Software:Zoo Tycoon (2013 video game)

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Short description: 2013 business simulation video game
Zoo Tycoon
North American cover art
Developer(s)Frontier Developments
Asobo Studio (Ultimate Animal Collection)
Publisher(s)Microsoft Studios
SeriesZoo Tycoon
Platform(s)Xbox 360
Xbox One
Microsoft Windows
ReleaseNovember 22, 2013
Genre(s)Business simulation
Mode(s)Single-player (Xbox One, Xbox 360, Windows), multiplayer (Xbox One,[1] Windows)

Zoo Tycoon is a business simulation video game developed by Frontier Developments and published by Microsoft Studios. The game was released on November 22, 2013 for Xbox One and Xbox 360.[2][3][4]

Microsoft announced a remaster of the game, Zoo Tycoon: Ultimate Animal Collection, for Windows 10 and the Xbox One on August 20, 2017.[5] It features 4K resolution, HDR and 60 FPS support on Xbox One X. In addition to improved graphics and gameplay, new animals such as kangaroos, koalas, and cougars were included. It was released on October 31, 2017. There are multiple campaigns and challenges with animals from across the globe.

Development

Zoo Tycoon was revealed at E3 2013 In June 2013. The gameplay that was shown included elements similar to Zoo Tycoon 2, such as a first person view, and new elements such as feeding animals in first person view. Also like its predecessor, the game allows the player to care for their animals by monitoring their mood, hunger, and thirst. Tycoon Mode, which was introduced in the first Zoo Tycoon, has also returned.[6]

Gameplay

Xbox One

The Xbox One version features both a 15-hour story campaign mode, the traditional freeform mode (infinite money), and challenge modes (short tasks lasting about 15 minutes). In addition, there are also real-time events and challenges that match real-world events. Microsoft will donate to animal charities for completion of community events, "For example, the recent Rhino killings in Nairobi park – we could set a community based achievement asking players to save 10,000 rhinos, and when unlocked, money would be given to the park or a related charity." Jonny Watts, Frontier’s Chief Creative officer, explained."[7][8]

The Xbox One version features Kinect-based minigames, an option to share and upload pictures that you take on Xbox One, supported Xbox Live Online from players 1-4, and more than 100 animals in the game.[9]

The Xbox One version allows traditional Zoo Tycoon navigation as well as a Disneyland Adventures-style 3D free roam of the park, where the player's avatar runs through the park. Interactions with the animals are similar to Kinectimals in that they include feeding, bathing, etc. The player can see the status of the animals by pressing the X button to see if they're happy and healthy, view their food and water meters, as well as social and boredom ratings.[10][11]

The Xbox One version allows gamers to upload their zoos to the cloud and share them. Up to four players can work on a given zoo simultaneously. Friends can continue to work on the zoo even when the owner is not present.[7][12]

Xbox 360

The Xbox 360 version of Zoo Tycoon is almost identical to the Xbox One version. However, it only features 65 animals out of the 101 that are featured in the Xbox One version. Also, the graphics of this version are inferior to the Xbox One. This version also only features a single-player mode.[13]

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic68/100 (XONE)[14]
70/100 (UAC, XONE)[15]
Review scores
PublicationScore
Polygon8/10 (XONE)[16]
Eurogamer8/10 (XONE)[17]
Official Xbox Magazine UK7/10 (XONE)[18]
Metro6/10 (XONE)
GameZone6/10 (XONE)[19]
IGN5.5/10 (XONE)[20]
VideoGamer.com5/10 (XONE)[21]

Zoo Tycoon received mixed reviews upon release. IGN gave it a 5.5/10,[20] Official Xbox Magazine UK gave the game a 7/10,[18] Polygon gave the game an 8/10,[16] Hardcore Gamer gave the game a 3.5/5,[22] Eurogamer gave the game an 8/10[17] while Metro gave the game a 6/10[23] and VideoGamer.com gave it a 5/10.[21] GameZone gave the Xbox One version a 6/10, stating "Where Zoo Tycoon cuts corners to appeal to a wider audience, it also alienates it with overly cumbersome menus."[19]

