I think Planet Zoo has a way better and more diversive roster. (My poor guy Honey Badger though
).
Completing Zoo Tycoon 2: How far we've come?
- Thread starter yoav_r
- Start date
).
Oh man, i really wish we had secretary, sea otter, musk ox, blackbuck, gerenuk and honey badger. I feel like at least the bird and the first two ungulates have been asked for ad nauseum and the ratel and sea otter are just too iconic (same with walrus and american black bear but nor really something i need) to miss. A couple more animal packs (americas and safari) would have done wonders.
Also how come no African croc at the end even if not the Nile croc (although to me it has to be the nile).
If the Eurasian lynx works as substitute for the Iberian lynx, or the Indian rhino for the Javan rhino, then the Japanese macaque should also work as a substitute for the Barbary macaque.
Yeah but Japanese is leagues better choice
Ehh it's subjective, I was mostly thinking biome+range+similar species. Either way it is not that critical, I just thought it was cool.
while your list is good it doesnt truly cover everything
looking at zoo tycoon 2 the only game with consistent scientific classification we have
18 distinct species of terrestiral / semi aquatic animals missing
and 14 distinct aquatic species
now here are some of the more controversial additions
starting with the most messy giraffes zoo tycoon has 2 of them
now the second most controversial
greater flamingo (phoenicopterus,ruber,ruber)
zoo tycoon 2 had the american flamingo not the greater flamingo though in all likely hood they got the name wrong since all the assets bar a mention in the zoopeida point toward it being the greater flamingo
zoo tycoon has 4 animals that have since gone taxonomic revision 2 of which are confidently new species 2 of which its still being debated
7 animals we have a more specific subspecies than what zoo tycoon 2 provided some of which like the bison are the type species so are fine others like the formosan bear not so much
3 species have gone back a forth between species or subspecies classification
there are 7 clear subspecies 2 of which have the subspecies or population name
so in total we are missing
20 distinct species
3 less distinct species
1 distinct subspecies
7 more specific subspecies
3 type species
14 aquatics
This is surprising good considering how much taxonomy has changed and the overall randomness in zoo tycoon 2
looking at zoo tycoon 2 the only game with consistent scientific classification we have
18 distinct species of terrestiral / semi aquatic animals missing
| barabary ape (macaca,sylvanus) |
| gelda (theropithecus,gelda) |
| gerenuk (litocranius,walleri) |
| crested gibbon (hylobates,concolor) |
| mountain gorilla (gorilla,gorilla,beringei) |
| nile crocodile (niloticus,niloticus) |
| spanish lynx (lynx,pardinus) |
| musk ox (ovibos,moschatus) |
| sea otter (enhydra,lutirs) |
| emperor penguin (aptenodytes,forsteri) |
| rockhopper penguin (eudyptes,chrysocome) |
| ratel (mellivora,capensis) |
| javan rhinoceros (rhinoceros,sondaicus) |
| green sea turtle (chelonia,mydas) |
| leatherback sea turtle (dermochelys,coriacea) |
| pacific walrus (odobenus,rosmarus,divergens) |
| secretary bird (sagittarius,serpentarius) |
| ethiopian wolf (canis,simensis) |
and 14 distinct aquatic species
| beluga (delphinapterus,leucas) |
| bottlenose dolphin (tursiops,truncatus) |
| false killer whale (pseudorca,crassidens) |
| scalloped hammerhead (sphyrna,lewini) |
| west indian manatee (trichechus,manatus,manatus) |
| blue marlin (makaira,nigricans) |
| narwhal (monodon,monoceros) |
| orca (orcinus,orca) |
| manta ray (manta,birostris) |
| blacktip reef shark (carcharhinus,melanopterus) |
| goblin shark (mitsukurina,owstoni) |
| great white shark (caracharodon,carcharias) |
| whale shark (rhincodon,typus) |
| short-finned pilot whale (globicephala,macrorhynchus) |
now here are some of the more controversial additions
starting with the most messy giraffes zoo tycoon has 2 of them
reticulated giraffe (giraffa,camelopardalis) /
masai giraffe (giraffa,camelopardalis,tipperlskirchi)
both are seemingly based on the one species model which is also surprisingly what planet zoos is based on but it is pretty much now agreed to be incorrect masai giraffe and reticulated griaffe being a separate species to the northern giraffe which is giraffa camelopardalis so technically the zoo tycoon reticulated giraffe never was a reticulated giraffe since they never classified it properly and we are missing the masai giraffe
masai giraffe (giraffa,camelopardalis,tipperlskirchi)
