Spring dlc Speculation 2023

[KönigDerKaffeebohnen]

Personally any kind of arboreal pack screams heavily scenery pack to me, filled with new climbable plants, ropes, logs and other pieces for better climbing frames, maybe even hanging barrels now that we have the pvc door with similar physics.
I also would have a clear roster for such a pack in my mind consisting of:

• Treekangaroo (among the most unique climbers left out of the game so far)
• Squirrel (Id prefer the red but any tree dwelling squirrel is welcome)
• Parsons Chameleon (Propaply the most wild arboreal animal that realisticly could be a habitat animal)
• a Spider Monkey (South american monkey and propaply the one that climbs the most unique)

With the exhibit being whatever.
Are 4 animals that all would need a ton of effort to animate and move around in one scenery pack be unreallistic?
Sure but you cant tell me this wouldnt be an absolute killer line up

 

[Langsi]

Speculations are in an full swing )

Im going with a rainforest animal pack:

1. Sloth!!!!!
2. Lar Gibbon white and black
3. Black Howler Monkey
4. South American Coati
5. Red River Hog
6. Tree Kangaroo (if there is no island pack) otherwise 6. some grounded bird
7. Ocelot
8. Parrots 3 or 4 of them for the Walkin Ex.

I´m already looking forward to march

 

[KönigDerKaffeebohnen]

They have wonderful conservation story as well. During the 90s they were one of the rarest mammals on the planet with a population in the mid 30s. Thanks to a plan to make a genetic ark by capturing and captive breeding those individuals the wild population is now in the low hundreds. Still precarious, but hopeful.

As said before my "problem" with them isnt that they are a bad pick, but one that doesnt make a lot of sense logistically.
Just compare popular choices for an island vs mountains.
Mountains we got many different caprines with not more then 2 of them being expected in one pack, spectacle bear, pallas cat, himalayan monal/golden pheasent would be a smart choice and then there also stuff like the yellow footed rock wallaby, an alpine monkey like the geladal, the domestic yak and the marmot. Afterwards thats kind of it regarding popular suggestions that are mainly mountain animals shoutout to all taiga and tundra animals getting lumped in with mountains cause people are getting desperate.
Meanwhile islands? Just the ones rather commonly discussed are the fossa, kiwi, tasmanian devil, treekangaroo, blue penguins, rockhopper penguins, green seaturtle, victoria crowned pidgeon, scottish highland cattle, shetland pony, racoon dog, japanese serow, lowland anoa, sulawesi crested macaque, northern luzon giant cloud rat, nene goose, pig nosed turtle, a second lemure, sumatran rhino and then theres still all the whacky lesser discussed great pics like the kunekune pig, parsons chameleon, kagu, solomon island skink, scottish wildcat, white cheeked pintail and the list can go on and on and on.
By the nature of islands allways having very specific different and unique animals depending on whatever got trapped/stranded there allmost any island with a significant time of isolation has very unique species. Meanwhile most mountain ranges can be described in high priority missing animals as goat and i doubt that we will get a 3+ goat pack.
From another standpoint, the alpine marmot would also bring in some europe representation and would retroactivly enhance the ibex as another animal iconic to the alps.
Afterall we just hopped off a year that featured twice as many north american small mammals then europe got overall. North America really is not in need of more small mammals, meanwhile europe could still use any animal it can get to grow to a decently sized roster.
Lastly visually, both species are basically just a giant prariedog, one brown and one slightly larger and grey yellowish.
Just from a visual perspective, there isnt really any reason for frontier to pick one over the other.

So yeah while they are a neat animal i just dont see them once you step back and look at the meta game of how the animals actually would most likly be added.
A mountain pack only has a rather small group of centenders with the marmot as an easy choice to throw europe another bone and represent the alps, while the vancover island marmot faces a much more fierce competetion.
If theres a pack filled with the kiwi, tassie devil, treekangaroo, fossa, nene, sulawesi crested macaque, shetland pony, who do you drop for just a brown marmot when a grey one would easily be among the best contenders for even a scenery mountain pack?
Ofcourse everyone can want what they want and if we get it id be happy for you, but i just dont see it happening.

 

[YesIndeed]

Personally any kind of arboreal pack screams heavily scenery pack to me, filled with new climbable plants, ropes, logs and other pieces for better climbing frames, maybe even hanging barrels now that we have the pvc door with similar physics.
I also would have a clear roster for such a pack in my mind consisting of:

• Treekangaroo (among the most unique climbers left out of the game so far)
• Squirrel (Id prefer the red but any tree dwelling squirrel is welcome)
• Parsons Chameleon (Propaply the most wild arboreal animal that realisticly could be a habitat animal)
• a Spider Monkey (South american monkey and propaply the one that climbs the most unique)

With the exhibit being whatever.
Are 4 animals that all would need a ton of effort to animate and move around in one scenery pack be unreallistic?
Sure but you cant tell me this wouldnt be an absolute killer line up

I think to have something easier to make swap chameleon from crocodile monitor. Still would take effort but they could just build the climbing animations off the existing monitor rig. Chameleon feels too small to be habitat to me. I think it could instead be tge exhibit.

