Oxford study ties Planet Zoo play to wildlife knowledge
A preprint analysing 545 participants found Planet Zoo players identified more animals and gave more tokens to conservation than non-players.
Researchers at the University of Oxford published a study on October 5, 2026, finding that players of Frontier Developments' zoo management simulation Planet Zoo know more about wildlife than people who do not play the game. The paper, titled "Commercial video games improve species-related knowledge, perceptions, and action", is freely available on OSF as a preprint, according to Automaton Media.
The study analysed 545 participants, split between 272 Planet Zoo players and 273 non-players. Their average age was about 31, ranging from 18 to 64, and 54.5% were women.
In a token allocation exercise, Planet Zoo players donated an average of 7.16 pounds to animals, compared with 4.68 pounds for non-players. About three times as many players as non-players put all of their 20 pounds of tokens toward animals.
Recent players showed significantly more favourable attitudes toward reptiles, and longer or more recent play correlated with better identification of animal names and conservation status. The study found no significant association in its implicit association test.
Background
Planet Zoo was released by Frontier Developments in 2019 and lets players manage a zoo with up to 210 animal species.
Quick answers
What did the Oxford study on Planet Zoo find?
It found that Planet Zoo players identified more animal names and conservation statuses, held more favourable attitudes toward reptiles, and allocated more tokens to animals than non-players.
How many people took part in the study?
The study analysed 545 participants: 272 Planet Zoo players and 273 non-players.
Where can I read the paper?
The paper, "Commercial video games improve species-related knowledge, perceptions, and action", is freely available on OSF as a preprint.