both are seemingly based on the one species model which is also surprisingly what planet zoos is based on but it is pretty much now agreed to be incorrect masai giraffe and reticulated griaffe being a separate species to the northern giraffe which is giraffa camelopardalis so technically the zoo tycoon reticulated giraffe never was a reticulated giraffe since they never classified it properly and we are missing the masai giraffe
now the second most controversial
greater flamingo (phoenicopterus,ruber,ruber)
zoo tycoon 2 had the american flamingo not the greater flamingo though in all likely hood they got the name wrong since all the assets bar a mention in the zoopeida point toward it being the greater flamingo
zoo tycoon has 4 animals that have since gone taxonomic revision 2 of which are confidently new species 2 of which its still being debated
pygmy hippo (hexaprotodon,liberiensis,heslopi)
Genus is no longer correct according to the ASM which recognises the subspecies but the ASM also acknowledges that under (groves & grubb ungulate taxonomy) it has been determined to be its own species choeropis heslopi (Nigerian pygmy hippopotamus)
Gray wolf (canis,lupus,lycaon)
Is considered own species canis lycaon (eastern wolf) by ASM but is still debated
Warthog (phacochoerus,africanus,aethiopicus)
That subspecies is now own species the (desert warthog) and is not considered a valid subspecies
caribou (rangifer,tarandus,groenlandicus)
isnt considered a separate species by the ASM but the do say this is a tentative decision up for re-examination since the research is less than 2 years old but is seen as its own species. Issues arise when deciding which reindeer population it is discussing since groenlandicus has been used for multiple with only the (greenland caribou) retaining the name into full species hood. This was due to how name priorities happen greenland caribou were named first then merged with all north american caribou subspecies becoming the barren ground caribou than has now resplit so it is very likley that zoo tyccon was referring to the barren ground caribou as a whole not the greenland caribou
Genus is no longer correct according to the ASM which recognises the subspecies but the ASM also acknowledges that under (groves & grubb ungulate taxonomy) it has been determined to be its own species choeropis heslopi (Nigerian pygmy hippopotamus)
Gray wolf (canis,lupus,lycaon)
Is considered own species canis lycaon (eastern wolf) by ASM but is still debated
Warthog (phacochoerus,africanus,aethiopicus)
That subspecies is now own species the (desert warthog) and is not considered a valid subspecies
caribou (rangifer,tarandus,groenlandicus)
isnt considered a separate species by the ASM but the do say this is a tentative decision up for re-examination since the research is less than 2 years old but is seen as its own species. Issues arise when deciding which reindeer population it is discussing since groenlandicus has been used for multiple with only the (greenland caribou) retaining the name into full species hood. This was due to how name priorities happen greenland caribou were named first then merged with all north american caribou subspecies becoming the barren ground caribou than has now resplit so it is very likley that zoo tyccon was referring to the barren ground caribou as a whole not the greenland caribou
7 animals we have a more specific subspecies than what zoo tycoon 2 provided some of which like the bison are the type species so are fine others like the formosan bear not so much
| chimpanzee (pan,troglodytes) |
| asian elephant (elephas,maximus) |
| asiatic black bear (ursus,thibetanus) |
| black leopard (panthera,pardus) |
| lion (panthera,leo) |
| american bison (bison,bison) |
| african buffalo (syncerus,caffer) |
3 species have gone back a forth between species or subspecies classification
red panda bear (ailurus,fulgens,fulgnes)
Is the type specimen has since been split into ailurus fulgens (himalayan red panda) and ailurus styani (chinese red panda) so split resulted in back to species level addition
gemsbok (oryx,gazella,gazella)
From a time when the two members of oryx beisa were considered gemsbok until split based on genetic studies. Name is now being used to split angolan gemsbok which are potentially an unstudied subspecies
thomson's gazelle (gazella,thomsonii,thomsonii)
Relic from when gazelle was the correct genus and when the serengeti thomsons gazelle was considered to be same species which is split from the (eastern thomsons gazelle) in ungulate taxonomy not in the ASM though it does reference the decision though making it a species level addition.