 

[nutrit]

What about something called the Treetops animal pack? It can be a pack that boosts our arboreal animals and, if we are to get birds in WEs, that too.

1. Gray langur
2. South American coati
3. Goodfellow's tree kangaroo
4. Vervet monkey
5. Hoffman's two-toed sloth
6. Ocelot
7. Prehensile-tail porcupine
8. Budgerigars (WE)

Of course, this is just random animals that popped into my mind. Y'all could probably do better

I would really like an Arboreal pack:

1. Tree kangaroo
2. Sloth
3. Coati
4. Mantled guereza
5. NA porcupine
6. Fossa
7. Howler monkey, Spider monkey, Lar Gibbon or Lion tailed macaque
WE: Macaws or Toucans

 

[DarthQuell]

@biggest_dreamer, you're right. I should've done the mantled guereza instead of the vervet. Much more distinct. And, I was tempted for a 5th South America animal, but I thought that it would've been much and kicking out Asia/Africa/Oceania would've been a little unfair...



But I did want a 5th one...



And @KönigDerKaffeebohnen, you're probably right that an arboreal pack would be scenery. If that's the case, I'd have to go with the following:

1. Howler monkey - spider monkeys are very cool, and in a perfect world we'd get those, too, but I think that the howler is more common so would be more likely. Otherwise, I'm happy with either
2. Spectacled bear - Biggest_Dreamer inspired me about these, and honestly I'd add these as I just read that they're very adaptable, so yeah
3. Goodfellow's tree kangaroo - a unique macropod adapted to tree life. What's not to like?
4. South American coati - I mean, why not?
5. Budgerigars (WE) - the perfect starting "flying" birds for our roster. And they live in the trees, too (duh, Quell. Are you a simpleton?)

 

[KönigDerKaffeebohnen]

I think to have something easier to make swap chameleon from crocodile monitor. Still would take effort but they could just build the climbing animations off the existing monitor rig. Chameleon feels too small to be habitat to me. I think it could instead be tge exhibit.

Parsons Chameleon thankfully isnt, its the size of a house cat. Thats why im advocating for them so much, as they actually would be feasible habitat animals, but most people just dont know that they are an viable inclusion.

 

[KönigDerKaffeebohnen]

@biggest_dreamer, you're right. I should've done the mantled guereza instead of the vervet. Much more distinct. And, I was tempted for a 5th South America animal, but I thought that it would've been much and kicking out Asia/Africa/Oceania would've been a little unfair...



But I did want a 5th one...



And @KönigDerKaffeebohnen, you're probably right that an arboreal pack would be scenery. If that's the case, I'd have to go with the following:

1. Howler monkey - spider monkeys are very cool, and in a perfect world we'd get those, too, but I think that the howler is more common so would be more likely. Otherwise, I'm happy with either
2. Spectacled bear - Biggest_Dreamer inspired me about these, and honestly I'd add these as I just read that they're very adaptable, so yeah
3. Goodfellow's tree kangaroo - a unique macropod adapted to tree life. What's not to like?
4. South American coati - I mean, why not?
5. Budgerigars (WE) - the perfect starting "flying" birds for our roster. And they live in the trees, too (duh, Quell. Are you a simpleton?)

Im honest for an ARBOREAL pack i would find this roster quite lacking for multiple reasons.
1. Imo if we get a pack about arboreal movement, we should get atleast 2 new ways for animals to climb, be it the prehensile tail of the spider monkey, the break neck speed of a squirrel, the whacky ways of the sloth or something that just moves completly unique like a chameleon or a sugar glider.
2. The spectacle bear isnt on theme as animals that spend the majority of their time on the ground. If we make a pack about life in the trees id actually would want mostly arboreal animals.
3. While i understand the temptation of maxing out south america, the truth is that the entire game lacks in arboreal animals.
Quick run down:
North America: 1 (Racoon)
Europe: 0
Australia: 1 (Koala)
South America: 2 (White Faced Capuchin, Jaguar)
Africa: 6 (Bonobo and Chimpanzee, Mandrill, Ringed Lemure, Ruffed Lemure x2)
Asia: 6 (Orang Utan, Proboscis Monkey, Clouded Leopard, Red Panda, Japanese Macaque)
Well that aint much, 16 really isnt a lot, especally for a niche normally very common in zoos. If we just talk about the small arboreal animals which you often see alot of, we got 7, 3 being lemures.
The game really does need a larger variety of climbing animals and it needs them everywhere, be it martens, reptiles, kinkajou, monkeys, tamandua, squirrels, tree kangaroos, etc so if we get such a pack the focus really should be on offering different varietys of climbing animals from all over the world.

