DLC 19 Speculation

[Swjosdotschka]

I still doubt a 1 animal family only pack is about to fail. And I don't say that because I'm not a bird person. A whole pack of monkeys would please me to no end and I still think it would suffer the same fate. It just alienates a lot of customers who have no interest in 1 animal family. I befriended more zoo nerds that do not care one bit about monkeys than I feel comfortable to admit, and I do have a few non-bird lovers around.

And before anyone starts: No "all carnivores" etc. is not the same.

On a side note: I was trying to come up with a reason why every pack was constructed the way it was and realised for the life of me I can't remember the animals we had in the zoo keepers pack without googeling them. Spectacled Bear, Baboon, lost....

 

[MMaire]

Je doute encore qu'un pack avec une seule famille d'animaux soit voué à l'échec. Et je ne dis pas ça parce que je ne suis pas un amateur d'oiseaux. Un pack entier de singes me ferait très plaisir et je pense toujours qu'il subirait le même sort. Cela aliène juste beaucoup de clients qui ne s'intéressent pas à une seule famille d'animaux. Je me suis lié d'amitié avec plus de nerds du zoo qui ne se soucient pas du tout des singes que je ne me sens à l'aise de l'admettre, et j'ai quelques non-amoureux des oiseaux autour de moi.

Et avant que quiconque ne commence : non, « tous les carnivores » etc. ne sont pas identiques.

Au fait : j'essayais de trouver une raison pour laquelle chaque pack était construit de cette façon et j'ai réalisé que je ne pouvais pas me souvenir des animaux que nous avions dans le pack des gardiens du zoo sans les rechercher sur Google. Ours à lunettes, babouin, perdu...

Honestly, I'm the first to think that the collection is missing monkeys, but I consider that the climbing system is far too bad for it to be a priority. Personally, a PZ2 is needed first so that the climbing system can be revised. The pack I propose with the big birds does not rely on faulty mechanics in my opinion. I also tend to think that packs like this can be accepted if they check other criterias : an update with new mechanics (here, the fact that the birds brood) and a diversified geographical representation.

 

[Marvinb]

As much as i want an all monkey or all bird pack, i just dont think its a good idea for frontier to do.
Pretty much for the reason already mentioned: you just miss all the people who arent big into that group of animals. Aswell as running into the risk of the pack being kinda boring because the animals are all pretty much the same as far as habitat design goes.

And it would be pretty hypocritical of me to critize something like arid and barnyard for being almost exlussivley ungulates, most of which being pretty much interchangeable as far has enclosures go, which would also be the case with a monkey pack

 

[Milurian]

I still doubt a 1 animal family only pack is about to fail. And I don't say that because I'm not a bird person. A whole pack of monkeys would please me to no end and I still think it would suffer the same fate. It just alienates a lot of customers who have no interest in 1 animal family. I befriended more zoo nerds that do not care one bit about monkeys than I feel comfortable to admit, and I do have a few non-bird lovers around.

And before anyone starts: No "all carnivores" etc. is not the same.

On a side note: I was trying to come up with a reason why every pack was constructed the way it was and realised for the life of me I can't remember the animals we had in the zoo keepers pack without googeling them. Spectacled Bear, Baboon, lost....

out of all the picks for a 1 family pack monkeys are the worst pick. Not only are they hard to make technically they are also generally viewed very simplistically when it comes to diversity very few non hardcore players would know enough to fill a pack. Plus there is the whole polarising aspect of uncanny valley which makes people actively hate monkeys.

Birds as a whole class might work since we are so starved for a such major group of animals that everyone sees all the time and is a huge part of zoos. I honestly dont think anything under a class level will work maybe except carnivora since they are the most well known group of animals with plenty of visually and functionally diverse animals artiodactyls might also have worked if even wasnt already about to riot about the oversaturation of that family. we have had a few animal packs come close to a complete family barnyard being 2 away but even a group as well known and functional as ungulates gets immediately flagged as too much when it gets close to a whole pack.

 

[Swjosdotschka]

out of all the picks for a 1 family pack monkeys are the worst pick. Not only are they hard to make technically they are also generally viewed very simplistically when it comes to diversity very few non hardcore players would know enough to fill a pack. Plus there is the whole polarising aspect of uncanny valley which makes people actively hate monkeys.

