Spring 2024 DLC Speculation

[NachoB]

Yeah gibbon for me aswell. When they released the tropical pack i was pretty mad that the chose another gibbon over a new world monkey.
But the lar was such an improvement over the siamang, which just wasnt it, that i couldnt stay mad at it for long and now its one of my absolute favorite animals.
Still thinks it was a crime to release a tropical themed pack and not give SA a monkey, or any habitat animal really

What was a crime about tropical is that it wasn't an animal pack. A DLC based on rainforests, one if no the most biodiverse biome on earth gets a scenery pack and deserts an animal pack. The monitor should've have been a South American animal.

 

[Markiz]

Here's one question for everyone:

If the next DLC is last, is there a version of that pack (not making it into an unrealistic 30 animal expansion) that would completely satisfy you or come close to it? Or do you believe that there are too many holes to be plugged by one pack?

 

[nutrit]

I didnt miss the baboon specificly in grasslands but i was kinda sad they didnt include any primate in that pack. Especially since where so many cool options like different baboons, grivet and vervet monkeys, grey langurs, patas monkey, with some strechting even howlers and guerezas

Same, I was missing monkey in both Grasslands and Arid but I wouldn’t trade any of the animals that we’ve already got. Maybe except from llama and dingo, but that’s not the case.

This one extra animal in every pack would make such a huge difference and impact. Starting with Arctic and ending on Eurasia.

The lack of monkeys and birds is just crazy at this point.
I still want some of my favorite ungulates but it feels a bit indecent to want them when the lack of monkeys and birds is so overwhelming.

 

[Marvinb]

Here's one question for everyone:

If the next DLC is last, is there a version of that pack (not making it into an unrealistic 30 animal expansion) that would completely satisfy you or come close to it? Or do you believe that there are too many holes to be plugged by one pack?

Nah there is no way. The most i can realisticly see is like 12 animals, and 1 or 2 of those will probably be exhibits, and thats already a stretch. And thats just to few to bring the game to a satisfying end in my eyes.
Lets be honest noone will ever be 100% completely satisfied with the roster, but i think you would need like 25 animals to bring it to a decent end

 

[Captain Callum]

is there a version of that pack (not making it into an unrealistic 30 animal expansion) that would completely satisfy you

Yes either a South America, bird pack or a domestics pack would satisfy me enough but at the same time...

you believe that there are too many holes to be plugged by one pack?

Also yes because there are sizeable gaps for oceania, Africa, Asia, and even north America which would be impossible to fill with a final dlc.

 

[jcp011c]

Here's one question for everyone:

If the next DLC is last, is there a version of that pack (not making it into an unrealistic 30 animal expansion) that would completely satisfy you or come close to it? Or do you believe that there are too many holes to be plugged by one pack?

I think it could be done with 20. Half split on Latin America with 2 habitat birds and 2 exhibit animals for that part. The other 10 more global half of the pack could have 4 habitat birds, 4 non bird habitat animals and 2 exhibit animals.

Cutting it down though I could go as low as 12 animals, 2 exhibit animals, 4 habitat birds, 4 Latin American non bird habitat animals and 2 other habitat animals, ideally the baboon and muskox.

Lower than 12 is painful though . Like 8 I would feel it cannot take care of all the missing spots.

ETA: if it’s 12 or less, strongly predict we will not get both a tree Kangaroo and coati

 

[CharlieXGaming]

because there are sizeable gaps for oceania

I mean, are there? Do we really need the tree kangaroo?

 

[jcp011c]

I mean, are there? Do we really need the tree kangaroo?

No. But do we really need the Baboon?

I promise I’m not attacking you here. Just making a point. Do we really need the Spectacled Bear (my main mammal want)? No.

 

[TheNamesJonas]

I mean, are there? Do we really need the tree kangaroo?

Depends on the person, really. Tho Oceania really only has like two animals that are even requested that often; the Echidna and the Tree Kangaroo (of your desired flavor). So I wouldn't say it has a sizable gap like South America does

 

[nutrit]

Here's one question for everyone:

If the next DLC is last, is there a version of that pack (not making it into an unrealistic 30 animal expansion) that would completely satisfy you or come close to it? Or do you believe that there are too many holes to be plugged by one pack?

At this point I would be happy with any additional content but one pack would never fill the huge gaps in the roster that are there right now. Huge part of the most requested animals now are not super iconic or extremely popular but I believe they are really needed.

Especially SA species and Ground birds needs a separate animal pack each and monkeys at least a regular dlc.

Plus we still have some important polar/NA species, Asian ungulates and also some last species from Africa and Oceania that all feels very needed. So at least 4-5 packs would be needed to fulfill that.

Alternative could be a expansion pack with more animals, theme and special game changing additions.
I still feels that there is so much this game could archive that the end now seems really like the untapped potential.

 

[CharlieXGaming]

Here's one question for everyone:

If the next DLC is last, is there a version of that pack (not making it into an unrealistic 30 animal expansion) that would completely satisfy you or come close to it? Or do you believe that there are too many holes to be plugged by one pack?

