildings, and scenery. Buildings may include bathrooms, restaurants and food stands, shops, or entertainment buildings such as movie theaters. Scenery involves aesthetics that raise guest happiness slightly, such as topiary art, lightposts, or benches. Keeping both animal and guest happiness allows the player to gain monetary awards and steady income.
There are three modes in Zoo Tycoon: Tutorial, Scenario, and Freeform. Tutorial teaches the player how to build exhibits and keep guests happy. Scenario mode has the player complete a series of objectives, sometimes within a specific timeframe. These objectives may include achieving a certain guest and animal happiness, achieving a certain exhibit suitability, displaying a certain number of animals, or breeding a certain animal. Freeform allows the player to choose the amount of money and the map that they start with. They are presented with an open lot with a limited selection of animals, buildings, and scenery. As the game progresses, more animals and items become playable. Additional animals and items may be researched, where money is invested to make them playable.
Reception
Zoo Tycoon was received with average reviews, gaining an average 68 out of 100 at Metacritic.[4] Positive reviews came from Computer Games Magazine and GameZone, which gave the game scores of 4.5 out of 5 and 8 out of 10, respectively.[5][6]
Third-party creations
The success of Zoo Tycoon also led to the creation of new features by fans, both fact and fiction. Mods were created to fix problems with the game and unlock new features. Many of these mods were made possible by an official program created by Blue Fang named Animal Project Editor (APE), which allows the player to easily create one's own animals, with either simply re-naming a premade animal or creating frames for another animal.
Expansion packs and sequels
Zoo Tycoon was created in the style of the 1999 Hasbro Interactive game RollerCoaster Tycoon, which sold well for many years. Zoo Tycoon did well enough for Microsoft and Blue Fang Games to release two expansion packs: Zoo Tycoon: Dinosaur Digs, which added prehistoric-themed items and animals, and Zoo Tycoon: Marine Mania, which allowed aquatic-themed items and animals.
Eventually, Microsoft bundled the expansion packs with Zoo Tycoon to create Zoo Tycoon Complete Collection which had the functionality of both expansion packs and bonus content.
Microsoft gained enough profit to release the sequel: Zoo Tycoon 2. This was created after a 3D zoo building game Zoo Empire was released. Zoo Tycoon 2 has significantly better graphics, although the animal choices are more limited. A much l
See also
References
- ^ a b "Zoo Tycoon for PC Review - PC Zoo Tycoon Review". Retrieved 2007-11-20.
- ^ "Zoo Tycoon DS for DS Review - DS Zoo Tycoon DS Review". Retrieved 2007-11-20.
- ^ "Zoo Tycoon 2 for PC Review - PC Zoo Tycoon 2 Review". Retrieved 2007-11-20.
- ^ "Zoo Tycoon (pc: 2001): Reviews". Retrieved 2007-11-20.
- ^ "CG Online-- Zoo Tycoon Review". Retrieved 2007-11-20.
- ^ "Zoo Tycoon Review - PC". Retrieved 2007-11-20.