Beginner Guide

Quick answer: Planet Zoo 2 (released October 13, 2026) first-zoo loop: build habitats (plus the series-first aquariums and aviaries), adopt animals, keep them happy to earn donations, make money from tickets and souvenirs, and reinvest in staff and research. A written step-by-step first-hours order isn't published yet — Frontier's official walkthrough video covers the opening sequence; real-gameplay written walkthroughs will fill this in.

What's confirmed for your first zoo

Frontier has confirmed the core systems you'll manage early on, but has not published a written step-by-step starting order. The systems below are confirmed; the exact "do this first" sequence is not.

Build habitats — land habitats, plus the series-first aquariums and aviaries (Aquariums · Birds)
Adopt animals — each species has welfare needs (Animal Welfare)
Make money — ticket prices, donations, souvenirs and marketing campaigns (Making Money)
Hire staff — plus ongoing salaries (Staff Guide)
Research — vet research unlocks items and welfare options (Research)

What to read first

These pages cover the confirmed systems you'll manage from day one:

Making Money — the economy loop
Animal Welfare — keep animals thriving
Staff Guide — hiring and salaries
Research — the vet research system
Aquariums — series-first water habitats
Birds — series-first aviaries

What's still waiting

The full step-by-step first-zoo walkthrough — exact build order, starting animals, and early-game priorities — is not published as a written guide yet. Frontier's "Opening Your First Zoo" video (October 8, 2026) points to the official YouTube walkthrough. Now that the game is out (October 13), we'll fill in the exact first-hours order from real gameplay as walkthroughs land, rather than invent one.

Release timing

Launch: October 13, 2026 at 3PM BST
Pre-load: October 12, 2026 from 3PM BST (pre-purchasers)

Related: Making Money · Animal Welfare · Staff Guide · Research · Release Date