Spring dlc Speculation 2023

[Eletan888]

I am honestly very conflicted about another tiger. Bengal tigers are seemly become obsolete in the zoo field. Their genetics are muddled with the other populations, so I guess there probably is less of an incentive to breed them. Most accredited zoos in the states don't even have them. It's usually Sumatran, Malayan, or Amur (Siberian). And now that their subspecies classification has changed, it's even more baffling. I think it'll even be a while until the new classification is unanimously recognized.

So for the time being, I'm generally not opposed to it. I think the Sunda Island tiger (Sumatran population) would actually be a great addition. It's the smallest, most threatened, and brightest in color. I saw them at ZSL, and they are one of the most beautiful cats I've ever seen. I would pass on any of the other populations, as they are not unique enough from the Bengal to warrant their own spot. Having three populations of tigers in the game would feel weird though... I doubt Frontier would add a third tiger into the game at this point at least to be honest. I guess I wish we never got the Bengal tiger to begin with, but not to the degree as the HBB. I guess my feeling is similar to the wants of the Eurasian brown bear.

 

[Eletan888]

Yeah, that's what I'm getting at. I think people might be on the right track with the type of animals we'll be getting. But I'm not sure how well "islands" holds up as a theme in terms of how it might be presented for the marketing or whatever that might surround it. I'd imagine they could do it and just come up with a different name for it that people aren't using. Haha. (Or the pack will actually include some coastal animals too that folks are talking about less!)

Or get creative with the video footage or whatever. Like, showing the coast and then "zooming in" to where the animals actually live.

I mean, I wouldn't think of a lot of the animals in the Grasslands Animal Pack as "grasslands" animals. I think at this point Frontier has been using loose names for packs to cram in highly-requested animals (i.e. Conservation and Grasslands). I do definitely agree with you, when I hear islands I think of the Caribbean, but maybe I've been listening to too much In the Heights.

 

[DarthQuell]

I'm personally more interested in the update. As it is, PZ is fun. But, it doesn't have anything to engage me.
There's no challenge after building the zoo. There's no unlock system where you need a certain amount of stars to unlock newer and better species. There's no missions to improve you zoo's popularity...

Planet Zoo is more like "build-a-zoo sim" and not "build-a-zoo and run it sim"

 

[becks474]

I mean, I wouldn't think of a lot of the animals in the Grasslands Animal Pack as "grasslands" animals. I think at this point Frontier has been using loose names for packs to cram in highly-requested animals (i.e. Conservation and Grasslands). I do definitely agree with you, when I hear islands I think of the Caribbean, but maybe I've been listening to too much In the Heights.

But in fact all of them are living (also) in grassland habitats. But sure, most animals/species do not have one single habitat they are living in. In case of the grasslands pack we have some species which are also found in more arid areas and some which are also found in forest areas besides the grasslands. So you are probably also right that using biomes and also the unpredictable themes compared to the earlier continents allows Frontier more flexibility which species can be chosen. And this is not necessarily a bad thing in my opinion.

 

[YesIndeed]

This is spectacled caiman erasure

Their not that much bigger than the cuviers putting them next to each other. I'd like something Inbetween Spectacled and American Alligator.

 

[DarthQuell]

Their not that much bigger than the cuviers putting them next to each other. I'd like something Inbetween Spectacled and American Alligator.

Are you sure you aren't getting spec caimans with smaller genes? Because spec caimans are supposed to be about ×2 the size of Cuvier's. And in my experience, the spec caimans I've had were a bit larger

 

[Eletan888]

I'm not talking about anyone in particular but, I've never understood the immense hate towards the spectacled caiman. Sure we already have one caiman and the Nile crocodile would have been a better pick, I think it's still valuable. The Cuiver's are so small, so it's nice to have caimans in two sizes. Same for the Nile lechwe, they are a pretty unique species of antelope (the males are stunning) and are kept in a few zoos. The sitatunga is also a valid choice but is too close in appearance to the nyala for me. They do have more captive holdings though.