References

  1. ↑ Xbox 360 (August 27, 2013). "Xbox 360 Version of Zoo Tycoon a Stripped Down, Single-player Experience". Egmnow.com. http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/xbox-360-version-of-zoo-tycoon-a-stripped-down-single-player-experience. 
  2. ↑ "An Inside Look at Zoo Tycoon with Frontier Developments". News.xbox.com. July 10, 2013. http://news.xbox.com/2013/07/games-inside-look-at-zoo-tycoon. 
  3. ↑ "Xbox One Launch Titles - Xbox One Wiki Guide". IGN. http://www.ign.com/wikis/xbox-one/Xbox_One_Launch_Titles. 
  4. ↑ "Zoo Tycoon". Xbox.com. http://www.xbox.com/en-US/marketplace/SplashPages/Zoo-Tycoon. 
  5. ↑ Romano, Sal (August 20, 2017). "Zoo Tycoon: Ultimate Animal Collection coming to Xbox One and Windows 10 on October 31". Gematsu. https://gematsu.com/2017/08/zoo-tycoon-ultimate-animal-collection-coming-xbox-one-windows-10-october-31. 
  6. ↑ "Gamescom 2013: Zoo Tycoon Demoed". 123Kinect.com. August 30, 2013. http://123kinect.com/gamescom-2013-zoo-tycoon-demoed/41920/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 ManPac (September 16, 2013). "Preview: Zoo Tycoon". Electronic Theatre. http://electronictheatre.co.uk/featured-posts/41259/electronic-theatre-preview-zoo-tycoon. 
  8. ↑ "Zoo Tycoon On Xbox One To include Achievement Based Charity Donations | ExpansiveDLCExpansiveDLC". Expansivedlc.com. August 30, 2013. http://expansivedlc.com/zoo-tycoon-xbox-one-include-achievement-based-charity-donations/. 
  9. ↑ "Zoo Tycoon". Xbox.com. http://www.xbox.com/en-US/xbox-one/games/Zoo-Tycoon. 
  10. ↑ Lowe, Mike (August 26, 2013). "Zoo Tycoon Xbox One preview: If we could talk with the animals". Pocket-lint. http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/123125-zoo-tycoon-xbox-one-preview-if-we-could-talk-with-the-animals. 
  11. ↑ Everybody Plays (September 4, 2013). "Zoo Tycoon Hands-On Preview (360)". Everybody Plays. http://www.everybodyplays.co.uk/preview/360/Zoo-Tycoon-Hands-On-Preview/1487. 
  12. ↑ "An Inside Look at Zoo Tycoon with Frontier Developments". News.xbox.com. July 10, 2013. http://news.xbox.com/2013/07/games-inside-look-at-zoo-tycoon. 
  13. ↑ "Zoo Tycoon". Xbox.com. November 22, 2013. http://www.xbox.com/en-US/marketplace/SplashPages/Zoo-Tycoon. 
  14. ↑ "Zoo Tycoon for Xbox One Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/zoo-tycoon/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-one. 
  15. ↑ "Zoo Tycoon: Ultimate Animal Collection for Xbox One Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/zoo-tycoon-ultimate-animal-collection/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-one. 
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Plante, Chris (November 18, 2013). "Zoo Tycoon review: animal collective". Polygon. http://www.polygon.com/2013/11/18/5113046/zoo-tycoon-review. 
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Facchetti, Filippo (November 18, 2013). "Zoo Tycoon - review" (in it). Eurogamer.it. http://www.eurogamer.it/articles/2013-11-18-zoo-tycoon-review-recensione. 
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Wilson, Aoife (November 18, 2013). "OXM UK- Zoo Tycoon Review". Official Xbox Magazine UK. http://www.oxm.co.uk/66399/reviews/zoo-tycoon-xbox-one-review/. 
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 Splechta, Mike (December 1, 2013). "Zoo Tycoon Review: We bought a Zoo". GZ. http://www.gamezone.com/reviews/2013/12/01/zoo-tycoon-review-we-bought-a-zoo. 
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 Jackson, Leah B (November 22, 2013). "Zoo Tycoon Review". IGN. http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/11/23/zoo-tycoon-review. 
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 Bratt, Christopher (November 18, 2013). "Zoo Tycoon Review". VideoGamer.com. http://www.videogamer.com/reviews/zoo_tycoon_review.html. 
  22. ↑ Hannley, Steve (December 1, 2013). "Review: Zoo Tycoon (Xbox One)". Hardcore Gamer. http://www.hardcoregamer.com/2013/12/01/review-zoo-tycoon-xbox-one/64275/. 
  23. ↑ Hargreaves, Roger (November 18, 2013). "Zoo Tycoon review – animal attraction". Metro. http://metro.co.uk/2013/11/18/zoo-tycoon-review-animal-attraction-4190932/. 

Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

On February 13, 2025, Freyholtz stepped down as the site lead to move onto new projects, leaving operations to Tracy Poff, a veteran coder on the site, and Atari staff.[18]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/. 
  2. ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 
  3. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  4. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
  6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 
  8. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 
  9. ↑ Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 
  10. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner. 
  11. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  12. ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 
  13. ↑ "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 
  14. ↑ "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 
  15. ↑ Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/. 
  16. ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 
  17. ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 
  18. ↑ "An update on MobyGames leadership". 2025-02-13. https://www.mobygames.com/forum/3/thread/269628/an-update-on-mobygames-leadership/#post-269628. 
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