Birds as a whole class might work since we are so starved for a such major group of animals that everyone sees all the time and is a huge part of zoos. I honestly dont think anything under a class level will work maybe except carnivora since they are the most well known group of animals with plenty of visually and functionally diverse animals artiodactyls might also have worked if even wasnt already about to riot about the oversaturation of that family. we have had a few animal packs come close to a complete family barnyard being 2 away but even a group as well known and functional as ungulates gets immediately flagged as too much when it gets close to a whole pack.

On the other hand, people like Wolfgang Salzert found out people stand far longer in front of any monkey enclosure than they do on most aviaries. Yes, there are people who hate monkeys but they are also vistitor magnets on the other hand. You can find any extreme for any animal family. And people will always think the one they prefer make the difference because they often live in a bubble and surround themself with like minded.

I'm pretty sure though that the community has enough players who are willing to buy a pack for just one or two animals they like - in this case, I am not unique with buying the zookeepers pack. So throw in a dog or cat, a monkey / primate , a bird, one or two wild cards and you have the largest amount of potential buyers.

 

[Swjosdotschka]

Honestly, I'm the first to think that the collection is missing monkeys, but I consider that the climbing system is far too bad for it to be a priority. Personally, a PZ2 is needed first so that the climbing system can be revised. The pack I propose with the big birds does not rely on faulty mechanics in my opinion. I also tend to think that packs like this can be accepted if they check other criterias : an update with new mechanics (here, the fact that the birds brood) and a diversified geographical representation.

Functioning this pack would be, selling - I still doubt, see above. I fully agree though that one of the many reasons we see such few monkeys / primates is the climbing system. It does need a complete overhaul and I also can't see that happening prior to PZ2.

 

[Mjmannella]

it would be pretty hypocritical of me to critize something like arid and barnyard for being almost exlussivley ungulates

The fact that these still sold well kinda justifies making taxa-specific Animal Packs. At this point, there's enough people who will buy the DLC where Frontier could sell anything for a profit. If the next DLC is a "realistic poop physics pack", it will sell.

 

[RightWhale]

I’m 50/50 on birds, on one hand I can see it not selling well. Birds aren’t popular like mammals after all. On the other hand at this point DLCs may cater to the zoo and animal nerds, who may vibe with an all bird dlc.

I also think it’s important to remember we clump birds into one group, and they are actually more diverse than mammals. So yeah if Twilight is all mammals, and most packs are mostly mammals, I think it could be worth a shot.

However despite popularity I also agree Frontier would rather sell packs to as many people as possible. So instead of a full bird pack, or a full monkey pack, I think they would get across with the vibes of the pack.

Like here is a “bird” pack:
Island Pack:

1. Japanese Serow
2. Cuban crocodile
3. Victoria crowned pigeon
4. Nene
5. American flamingo
6. Brown Pelican
7. Kagu

And here is a “monkey” pack:
Arboreal pack:

1. Tree kangaroo
2. Coati
3. Aye-aye
4. Black and white colobus
5. Howler monkey
6. Squirrel monkey
7. Golden lion tamarin

 

[Mjmannella]

Birds aren’t popular like mammals after all.

Parrots like macaws and cockatoos have fairly widespread popularity. The bigger question is if Frontier could be bothered to put in the work to add them

 

[Topaz Star]

Let's make a simple guess. In the new DLC, what do you think are the probabilities of cats, bears, dogs and monkeys appearing?

Cats would still be my number one guess because I think chances of either the ocelot or serval showing up is pretty great with all the possible DLC that have been discussed.

Monkeys would be second just because we have been asking for them long enough that Frontier must have made notes about that. I think it's likely we will see one NWM this year (even if it's just a squirrel monkey)

Bears would be next, there's only really one bear left so that makes the chance a lot lower. I don't really want it anyways but in the last 3 DLC's they have added two bears, so it could very well happen.

Dogs would be last, I don't really see any really popular species left at the moment that would really fit. The ones that get mentioned here feel pretty oddbal to me.

 

[melam]

The fact that these still sold well kinda justifies making taxa-specific Animal Packs. At this point, there's enough people who will buy the DLC where Frontier could sell anything for a profit. If the next DLC is a "realistic poop physics pack", it will sell.

it doesnt

 

[RightWhale]

Parrots like macaws and cockatoos have fairly widespread popularity. The bigger question is if Frontier could be bothered to put in the work to add them

They are, so outside of a bird pack getting macaws in the WTE I don’t see an all bird pack happening.

 

[Mjmannella]

Habitat birds like seriemas and pelicans would just be the extras compared to parrots. And even then, ducks are a pretty easy sell now that we have both swans and chickens.

