Zoo Tycoon (series)
| Zoo Tycoon | |
|---|---|
| Genres | Construction and management simulator, business simulator |
| Developers | Blue Fang Games, Frontier Developments, Behaviour Interactive |
| Publishers | Microsoft Game Studios |
| Platforms | Microsoft Windows, OS X, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Windows Phone |
| First release |
Zoo Tycoon October 17, 2001 |
| Latest release |
Zoo Tycoon (2013 video game) November 22, 2013 |
Zoo Tycoon is a series of business simulation video games. The games focus around building and running successful zoo scenarios. The series was initially developed by Blue Fang Games and published by Microsoft Studios who later in 2001-2008 went on to create two stand-alone video games and seven expansion packs for PC and Macintosh platforms. With their contract with Microsoft ending in 2009, Blue Fang announced their official forums would close to incoming posts in June 2008. In 2013, Microsoft Studios released a new Zoo Tycoon game, developed by Frontier Developments exclusively for Xbox One and Xbox 360.
Zoo Tycoon is a zoo simulation video game putting the player in control of their own fictional zoo business. The gameplay formula introduced in the original Zoo Tycoon in 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 allocate staff and resources for animal maintenance and care. As the ultimate goal of the game is 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.
Zoo Tycoon features three modes: 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 in Zoo 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 it.
Zoo Tycoon, released in 2001, was followed in 2002 by two expansion packs: Dinosaur Digs and Marine Mania. Also, a free Endangered Species download was available from Microsoft.com. In 2003, Zoo Tycoon: Complete Collection was released which included everything: the original game, the expansion packs, and the downloadable content.
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