Is the type specimen has since been split into ailurus fulgens (himalayan red panda) and ailurus styani (chinese red panda) so split resulted in back to species level addition
gemsbok (oryx,gazella,gazella)
From a time when the two members of oryx beisa were considered gemsbok until split based on genetic studies. Name is now being used to split angolan gemsbok which are potentially an unstudied subspecies
thomson's gazelle (gazella,thomsonii,thomsonii)
Relic from when gazelle was the correct genus and when the serengeti thomsons gazelle was considered to be same species which is split from the (eastern thomsons gazelle) in ungulate taxonomy not in the ASM though it does reference the decision though making it a species level addition.
there are 7 clear subspecies 2 of which have the subspecies or population name
Florida panther (puma,concolor,coryi)
Previously considered a subspecies of cougar it is now been reduced to a distinct population of the north american subspecies puma,concolour,cougar
giant sable antelope (hippotragus,niger,variani)
Perfectly valid no notes
common zebra (equus,burchelli,boehmi)
Grants zebra common name and an outdated genus name otherwise no notes
moose (alces,alces,americana)
Eastern moose no notes
meerkat (suricatta,suricatta,suricatta)
Southern african meerkat no notes
ostrich (struthio,camelus,australis)
South african ostrich no notes
galapagos giant tortoise (geochelone,nigra,porteri)
Western santa cruz tortoise outdated genus
Previously considered a subspecies of cougar it is now been reduced to a distinct population of the north american subspecies puma,concolour,cougar
giant sable antelope (hippotragus,niger,variani)
Perfectly valid no notes
common zebra (equus,burchelli,boehmi)
Grants zebra common name and an outdated genus name otherwise no notes
moose (alces,alces,americana)
Eastern moose no notes
meerkat (suricatta,suricatta,suricatta)
Southern african meerkat no notes
ostrich (struthio,camelus,australis)
South african ostrich no notes
galapagos giant tortoise (geochelone,nigra,porteri)
Western santa cruz tortoise outdated genus
so in total we are missing
20 distinct species
3 less distinct species
1 distinct subspecies
7 more specific subspecies
3 type species
14 aquatics
This is surprising good considering how much taxonomy has changed and the overall randomness in zoo tycoon 2
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Well, obviously Planet Zoo has the superior roster... much larger and much more diverse. That said, I am a little sad that some of these animals (particularly Blackbuck, Gerenuk, Honey Badger, Musk Ox and Rockhopper) didn't make the cut... oh well... gotta save something for that inevitable sequel.
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Well, they both are from mountains in the Palearctic realm. The Barbary macaque even lives in higher altitude although the Japanese macaques is the one more associated with snow.
But yes, subjective and not critical, just nitpicking.
With the addition of the markhor we now have all non-aquatic species that were in both ZT1 and ZT2 right? I also think the Hamadryas baboon is comparable to both the olive baboon (ZT1) and gelada (ZT2).
Generally, I feel like PZ made the right choices by replacing some of the species for more generally represented ones. And while it's sad we don't have a musk ox, blackbuck, honey badger and nile crocodile, PZ did a much better job of making a good roster. I'm especially happy with things like the caimans, capybara, prairiedog, cassowary, and generally more South America and Oceania representation.
I hope that PZ2 will increase the number of arboreal animals (New World monkeys, tamanduas, coatis, tree kangaroos), small mammals (rodents, hyraces, lagomorphs, echidnas), aquatics (manatees, sea turtles, saltwater and freshwater fish) and birds (pelicans, ducks, parrots, birds of prey).
