Research
Research is a long-term progression system for passive zoo upgrades.
Earning research points
Your zoo earns research points during ticks when it has living animals. Larger, more popular, more diverse zoos earn faster.
The current formula is:
- starts at 1 RP per tick when the zoo has at least one living animal,
- adds points from popularity,
- adds points from unique species,
- caps at 8 RP per tick.
Unlocking nodes
Open Research in the Lab place to spend RP. Some nodes require earlier research before they can be unlocked.
Research is an advanced system. If it is not visible yet, keep growing your zoo; it unlocks once you have a stronger animal base or research points ready to spend.
Current categories:
- Animal Care
- Habitats
- Visitors
- Operations
Current nodes
| Node | Cost | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Care Basics | 30 RP | +5 popularity |
| Veterinary Notes | 80 RP | +8 popularity |
| Habitat Layouts | 45 RP | +6 popularity |
| Enrichment Programs | 100 RP | +10 popularity |
| Visitor Wayfinding | 50 RP | +4 popularity, +5% visitor revenue |
| Donation Boxes | 110 RP | +10% visitor revenue |
| Staff Playbooks | 70 RP | +4 popularity, +3% visitor revenue |
| Conservation Grants | 180 RP | +12 popularity, +5% visitor revenue |
Research bonuses are server-authoritative and apply to visitor/popularity calculations through the game state.
Tips
- Early care and habitat nodes are cheap, steady upgrades.
- Visitor revenue nodes help more once your zoo already has meaningful visitor traffic.
- Conservation Grants requires both Care Basics and Visitor Wayfinding.