Article - Zoo Tycoon 1 FAQ

SECTION 1 - General Questions

Q: What are the system requirements for Zoo Tycoon? I don't know if it will work on my computer.

A: The Microsoft site gives these as Zoo Tycoon's minimum system requirements:
- Windows 95/98/2000/Me/XP
- Multimedia PC with a 233 MHz processor, 300 MHz recommended
- 32 MB for Windows 95/98 and Windows ME, 64 MB for Windows 2000, 128 MB for Windows XP
- Minimum 250 MB of available hard disk space, 600 MB recommended
- Quad-speed or higher CD-ROM drive
- Super VGA video display, capable of 800x600 resolution; DirectX® 8.0a (included); 4 MB graphics card, 16-bit color capable, 16 MB recommended

Q: I keep running out of money. What's the best way to maintain a profitable zoo?

A: The amount of money you have all depends on how happy your animals are. First off, endangered animals that give birth can bring in as much as $50,000! Also, I guests view happy animals, they too will become happy and then donate money and spend at concession stands. Compost buildings are profitable as well; add one to your zoo and recycling revenues will go up. Of course, you could also cheat to get free money (see our cheats section).

SECTION 2 - Animal Care/Exhibits

Q: I thought I made a suitable exhibit, but the rating is still hovering around 70 and the animal is unhappy. What can I do about this?

A: Yes, this can be one of the biggest challenges in the game. There are several things you can do to raise you animal happiness.
- Are there too many animals in one exhibit?
- Put in only the animals favourite foliage, and if fills less than one square on the grid, clump two or more together to fill one square.
- Does the animal like any amount of elevation?
- I your animal needs more privacy, Put some fences in that guests can't see through. Make your viewing are for this exhibit smaller.
- Where's the zookeeper? Maybe your animal has too much poo in the exhibit, or he/she is hungry or thirsty.

Still having trouble? Check out Wisco's Zoo Tycoon, and follow his animal suitability guide.

SECTION 3 - Guest Care

Q: I have too many guests in my zoo! How can I get rid of them?

A: There are two things you can do here; raise admission and concession prices, or make your guests mad and drive them out. Raising prices is effective and can get you more money in the process, but driving guests out is a risky tactic and can require more effort. A way to "cheat" the guests out of your zoo is to use the Alfred H name cheat (see Cheat section). When the birds arrive, they'll chase all guests out of your zoo. After that, new guests start arriving. They'll be happy because new guests don't bother the birds, and then you have a high guest happiness rating! At one instance, I recieved The Zoo of the Year
award for a low amount of guests with high happiness. (from momAKAmom)

Q: I need to get my guests to a certain happiness rating for a scenario. What ways can I increase guest happiness, other than happy animals?

A: Other than keeping your animals happy, you can please guests with attractions and decorations, as well as fulfilling all their basic needs. Putting decorative fencing around you paths can make guests happy, as well as flowers, lamp posts, viewing canopies etc. A lot of attractions, such as the Elephant Ride and Animal Theatre also help. Guest happiness will rise if you put in the more expensive fencing (I'd use plexiglass) and decorative trees (I usually prefer the Maple Tree). These ideas should help you achieve a 90+ guest happiness rating.

---

Have a question I didn't answer? Email us at zootycooncenter@yahoo.ca and ask us you question. If you don't mind, we may ask to put it up in this section as well!