Animal Preserver

Animal Preserver is a simulation and strategy video game developed by Taxon Digital Studios and released in 2023. The game places the player in the role of a wildlife conservation officer operating within a procedurally generated nature reserve. The primary objective is to manage and protect a diverse ecosystem of animal species, each with unique behavioral patterns, dietary needs, and environmental requirements. The game world is rendered in a realistic, isometric perspective, featuring dynamic weather cycles and seasonal changes that directly affect animal migration, reproduction, and survival rates. The player must monitor population dynamics, prevent poaching, treat injured animals, and maintain habitat health through resource allocation. A key mechanic involves a detailed animal database that tracks genetic diversity and lineage, requiring the player to make informed decisions about breeding programs and species reintroduction. The game does not feature a traditional narrative; instead, it presents a sandbox environment where success is measured by the long-term stability and biodiversity of the reserve. Failure to manage resources or respond to threats can lead to species extinction within the simulation.

Gameplay is controlled through a point-and-click interface with keyboard shortcuts. The player navigates the reserve using the mouse to scroll and zoom the camera. Left-clicking selects animals, structures, or terrain tiles, while right-clicking issues context-sensitive commands. The primary control scheme involves a radial menu that appears upon selection, offering options such as "Treat," "Relocate," "Tag," or "Observe." The player manages resources through a sidebar panel that displays funds, food supplies, and medical equipment. Key keyboard commands include the number keys (1-9) to quickly access different animal groups, the spacebar to pause time, and the F key to toggle the animal tracking overlay. The game uses a real-time clock that can be accelerated up to 8x speed. To construct facilities like feeding stations, veterinary outposts, or fencing, the player opens the build menu with the B key, then clicks on valid terrain to place structures. The interface also includes a notification system that alerts the player to critical events, such as a predator entering a vulnerable species' territory or a disease outbreak. All interactions are logged in a text-based event history for review.