Had an interesting thought for a potential DLC that could include some highly-requested animals as well as highly-requested props and scenery; "The Zoo Pack".
The idea would be to build a DLC around common "zoo" features outside of a major theme. The animals I was thinking of, if we are restricted to four (plus an exhibit), were:
- Southern white rhinoceros.
- Meerkat.
- Asian small-clawed otter.
- American alligator.
- Burmese python (E).
The otter was a difficult choice to include, because of the lack of underwater navigation mechanics, but I've sort of reached the point now where I'd be happy to have an otter even without that just to cover all the necessary bases. The first two choices should be obvious - meerkats and African rhinos are staples of most zoo collections, and the white rhino in particular is more common than the black in captivity (though the black is more endangered, the theme of this pack is 'common in zoos'). The alligator is the only one sort of out of left field, but I seem to see American alligators in nearly every zoo or aquarium I go to these days, so that's more of an anecdotal choice than a well-researched one.
Some will also point out that the Burmese python can grow to considerably large sizes, but so can the yellow anaconda, so I think the current exhibit model should be okay for it.
In terms of building sets, I was thinking of a chain-link mesh building set (including curved roof pieces) and an iron bar building set. Both of these would alllow us to build convincing backstage areas as well as mesh-roofed habitats for climbing animals as many zoos do. Such a method of display is being generally phased out, of course, but it is still widely present and so I don't think it would hurt to allow such a feature.
Props would include all the random bits and bobs you'd find in zoos. We'd see piles of hay, soil, sand, and gravel, wheelbarrows, ladders, brooms/shovels/rakes, shelving units, buckets, hoses, and all of that other miscellaneous stuff. I'd also like to include here the idea of the 'animal door' that comes up quite often, even if it isn't functional - just a prop would be nice for those backstage areas. This pack could also include parking spots, entrance/exit signs, "Staff Only" signs (I know we can make these with the editable signs, but even so), and more variety for education/conservation boards (preferably low-budget non-powered ones). We could also see some interactive props like animal height comparison charts, animal soundboards, playground equipment, and so on.
Finally I'd also like to include some new biome paints - asphalt, concrete, and gravel. The former two would be great for backstage/holding areas, and for building carparks and the like without needing to use ten thousand pieces, while the latter would be a nice way to make the edges of the gravel path less 'perfect'.
In terms of foliage, I'd like to see some more broken trees, more varieties of logs, and probably some more common garden plants like small shrubs or tussock grasses.
I think such a pack would be a great way to cover a lot of what is frequently asked for. We'd have those iconic zoo animals, as well as those iconic zoo props and features that are currently lacking.
The idea would be to build a DLC around common "zoo" features outside of a major theme. The animals I was thinking of, if we are restricted to four (plus an exhibit), were:
- Southern white rhinoceros.
- Meerkat.
- Asian small-clawed otter.
- American alligator.
- Burmese python (E).
The otter was a difficult choice to include, because of the lack of underwater navigation mechanics, but I've sort of reached the point now where I'd be happy to have an otter even without that just to cover all the necessary bases. The first two choices should be obvious - meerkats and African rhinos are staples of most zoo collections, and the white rhino in particular is more common than the black in captivity (though the black is more endangered, the theme of this pack is 'common in zoos'). The alligator is the only one sort of out of left field, but I seem to see American alligators in nearly every zoo or aquarium I go to these days, so that's more of an anecdotal choice than a well-researched one.
Some will also point out that the Burmese python can grow to considerably large sizes, but so can the yellow anaconda, so I think the current exhibit model should be okay for it.
In terms of building sets, I was thinking of a chain-link mesh building set (including curved roof pieces) and an iron bar building set. Both of these would alllow us to build convincing backstage areas as well as mesh-roofed habitats for climbing animals as many zoos do. Such a method of display is being generally phased out, of course, but it is still widely present and so I don't think it would hurt to allow such a feature.
Props would include all the random bits and bobs you'd find in zoos. We'd see piles of hay, soil, sand, and gravel, wheelbarrows, ladders, brooms/shovels/rakes, shelving units, buckets, hoses, and all of that other miscellaneous stuff. I'd also like to include here the idea of the 'animal door' that comes up quite often, even if it isn't functional - just a prop would be nice for those backstage areas. This pack could also include parking spots, entrance/exit signs, "Staff Only" signs (I know we can make these with the editable signs, but even so), and more variety for education/conservation boards (preferably low-budget non-powered ones). We could also see some interactive props like animal height comparison charts, animal soundboards, playground equipment, and so on.
Finally I'd also like to include some new biome paints - asphalt, concrete, and gravel. The former two would be great for backstage/holding areas, and for building carparks and the like without needing to use ten thousand pieces, while the latter would be a nice way to make the edges of the gravel path less 'perfect'.
In terms of foliage, I'd like to see some more broken trees, more varieties of logs, and probably some more common garden plants like small shrubs or tussock grasses.
I think such a pack would be a great way to cover a lot of what is frequently asked for. We'd have those iconic zoo animals, as well as those iconic zoo props and features that are currently lacking.