Well in a 8-12 species pack this is what I would consider needed from each continent:

• Africa: At minimum Baboon as it’s the last key species missing from Africa, also essential but I can live without it an African bird.
• Oceania: No essentials, tree kangaroo or echidna would be nice though.
• North America: No essentials except a species of waterfowl whether duck or pelican. Walrus is also good but it’s not popular as a zoo species so it’s expendable.
• Europe: No essentials
• Asia: Waterfowl like a duck would be essential, but other than that nothing jumps out at me as a dire need.
• South America: At the bare minimum, a monkey, and a couple other iconic SA animals are needed.

So picking and choosing from this list if we had to get an 8 animal pack, I would be satisfied with Baboon, waterfowl species, 3 South american animals (1 being a monkey), and the last 2 let frontier choose, and for the exhibit a chameleon is a must.

No. But do we really need the Baboon?

Yeah, we do. I’m not just speaking from my own bias, but the baboon is the last species that checks all the boxes:

• Popular on the meta wishlist recently
• One of if not the last ABC and generally known animal making it a good headliner
• Common in zoos
• Has a rig already in game that it can be based off of (Mandrill)

Plus it would be the first and only African primate in a DLC giving us a good looking non gibbon primate, and it would finally complete Africa.

 

[Captain Callum]

I mean, are there? Do we really need the tree kangaroo?

Well to me, not really but there are still many people requesting different kinds of oceania animals. I remain firm with my stance of oceania was done by the grasslands pack, the Oceania pack just wrapped it up with some niche animals to the zoos I build.

 

[SuzieSky]

Here's one question for everyone:

If the next DLC is last, is there a version of that pack (not making it into an unrealistic 30 animal expansion) that would completely satisfy you or come close to it? Or do you believe that there are too many holes to be plugged by one pack?

Americas/Latin America packs have the best chance of making me happy, but there are so many holes that I would need at least a Neotropical animal pack, and a 12+ worldwide finale to be pretty satisfied with the roster. Even then, I think I'd be using a lot of bird and monkey mods to make it work.
My personal needs:

• My Big Species Wants: Golden Lion Tamarin, American Black Bear, Serval
• Runner-Ups: Crowned Crane, Spider Monkey, Tree Kangaroo, Coati, Mandarin Duck
• Other General Needs:
  • South American Rep: Stuff for Argentina, Ocelot, Spectacled Bear, More monkeys, at least one of the pink trio
  • More Monkeys: Baboons, howler monkeys, South Asian monkeys, and the GSNM are standouts (partly from wishlist work)
  • Other Habitat birds: at least one for NA, pelican, and a few more for variety

 

[Doran]

Maybe in PZ2 monkeys and birds will get their chance to shine. It is how it is.

 

[Marvinb]

Well to me, not really but there are still many people requesting different kinds of oceania animals. I remain firm with my stance of oceania was done by the grasslands pack, the Oceania pack just wrapped it up with some niche animals to the zoos I build.

Yeah on a global level you really only need like a handfull of oceanian animals, but im sure that would be quite a bummer for everyone from down under.
Similar to how the only NA animals i needed were there sea lion and raccoon, but that would suck for everyone american to which in return most of the european animals are not that usefull. All matter off perspective

 

[Fallax]

I agree the baboon is necessary, honestly for habitat mammals it might be at the very top for me now. I mean come on, baboons are such an important zoo animal and everyone knows what one is. Not to mention all the fun new animations and the fact it would finally give Africa a second monkey (and the Middle East too if its Hamadryas).

 

[jcp011c]

Yeah, we do. I’m not just speaking from my own bias, but the baboon is the last species that checks all the boxes:

• Popular on the meta wishlist recently
• One of if not the last ABC and generally known animal making it a good headliner
• Common in zoos
• Has a rig already in game that it can be based off of (Mandrill)

Plus it would be the first and only African primate in a DLC giving us a good looking non gibbon primate, and it would finally complete Africa.

Fair points. None of the other 7 meet all of the criteria here, and you're right about the fact we haven't gotten an African primate in DLC as yet. And it would be Africa's only second monkey.

For the criteria on the other 6
Meta List popularity - well, all six: Secretary Bird, Muskox, Walrus, Coati, Howler Monkey, Tree Kangaroo
ABC animal (generally recognized animal) - Walrus - seriously though, the others are not ABC animals IMO.
Common in zoos (not that this is something Frontier always goes by) - Howler Monkey, Coati
Existing rig to at least start out with - Mandrill, Howler (thinking the P. Monkey) Muskox (maybe?) Walrus (Grey Seal maybe?)

Adding in : Regional need - Coati, Howler Monkey, Tree Kangaroo

Really, the only thing that "dings" a point from the Baboon is it's a primate and Frontier hasnt' been that great with primates, same for Howler Monkey. And the Secretary Bird is a bird (no way LOL), and we know Frontier's not that great with those either.

