Type: business simulation game Developer: Blue Fang Games
Releasing day: 2001
Publisher: Microsoft Game Studio
Detailed Description of Zoo Tycoon
It is a tycoon game in which players are required to design, build and manage a zoo. There are three modes in Zoo Tycoon, including tutorial mode, scenario mode and freeform. Player needs to ensure the animals and tourists in the zoo stay happy. What is so attractive is the realistic scene in the game. Also, there are over 40 kinds of animals for players to choose, such as, chimpanzees, camels, tigers, giraffes and so on.
Benefits to individual
1. Stimulate creativity and imagination
According to Rainier Van Autrijve, a critics online, She said that Zoo Tycoon can stimulate people's creativity and imagination. "Zoo Tycoon has something for everyone, stimulating creativity and imagination as players respond to the needs of the animals and guests."("GameSpy: Zoo Tycoon Sells BI.Rainier Van Autrijve, Retrieved 2007-11-21.) Since players are required to operate a zoo, they need to design the zoo and respond to the needs of the character in order to gain steady income. The game also challenges the players to make sure every tourist stays happy in the zoo. Players need to think the strategy to maintain the normal operation of the zoo and they need to design and decorate the zoo. Therefore, in the process of playing, players' creativity and imagination may be inspired.
2. Train people's decision making skill
Also, it can train people's decision making skill. Players will be the entrepreneur of the zoo, therefore all decisions will be made by the player. For example, players need to think how to build a suitable habitat for the animals.
3. Develop problem solving skill In addition, Zoo Tycoon can help developing people's problem solving skill. According to, Will Wright, a video game designer, Video games can be a learning platform for individuals, game and education can be interrelated.(Game Revolution, CBC Documentary, 2007) Players can learn and develop their brain when they need to solve complex questions in the game. Zoo Tycoon requires the players to solve different kinds of problem by themselves. For example, in the scenario mode, players need to complete a series objectives. They need to think of the method to achieve those objectives.
Benefits to society
Apart from the above-mentioned benefits to individuals, zoo Tycoon also benefits the society.
1. Boosts the society's economy
It boosts the society's economy. 4 million units have been sold since it released in 2001. Because of the success of Zoo Tycoon, the developer Blue Fang Games has achieved 80% growth in the revenue in the following 2 years. Also, Zoo Tycoon is one of the top 15 best selling PC games in US. ("GameSpy: Zoo Tycoon Sells BI.Rainier Van Autrijve, Retrieved 2007-11-21.) Thus, Zoo Tycoon creates income for the society in a certain extent.
2. Stimulates the PC game industry
3. Contributed to community
1. Stimulate creativity and imagination
According to Rainier Van Autrijve, a critics online, She said that Zoo Tycoon can stimulate people's creativity and imagination. "Zoo Tycoon has something for everyone, stimulating creativity and imagination as players respond to the needs of the animals and guests."("GameSpy: Zoo Tycoon Sells BI.Rainier Van Autrijve, Retrieved 2007-11-21.) Since players are required to operate a zoo, they need to design the zoo and respond to the needs of the character in order to gain steady income. The game also challenges the players to make sure every tourist stays happy in the zoo. Players need to think the strategy to maintain the normal operation of the zoo and they need to design and decorate the zoo. Therefore, in the process of playing, players' creativity and imagination may be inspired.
2. Train people's decision making skill
Also, it can train people's decision making skill. Players will be the entrepreneur of the zoo, therefore all decisions will be made by the player. For example, players need to think how to build a suitable habitat for the animals.
3. Develop problem solving skill In addition, Zoo Tycoon can help developing people's problem solving skill. According to, Will Wright, a video game designer, Video games can be a learning platform for individuals, game and education can be interrelated.(Game Revolution, CBC Documentary, 2007) Players can learn and develop their brain when they need to solve complex questions in the game. Zoo Tycoon requires the players to solve different kinds of problem by themselves. For example, in the scenario mode, players need to complete a series objectives. They need to think of the method to achieve those objectives.
Benefits to society
Apart from the above-mentioned benefits to individuals, zoo Tycoon also benefits the society.
1. Boosts the society's economy
It boosts the society's economy. 4 million units have been sold since it released in 2001. Because of the success of Zoo Tycoon, the developer Blue Fang Games has achieved 80% growth in the revenue in the following 2 years. Also, Zoo Tycoon is one of the top 15 best selling PC games in US. ("GameSpy: Zoo Tycoon Sells BI.Rainier Van Autrijve, Retrieved 2007-11-21.) Thus, Zoo Tycoon creates income for the society in a certain extent.
2. Stimulates the PC game industry
Zoo tycoon also stimulates the PC game industry as some other games were developed afterwards, such as Zoo Tycoon 2.
3. Contributed to community
Zoo Tycoon also contributed to the community. It is because Microsoft Game Studio has donated part of the revenue (25000USD) of Zoo Tycoon to WWF which is a environmental organization.
Harms to individual
Although Zoo Tycoon seems beneficial to society and individual, there are still concerns about the game.
1. Violence
Zoo Tycoon is advised to play under the guidance of parents as it may encourage violence in certain extent. Players are allowed to do whatever they like in the game without any restriction. They can even do something which is illegal. For example, players can release the animals, and therefore allow the animals to attack and harass the tourists. If the players are not mature enough, they may be easily affected by the game.
Conclusion
All in all, Zoo Tycoon is beneficial to both society and individual at large. Although Zoo Tycoon may have disadvantage, a study in 2009 revealed that video game violence and serious aggressive behavior in real life are not interrelated. ("The Public health risks of media violence: A meta-analytic review." Journal of Pediatrics, 154, 759-763, Ferguson. C. J., & Kilburn, J. (200)) As long as we play the game with a mature mind or under proper guidance of parents, such simulated games can be meaningful and educational.
Reference
1. "GameSpy: Zoo Tycoon Sells BIG". Retrieved 2007-11-21. (http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/zoo-tycoon/529739p1.html)
2. http://zootycoon.com/default.htm
3."The Public health risks of media violence: A meta-analytic review." Journal of Pediatrics, 154, 759-763, Ferguson. C. J., & Kilburn, J. (200)
Harms to individual
Although Zoo Tycoon seems beneficial to society and individual, there are still concerns about the game.
1. Violence
Zoo Tycoon is advised to play under the guidance of parents as it may encourage violence in certain extent. Players are allowed to do whatever they like in the game without any restriction. They can even do something which is illegal. For example, players can release the animals, and therefore allow the animals to attack and harass the tourists. If the players are not mature enough, they may be easily affected by the game.
Conclusion
All in all, Zoo Tycoon is beneficial to both society and individual at large. Although Zoo Tycoon may have disadvantage, a study in 2009 revealed that video game violence and serious aggressive behavior in real life are not interrelated. ("The Public health risks of media violence: A meta-analytic review." Journal of Pediatrics, 154, 759-763, Ferguson. C. J., & Kilburn, J. (200)) As long as we play the game with a mature mind or under proper guidance of parents, such simulated games can be meaningful and educational.
Reference
1. "GameSpy: Zoo Tycoon Sells BIG". Retrieved 2007-11-21. (http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/zoo-tycoon/529739p1.html)
2. http://zootycoon.com/default.htm
3."The Public health risks of media violence: A meta-analytic review." Journal of Pediatrics, 154, 759-763, Ferguson. C. J., & Kilburn, J. (200)
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