DLC18 discussion and predictions

[RightWhale]

Here is my understanding for the remaining “ABC” animals that they could add (that are also not clones):

1. A proper Baboon
2. A new monkey
3. A duck
4. A pelican
5. Hot take, but due to its iconic looks I can honestly see the Walrus

Otherwise, I think that’s kind of it. Debatable 5 or so animals that aren’t “clones”, otherwise some zoo basics would be “clones” of pre existing terms. Otherwise I agree, the remaining top animals are fairly niche. The tree kangaroo, secretary bird, musk ox, and coati are all awesome animals but fall more into a specific niche than some of their counterparts.

The only thing that makes me argue against the “ABC animal vs. Filler animal” is how many people who play Planet Zoo aren’t also animal lovers of some higher than average level? How many people pick up Planet Zoo and only care about the ABCs, vs. how many genuinely like a lot of animals/ have higher than average recognition of them. I don’t know.

 

[Marvinb]

Ideally any revisit to south america would do something similar to what the oceania pack did to the region.
Not only did every animal fill an open niche for the region, but also every pick was something new for the game, expect the penguin maybe

 

[DarthQuell]

Ideally any revisit to south america would do something similar to what the oceania pack did to the region.
Not only filling alot of open niches for the region, but also every pick was something new for the game, expect the penguin maybe

Oh man, imagine we finally get a more South American bird, and it's a Humboldt penguin...

The only thing that makes me argue against the “ABC animal vs. Filler animal” is how many people who play Planet Zoo aren’t also animal lovers of some higher than average level? How many people pick up Planet Zoo and only care about the ABCs, vs. how many genuinely like a lot of animals/ have higher than average recognition of them. I don’t know.

I would think it's fair to say that lately the DLCs have really mostly catered to people who recognize certain animals and get them for those species. Most of the ABC species were in the 1st 2 years of the game. We were only missing the leopard, really; I'd argue the dromedary as well, but even then not so much.
Most of these other popular animals, like the porcupine, are way more like fillers animals than stars (if that makes sense)

 

[Marvinb]

I know I sound like a broken record but baboon. Most people know what a baboon is or what it looks like without having to search it up. It’s essential for Africa and is the perfect representative for a “collection” type pack. If they don’t add it just because of its butt then I’m gonna be incredibly disappointed. We need it, and mods can’t do this guy justice with the fluff.

The butt is really not a problem. They only have their extreme swollen look to advertise their fertility in breeding season, for most of the time its just a normal, yet reddisch monkey butt.
And while baboons are the best known for this its actually something alot of old world monkeys do, including great apes. Chimps especially have arguably even more extreme swellings than baboons.
And since there are no seasonal changes in any other animals there is no reason why it should be included for the baboon.
So not adding it because of the swollen butts really is creating a solution to a non existend problem, just leave it out like they already did with the chimp, bonobo and mandrill.

I kinda have a deja vu, im pretty sure i wrote this exact same reply like a month ago

 

[NachoB]

Wondering about ABC animals, are there any truly left? 4 years of support has added a massive amount of iconic zoo animals that forces the metawishlists and probably even speculation discussion to make it seem like everyone wants these obscure filler animals. Could be very well be the reason why we got domestics out of nowhere.

I can think of:

• Pelican
• Duck
• Walrus
• Turkey
• Rabbit
• Squirrel
• Chameleon
• Cobra

Those are animals everyone knows what they are, what they look like and have a larger presence in general culture.

Of course you then have all the other types of birds like parrots, macaws, toucans, hummingbirds, eagles, owls, crows/ravens, doves/pigeons and vultures.

And all of the Aquatic stuff: sharks, rays, dolphins, whales, orcas, Octopus, squid, crabs, starfiash, sea horses, fishes in general, etc.

But these last two groups of animals won't be added to the current game so they don't really count.

And i don't think a baboon is an ABC animal. Is a monkey and that's what it would be called by most people.

 

[Topaz Star]

I think some people really underestimate what animals people know & what animals are appealing to the general public. I can speak for myself with a few examples that I didn't care for the specifics of the sloth, I was really just like yay a sloth. If it's a two-toed or three-toed or whatever, I don't really care. I didn't know what a binturong was when it came out, but it was cute and I wanted it. Same goes for South-American animals people argue about now. Does a majority know what an ocelot is? Probably not. Does it matter? No, because it's a good looking appealing cat and people love cats.

