The Story of Tower Zoo

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During a maths lesson, whilst investigating arrangements of cubes on different grid sizes, a fascinating new mathematical concept was discovered.



What started off as a simple logical discovery soon became the basis of an exciting and original new strategy game.

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The concept rapidly evolved into a two-player turn-based game. Dozens of boards were designed, together with 3 special 'strategic' tiles and 2 opposing coloured cubes. ​

 

As a long line of pupils started to form at the teacher's desk, it became apparent that the game was an instant hit! Furthermore, it was an excellent way to enhance pupils' logic and spatial skills.



Before too long, the coloured cubes evolved into 5 cute animals and the game became known as Tower Zoo.

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Tower Zoo accompanied staff and pupils on school trips, notably to India, where it proved to be a big after-dinner hit as well as a great way of making friends with the locals. News spread around school and the game is now ubiquitous among staff, pupils and parents.



As news of Tower Zoo spread further, a professional computer games company called MiniWorldGames expressed interest. They recognised its potential for touch-screen devices and were keen to bring Tower Zoo to the App Store.

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Back at school, the pupils embraced the game further, following its progress every step of the way. They have witnessed it grow from a simple block game into a full-scale iOS release. They are never short of innovative ideas and have contributed a number of great features.



The school also has a special Internet history, boasting Sir Tim Berners-Lee (inventor of the Internet) as a former pupil.

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Students have tested the tutorial, played beta versions, generated art work, made video reviews, and critiqued the music (also written by me).



Schools are an excellent place for honest opinion and intelligent feedback. There's no better way to test a game than by giving it to tech-savvy teenage gamers.

 

Tower Zoo was launched on April 10th 2013 and can be downloaded for free on iPhone, iPad, or iPod at: https://itunes.apple.com/app/id594197907.



We hope to continue development, ideally bringing a synchronous multiplayer version to the App Store.