Zoo, also known by its file names _ZOO.MAP or ZOO.MAP, is one of three demo maps included with Duke Nukem 3D. Along with Sector Effector and Sector Tag, this map was intended to demonstrate the technical capabilities of the Build engine.
The map is notable for featuring all the weapons, items, and enemies in the game. It also contains a Nuke Button, so it can be played and finished by the player.
Video
Duke Nukem 3D - Single Player - Map- Zoo (Atomic Version) - Author- AHB
Map
 Zoo in v1.3d |
 Zoo in the Atomic Edition (v1.4/v1.5) |
Development history
See also: Duke Nukem 3D prototypes
Zoo appears to have served as a test map for new enemies throughout the game's development cycle. It seems to have evolved from a test map seen in footage from an October 1994 prototype, where it did not yet have a courtyard but still had the room full of inventory items and individual rooms for each enemy. Screenshots resembling the final version began to appear in November 1995.
After completing Duke Nukem 3D, level designer Allen Blum revisited his zoo concept during the development of Duke Nukem Forever. Among the leaked assets from the Duke Nukem Forever 2001 prototype, there is a similar map titled "Zoo".
Sector chronology
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Sector chronology in versions v1.3d and v1.4. Bright blue=oldest; bright red=newest. Oldest sectors in ascending order include: doorway to the Assault Trooper exhibit (sector 0), first room in the Enforcer exhibit, rest of the Enforcer exhibit, random lone sector in the Battlelord Sentry exhibit.
Trivia
- This map was updated in the Atomic Edition to include the newly added weapons and enemies, as well as a signpost and various cosmetic improvements near the entrance.
- In the hall of inventory items, there is a Space Suit. Beta screenshots show this was once a real in-game item that worked similarly to the Scuba Gear, but it was scrapped late in development.
- It can be easily discovered on this map that the Overlord, unlike the Battlelord, can step onto water tiles and sink below the water. This differs from the Cycloid Emperor, which can only step into sectors with a specific sector tag that prevents it from leaving the main area on Stadium.