Honestly, it sounds kinda bitter to nitpick about South-American animals being way to niche now and wanting other things. If you want other things for the last pack, that's understandable and a totally valid opinion. But talking down on people who want more South-American representation seems very pressed.

 

[Marvinb]

I can think of:

• Pelican
• Duck
• Walrus
• Turkey
• Rabbit
• Squirrel
• Chameleon
• Cobra

Those are animals everyone knows what they are, what they look like and have a larger presence in general culture.

Of course you then have all the other types of birds like parrots, macaws, toucans, hummingbirds, eagles, owls, crows/ravens, doves/pigeons and vultures.

And all of the Aquatic stuff: sharks, rays, dolphins, whales, orcas, Octopus, squid, crabs, starfiash, sea horses, fishes in general, etc.

But these last two groups of animals won't be added to the current game so they don't really count.

And i don't think a baboon is an ABC animal. Is a monkey and that's what it would be called by most people.

Isnt it the same for the cobra?
In a zoo 99% of people couldnt name a cobra without a label on the terrarium

 

[Stygi]

I can think of:

• Pelican
• Duck
• Walrus
• Turkey
• Rabbit
• Squirrel
• Chameleon
• Cobra

Those are animals everyone knows what they are, what they look like and have a larger presence in general culture.

Of course you then have all the other types of birds like parrots, macaws, toucans, hummingbirds, eagles, owls, crows/ravens, doves/pigeons and vultures.

And all of the Aquatic stuff: sharks, rays, dolphins, whales, orcas, Octopus, squid, crabs, starfiash, sea horses, fishes in general, etc.

But these last two groups of animals won't be added to the current game so they don't really count.

And i don't think a baboon is an ABC animal. Is a monkey and that's what it would be called by most people.

What about my guy the yak?

 

[CharlieXGaming]

Is a monkey and that's what it would be called by most people.

So then why do people call Gorillas, Orangutans and Chimps their names instead of just apes or monkeys when the baboon is almost as popular as they are?

 

[Stygi]

So then why do people call Gorillas, Orangutans and Chimps their names instead of just apes or monkeys when the baboon is almost as popular as they are?

I’d argue Gorillas, orangutans and chimps are far more famous than baboons, also the Hamadryas probably isn’t the most well known baboon, I’d argue the Olive baboon is more well known due to much more frequent appearances in documentaries and tv

 

[Thylaco]

Isnt it the same for the cobra?
In a zoo 99% of people couldnt name a cobra without a label on the terrarium

If they put in a cobra and it didn't rear up at all, it would certainly be a monkey's paw wish for a good chunk of the people that want it.

In that more realistic context it would effectively just be another snake, but there is scenery/signage in base game for it already, so theming something around it is already a thing.

I've seen a sort of small solid fenced area for snake showings at a Reptile park. A handler with a snake hook and snakes in bags, lets them out to slither around a bit, or carries them using the hook as they do a talk, I think something along those lines would be pretty cool, albeit probably too much work to justify this late in the game's life.

A smaller constrictor being put across your shoulders and arms is a classic photo opportunity. I had an Olive Python (about 2.5m I think) draped across me, you can really feel the muscles of their body flexing (feels a bit like a huge human arm, all biceps).

 

[DarthQuell]

So then why do people call Gorillas, Orangutans and Chimps their names instead of just apes or monkeys when the baboon is almost as popular as they are?

I think another thing that hasn't been brought up is the fact that many people might think we already have a baboon, with the mandrill. I mean, they're similar looking and related to each other (mandrills were considered baboons at one point). If you see old media (movies/games), then they use a basic baboon and it often look like a mandrill with a tail...
Just a possibility, of course

 

[Marvinb]

If they put in a cobra and it didn't rear up at all, it would certainly be a monkey's paw wish for a good chunk of the people that want it.

In that more realistic context it would effectively just be another snake, but there is scenery/signage in base game for it already, so theming something around it is already a thing.

I've seen a sort of small solid fenced area for snake showings at a Reptile park. A handler with a snake hook and snakes in bags, lets them out to slither around a bit, or carries them using the hook as they do a talk, I think something along those lines would be pretty cool, albeit probably too much work to justify this late in the game's life.

A smaller constrictor being put across your shoulders and arms is a classic photo opportunity. I had an Olive Python (about 2.5m I think) draped across me, you can really feel the muscles of their body flexing (feels a bit like a huge human arm).