 

[Mjmannella]

it doesnt

Please elaborate if you feel inclined

 

[RightWhale]

I have a new challenge for all of you. Frontier wants to make a pack no one is expecting and they asked YOU

To help them make it! It can be any type of pack previously made before: 7 animals and props, 5 animals and full scenery, 8 animals, 7 habitat animals 5 very similar exhibit animals. However, it cannot be something people have been talking about. It is a complete and utter surprise that no one can see coming. Bonus points if it covers something people need, or it gives them something they didn’t know they needed!

You can follow the meta wishlist if you want, especially if you need a popular star animal. Though you get bonus points if the animals are also not super high or “relevant” on the metawishlist.

The only real rule is the pack has to be a theme you think isn’t talked about, or one no one sees coming.

 

[SivatheriumGuy]

I have a new challenge for all of you. Frontier wants to make a pack no one is expecting and they asked YOU

Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust Animal Pack:

• Nene goose (Branta sandvicensis)
• European eider (Somateria mollissima mollissima)
• Laysan duck (Anas laysanensis)
• Philippine duck (Anas luzonica)
• Ashy-headed goose (Chloephaga poliocephala)
• Southern screamer (Chauna torquata)
• Pink-backed pelican (Pelecanus rufescens)
• A set of pieces inspired by the structures at the WWT parks. A lot of materials to build birding hides and stuff of that sort.

My first thought was making a Tierpark Berlin pack full of ungulates but like that's exactly what everyone expects at this point of the game, a pack full of ungulates

 

[RightWhale]

Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust Animal Pack:

• Nene goose (Branta sandvicensis)
• European eider (Somateria mollissima mollissima)
• Laysan duck (Anas laysanensis)
• Philippine duck (Anas luzonica)
• Ashy-headed goose (Chloephaga poliocephala)
• Southern screamer (Chauna torquata)
• Pink-backed pelican (Pelecanus rufescens)
• A set of pieces inspired by the structures at the WWT parks. A lot of materials to build birding hides and stuff of that sort.

My first thought was making a Tierpark Berlin pack full of ungulates but like that's exactly what everyone expects at this point of the game, a pack full of ungulates

I got to say I didn’t expect anyone to do all bird packs, but I’ll give you credit this is more unique than just an all bird pack.

 

[SivatheriumGuy]

I got to say I didn’t expect anyone to do all bird packs, but I’ll give you credit this is more unique than just an all bird pack.

I was thinking that most of the uniqueness comes from the theme and the actual pieces I imagine it could bring, honestly.

 

[Iben]

Please elaborate if you feel inclined

Because you're making a pretty classic reasoning mistake. You assume that because Frontier's Planet Zoo sales are still doing well, they can sell any kind of pack. But that's faulty reasoning, just because A => B doesn't mean that B => A. Whilst it might sound logical, it isn't in reality. It could be, but anything could be. You can't make such statements with confidence at all.

Besides, we have no actual numbers on how well individual packs sold. The closest thing we have is the amount of concurrent players surrounding a DLC but even those numbers are skewed because with every DLC release there's a sale for both the base game and the previous DLCs. There's no way to really determine whether Barnyard or Arid really did well in terms of sales.

Maybe that's why we haven't received more mesh pieces after the Africa pack. Frontier doesn't want to make us think again birds are coming if they add more mesh pieces. So here we are without triangular mesh pieces or gridded mesh pieces for our cats and monkeys

I always assumed that it was because of people then having the expectation that animals will climb those pieces like this. And Frontier probably wants to avoid the "bug" reports.

That said, I think it's time to just give us a gridded mesh set, regardless of the reason why they're not doing one

 

[SanRazo]

I have a new challenge for all of you. Frontier wants to make a pack no one is expecting and they asked YOU View attachment 419257
To help them make it! It can be any type of pack previously made before: 7 animals and props, 5 animals and full scenery, 8 animals, 7 habitat animals 5 very similar exhibit animals. However, it cannot be something people have been talking about. It is a complete and utter surprise that no one can see coming. Bonus points if it covers something people need, or it gives them something they didn’t know they needed!

You can follow the meta wishlist if you want, especially if you need a popular star animal. Though you get bonus points if the animals are also not super high or “relevant” on the metawishlist.

The only real rule is the pack has to be a theme you think isn’t talked about, or one no one sees coming.

Coastal animal pack:

Pelican
Walrus
Sea Otter
Green sea turtle
Marine Iguana
Rockhopper Penguin
Coconut crab
WE: puffins

Aquarium/ Pacific Northwest scenery