Zoo Tycoon

Zoo Tycoon is a downloadable tycoon game distributed by Microsoft Game Studios. As with other tycoon games, it is a simulation game. The original Zoo Tycoon allows the player to create and maintain a zoo full of animals, including feeding and caring for the animals' health, while visitors roam through the zoo.

Although a sequel now exists, the original game is still available as Zoo Tycoon: The Complete Collection which includes the original plus two extension packs: Zoo Tycoon: Dinosaur Digs and Zoo Tycoon: Marine Mania.http://zootycoon.com/Products/CompleteCollection/default.htm

See Zoo Tycoon 2 for information on the next version of Zoo Tycoon.

There are two different ways to play Zoo Tycoon. A player can choose to try any of 30 pre-made scenarios that increase in difficulty as the game progresses or a player can choose to just start building a zoo from the ground up, creating exhibits and habitats, selecting animals and even exporting habitats to share with other players. http://zootycoon.com/Products/CompleteCollection/default.htm

Once the zoo is built, the zoo will receive visitors, and it must be managed in a way to keep the visitors satisfied so that they will return. How well the player cares for the animals determines how the animals interact with zoo visitors.http://zootycoon.com/Products/CompleteCollection/default.htm

The visitors can walk around the zoo, taking pictures, snacking, and performing other realistic actions.http://zootycoon.com/Products/CompleteCollection/default.htm

Research and conservation activities can be performed, which rewards the player with new animals.http://zootycoon.com/Products/CompleteCollection/default.htm

Additional add-on packs are available to increase the number and variety of animal and habitat choices.http://zootycoon.com/Products/CompleteCollection/default.htm

The game contains a complete set of tutorials, to get the player into the game quickly and lessen the amount of time needed to learn the game.http://zootycoon.com/Products/CompleteCollection/default.htm

1. Computer Family Game of the Year, Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences (AIAS), 7th annual achievement awards, 2004
2. Children’s Software Revue All-Star Award, 2004
3. Scholastic Parent & Child Teachers’ Pick, 2004
4. Parents’ Choice Foundation Gold Award, 2003
5. Bologna New Media Prize, 2002 http://zootycoon.com/Products/CompleteCollection/AwardsPress.htm