Gaming News - February 2004

Redmond, WA (February 17, 2004) - Microsoft today announced that the sequel to Zoo Tycoon, Zoo Tycoon 2, is in development and is slated for a Fall 2004 release.

From Microsoft:

Adults and kids alike will walk with the animals when a new, graphically stunning 3-D version of America's best-selling* virtual zoo debuts on store shelves this fall. Microsoft® Game Studios today announced it will launch "Zoo Tycoon™ 2," the long-awaited sequel to the award-winning "Zoo Tycoon" game for Windows® from Blue Fang Games LLC in time for holiday gift-giving. "Zoo Tycoon 2" adds a spectacular new chapter to the wildly popular franchise, which has earned accolades from Child Magazine, Children's Software Revue and the Parents' Choice Foundation, and was awarded the prestigious Bologna New Media Prize for its fusion of education and entertainment.

Microsoft's "Zoo Tycoon 2" cranks up the excitement, challenge and fun of building the ultimate zoo, with 30 animals in incredible detail with more fun animations and a dazzling array of building tools and objects, including easier terrain-altering options, scenery, foliage, themed buildings, animal shelters and moats. Gameplay has been enhanced from that of the original title, with a new zoom feature and 3-D graphics that allow players to keep a closer eye on the action and craft more-creative zoos.

Easy to start and easy to play, "Zoo Tycoon 2" gets players up close and interacting with the animals and zoo, offering intuitive controls and fun tutorials that allow players of all ages to enjoy the game right out of the box. Players are immersed in the zoo experience with new features including the Zoo Guest mode, in which players can walk around and enjoy the game like visitors on a day at the zoo; Zoo Keeper mode, which allows players to interact with their animals as never before; and a new Photo Mode. Players can take pictures of their favorite animals and guests and share them online with friends. A Zoopedia, chock full of entertaining and interesting facts about animals, rounds out the new and improved features of the upcoming game.

Unlike the original "Zoo Tycoon," the new version allows players to participate in up to three challenging gameplay types: Campaign, Freeform and Sandbox.

"'Zoo Tycoon' has been a perennial top-10 game since its launch in 2001. 'Zoo Tycoon 2' raises the bar for all 'Tycoon' and simulation games and is a truly revolutionary step for the franchise," said Adam Kovach, product manager at Microsoft Game Studios. "Players of all ages and at all skill levels can experience and enjoy a level of detail and immersiveness that just hasn't been available in simulated zoo games before."

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