Zoo Tycoon (series)

The "Zoo Tycoon" series is a popular video game series that began in 2001. All of the games in the series focus around building up a successful zoo and running it, although scenarios may have other goals.

Development history

Blue Fang Games was founded in 1998 and then decided that there were little animal-related games. They were inspired by "RollerCoaster Tycoon" to create a money-related game.

Blue Fang developed "Zoo Tycoon", which became available in 2001. It was followed by two expansion packs, ' and ', in 2002. In 2003, "Zoo Tycoon: Complete Collection" was released, which included the original game, the "Dinosaur Digs" and "Marine Mania" expansion packs, as well as the bonus "Endangered Species" downloadable, [http://www.microsoft.com/games/pc/zootycomplete.aspx "Zoo Tycoon Complete Collection" information] ] also freely available from Microsoft.com. [http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=5fcc66a3-4574-4acb-a179-02e93af0798c&DisplayLang=en "Zoo Tycoon: Endangered Species" download] ]

In 2004, a sequel for "Zoo Tycoon" was released, "Zoo Tycoon 2". In 2005, a Nintendo DS version of Zoo Tycoon was released, as well as the first expansion pack for "Zoo Tycoon 2", '. In following year, three expansions were released. They were ', the "Dino Danger Pack" and . The "Dino Danger Pack" was a premium download, bought by credit card from the Zoo Tycoon website.

On October 16, 2007, another "Zoo Tycoon 2" expansion, "" was released. The DS version of "Zoo Tycoon 2", "Zoo Tycoon 2 DS", came out in February.

In June 2008, the announcement that the official forums, started in September 2006, would be closed to all incoming posts. It is unknown if posts will be accepted again, or if any more games will come out after Ultimate Collection, as Blue Fang's contract with Microsoft ends in 2009.

Games

*"Zoo Tycoon" (2001)
**"" (2002)
**"" (2002)
**"Zoo Tycoon: Complete Collection" (2003) (compilation)
*"Zoo Tycoon 2" (2004)
**"" (2005)
**"" (2006)
**"" (2006)
**"" (2006) (compilation)
**"" (2006)
**"" (2007)
**"" (2008) (compilation)
*"Zoo Tycoon 2 DS" (2008)

As well as having the original PC versions of the "Zoo Tycoon" franchise, "Zoo Tycoon" and "Zoo Tycoon 2" are both available for the Nintendo DS, as well as another version "Zoo Tycoon 2" being available for the Apple Mac. "Zoo Tycoon 2" and its expansion are both available for the mobile phone. None of these games on other platforms (with the exception of "2 DS") were developed by Blue Fang Games like the original versions. However, Blue Fang recently announced they would be expanding to include games on Nintendo DS and Wii, possibly pointing towards a "Zoo Tycoon" outside the PC.

Merchandise

In addition to the game, there are several mousemats available on Amazon.co.uk. DK released book. The original "Zoo Tycoon 2" box set included a bonus animal pen.

References

External links

* [http://www.zootycoon.com/default.htm Official website]
*StrategyWiki|Zoo Tycoon