 

[DarthQuell]

I'm not talking about anyone in particular but, I've never understood the immense hate towards the spectacled caiman. Sure we already have one caiman and the Nile crocodile would have been a better pick, I think it's still valuable. The Cuiver's are so small, so it's nice to have caimans in two sizes. Same for the Nile lechwe, they are a pretty unique species of antelope (the males are stunning) and are kept in a few zoos. The sitatunga is also a valid choice but is too close in appearance to the nyala for me. They do have more captive holdings though.

It's one of those animals that is the least favorite of the pack. In most cases the least favorite seems super hated because those that hate it are usually more vocal than those that love it.

However, the spec caiman is getting more love and, personally, is my 2nd favorite crocodilian in the game after the alligator

 

[premierfong]

Guys, keep pushing, it's the time again!!!!!

 

[AndyZoos]

I mean, I wouldn't think of a lot of the animals in the Grasslands Animal Pack as "grasslands" animals. I think at this point Frontier has been using loose names for packs to cram in highly-requested animals (i.e. Conservation and Grasslands). I do definitely agree with you, when I hear islands I think of the Caribbean, but maybe I've been listening to too much In the Heights.

I mean, that's definitely fair about the Grasslands pack. Haha. Heck, I'd extend that to most of the packs we've received since Wetlands! But I also think the pack names have been vague enough so as not to elicit specific imagery (except maybe "Wetlands" - and the animals that come to mind with that one were already in-game hah).

I'm not complaining and I know nobody would really get hung-up on it. But when we say "Islands," it just doesn't resonate with the list of animals people are predicting to appear in it... But I'm sure they could make it work. Even something like "Islands of the World" would help!

It's also interesting that the pattern's gone out the window so we don't know if it'll be an animal pack or a scenery pack.

 

[Marvinb]

I had the same experience with the spec caiman, at first i was a little disapointed when they got announced since i was really hoping for a shoebill or pelican. But they really grew on me

I mean, that's definitely fair about the Grasslands pack. Haha. Heck, I'd extend that to most of the packs we've received since Wetlands! But I also think the pack names have been vague enough so as not to elicit specific imagery (except maybe "Wetlands" - and the animals that come to mind with that one were already in-game hah).

I'm not complaining and I know nobody would really get hung-up on it. But when we say "Islands," it just doesn't resonate with the list of animals people are predicting to appear in it... But I'm sure they could make it work. Even something like "Islands of the World" would help!

It's also interesting that the pattern's gone out the window so we don't know if it'll be an animal pack or a scenery pack.

I can see them calling it the "Endemism Pack" or something like that, although that sounds kinda weird

 

[Marvinb]

I not really set on either Animal or Scenery Pack honestly. Really depends on the theme obviously, but id prefer mostly animal packs from now on since i cant really thing of something novel thats not in the game already, a horizantal version of the aquatic wood set maybe. But thats maybe because the last scenery pack, Twilight, left me a bit dissapointed since unless youre going for a halloween, spooky theme alot of those pieces are kinda wasted. So i really hope the next scenery pack will be somethig more general. I would really enjoy some nice decoration props to breath some live into my builds, like flexicolor cars for parking lots, playground pieces, more education stuff like those giraffe and gorilla thingys

 

[premierfong]

I'm personally more interested in the update. As it is, PZ is fun. But, it doesn't have anything to engage me.
There's no challenge after building the zoo. There's no unlock system where you need a certain amount of stars to unlock newer and better species. There's no missions to improve you zoo's popularity...

Planet Zoo is more like "build-a-zoo sim" and not "build-a-zoo and run it sim"

Yaa they can make this game mode. Unlock some rare animals, good way to bring those into the game.

 

[Chuditch]

I'm also leaning into this because, I dunno, when you say "islands" does it really evoke images of the kinds of animals people are speculating? I've seen a few videos from content creators talking about it - and the images they use are all coastal beaches and palm trees which... Isn't what I think of when I think of the Tasmanian devil, tree kangaroo, kiwi, etc. But it's definitely what comes to mind when I hear the word "islands." Hah!