Really, all of this is why I think the Walrus has the least chance of the 7. The most recognized here, yes. That's it other than Meta List ranking, which is why they're talked about. They do not have any other point in the favor and it's why I think if any dont' get included, it'll be the Walrus. Tree Kangaroo is at the same point on this structure, only here for regional need not counting meta list popularity.

All 5 others I can see making it in.

 

[CharlieXGaming]

Really, the only thing that "dings" a point from the Baboon is it's a primate and Frontier hasnt' been that great with primates,

They do however do one primate a year, but I don’t know how that’ll work if we only have 1 pack this year, hopefully they stick with it and make at least one.

But tbf, I guess a downside of the baboon is its rear end as it can be kinda displeasing to an audience, but it’s not like they’ll go and showcase it from that angle. I don’t care about the argument that when they roar or yawn they look scary, because that’s part of their behaviour and that’s a part of what makes them unique, so frontier shouldn’t be scared to add it because they think it’s creepy which it’s not really, similar to any big carnivore roar which we’ve seen countless times.

 

[AndyZoos]

It started with the absence from grasslands at least, I remember I made a meme voicing out the absence of the baboon in a pack that would of suited it great. After the arid pack, people definitely got much more vocal about frontier actively avoiding the baboon for some odd reason but hey let's give Africa another antelope, something that's definitely lacking in the game roster.

I may have just blocked that out because I think they're weird, funny looking old men and have a slew of other primates I'd prefer/that I find more interesting. But for me, it definitely really struck me as odd that they weren't included in favor of the donkey and antelope.

Has there been any animals in-game that you were initally apathetic or even disliked, but slowly either admired or fell in love with?

The biggest ones for me in this regard are the nile lechwe and buffalo from Wetlands and the butterflies from Grasslands.

The lechwe is maybe my favorite ungulate in the game now. And both of those ungulates are just so nicely done and pair nicely together in habitats. Plus, given their environment they're a lot more fun to build for than a lot of the other hoofed critters in the game...

The butterflies are just fully on me. They're an interesting addition but I kinda hated how "limited" the WTE set-up was at first. But it's actually really versatile and provides a nice way to add some interesting sections to zoos I might otherwise avoid. Now I don't build a zoo without using them!

I'll admit I didn't think we needed a second gibbon when the Lar gibbon dropped with Tropical, but between the color morphs, the improved brachiation, and walk cycle, they absolutely won me over. I can absolutely say they were a necessary addition to the siamang, and makes apes one of the few, truly complete animal clades.

What I find interesting about that scenario is that... If the Lar gibbon came first and they added the siamang in a later DLC I think they would have called the siamang a "wasted" slot. But because we got the siamang first and the Lar later? It was just considered a win.

Personally, I don't think we needed the siamang in the first place but that's not the topic of discussion right now...

They can't possibly put in every animal that ever reaches the upper regions. As soon as one got crossed off, another rises to take its place. Admitted they've been up there, as have a few others, a lot longer than other animals have, but still..point stands.

I'd like to remind everyone that as of the Eurasia pack, we have gotten every single animal in the top 20 of the first meta list, which was late 2020. It took 3 years to get there, and some obvious picks (Cougar, Moose, Meerkat, Capybara etc), but Frontier's done a really good job of picking animals from the upper regions of the lists.When there's only 7 animals left that have had a large amount of support for some time, considering all the animals we got, that's pretty good. Yes, Muskox, Tree Kangaroo, Coati, Walrus, Hamadryas Baboon, Secretary Bird and Howler Monkey are still pretty visible on the lists, but again, they can't put every cyclical animal in the game. It's a logical cycle of the lists persistent existance.

You've raised this before but I think it bears repeating! The goal post is always going to be shifting. If the game continued developing we'd be talking about how unfair it is that the iconic and essential slow loris isn't in the game (no shade toward the slow loris; I love those molasses-paced li'l dudes but you know what I mean).

Frontier did a bang-up job at knocking animals off the wishlist! Really impressive, honestly. But there's still some key species and a few animal "types" that remain underrepresented.

And I've said it before but if they had shifted the content of the packs to include more New World monkeys or primates in general... Then people would be wishing for other animal types that are less represented in favor of them. It's always going to be something.

 

[Spiderhawk]

This is how I feel
NA: I personally am a big fan of NA.
Essential: walrus, American black bear
Personal: coyote, red wolf, roadrunner, wapiti
SA: big fan of SA, in dire need of attention.
Essential: monkeys, without getting into all the monkeys, SA monkeys are extremely lacking. Andean Bear. Coati. Rhea.
Personal: all the above, alpacas, ocelot, bush dog.
EU: I am not seeing a lot of request for European animals.
Essential: some argue that it is time for a European rabbit, I would like one.
Personal: golden jackal.
AF: I got a few, some people are more passionate about animals I don’t agree with.
Essentials: monkeys! The forums constantly show people saying we need more ungulates or ground birds.
Personal: Gelada, spurred tortoise, honey badger, H baboon, Secretary bird, shoebill.
AS: hard to say what is essential. Plenty of monkeys, Indian reps, markhor, tree kangaroo, tanuki.
AU: I want the Perentie, some want echidnas and tree kangaroos