Highlands (or whatever) Animal Pack: Dream vs. Nightmare Scenarios

[Bughs]

As I read through this I feel like my dream pack of the choices would be the nightmare pack of most of the players here

Wild dream:
-Palla's cat looking better than on the preview picture
-(Markhor being in a different pack)
-(Baboon being in a different pack)
-Wild yak
-Kiang
-Ethiopian wolf
-Tibetan antelope
-Tibetan fox
-Wapiti or any lovely deer, if not in a forest pack otherwise Muntjak
-No small exhibit or terarium animal

Dream:
-Palla's cat looking better than on the preview picture
-Markhor looking good
-Baboon finally satisfying all the fans of it with no need of remaster
-Wild yak
-Mountain hare
-Pheasant
-Tahr or Bharal
-No small exhibit or terarium animal
-Tibetan/Mongolian build theme

Nightmare:
-Small mammal other than a hare/rabbit
-Rhino
-Spectacle bear, look I know it's popular and I don't dislike the animal but we got 7 bears and 5 (2 and 3) look very similar to each other (mostly PZ design fault), having another would make me facepalm why people say we have too much dogs/cats when there is such a variety of them and we still have just a few (like 4 different looking/shaped 'dogs' and 3 different looking/shaped 'foxes' compared to 7 bears that look like- well... recolored bears)
-More monkeys, my personal disinterest in them
-Unpopular/unrequested bird with the same rig for a sake of satisfying playerbase with a bird
-Animal we've never heard about taking a spot from my dreamed kiang XD
-Domestic version of Yak
-No more ungulates, I am thirsty for more ungulates, give me deer, elks, antelopes, bovines, equids... this is what I know from the Zoo the most

 

[caninesrock]

Dream
-Ethiopian Wolf

-Andean Fox/Culpeo (extremely unlikely) or Spectacled/Andean Bear (much more likely)

-Tibetan Fox (if the culpeo isn't already included. If we got 2 more felids, then we now need 2 more canids. It's been quite a few packs since we last got any canids.)

-Coati would be cool but they wouldn't really fit at all in a mountains/highlands pack, so idk.

- Atleast 7 habitat animals. The unlikely scenario that's 12 habitat animals would be amazing.

-Alternatively, if they pull another Grasslands and go with 7 habitat animals, but 5 reskinned exhibit animals, it would be cool to have a WTE with birds that are different species of macaw like Scarlet, Blue and Gold, Military, etc. ,but again, I don't know how well that would fit with the speculated highlands/mountains theme.)

-Or alternatively to that, we get some sort of cool fish or amphibian as a non-walk through exhibit animal. Chinese or Japanese Giant Salamander would be cool or another species of newt or for fish, something really weird and unique looking like electric eels or bichirs. But again, I don't know how any of those would fit a mountains theme.)

Nightmare

-Not even a single canid again.

-Only 1 carnivore. (Besides the ungulate heavy packs, I also wasn't happy with the Oceania pack having only one carnivore, although I did like the fact that it included the Tasmanian Devil as the carnivore and also had the flying fox bats and those little penguins are kind of cute, so I still bought it. I also wasn't happy with the Tropical Pack because the Fossa was not only the only carnivore in it, but the fossa was also the only animal from that entire pack that I actually liked. Not really feeling the conservation pack either because it only had the Amur Leopard as the single carnivore, although I did like the addition of the axolotl as well as the leopard. Wetlands pack only had 1 carnivore which I liked that it was an otter, but it did have some other interesting animals like the platypus, the newt, and the capybara that I liked even if I wish there had been atleast 1 more carnivore in the pack. The Australia pack brought the dingo, so I can't be too mad about the lack of quolls or Tasmanian devils, especially since the later came in the Oceania pack later. South America pack was very disappointing because the only carnivore in it was the Jaguar and it was also the only animal I liked in the entire pack. )

-More than one or at max 2 ungulates. Like the last 3 packs (skipping the Oceania pack since there's no ungulates native to there) were ungulate heavy. (Barnyard had all ungulates except for the chicken. Honestly, it's the only pack I completely skipped for now because it had nothing I liked in it. 4 out of 8 of the animals in the Eurasia pack were ungulates. I did get that one though because I liked the Sloth bear and Wolverine, which were the only animals that redeemed the pack for me. 5 out of 8 animals in Arid were ungulates and most of the animals in that pack were "Meh" for me anyway, but the Sand Cat is kind of cute and I still bought the pack anyway.