I'm not complaining and I know nobody would really get hung-up on it. But when we say "Islands," it just doesn't resonate with the list of animals people are predicting to appear in it... But I'm sure they could make it work. Even something like "Islands of the World" would help!

Personally I don't see the issue here. The animals in the pack not matching the stereotypical tropical beaches and palm trees people picture when they think of islands doesn't make them any less island animals, and if anything a pack like that will just serve to educate on how varied islands and island fauna are.

 

[yoav_r]

But I'm not sure how well "islands" holds up as a theme in terms of how it might be presented for the marketing or whatever that might surround it.

Africa, Conservation, and Twilight all had a very weak link between the theme and the animals. Especially conservation.

Tazzie, kiwi, fossa and tree kangaroo could easily come with a tropical resort/nautical theme with the connection being some random stylized statues and paintings of tropical birds.

 

[yoav_r]

Africa, Conservation, and Twilight all had a very weak link between the theme and the animals. Especially conservation.

Tazzie, kiwi, fossa and tree kangaroo could easily come with a tropical resort/nautical theme with the connection being some random stylized statues and paintings of tropical birds.

Actually, let's track the themes:

- Arctic - Scandinavian theme, with 1 scandinavian animal and 3 north americsn animals

- SA - generic temple/tropical lodge theme with 3 tropical animals and 1 andean animal

- Australia - mix of aboriginal and ranch theme, 4 australian species. first theme that actually fits completely

- Aquatic - generic harbor theme, with only one harbor related animal (the seal). The otter and caiman are freshwater animals, and the king penguin does not occure near harbor cities.

- Africa - north african theme with a single north african habitat animal.

- Europe - fits pretty well

- Conservation - theme focusing on ecological building and basic zoo stuff, with an assortment of random endangered animals. No link beyond the general title of "conservation"

- Twilight - gothic theme with 4 forest animals and a bat. The only animal the properly fits is the bat, and even that onky in a cultural context and not a zoo context

So if Islands happen with the big 4 species and a somewhat unrelated tropical resort theme it would echo most yhemes so far very well.

 

[FoxyDee]

I'm personally more interested in the update. As it is, PZ is fun. But, it doesn't have anything to engage me.
There's no challenge after building the zoo. There's no unlock system where you need a certain amount of stars to unlock newer and better species. There's no missions to improve you zoo's popularity...

Planet Zoo is more like "build-a-zoo sim" and not "build-a-zoo and run it sim"

This is honestly what I have hoped for when they announced challenge mode. Right now, challenge mode just feels like sandbox with money and research on. Only slightly "challenging" thing about the mode is that not all animal species are available at all time, so you have to check the animal market from time to time to see if new animal species appeared there.

 

[YesIndeed]

I'm personally more interested in the update. As it is, PZ is fun. But, it doesn't have anything to engage me.
There's no challenge after building the zoo. There's no unlock system where you need a certain amount of stars to unlock newer and better species. There's no missions to improve you zoo's popularity...

Planet Zoo is more like "build-a-zoo sim" and not "build-a-zoo and run it sim"

While I like the freedom in sandbox. I would love if they implemented a skill tree style unlock system to franchise. Earning 10 stars across all your franchise zoos nets you the giant Panda for example. It'd be like you need a reputation before they let you buy actually big and endangered animals.

 

[PnGLINNyo]

Unlock some rare animals, good way to bring those into the game.

I already got mine, like release 100 5-star Siberian tigers and 100 5-star Bengal tigers to the wild to unlock access to Sumatran tigers, or same scenario for African bush elephants and Indian elephants to unlock African forest elephants.

 

[KönigDerKaffeebohnen]

I already got mine, like release 100 5-star Siberian tigers and 100 5-star Bengal tigers to the wild to unlock access to Sumatran tigers, or same scenario for African bush elephants and Indian elephants to unlock African forest elephants.

No offense but that sounds extremly boring and grindy, not to mention that if i have 2 tigers or 2 elephants allready i dont need a 3.