 

[DarthQuell]

Im honest for an ARBOREAL pack i would find this roster quite lacking for multiple reasons.
1. Imo if we get a pack about arboreal movement, we should get atleast 2 new ways for animals to climb, be it the prehensile tail of the spider monkey, the break neck speed of a squirrel, the whacky ways of the sloth or something that just moves completly unique like a chameleon or a sugar glider.
2. The spectacle bear isnt on theme as animals that spend the majority of their time on the ground. If we make a pack about life in the trees id actually would want mostly arboreal animals.
3. While i understand the temptation of maxing out south america, the truth is that the entire game lacks in arboreal animals.
Quick run down:
North America: 1 (Racoon)
Europe: 0
Australia: 1 (Koala)
South America: 2 (White Faced Capuchin, Jaguar)
Africa: 6 (Bonobo and Chimpanzee, Mandrill, Ringed Lemure, Ruffed Lemure x2)
Asia: 6 (Orang Utan, Proboscis Monkey, Clouded Leopard, Red Panda, Japanese Macaque)
Well that aint much, 16 really isnt a lot, especally for a niche normally very common in zoos. If we just talk about the small arboreal animals which you often see alot of, we got 7, 3 being lemures.
The game really does need a larger variety of climbing animals and it needs them everywhere, be it martens, reptiles, kinkajou, monkeys, tamandua, squirrels, tree kangaroos, etc so if we get such a pack the focus really should be on offering different varietys of climbing animals from all over the world.

Yes, I understand. I'm just assuming what the most likely roster would be. Honestly, in my opinion, I'd like the last 4 DLC to be animal packs, that way we have more slots to add in, you know?

 

[YesIndeed]

Parsons Chameleon thankfully isnt, its the size of a house cat. Thats why im advocating for them so much, as they actually would be feasible habitat animals, but most people just dont know that they are an viable inclusion.
View attachment 345861

While I also love that. Considering I'm pretty sure the green Iguana is bigger and it in the box I don't have hopes. Mabey if they release the iguanas first.

 

[YesIndeed]

Im honest for an ARBOREAL pack i would find this roster quite lacking for multiple reasons.
1. Imo if we get a pack about arboreal movement, we should get atleast 2 new ways for animals to climb, be it the prehensile tail of the spider monkey, the break neck speed of a squirrel, the whacky ways of the sloth or something that just moves completly unique like a chameleon or a sugar glider.
2. The spectacle bear isnt on theme as animals that spend the majority of their time on the ground. If we make a pack about life in the trees id actually would want mostly arboreal animals.
3. While i understand the temptation of maxing out south america, the truth is that the entire game lacks in arboreal animals.
Quick run down:
North America: 1 (Racoon)
Europe: 0
Australia: 1 (Koala)
South America: 2 (White Faced Capuchin, Jaguar)
Africa: 6 (Bonobo and Chimpanzee, Mandrill, Ringed Lemure, Ruffed Lemure x2)
Asia: 6 (Orang Utan, Proboscis Monkey, Clouded Leopard, Red Panda, Japanese Macaque)
Well that aint much, 16 really isnt a lot, especally for a niche normally very common in zoos. If we just talk about the small arboreal animals which you often see alot of, we got 7, 3 being lemures.
The game really does need a larger variety of climbing animals and it needs them everywhere, be it martens, reptiles, kinkajou, monkeys, tamandua, squirrels, tree kangaroos, etc so if we get such a pack the focus really should be on offering different varietys of climbing animals from all over the world.

I'd say that the Japanese macaque isn't aboreal spending most of its time on more hilly mountainous areas. Though I think if the Jaguar is the cougar should also be aboreal.

 

[KönigDerKaffeebohnen]

While I also love that. Considering I'm pretty sure the green Iguana is bigger and it in the box I don't have hopes. Mabey if they release the iguanas first.

Just cause you did a mistake before, doesnt mean you have to do it twice.
+ i also very much strongly want the iguanas to be freed, as imo them being in the boxes just wastes two perfectly fine animals

 

[KönigDerKaffeebohnen]

I'd say that the Japanese macaque isn't aboreal spending most of its time on more hilly mountainous areas. Though I think if the Jaguar is the cougar should also be aboreal.

