Zoo Tycoon 2 Goes Gold
by Kit

Thursday, October 14 2004

No monkeying around, Zoo Tycoon ready for retail.

Microsoft Game Studios today announced that Zoo Tycoon 2 has gone gold in North America and is set to ship to U.S. retail stores on November 8.

Developed by Blue Fang Games, the masterminds behind the highly acclaimed Zoo Tycoon and subsequent expansion packs, Zoo Tycoon 2 promises to deliver a fantastic 3-D zookeeper experience just in time for the holidays. For only $39.99 (U.S.), virtual zookeepers are encouraged to head to stores early to pick up their copy of the much-anticipated sequel before supplies run out.

Additionally, a Zoo Tycoon 2 fan site kit is now available for download from http://www.zootycoon.com. Fans who download the 6MB fan site kit will find plenty of goodies to be able to create a Zoo Tycoon 2 fan site sure to make the entire animal kingdom proud. Included in the kit are banners, buddy icons, screenshots, wallpapers and much more.

Zoo Tycoon 2 will get players up close to and interacting with the animals and the zoo, offering intuitive controls and fun tutorials that allow players of all ages to enjoy the game right out of the box. Players will be 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, allowing players to interact with their animals as never before; and a new Photo Safari Mode. Players can take pictures of their favorite animals and guests and share them online with friends. The Zoopedia, full of entertaining and interesting facts about animals, rounds out the new and improved features of the upcoming game.

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 robust terrain-altering options, scenery, foliage, themed buildings, animal shelters and moats. Gameplay has been enhanced from that of the original title, with new challenge modes for added gameplay depth and 3-D graphics that allow players to keep a closer eye on the action and craft more creative zoos. For more information about Zoo Tycoon 2, please visit http://www.zootycoon.com.

--- Kit