San Diego Zoo Presents: The Animals!

The San Diego Zoo Presents: The Animals (Also known as "The Animals") is an educational game developed by Software Toolworks and Arnowitz Studios and published by Software Toolworks in 1992 for Windows. Arnowitz Studios developed the multimedia assets and Software Toolworks did the software development. A release for 3DO was planned for release in November 1993 but was ultimately launched in 1994.[1] The game was then ported to Sega CD in 1994.

The San Diego Zoo Presents: The Animals
PC Cover art
Developer(s)Arnowitz Studios
Publisher(s)Software Toolworks
Platform(s)Windows, Macintosh, Sega CD, 3DO
ReleaseNovember 1992 (Win, Mac)[1]
June 1, 1994 (Sega CD)
1994 (3DO)
Genre(s)Educational
Mode(s)Single-player

Gameplay

The game is divided into 5 different sections focusing on baby animals, animal facts, animal habitats, information on the San Diego Zoo itself and all about saving endangered animals from extinction. The content consists of several video clips, audio, photos and articles.

Reception

Critical reception

The School Library Journal praised the game for its variety and rich content in animals, ecosystems and preservation.[5] The game was reviewed in the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Guide Book where it was described as "a gorgeous program, a multimedia must-have. Comparable to a beautiful coffeetable book about animals and zoo life, but better!"[6] Computer & Video Games gave the Sega CD version a bad review with a low score of 21% for its bad quality footage and lack of animal media.[2]

Commercial performance

A year after its release, the game sold over 400,000 copies.[1] The Windows version of the game was reviewed by Bill Gates as "a must get" at the 1993 CD Expo.[7] The 3DO version of the game was showcased at the Winter Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas around early January 1994.[8]

References
  1. "The San Diego Zoo Presents: The Animals! - Fastest-Selling Consumer Multimedia Hit". PRNewswire. November 15, 1993. Retrieved November 4, 2017.
  2. "Computer & Video Games Issue 155" (PDF) (155). October 1994: 102. Retrieved November 4, 2017. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  3. "MacUser - Volume 9" (PDF) (24). November 1993: 91. Retrieved November 4, 2017. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  4. Mindscape International Catalogue (PDF). Mindscape. 1993. p. 14.
  5. "School Library Journal - The Animals". October 1993: 49. Retrieved November 4, 2017. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  6. Oppenheim, Joanne and Stephanie (1993). "Computer Software/CD-ROM - CD-ROM and Multimedia Technology: 'The San Diego Zoo™ Presents the Animals!'". The Best Toys, Books & Videos for Kids. Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Guide Book. 1 (1st ed.). New York: Harper Perennial. p. 277. ISBN 0-06-273196-3.
  7. "Compute - Issue 154" (PDF) (154). July 1993: 37. Retrieved November 4, 2017. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  8. "Global Launch multiple brands more than 200 titles in Development". Game Guru - Volume 1, Issue 1. March 1994. Retrieved November 4, 2017.
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