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Zoo Tycoon Friends was a Zoo Tycoon game for Windows 8 and Windows Phone. It was the first full Zoo Tycoon game to be Free to Play. The Windows 8 version of Zoo Tycoon Friends was only released in Trinidad and Tobago, while the Windows Phone version was available in the United States for less than 3 days.[3] The game was delisted from the Windows Store on December 10, 2014, and the servers for the game were closed on April 28, 2015.

Gameplay[]

The information in this section is largely derived from viewing achievements for this game due to the limited availability of Zoo Tycoon Friends.[4]

Little is known at this point due to the game's obscurity and quick delisting, though it can be assumed that the player could place down full exhibits (similar to Zoo Tycoon (Xbox)). The game featured cartoony visuals not unlike Zoo Tycoon 2, though considerably more exaggerated. It featured an achievement system, reflected in the player's Xbox Live gamerscore.[5]

The main currency of the game was "Zoo Coins", which were obtained through regular gameplay. This game also included "Diamonds", which the player could earn by paying real life money. Friends were also able to visit a player's zoo. The player would learn the game's mechanics through a tutorial.

Players would have joined a total of 8 characters, including Arthur and his daughter Simone, on a journey around the globe to tackle 15 missions, split in chapters, and more than 100 quests to save exotic animals.[6][5]

The player was able to restock concessions from which guests would use. At least 200,000 guests could be in the player's zoo at any given time. Additionally, players could place road tiles and decorations in their zoo in a grid system similar to the original Zoo Tycoon.

The player was able to interact with animals through healing, feeding and playing with them. Animals in the game were housed in either pre-made and square exhibits that could be unlocked and upgraded through game progression. Nature Reserves were also available, and could be upgraded like exhibits.

Unlike most games in the series, the animals in Zoo Tycoon Friends have "unique personalities" to individualize animals from one another.

The game was available in English and was translated into at least Spanish, in version 1.1.2.4192[7][5].

Animals[]

ZT Friends Tiger Variants

Tiger variants (screenshot from trailer)

There were over 40 animals to choose from[5]. There were also animals in Zoo Tycoon Friends that no other game in the series had prior to its release, such as river otters, kiwis and skunks. Animals were also able to be chosen from a select amount of variants, including leucistic, melanistic, and various different shades of coats. Aside from regular animals, there were also "Star Animals". Animals were also given star ratings, similar to Zoo Tycoon 2. The highest star rating was presumably 5 Stars.

Animals could be adopted as babies, and went through a "teenager" stage before reaching adulthood, after which they could be sent to a reserve. Each animal had a timeline tab displaying age, and three stats: popularity, health and happiness. [8] While the exact number of animals in the game is unknown, the following list can be made out in gameplay teasers.

ZT Friends Spanish screenshot

Screenshot from the Spanish translation showing King Cobra, Lemur, Sloth, Kiwi, Flamingo and Skunk

Characters[]

ZT Friends Jody

Jody the zookeeper (screenshot from tutorial)

Zoo Tycoon Friends featured a total of 8 human characters, who played an important part in the game's mission system. Only the following characters are known:

  • Arthur
  • Simone (Arthur's daughter)
  • Jody (Zookeeper)
  • Celia (Zoologist)
  • Jacob (Celia's son)


Discontinuation[]

On January 28th, 2015, Microsoft announced that they would be discontinuing Zoo Tycoon Friends permanently on April 28, 2015 with the following email:[9]

Zoo Tycoon Friends on Termination of Service

Dear customer,

Microsoft Studios is always evaluating its portfolio of products to determine what is best for gamers, families, and the company. This decision is the result of the natural ebb and flow of our portfolio management.

Customers who have already downloaded the Windows 8.1 version will still be able to play Zoo Tycoon Friends and use any content they have acquired, but effective December 10, 2014, Zoo Tycoon Friends is no longer available in the store.

On April 28, 2015 we will be discontinuing the Zoo Tycoon Friends service. At the time, the game will cease working. We will continue to provide community support for the title through that date. Thank you for your interest in Zoo Tycoon Friends.

Sincerely, Microsoft.

Zoo Tycoon Friends is currently unobtainable through any means and is considered lost media.

Gallery[]

Video[]

Trivia[]

  • Zoo Tycoon Friends is the only game in the Zoo Tycoon series to be formally discontinued.

External Links[]

References[]

Zoo Tycoon
Zoo Tycoon ā€¢ Dinosaur Digs ā€¢ Marine Mania ā€¢ Endangered Species Theme Pack ā€¢ Complete Collection
Zoo Tycoon 2
Zoo Tycoon 2 ā€¢ Endangered Species ā€¢ African Adventure ā€¢ Zookeeper Collection ā€¢ Dino Danger Pack ā€¢ Marine Mania ā€¢ Extinct Animals ā€¢ Ultimate Collection
Zoo Tycoon (Xbox)
Zoo Tycoon (Xbox) ā€¢ Ultimate Animal Collection
Zoo Tycoon: The Board Game
Zoo Tycoon: The Board Game ā€¢ New Shores ā€¢ Additional Species Pack
Spinoffs
Zoo Tycoon Card Flip Game ā€¢ Zoo Tycoon 2: Mobile ā€¢ Zoo Tycoon 2: Marine Mania Mobile ā€¢ Zoo Tycoon DS ā€¢ Zoo Tycoon 2 DS ā€¢ Zoo Tycoon Friends
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