Thread: The Zoo Tycoon series, do you think someone should take over it?

So, does anybody play the Zoo Tycoon series? I'm a big fan of Zoo Tycoon 2 myself. The original was also good, but it was too hard to keep animals happy in it, imo. The second game made it much easier and more fun. I also love the challenge mode where it's not a campaign, but you can start with as much money as you want and take on a bunch of challenges every now and then and unlock more animals and items by increasing your zoo fame. Zoo Tycoon DS is okay, but again, Zoo Tycoon 2 DS is way better.

However, Blue Fang, the producer of this successful series, closed down because its contract with Microsoft ran out. I think another company needs to take over Zoo Tycoon and keep making it. I'd love to see a Zoo Tycoon 3. I personally think Atari should do it cause just look at them: they've been around 40 years as of this year and have always been loved and successful. Their Roller Coaster Tycoon series is also a favorite of mine and tons of fans want them to make RCT4 since the third game has aged so well (though RCT3D for the 3DS is coming out soon, and it does look awesome). Lastly, Atari obviously has experience with tycoon games.

I really wish for them to take the Zoo Tycoon series so it doesn't die! So who also agrees here? If not Atari, then who else should earn the rights to the ZT series?

I used to love these games but I doubt that I would buy a new release. They used to entertain me for a few days and then I would uninstall them for a week or two. At face value they seem to offer a large range of things to do but upon playing one finds these all be very similar.

Well, I've been entertained for a very long time. Maybe Atari can make this series even better than what it already is, if they were to get the rights.

I loved the original game, but the ones that followed didn't have the same charm. Like they tried to be too flashy, whereas I liked the simplicity of the original Zoo Tycoon and it's add-ons, like the Marine and Dino packs.

If somebody could replicate the feel of the original, then I'd be all for a new Zoo Tycoon.

I love the Zoo Tycoon games. The animals were cute, and the add-ons were fun.

I liked feeding people to the lions and dinosaurs.

That's always fun ^

I only played the original but I loved it and wish I had it. I used to always get the unicorns in my zoo. They were my favorite.

It would be interesting to see what other companies do with the game.

Originally Posted by FinalArcadia

I loved the original game, but the ones that followed didn't have the same charm. Like they tried to be too flashy, whereas I liked the simplicity of the original Zoo Tycoon and it's add-ons, like the Marine and Dino packs.

If somebody could replicate the feel of the original, then I'd be all for a new Zoo Tycoon.

Hey, Zoo Tycoon 2 had a marine expansion pack and dino add-on too. Also, I just enjoyed the second game more because as I said, it wasn't as frustrating to keep animals happy. My mom had the same problem with it. It was too complex and you couldn't actually place animal food yourself if I remember right.

But with Zoo Tycoon 2, making animals happy is so much simpler now that I've actually managed to breed critically endangered species WITHOUT the Conservation Breeding Center. Though that still isn't easy. Though, I would eventually like to complete that Endangered Species campaign.

So, basically, I didn't become a true ZT fan until I played the second game. xP

I love Zoo Tycoon but it's always felt very hastily made. The premise is perfect but the poor graphics spoil the playing experience. I'd love to see a game like this released on PS3 or Xbox. It deserves beautiful visuals.

I don't think the graphics are bad. And gameplay is more important. Also, I think it really is better on the PC. Plus, I don't have an Xbox or Playstation and never intended to get one of them, so I'd be pretty disappointed if it was released on them.

I haven't the slightest clue which company would use Zoo Tycoon. The first game was rather hard. The animals are easily unhappy, especially the penguins because from what I've read, if you put any animal that's not a penguin in their exhibit, they'll kill it.

But the second game is much easier and more fun. And Atari has experience with tycoon games, so I think they would do great with it! I can see them adding similar new features to a Zoo Tycoon 3 that they would add to a Roller Coaster Tycoon 4. Better path building tools, more challenges and campaigns, maybe even more animals to choose from as well. Also, updated graphics, of course. Also, better tools for building exhibits.

I'd like an improved waterfall tool for both series as well. RCT3 has the simplicity of it down, but it can only be used on flat walls, so it's difficult to make it look natural. In ZT, you can easily make it look natural, but it's a bit difficult to make the waterfall appear in the first place because it's not an actual tool. Rather, you paint water over the edge of a cliff.

I love ZT2 Endangered Species. I like letting all the Carnivores out of their cages from time to time and let them eat the humans. Revenge of the animals!