Here's the final chunk of info on making the Zoo Tycoon 2 PC [kwlink]video game[/kwlink] from Thomas Gale, a video game artist and developer from Blue Fang Games - the company that's making Zoo Tycoon 2 for Microsoft.
What was the inspiration behind these new objects?
Several team members visited various
zoos and theme parks around the
United States taking pictures for reference. We also used reference books, the Internet and our own imagination in creating the unique look for each themed object. The idea of adding themes came about from the downloadable assets of the original
Zoo Tycoon. We started Zoo2 development with a default modern-contemporary theme, a safari theme, and a jungle theme. We wanted the mood and style to be bright and happy, without becoming overly plastic and synthetic.
 |
| Courtesy of Microsoft |
Describe the process for settling on, creating, and implementing new objects into the game.
We began the process with a brainstorm list of objects and buildings. The best of these were added to the Design Guide with a brief description of their in-game function. Most objects were
sketched on paper or directly onto the computer with a tablet using
Photoshop or
Painter. Some sketches were then colorized. Once the schedule was created and production began in earnest, artists used
3DStudioMax to model and texture the objects in 3D. Because the
entire game is 3D (i.e. we weren't rendering the models to flat sprites like in Zoo1) we had to be wary of high polygon count which can hinder the performance of the game. Each object also needed "levels of detail", LOD for short, that would automatically change the number of polygons used for each object depending on a formula that combines distance from the in-game camera and the speed of the player's computer. After an object was exported from MAX into a special compressed format and the accompanying textures were tucked away in the appropriate places, the new object was ready for use in the game engine. Every object had an accompanying AI file that described how it would be used in game. This AI file would include such details as the purchase price, placement limitations, tooltip info, and a whole slew of other attributes and properties.
 |
| Courtesy of Microsoft |
How many new objects (rough estimate) will gamers have at their disposal?
A player starts off with the basic buildings such as food stands, bathrooms, snack carts, benches, lamp posts and such. As the player progresses throught the game they will
unlock additional structures through research. Buildings and objects can also have a different themes and different contents. For example, a player can build a regular ice-cream snack cart or a pretzel-snack cart or a
safari-themed-pretzel-snack cart and so on. If you add up all the combinations of themes, and contents here is the count for different categories of objects: buildings- about 50; scenery - about 50; foliage - about 65; enrichment- about 35; shelters about 20; rocks - about 35; paths - about 8; fences - about 25; food -about 60; items - about 65. In addition to all these objects, we are planning to make even more content available for
download after the game launches.
 |
| Courtesy of Microsoft |
How much of an impact on gameplay do you think these new objects will have?
Zoo2 is designed to be much more immersive than the original
Zoo Tycoon. Whereas previously the player was limited to the
sky cam view, now you can walk around in
guest mode you have a chance to notice detail and texture up close. Players will now be able to meander down the path that they built and saunter past their own buildings, flowerbeds, benches, fences and experience their own
personal customized zoo. The new variety of perspectives and themes and objects, will improve the overall gameplay by delivering a strong sense of immersion in a customized dynamic, virtual world.
Related Stories:
Zoo Tycoon 2 Video Game Preview & Developer Diary!
Dungeon Siege Free PC Game Download
Star Wars Jedi Knight II Free Game Download
Video Game Tester - What a Rad Job!
Get More Video Game News and Previews Here!
