November 1, 2006
Microsoft Makes a Splash at the
Georgia Aquarium With National Essay Contest
The Microsoft “Zoo Tycoon”
franchise and the Georgia Aquarium challenge kids to discuss marine
conservation.
Microsoft® Game Studios is teaming
up with the Georgia Aquarium to introduce an educational initiative that will
help excite and inform students about the complexity of and caring for marine
life. Microsoft Corp., the Georgia Aquarium and AirTran Airways today announced
a national essay contest on marine conservation and the importance of preserving
aquatic life.
In conjunction with the recent
launch of “Zoo Tycoon 2®: Marine Mania®,” the newest addition to the
award-winning “Zoo Tycoon” franchise, and the upcoming one-year anniversary of
the Georgia Aquarium, the essay competition encourages students in grades six
through eight to submit a 250- to 500-word essay focusing on why conservation of
marine animals and the ocean is important.
The grand prize winner receives a
trip for four to Atlanta and a special behind-the-scenes tour of the Georgia
Aquarium, where the winner and his or her family can observe whale sharks and
African black-footed penguins in their natural habitats from exclusive views of
the exhibits. They can also speak directly with staff biologists to learn more
about how to take care of the marine animals. Runners-up receive copies of “Zoo
Tycoon 2” and all franchise expansion packs, including “Zoo Tycoon 2: Marine
Mania.” Additional contest details will be available at the Zoo Tycoon Web site
at http://zootycoon.com.
“Our research has shown that
students choose aquariums as their top choice for field-trip destinations.
They’re the best places to both engage with marine life up close and form an
understanding of the world’s oceans,” said Craig Davison, director of global
games marketing in the Entertainment and Devices Division at Microsoft. “We feel
privileged to help the Georgia Aquarium with its mission of connecting people
with aquatic animals and teaching today’s students about important issues like
marine preservation and conservation.”
Microsoft Game Studios also
sponsored a visit to the Georgia Aquarium today for 250 students from
Atlanta-area schools. Visiting the largest aquarium in the world, students can
observe more than 100,000 animals from 500 species, and discover how to best
take care of them by playing “Zoo Tycoon 2: Marine Mania” at any of numerous
kiosks available throughout the aquarium.
Developed by Blue Fang Games LLC,
“Zoo Tycoon 2: Marine Mania” continues the unique legacy of the “Zoo Tycoon”
franchise of providing gameplay that is both fun and educational, while teaching
aspiring zookeepers and gamers of all ages about the animal kingdom and how to
ensure animal happiness, guest satisfaction and profitability.
Today’s event marks the initiation
of an educational partnership between Microsoft Game Studios and the Georgia
Aquarium, including future plans for using the “Zoo Tycoon” franchise as an
educational tool within the aquarium’s Learning Loop, a level of the aquarium
dedicated to educational programs.
“Microsoft has been a great
corporate partner of the aquarium,” said Jeff Swanagan, executive director of
the Georgia Aquarium. “The ‘Zoo Tycoon’ games are known for their realistic and
educational presentation, and we recognized that they would be a perfect fit for
teaming up to help educate students and promote the importance of marine
conservation.”