-It's a scenery pack with only 5 animals and we already know 3 out of the 5 of them, none of which I particularly care for that much. Pallas Cat is ok and anniversary leopard is ok, but I'm not feeling the baboons since primates creep me out except for lemurs and tiny monkeys and I'm over ungulates as far as the markhor goes, although they do have pretty neat looking horns atleast.

 

[jcp011c]

Until this thread I had no idea how divided this forum was on the Spectacled Bear. I know we'd had discussions about it in the past, but it seems pretty evenly represented in dream packs and nightmare packs.

 

[AlexSea]

Until this thread I had no idea how divided this forum was on the Spectacled Bear. I know we'd had discussions about it in the past, but it seems pretty evenly represented in dream packs and nightmare packs.

Before the Eurasia Animal Pack, it actually would have been in the dream pack for me, but now that we have the Sloth Bear, another bear just seems superfluous at this point.

 

[Marvinb]

Until this thread I had no idea how divided this forum was on the Spectacled Bear. I know we'd had discussions about it in the past, but it seems pretty evenly represented in dream packs and nightmare packs.

Idk i can only speak for myself but imo there are just alot more interesting options for mountains pack

 

[CThree16]

Until this thread I had no idea how divided this forum was on the Spectacled Bear. I know we'd had discussions about it in the past, but it seems pretty evenly represented in dream packs and nightmare packs.

My view is that we’re so close to completing the bear roster, and unlike dogs or something every bear has its own little niche and purpose for existing. I’m rooting for all of them to make the roster!

 

[turkeyfox]

My view is that we’re so close to completing the bear roster, and unlike dogs or something every bear has its own little niche and purpose for existing. I’m rooting for all of them to make the roster!

Honestly a lot of the bear hate could have been avoided by just deleting the Himalayan brown bear from the game, which should have been the case since release day.

 

[Marvinb]

My view is that we’re so close to completing the bear roster, and unlike dogs or something every bear has its own little niche and purpose for existing. I’m rooting for all of them to make the roster!

Tbh i dont see how bears are any different from dogs in that respect. Like how are bears being bears just in various places different from wolf, wild dog, dhole and dingo all doing pretty much the same thing just in differen places?

 

[SuzieSky]

Tbh i dont see how bears are any different from dogs in that respect. Like how are bears being bears just in various places different from wolf, wild dog, dhole and dingo all doing pretty much the same thing just in differen places?

I think the timing was the biggest difference. I don't think the Arctic wolf, dingo, or even the dhole are bad additions. Together, they ensure every region not yet covered by the popular trio (grey/timber wolf, wild dog, and maned wolf) has a large dog. The foxes we got were popular species and generally well-received; however, we got a dog in 5/7 of the first packs when the roster was much smaller and thus less diverse. Of those, only the fennec fox and to a lesser extent the arctic fox were highly requested. We only got two bears at this time, and both of them were highly requested. People understandably got sick of unrequested canids resembling wolves turning up in packs instead of more unique animals, but the red fox with its color morphs and unique maned wolf remained at least somewhat desired and were rather well-received.

Zoo presence is probably also a factor. In zoos, I typically only see the grey, very similar red, or the maned wolf. Occasionally I see painted dogs, and some zoos have arctic wolves. I've never seen a dingo, and only saw a dhole once in Singapore. I've seen all of the bears at some point and most of them multiple times. Also, large zoos that have bears often have more than one, but I rarely if ever see more than one large canid in a single zoo. This means that I currently have more variety-picks than I need.

I don't think there is a broad hatred of canids, but most people don't need more than the 9 we have. Currently, the bush dog hovers around #30, and the raccoon dog around #50. I would say the bush dog is mid-requested, but it is competing with many highly-requested species for those coveted South America slots. The raccoon dog is only somewhat requested, but it competes with less stuff in its region. The bush dog has 65 holdings, and the raccoon dog has 170 holdings (mostly in Europe) on Zootierliste. Neither would be surprising or horrible additions, but I wouldn't call them necessary. Another dog might be nice after so long. I do like dogs in general, but I'm fine with what we've got if we don't get any more.

On the other hand, the spectacled bear would add a bear to a realm that doesn't yet have one, and it is a top ten animal. It has around 75 holdings on Zootierliste. After that, only one bear is left to ensure that all are covered at the species level, the American black bear. At around #30, it is the most requested North America-exclusive animal. It also comes in a bunch of color morphs, which is usually well-received. It has great biome diversity, 177 holdings (mostly in North America) on Zootierliste, and is a critical pick to represent North American zoos. Both bears are large icons for their regions and top picks for Planet Zoo.

