Hot takes for planet zoo

[Milurian]

Perhaps I should clarify that I mean developed areas and not rural country-sides. I couldn't find any cases of these being commonplace in city areas (pulling birds from my meta-wishlist):

• Wombats
• Porcupines (Old World or New World)
• Monitor lizards
• Spoonbills
• Lyrebirds
• African cranes
• Shoebills
• Giant couas
• Ground hornbills

I guess what I'm really getting at is urban carnivorans, which the only exception (even that admittedly ends up being pretty arbitrary). It's hard to really convey my specific disinterests when amplifying on a global scale.

In Sydney alone lace monitors have been spotted in the cbd lyrebirds are consistently found in the northern and southern suburbs and have been found in the secondary city centre, wombats are found fairly commonly in areas of greater Sydney but less commonly with the city limits and I saw less than 2 days ago royal spoonbills in one of the major parks in the cities centre.

I cant speak on porcupines, cranes, shoebills, couas or hornbills because I dont live there but I am under the impression that porcupines are indeed are urban pest in parts of Italy

 

[PlanetJameson]

The arbitrary character limit on zoo names is one of the most infuriating things about this game. Why is there a limit?

 

[DarthQuell]

Hot take: clones add a lot of value as long as they're a niche not yet explored. I.e. the Nile croc would be way more useful than a Freshie or a Cuban croc because it'll be the only African croc, despite its similarities to the Saltie.
The coyote is actually a niche not really done in the game. Yeah, the dingo is a desert member of Canis, but the coyote gives that to North America, something not really done. None of the dogs in-game found in NA are really desert animals. The Gray wolf, on a technicality (Mexican wolf), could I guess. But it's not meant to be that, it's meant to be a standard forest wolf. Foxes technicality live in arid areas, but you picture them as forest animals. So the coyote brings something a little different, despite similar animals already in the game

 

[Mjmannella]

I.e. the Nile croc would be way more useful than a Freshie or a Cuban croc because it'll be the only African croc, despite its similarities to the Saltie.

Cuban crocodiles would also be the only North American crocodile, while also having highly unique habitat requirements for a crocodilian (i.e. being more terrestrial and social).

The coyote is actually a niche not really done in the game. Yeah, the dingo is a desert member of Canis, but the coyote gives that to North America, something not really done.

Here's a hot take within a hot take: not every region needs super specific niches. I don't think we need a desert dog for every desert-sporting continent.

 

[DarthQuell]

Cuban crocodiles would also be the only North American crocodile, while also having highly unique habitat requirements for a crocodilian (i.e. being more terrestrial and social).

But we have the gator. That fills the same basic void that a croc wouldn't really give

Here's a hot take within a hot take: not every region needs super specific niches. I don't think we need a desert dog for every desert-sporting continent.

It's similar to how you mentioned the Cuban croc: we don't need a croc for every continent that has crocs. At least the Nile could give us an animal associated with Africa. An American croc wouldn't give us anything that different. The coyote, on the other hand, is also culturally associated with the Southwest and Mexico

 

[Mjmannella]

Alligators are in a whole other family separate from crocodiles, which is already a leg up from Desert Dog 1 and Desert Dog 2. And I already gave reasons as to why Cuban crocodiles are more than just "a North American crocodile", in that they're unique among to whole crocodilian order. On top of their terrestrial habits and high degree of sociality, they also provide a great conservation story that even aggressive and "ugly" animals are worth conserving.

Plus, non-avian reptiles are so drastically under-represented due to being highly under-appreciated that they kinda need anything they can get. The same cannot be said for dogs (and other carnivoran families)

 

[DarthQuell]

Alligators are in a whole other family separate from crocodiles, which is already a leg up from Desert Dog 1 and Desert Dog 2. And I already gave reasons as to why Cuban crocodiles are more than just "a North American crocodile", in that they're unique among to whole crocodilian order. On top of their terrestrial habits and high degree of sociality, they also provide a great conservation story that even aggressive and "ugly" animals are worth conserving.

Plus, non-avian reptiles are so drastically under-represented due to being highly under-appreciated that they kinda need anything they can get. The same cannot be said for dogs (and other carnivoran families)

I think you're missing the big picture, but whatever. Honestly, any crocodilian that isn't from Africa would feel pointless since everything else got rep. And saying that other carnivorans are overepresented, when the coati and a mongoose could add a lot, isn't entirely accurate

 

[Mjmannella]

saying that other carnivorans are overepresented, when the coati and a mongoose could add a lot, isn't entirely accurate

I was mainly focusing on cats, dogs, hyenas, and bears. Those are the big 4 carnivoran families that I would label as "beloved to a fault"

 

[DarthQuell]

I was mainly focusing on cats, dogs, hyenas, and bears. Those are the big 4 carnivoran families that I would label as "beloved to a fault"

Oh, those yeah. The only 1 worth anything at this point would be the ABB as the final cornerstone NA animal, and I honestly feel like it'll come. But apart from it, nothing is really worth getting

 

[Milurian]

Alligators are in a whole other family separate from crocodiles, which is already a leg up from Desert Dog 1 and Desert Dog 2. And I already gave reasons as to why Cuban crocodiles are more than just "a North American crocodile", in that they're unique among to whole crocodilian order. On top of their terrestrial habits and high degree of sociality, they also provide a great conservation story that even aggressive and "ugly" animals are worth conserving.