14 we have then

 

[DarthQuell]

Just cause you did a mistake before, doesnt mean you have to do it twice.
+ i also very much strongly want the iguanas to be freed, as imo them being in the boxes just wastes two perfectly fine animals

I highly doubt that iguanas would be freed, so to speak. I mean, imma be honest, I've only seen 1 iguana in a large enclosure like that, and now he's in a cage instead of roaming free. All the other ones I've seen are in terrariums that are smaller than what we have in-game.
So, I'm not against having iguanas in the terrariums. A compromise, in my opinion, is to move them to WEs, that way there'd be more room for them to have certain loops where they'd walk to one end, bask there all day, then move back, kinda like they do in all the terrariums I've seen them in

 

[KönigDerKaffeebohnen]

The WE isnt a compromise. They could literally slap the iguana modell on the monitor rig, fine tune a few things and they are golden. Porting them to the WE would be more insulting then helpfull, as if you put in the effort to update the iguana, just do it right and give them to us as our first habitat exhibit hybrid.
Like who wouldnt love 2 new habitat animals for free from south america, reptiles and a new taxon?
There is nothing to compomise on here, either they free them by theirself or we just gotta mod them free, cause thats exactly what modders have done.
Putting them in the WE meanwhile isnt a change. They wont make the iguana worth using or enhance the freedom by that much.
+ it propaply would be more work to figure out how to make a grounded WE animal then just slapping them on a rig. The modell is allready there, zoo pedia is there, even some animations. The only thing really work intensive would be new animations for them walking around and interacting with enritchment, but id rather get them without uniue animation then just having them stuck in some oversized boxes and be a glorified headaches to include in any kind of free flowing way that isnt as part of a wall.

 

[DarthQuell]

For me, it is a compromise. I'd rather have them in a WE than an oversized habitat with difficult hitboxes.
Guests can interact with them in WEs. WEs are semi-customizable, as they can have editable terrain, you can make them null, and you can place scenery inside; so yeah, I'd consider it a compromise

 

[KönigDerKaffeebohnen]

. WEs are semi-customizable

And there you got why they arnt.
8x8x16m brick that needs to be walkthrough, cant be customised fully and most importantly if you put in the effort to put them into the WE and reinvent the entire thing on how they can spawn there (unless we literally just get toggleable items they can spawn on, which quite frankly would be even more of an insult, just make them scenery items then), you could also just let your animators give them a walkcycle and call it a day, letting people who didnt want it habitat still use it as an exhibit animal while adding 2 completly new animals for the price of just animations, that you can mostly steal from the monitors.
If you put in the effort just to not fix the underlying problem why it sucks and leave your community split when you could have put in the same effort to make everyone happy, you either dont do it or you do it right.

 

[Doran]

Sorry for spoiling fun, but parson chamelon isnt that big. It weight about 700g. Thats not much.

Sites saying it is as big as cat are wrong, because animal lenght has nothing to do with size. We are looking at something as big as gila monster / meerkat with long tail.

 

[KönigDerKaffeebohnen]

Sorry for spoiling fun, but parson chamelon isnt that big. It weight about 700g. Thats not much.

Sites saying it is as big as cat are wrong, because animal lenght has nothing to do with size. We are looking at something as big as gila monster / meerkat with long tail.

Oof but still larger then a meercat, so it could still work.

 

[DarthQuell]

And there you got why they arnt.
8x8x16m brick that needs to be walkthrough, cant be customised fully and most importantly if you put in the effort to put them into the WE and reinvent the entire thing on how they can spawn there (unless we literally just get toggleable items they can spawn on, which quite frankly would be even more of an insult, just make them scenery items then), you could also just let your animators give them a walkcycle and call it a day, letting people who didnt want it habitat still use it as an exhibit animal while adding 2 completly new animals for the price of just animations, that you can mostly steal from the monitors.
If you put in the effort just to not fix the underlying problem why it sucks and leave your community split when you could have put in the same effort to make everyone happy, you either dont do it or you do it right.

First of all, they don't need to walkthrough if you're creative. I've seen many builds where the WEs aren't walkthrough.

Second, not everyone here agrees that "exhibits suck"; you keep pushing your opinion and acting like it's universal, but a lot of members here have disagreed with you, so knock it off. They have their fans, like it or not. The only reason that it seems that opinions of having some animals as habitat instead of exhibits seem bigger is because those people are extremely vocal about it while the ones who are satisfied get drowned out.

Third, this is Frontier we're talking about. I don't think they'd go back on this, so realistically, if they were to compromise, as they tend to do, then the best we could get is the WE iguana. As far as I can remember, they don't eliminate features, they modify them to be true to the original purpose while satisfying customers. I'm pretty sure that taking an animal that's not meant to be fully interactive and making it fully interactive is not on their list of goals, and if they were to do anything about it, then this is the best option.