 

[synthetase]

My view is that we’re so close to completing the bear roster, and unlike dogs or something every bear has its own little niche and purpose for existing. I’m rooting for all of them to make the roster!

I feel like bears and dogs are both unique and varied! One group just happens to be more iconic, the one that I am much less interested in completing now that we have Sloth Bear... Which there are 8 species of Bear (Ursidae) vs. ~33 wild Dogs (Canidae). We have (NOT including subspecies) 6 bears and 7 dogs... So, on sheer number bears ARE more important. However, looking at percentages we have 75% bears vs 21% dogs. So, IMO dogs are much less represented. UNLESS you count genus which is valid considering at least the Vulpes, some of the Canis and the South American Foxes are practically the very definition of recolored clones of each other. There are 13 genera of dogs. We have in-game 5: Canis, Lycaon, Cuon, Vulpes and Chrysocyon. Still less than half of dogs represented if you go by genus. So, dogs are underrepresented. What is ok (even as a dog-lover) considering that bears are way more charismatic than foxes, jackals, coyotes, etc... Those smaller canids are almost pests. I don't view them that way but a lot of people may. The bigger canids I would agree with SuzieSky that we are good on them! And the smaller canids we really don't need. Considering that although underrepresented they are viewed as not the most typical zoo animals and still are better off than, birds, monkeys, and reptiles. All that said I hope for one of the following: Bat-eared Fox, Tanuki, Bush Dog or Grey Fox. I doubt we'll get one though... And for the community as a whole that's a good thing.
Man, I typed a ton without saying much. I'm too into this subject since love pet dogs. They're my favorite animal (shoutout to Kalo and Gizmo the black Pomeranians!) so of course I admire their wild cousins.
So, to summarize I think the community thinks completing bears is fine and we objectively don't need another dog considering we have whole groups that are worse off.

 

[TheDinoGuy]

Idk why people dislike Ethiopian Wolf so much? Its not any more of a clone than the AWM or the African Leopard. And the saiga is not found in captivity either.
and as far as being a fourth "wolf" goes people are fine with another penguin... IMO, Coyote would be more of a Highlands pack nightmare than Ethiopian Wolf. Simply because we already have two canids from the Coyote's range.

Last I heard, the saiga is in zoos in Kazakhstan and Ukraine. There used to be some in California a while back. This wolf is one of those animals that requires a very specific diet and environmental needs like the saola. It is an interesting animal though.

 

[Marvinb]

I think the timing was the biggest difference. I don't think the Arctic wolf, dingo, or even the dhole are bad additions. Together, they ensure every region not yet covered by the popular trio (grey/timber wolf, wild dog, and maned wolf) has a large dog. The foxes we got were popular species and generally well-received; however, we got a dog in 5/7 of the first packs when the roster was much smaller and thus less diverse. Of those, only the fennec fox and to a lesser extent the arctic fox were highly requested. We only got two bears at this time, and both of them were highly requested. People understandably got sick of unrequested canids resembling wolves turning up in packs instead of more unique animals, but the red fox with its color morphs and unique maned wolf remained at least somewhat desired and were rather well-received.

Zoo presence is probably also a factor. In zoos, I typically only see the grey, very similar red, or the maned wolf. Occasionally I see painted dogs, and some zoos have arctic wolves. I've never seen a dingo, and only saw a dhole once in Singapore. I've seen all of the bears at some point and most of them multiple times. Also, large zoos that have bears often have more than one, but I rarely if ever see more than one large canid in a single zoo. This means that I currently have more variety-picks than I need.

I don't think there is a broad hatred of canids, but most people don't need more than the 9 we have. Currently, the bush dog hovers around #30, and the raccoon dog around #50. I would say the bush dog is mid-requested, but it is competing with many highly-requested species for those coveted South America slots. The raccoon dog is only somewhat requested, but it competes with less stuff in its region. The bush dog has 65 holdings, and the raccoon dog has 170 holdings (mostly in Europe) on Zootierliste. Neither would be surprising or horrible additions, but I wouldn't call them necessary. Another dog might be nice after so long. I do like dogs in general, but I'm fine with what we've got if we don't get any more.

On the other hand, the spectacled bear would add a bear to a realm that doesn't yet have one, and it is a top ten animal. It has around 75 holdings on Zootierliste. After that, only one bear is left to ensure that all are covered at the species level, the American black bear. At around #30, it is the most requested North America-exclusive animal. It also comes in a bunch of color morphs, which is usually well-received. It has great biome diversity, 177 holdings (mostly in North America) on Zootierliste, and is a critical pick to represent North American zoos. Both bears are large icons for their regions and top picks for Planet Zoo.