Plus, non-avian reptiles are so drastically under-represented due to being highly under-appreciated that they kinda need anything they can get. The same cannot be said for dogs (and other carnivoran families)

Yes taxonomically alligators and crocodiles are different, functionally however alligators and crocodiles will be almost identical to use. The is much more nuance to what is included in terms of how it changes how we play an african crocodile will add more to the game than an american crocodile because it offers a clear distinction with changes in foliage and continental theming allowing for more diverse gameplay.
While the coyote isnt unique by any means it does offer something currently absent which is an arid american canid which is distinct in application for the average person. Is it the most ground-breaking change no but is it significant yes.

 

[FlameWizard492]

The arbitrary character limit on zoo names is one of the most infuriating things about this game. Why is there a limit?

Have you tried changing the zoo name after you've already started the zoo? I don't remember if it'll let you have more characters at that point.

 

[Birb（｡･ө･｡）]

I was mainly focusing on cats, dogs, hyenas, and bears. Those are the big 4 carnivoran families that I would label as "beloved to a fault"

I wanna know what world you're in where hyenas are considered "beloved to a fault" because I really want to live in it lol. Every time I talk to a non-animal nerd about how much I adore them they always seem genuinely appalled.

 

[RightWhale]

Hot take: clones add a lot of value as long as they're a niche not yet explored. I.e. the Nile croc would be way more useful than a Freshie or a Cuban croc because it'll be the only African croc, despite its similarities to the Saltie.
The coyote is actually a niche not really done in the game. Yeah, the dingo is a desert member of Canis, but the coyote gives that to North America, something not really done. None of the dogs in-game found in NA are really desert animals. The Gray wolf, on a technicality (Mexican wolf), could I guess. But it's not meant to be that, it's meant to be a standard forest wolf. Foxes technicality live in arid areas, but you picture them as forest animals. So the coyote brings something a little different, despite similar animals already in the game

Almost every animal is a clone at this point, even the Swan is based off the flamingo rig (edited a bit if I remember right)

But yeah the biggest issue with anything begins and ends with the odd choices by Frontier. I’ll say it once and I’ll say it again, there are no bad animals but there are certainly bad pack placements. Especially as other players feel the burn from missing out on animals they want. For a couple years we have now got: multiple pigs, multiple antelope, and multiple caprines. We also are close to finishing the bears off.

While I feel bad for the people who may really want (insert animal here) it’s really hard for me to want that animal when we got (insert animal here) very recently! What we really need is (insert animal here) which we haven’t had a new one since (insert passage of time here).

I also think this is a tough pill to swallow: in the end of the day this is a video game. While every animal matters in real life, up to a certain point there will be too many animals that provide similar gameplay options. I would love a grey crowned crane, and a whooping crane for Africa and North America. But if we would now have three crane species there would get to a certain point where another crane would be too much, and the pack slot would be better spent on something else.

 

[NachoB]

Hot take question: Would you rather...

...Frontier to continue support with packs heavy loaded with the basics of clones like what happened with three of the animals in the next pack, and just 1-2 unique animals per DLC, knowing that means a lof of fan favorites will probably take ages to make it into the game if ever?

or

...Frontier to end support afte DLC 20 + 6th anniversary and focus on making a sequel with the remaining animals we desperatly want (mainly birds and primates and aquatics) even if that implies waiting for years to get them?

 

[Mjmannella]

I'd prefer a sequel any day of the week. I want a zoo sim that puts animals over building. I don't give a rat's rump about modular building, and I think it just hurts the experience of running a zoo. I want management over architecture, fun over monotony, and simplicity over tedium.

 

[Milurian]

Hot take question: Would you rather...

...Frontier to continue support with packs heavy loaded with the basics of clones like what happened with three of the animals in the next pack, and just 1-2 unique animals per DLC, knowing that means a lof of fan favorites will probably take ages to make it into the game if ever?

or

...Frontier to end support afte DLC 20 + 6th anniversary and focus on making a sequel with the remaining animals we desperatly want (mainly birds and primates and aquatics) even if that implies waiting for years to get them?

