Heavy flooding in Tbilisi, Georgia this week destroyed enclosures in the Tbilisi zoo, releasing lions, tigers, and bears (oh my!) along with other animals. Residents have been warned to stay indoors. Some animals have been captured, some shot dead, and some are still on the loose. About half of the zoo's 600 mammals fled. This story should ring a bell in the heads of children born in the 90s. Doesn't this sound like a scene straight out of Zoo Tycoon in 2001? In light of the recent events in Tbilisi, let's reminisce about our own adventures as zookeepers.
Before there was the Xbox, Wii, Nintendo DS, and Playstation, there was Zoo Tycoon. We 90s children used to sit at the computer for hours in awe of the creation of our own zoo. My brother and I considered ourselves experts at the game. We were basically ready to open up our own live zoo.
If you did not partake in any of this torment, at some point, did you actually play Zoo Tycoon?
Animal Hunger Games
Our first round of destruction occurred when we were new to Zoo Tycoon and realized that some animals did not play well with others. We pitted animals against each other in a fight to the death. Sorry to all of the antelopes and penguins of the animated world. However, this was before we realized that their favorite snack of all was small pixilated zoo-goers.
Hints for those not as skilled as I:
1. When deciding which zoo to open up, always go with the option that gives you the most cash off the bat. What's the fun in opening up a business if you don't start out rich, right?
2. Populate your zoo with as many people as possible before wreaking havoc. The easiest way to do this is to lower the price of admission to free. Who wouldn't go to a free zoo as cool as mine?
Sorry Guest 35
Nothing says a day at the zoo like getting mauled by your favorite animal!
Step 1. Place fence in front of entrance. Being the wonderful architects that we were, my brother and I skillfully placed a fence in front of the entrance of our populated zoo to prevent the escape of our victims.
Step 2. Delete gates to animal exhibits.
Step 3. Watch destruction. Without fail, we started receiving messages such as "Guest 35 is not happy," "Polar Bear 143 is attacking Guest 542," and "Guest 278 is unable to exit your zoo." Sorry not sorry Guests 35, 542, and 278, it's just not your day.
Dino Destruction
As if destruction by polar bears, gorillas, and alligators wasn't enough, we just HAD to buy the dinosaur version of Zoo Tycoon to wreak further havoc on our poor animated guests. Our zoo, after the release of the dinos, could have been a scene straight out of Jurassic Park.
With new advances in technology such as iPhone and iPad games, our younger siblings and younger generations will never understand the joy of creating a successful zoo and then destroying it.
While we 90s children owe an apology to the animals and zoo guests we sent to video game heaven, it appears as though Zeus is playing a real live version of Zoo Tycoon in Georgia.