Wasnt meant as slander, i was just genuinely curious for the arguments for how bears are supposed to all have their own little niche and purpose for existing while different dogs do not. Because i do think thats the case for all our dogs aswell

 

[Jeralde1312]

Am I the only one who thinks that the Spectacled Bear will be in the DLC coming after this Highlands Animal pack. I think they will do an Latin America animal pack too, before they do a zookeeper animal pack. Most of the meta wishlist animals are from Latin America, like the ocelot, black howler monkey, coati, rhea and Spectacled Bear. The tree kangaroo I think will be safed for the zookeeper pack.
So my dream list would be:

Pallas cat
Markhor
Hamadryan baboon
Alpine marmot
Chamois
muskox
golden pheasant
chinese giant salamander

 

[NachoB]

Common, there really needs to be a bird in this, and the GOlden Pheasant is perfect for this!!!

That is exactly why i don't think we'll get any bird in a Mountains pack. We are always dissapointed when we are sure certain bird has to be in a DLC and then we get none. After all barnyard was the perfect pack for a duck, right after the swan, and then... Just the chicken. Not saying the chicken shouldn't be there, but if there was a pack that should've had at least two birds was the Barnyard pack. Geese and ducks are farm staples after all.

So yeah since we can't have condors or eagles or vultures, pheasants are such the obvious choice for a bird in a highlands pack... So we will get none.

 

[Puzzelo]

Dream
1. Pallas
2. Baboon
3. Markhor
4. Spider monkey
5. Colobus Monkey
6. Tamarin
7. Macaw
8. Secretary bird or crowned crane

Nightmare
1. Pallas
2. Baboon
3. Markhor
4. Yak (come at me)
5. Another rhino
6. Another wolf
7. Another tapir
8. More butterflies

 

[Spiderhawk]

Skipping those we confirmed
Dream idea of mountains dlc
4. Andean bear
5. Capercaille
6. Roosevelt elk
7. Golden jackal
8. Koi WTE

Nightmare
4. Another Ibex
5. Another goat
6. Another tapir
7. Marmot
8. Either a boring exhibit or non at all

 

[Eletan888]

Dream:
1. Pallas's Cat
2. Hamadryas Baboon
3. Markhor
4. Matschie's Tree Kangaroo
5. Spectacled Bear
6. François's Langur
7. Golden Pheasant/Himalayan Monal
8. Mangshan Pit Viper (E)

Nightmare:
GSNM
No tree roo
No spectacled bear
No exhibit reptile
Obscure animals not kept in zoos

 

[Angeł]

Dream Highlands Pack:
• Pallas’ Cat
• Alpine Marmot
• Markhor
• Domestic Yak
• Hamadryas Baboon
• Gelada
• Spectacled Bear
• Hummingbirds (WE)

My nightmare would be no Gelada (which unfortunately is looking likely, since the Hamadryas will likely be the only primate), and no Spectacled Bear.

 

[Cynogale bennettii II]

For an uplands-style animal pack:

Dream

1. Pallas's cat
2. Hamadryas baboon (it literally cannot be a dream list with this gross beastie here, but I'll muddle through the rest as best I can)
3. Markhor
4. Yellow-throated marten
5. Bar-headed goose
6. Spectacled bear
7. Either Himalayan monal or some interesting smaller mammal - Southern viscacha, bush hyrax or mountain brushtail possum have my attention at the moment
8. An exhibit reptile, amphibian or invertebrate, provided it is kept in captivity

Nightmare

1. Pallas's cat
2. Hamadryas baboon
3. Markhor
4. Ethiopian wolf
5. Mountain gorilla
6. Chiru
7. Mountain tapir
8. A really gaudy and useless building set instead of an exhibit animal

 

[TheDinoGuy]

I don't really have a nightmare idea, this being the last pack would be the nightmare, right? Though I highly doubt the Tibetan antelope, Ethiopian wolf, mountain tapir, and mountain gorilla will be added. The golden snub-nosed monkey and Andean condor are very cool, but also wishful thinking. Not really sure if they'll be added now.

While this isn't the most exciting animal on my list, somehow, I have a feeling the wild yak will be in the pack.

I would like to see the spectacled bear, raccoon dog, alpine marmot, golden pheasant, Japanese giant salamander, and rock hyrax added.