Also technically the Javan rhino but that animal was unrealistic to begin with.
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At this point, I think this is the major reason for NOT ALL ANIMALS FROM SA not making it to game; because large amount of them are highly arboreal. Having said that, there were quite a few which could have used existing models like coatis and rheas.
Yeah but Indian rhino is a better replacement
I don't think we have reasons to assume arboreal animals were a problem. After all, we got the capuchin, proboscis monkey, sun bear, clouded leopard, binturong and eventually gibbons and a brachiating orangutan. The only group that we don't have the right mechanics for is spider monkeys.
Coati is easier than the binturong. They just didn't considered it more important than a Sifaka or a dik dik apparently
And the 3 that were the least expected in the pack got the best models.Coati is easier than the binturong. They just didn't considered it more important than a Sifaka or a dik dik apparently
The sifaka is honestly the dumbest decision in the pack/update. Compared to every other animals it is the only one that would of needed extensive work the spectacled bear, pallas cat and african leopard would all just be retexturing maybe some small adjustments. The tortoise, dik dik and baboon would of needed some edits based on size changes and tail but nothing extensive.Coati is easier than the binturong. They just didn't considered it more important than a Sifaka or a dik dik apparently
To add an animal that would of needed extensive animation and rig work creating a whole new way for animals to move and have that animal be the sifaka is mindboggling to me I seriously cannot even begin to think the thought process through. The sifaka doesnt add anything new to the game other than its jump. Its a tropical Madagascan primate which we already have 3 of yes its a new family but that isnt obvious to many. It doesnt reinforce any existing groups since we already have 3 lemurs dosent add to an underrepresented area tropical animals being the second most common biome and africa being the most common continent and solo africa being the most common range. Out of the animals added it was the 5th most requested ranking at 25 above the leopard, dik-dik and tortoise. It also not because its extremely common with 19 global holdings its quite low ranking third last above the pallas cat (3) and leopard (12) with 71 for the markhor 75 for the bear 200 for the baboon and 700 for the tortoise it really isnt a common site at zoos.
Based on almost every method of ranking importance the sifaka fails it wasnt easy or highly requested or common or unique or bosting the roster in anyway I truely cannot see any reason it was chosen other than zabomafoo existing which isnt even culturally relevant to a british company pretty much anything would of been better for balancing the workload, attracting more excitement or building a better roster.
One down, three to go
I decided to put how much I want each animal in tier list format:
For some reason the Masai giraffe was missing so I am using the Reticulated as a stand-in.
As for the ZT1 animals I would put them in the following tiers:
American Black Bear - C
Bighorn Sheep - C
Blackbuck - B
Elephant Seal - C
Japanese Serow - C
Olive Baboon - C
For some reason the Masai giraffe was missing so I am using the Reticulated as a stand-in.
As for the ZT1 animals I would put them in the following tiers:
American Black Bear - C
Bighorn Sheep - C
Blackbuck - B
Elephant Seal - C
Japanese Serow - C
Olive Baboon - C
Fun excersice. I'll do it too.
S tier: secretary bird - musk ox - sea otter - Blacbuck
A tier: honey badger - gerenuk - rockhopper penguin - green sea turtle
B tier: nile crocodile - gelada - walrus - american black bear
C tier: japanese serow - big horned sheep - masai giraffe - olive baboon
D tier: elephant seal - emperor penguin - ethiopian wolf - iberian lynx
F: gibbon - javan rhino - barbary macaque
Here's the animals of Microsoft's and Blue Fang Game's Zoo Tycoon games I wanted and hoped for Planet Zoo to have.
Zoo Tycoon 1:
Zoo Tycoon 1:
- American black bear
- Bighorn sheep
- Olive baboon
- Japanese serow
- Masai giraffe
- Gerenuk
- Nile crocodile
- Rockhopper penguin
- Sea otter
- Walrus
- Green sea turtle