America’s Favorite Zoo Contest

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Microsoft Game Studios Announces semi-finalists in the America’s Favorite Zoo Contest

Drumming up excitement for the release of the best-selling Windows® game “Zoo Tycoon™ 2," Microsoft® Game Studios today announced 15 semi-finalists in the search for America’s Favorite Zoo. Finalists were selected based on their scores in seven different categories: habitats/exhibits; educational programs; awards and recognition; staff highlights, recognition or commendations; community events; involvement or service; other visitor programs, activities or attractions; and organizational partnerships and affiliations. The winning zoo will not only boast the title of America’s Favorite Zoo, but will also earn a $25,000 grant.

America’s Favorite Zoo 15 Semi-Finalists:

Austin Zoo (Austin, TX)

Binder Park Zoo (Battle Creek, MI)

Brookfield Zoo (Brookfield, IL)

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo (Cleveland, OH)

Dallas Zoo (Dallas, TX)

Fort Worth Zoo (Forth Worth, TX)

Los Angeles Zoo (Los Angeles, CA)

North Carolina Zoo (Asheboro, NC)

Oakland Zoo (Oakland, CA)

Oklahoma City Zoo & Botanical Gardens (Oklahoma City, OK)

Oregon Zoo (Portland, OR)

Palm Beach Zoo (Palm Beach, FL)

San Francisco Zoo (San Francisco, CA)

Toledo Zoo (Toledo, OH)

Tulsa Zoo (Tulsa, OK)

The fate of the 15 semi-finalists now rests in the hands of their biggest fans: their visitors. From October 4 to October 29, zoo fans will have the chance to vote for their favorite zoo at the official “Zoo Tycoon™ 2” Web site, http://www.zootycoon.com. Five finalists will be announced on November 1 on http://www.zootycoon.com, and online voting for the general public will resume to determine America’s Favorite Zoo. The winner will be announced November 16, 2004.

“This contest has been a lot of fun,” said Shane Kim, general manager of Microsoft Game Studios who is also one of the chosen judges. “The decision is going to be really tough. Every single zoo has so much to offer. The public sure has their voting cut out for them.”

For the America's Favorite Zoo Contest 50 zoos were invited by a panel of judges to participate in the nationwide contest, which will award the winning zoo a $25,000 (U.S.) grant to fund its habitat and animal care. Selected zoos that submitted materials to Microsoft from Aug. 2 to Aug. 27 were considered by a panel of judges: Jonathan Gilmour, winner of the 2002 “Zoo Tycoon” Ultimate Zookeeper Challenge, Bill Street of the National Wildlife Federation, Shane Kim, general manager of Microsoft Game Studios and Adam Levesque, CEO of Blue Fang Games LLC, which develops "Zoo Tycoon 2."

“Zoo Tycoon” has been the top-selling “Tycoon” game title in dollars since its launch in 2001.* Simple to play yet challenging to master, “Zoo Tycoon” offers engaging gameplay for animal lovers and simulation game fans of all ages. The captivating imagery, clever gameplay and interactive tutorials in the vibrant and appealing “Zoo Tycoon” make it easy to play right out of the box. “Zoo Tycoon” has something for everyone, stimulating creativity and imagination a players respond to the needs of the animals and guests. Additional information is available at http://www.zootycoon.com/.

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Microsoft Game Studios Gets "Totally Wild," Announces Five Finalists in Zoo Tycoon 2 America's Favorite Zoo Contest


Limited Edition Zoo Tycoon 2 Game Includes Bonus DVD Featuring National Geographic's "Totally Wild"


NOMINEE SHOWCASE | OFFICIAL RULES
REDMOND, Wash - November 1, 2004 - Microsoft® Game Studios today announced the five finalists in the Zoo Tycoon® 2 America's Favorite Zoo contest. The finalists were selected from a pool of 15 semifinalists by zoo lovers across the country who logged on to cast their vote at the official Zoo Tycoon 2 Web site. The contest winner will not only boast the title of America's Favorite Zoo, but also earn a $25,000 grant to fund its animal and habitat care.

You can vote on which zoo you think deserves the title of America's Favorite Zoo below. Online voting will be open from Nov. 1 through Nov. 10. The winner will be announced the week of Nov. 15 to coincide with the launch of Zoo Tycoon 2, the sequel to the Windows®-based game Zoo Tycoon, in retail stores across the country.


Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

North Carolina Zoo

Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Gardens

Toledo Zoo

Tulsa Zoo

To further celebrate this milestone and reward animal lovers everywhere, Microsoft Game Studios will launch a limited edition of Zoo Tycoon 2 that includes a bonus interactive DVD with segments from the National Geographic series "Totally Wild" and a Zoo Tycoon 2 ballpoint pen. The pens, specially created for Zoo Tycoon 2, are hand-painted with one of three animals: koala, tiger or monkey. Only 200,000 limited-edition pens are available, and they are expected to go fast.

"Animal lovers everywhere will enjoy our alliance with National Geographic, which couples great DVD entertainment along with our highly anticipated Zoo Tycoon 2 game," said Ben Arndt, product manager at Microsoft Game Studios. "Zoo Tycoon continues to be one of the highest-selling Windows-based games franchises of all time, and we are committed to providing zoo enthusiasts with the best possible experience with the newest version, Zoo Tycoon 2."

Fifty zoos nationwide were invited by a panel of judges to participate in the initial round of the America's Favorite Zoo contest Aug. 2-27. Judges included Jonathan Gilmour, winner of the 2002 Zoo Tycoon Ultimate Zookeeper Challenge; Bill Street, of the National Wildlife Federation; Shane Kim, of Microsoft Game Studios; and Adam Levesque, CEO of Blue Fang Games LLC, which is developing Zoo Tycoon 2.

The winning zoo selected from among the five semifinalists will receive a $25,000 (U.S.) grant at the contest's conclusion the week of Nov. 15.