Yeah its the same for the frilled dragon. The feature that theyre well known for is somethig they never show at zoos, or atleast should never show at zoos.

I also had the pleasure of handling snakes before. Especially with arboreal or semi arboreal species you can feel the power of these animals.

 

[DarthQuell]

If they put in a cobra and it didn't rear up at all, it would certainly be a monkey's paw wish for a good chunk of the people that want it.

In that more realistic context it would effectively just be another snake, but there is scenery/signage in base game for it already, so theming something around it is already a thing.

I've seen a sort of small solid fenced area for snake showings at a Reptile park. A handler with a snake hook and snakes in bags, lets them out to slither around a bit, or carries them using the hook as they do a talk, I think something along those lines would be pretty cool, albeit probably too much work to justify this late in the game's life.

A smaller constrictor being put across your shoulders and arms is a classic photo opportunity. I had an Olive Python (about 2.5m I think) draped across me, you can really feel the muscles of their body flexing (feels a bit like a huge human arm, all biceps).

Yeah its the same for the frilled dragon. The feature that theyre well known for is somethig they never show at zoos, or atleast should never show at zoos.

I also had the pleasure of handling snakes before. Especially with arboreal or semi arboreal species you can feel the power of these animals.

Guess I can kiss a basilisk goodbye

 

[Marvinb]

I think another issue that hasn't been brought up is the fact that many people might think we already have a baboon, with the mandrill. I mean, they're similar looking and related to each other (mandrills were considered baboons at one point). If you see old media (movies/games), then they use a basic baboon and it often look like a mandrill with a tail...

Is that really an issue tho? We have gotten so many animals over the years that are really similar to ones we already had, like the black rhino for example or the leopard

 

[DarthQuell]

Is that really an issue tho? We have gotten so many animals over the years that are really similar to ones we already had, like the black rhino for example or the leopard

No, not really. I'm just saying it's a possibility. Lemme clarify that

 

[RightWhale]

Ideally any revisit to south america would do something similar to what the oceania pack did to the region.
Not only did every animal fill an open niche for the region, but also every pick was something new for the game, expect the penguin maybe

Honestly, the little blue penguin did fill a good specific new niche for me. It fight the “birdhouse” vibe that no other animal really fits well. At the Bronx zoo they have little blue penguins in the seabird house, and they are perfect! I love them just the way they are.
Most of the other birds in game can work as outdoor standalone habitats, depending on the climate of the zoo I can see the argument of the cassowary and the flamingo being indoor animals. Likewise the kiwi is more of a “nocturnal house” type animal and not really a “birdhouse” animal.

So outside of the little blue penguin I don’t have anything else. Unless Frontier wants to grace me with any of the following:

1. A puffin
2. Some new wading birds
3. New storks/ cranes/ ibis
4. Some new waterfowl
5. Some new gamebirds

I don’t have anything else to fit the vibe.

 

[NachoB]

So then why do people call Gorillas, Orangutans and Chimps their names instead of just apes or monkeys when the baboon is almost as popular as they are?

Maybe i'm biased because in spanish i don't heard people using the word baboon often. There is a word for them of course but is not commonly used. They are just monkeys for most people. Might be different in english.

In my experience people are more familiar with the mandril as a baboonish type of animal than to actual baboons. The madrill is the archetype of the baboon in common culture. Big red butt, dog face, big scary teeth, agressive behaviours.

Also gorillas, chimps and orangutans are way more popular than baboons.

 

[NachoB]

Isnt it the same for the cobra?
In a zoo 99% of people couldnt name a cobra without a label on the terrarium

Maybe not when the cobra is relaxed, might just look like just any other snake but if they see a snake with a expanded ribcage, in a standing position and that spits venom they would call it a cobra. I'm just talking about what animals are ABC animals in general, in the sense that anyone would recognize them or know what You are talking about if mentioned or shown.

Pythons/boas/anacondas are probably all group together as big constrictors snakes, but cobras and rattlesnakes are among the few specific types of snakes that are recognizable by almost everyone.

 

[DarthQuell]

I mean, when it comes to snakes, another one to think about are coral snakes, which are a striking color that most would recognize (maybe not the exact species or whether it's a coral snake or milk snake, but still)

All this snake talk makes me wish we had more snakes in-game. Green anaconda, copperhead, Boomslang...