Zynga launches its first mobile game with location-based elements, Dream Zoo

The fact Zynga has released an iOS game based around zoo animal breeding and nurturing is hardly worthy of a headline, given the popularity of the genre and the social gaming giant's aggressive push into mobile during 2011.

Dream Zoo is significant, however, as being the first time the company has used location-based elements in its mobile games.

Where do you stand?

As we've discussed with leading companies in this field such as Ogmento, PerBlue and Booyah, it's a tricky niche in terms of balancing gameplay with audience psychology.

Zynga's take is fairly light, adding location-based bonus features using Apple's Location Services.

This rewards players who play the game in multiple locations with free safaris, which are the mechanic for unlocking and discovering more exotic animals to add to your zoo.