REDMOND, Wash., Oct. 24, 2001 — Going bananas over that gorilla? Does that giraffe make you laugh? Make them stars: Enter them in the Microsoft(R) “Zoo Tycoon(TM)” Beast in Show campaign for the chance to be featured in “Zoo Tycoon,” Microsoft Corp.’s new PC game where players build a thriving zoo and success depends on animal and guest happiness. Microsoft will donate $20,000 to fund animal care at the winning animal’s home zoo.
Launching today, the Microsoft “Zoo Tycoon” Beast in Show campaign allows animal lovers — including zoo employees, visitors and friends — to pick the zoo resident they want to make a star. Online nominations begin today and will be accepted through Nov. 15 at http://www.zootycoon.com/ . Ten semifinalists will be identified, and the final round of voting will take place Nov. 19-30. The celebrated Beast in Show will be announced in December.
“The animals are the stars of the zoo — they are the reason people visit, and their happiness and well-being make or break it — both in the real world and in the virtual world of ‘Zoo Tycoon,'” said Susan Kittleson, Microsoft “Zoo Tycoon” product manager. “Beast in Show gives us an opportunity to give back to the zoos that inspired the game.”
The Beast in Show prize package includes a cash donation toward habitat and animal care to the winning animal’s home zoo. In addition, America’s favorite zoo animal will be featured in the “Zoo Tycoon” game. Players will be able to download the winning animal from the “Zoo Tycoon” Web site to include in their personal zoos.
About “Zoo Tycoon”
Simple to play, yet challenging to master, “Zoo Tycoon” offers engaging gameplay for animal lovers and simulation game fans of all ages. Vibrant and appealing, the captivating imagery, clever gameplay and interactive tutorials in “Zoo Tycoon” make it easy to play right out of the box. “Zoo Tycoon” has something for everyone; the only limits are the player’s imagination and the needs and wants of the animals and guests. “Zoo Tycoon” is now available in stores. Contest rules can be found by visiting the “Zoo Tycoon” Web site, http://www.microsoft.com/games/zootycoon/ .
About Microsoft Games
Microsoft’s Games Division is a leading worldwide games company with three core businesses: games development and publishing, the Microsoft Xbox(TM) video game system, and Zone.com. Zone.com ( http://www.zone.com/ ) is the Internet’s largest game site.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software — any time, any place and on any device.
NOTE: Microsoft, Zoo Tycoon and Xbox are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
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