I know im probably in the minority here but I actually have no problem with clone heavy packs because as long as its not a timber wolf vs arctic wolf situation where they are literally the same animal I genuinely think clones can add alot to the game with many requested animals still being clones anyways like deer. Also our definition of clones is so lose that there is still alot of wiggle room for what can be added and slowly we will get more complex animals that can then be cloned.

Also hot take but after planet coaster 2 I dont see a sequel for planet zoo being a guaranteed upgrade. A sequel for me would have to have 4 things for me to actually want it over just continued support. Aquatics, free flying birds, a complete removal of the exhibit system in favour of something similar to habitats and a return of every animal from the first game.

 

[Mjmannella]

our definition of clones is so lose that there is still alot of wiggle room for what can be added and slowly we will get more complex animals that can then be cloned.

This is why I always frame things in taxonomic fashion with families, genera, and species. Gives a relatively consistent framework for what is or isn't a "clone".

 

[SanRazo]

I know im probably in the minority here but I actually have no problem with clone heavy packs because as long as its not a timber wolf vs arctic wolf situation where they are literally the same animal I genuinely think clones can add alot to the game with many requested animals still being clones anyways like deer. Also our definition of clones is so lose that there is still alot of wiggle room for what can be added and slowly we will get more complex animals that can then be cloned.

Also hot take but after planet coaster 2 I dont see a sequel for planet zoo being a guaranteed upgrade. A sequel for me would have to have 4 things for me to actually want it over just continued support. Aquatics, free flying birds, a complete removal of the exhibit system in favour of something similar to habitats and a return of every animal from the first game.

Yea basing off of PC2 I don’t want a sequel if they don’t have all the animals in from the start

 

[SuzieSky]

Hot take question: Would you rather...

...Frontier to continue support with packs heavy loaded with the basics of clones like what happened with three of the animals in the next pack, and just 1-2 unique animals per DLC, knowing that means a lof of fan favorites will probably take ages to make it into the game if ever?

or

...Frontier to end support afte DLC 20 + 6th anniversary and focus on making a sequel with the remaining animals we desperatly want (mainly birds and primates and aquatics) even if that implies waiting for years to get them?

I want PZ to feel 'complete' before moving on to the next game, and I think it is close to that point. Some of the most important animals are clones or at least similar to existing animals. For me, that would mean:

• Carnivorans: American Black Bear, Coati, Ocelot, Serval (1-2 probably coming in this pack, only the coati couldn't be called a clone)
• Ungulates: ~2 filler ones for Asia, ideally muntjac (low effort) and blackbuck (gazelle clone), and maybe a musk ox (idk)
• Primates: Many could be saved for a sequel, but a guereza/guenon (not clone) and at least 2 for South America (could use a clone for one) would get them to a tolerable state for most, but many more would be welcome and needed.
• Other Mammals (not clones): Tree kangaroo, mara, and probably echidna.
• Reptiles: Ideally an aquatic turtle, but I don't expect it. An Australian monitor and African croc would be nice, but I can live without them.
• Birds: With the coming flamingo and rhea, I think we'd still need ducks (cygnet clone) and a grey crowned crane (crane clone) but would begrudgingly accept a secretary bird (not a clone). A pheasant (chicken clone), pelican (not a clone), and ibis (not a clone) rig would be wonderful if possible, but I could manage without them.. A few flying parrots, raptors, toucan/hornbills, and a kookaburra in WE seem like they should be easy, and Frontier has never stated they were too hard.

That's about 15-20 animals, mostly low-effort ones, that would leave the game in a complete enough state for me with 3 times as many good options I'd be willing to pay for. I would be less excited about the sequel if I think I'm going to be following it and buying DLCs for years, and they might stop short on the most requested features if they are possible. Why not just add the missing birds and monkeys to PZ1 and focus on making the game better and a few model improvements for PZ2, which may be underway as they release infrequent DLCs to maintain hype? The roster feels so close to perfect.

 

[caninesrock]

I only want a sequel if they will have all the animals from the first one since I'm afraid they will remove and never add animals I liked in the first one for the sequel. I also only think a sequel is necessary if the add the following features:
1. Over-haul the building system because pathing, making buildings with multiple floors, and rides are really irritating and unnecessarily difficult.
2. Use accurate animal sounds. For the love of God, donkeys BRAY. I don't want horse-donkeys, unless it's actual mules they add to the game, then those can neigh.
3. Give us aquatics like fish, aquatic inverts like lobsters/jellyfish/ octopus, etc., sea turtles, and maybe aquatic mammals, at least a manatee if they're still not willing to touch whales or dolphins.
4. Give us flying birds.
5. Have more South American, Australian/ Oceanian animals, and maybe some more Antarctic animals in the sequel.