The question of the next DLC is a good one - until now, we've had a pretty good idea of what might be coming, since there were some glaring holes in the roster (in DLC release order: Polar Bears, South America in general, Australia in general, and Penguins / semi-aquatic species). In my view, the most obvious missing species / gaps in the roster that remain are (in categories):
Taxonomic:
Aviaries are a critical component of most zoos, but are totally missing so far. However, since we just got the Aquatic pack, I'd guess that an aviaries pack, if it ever happens, would be more likely tom come later on, possibly as the last pack before Christmas???
Biome:
Desert remains the biggest gap, especially for the Americas, where we have a lot of foliage (Cacti, Joshua trees etc.) but no species to go with them. However, the desert roster was enhanced with the Australia pack fairly recently, so I'm not so sure. This could easily, however, include a couple of North American species and a couple of African / Middle Eastern species.
Geographic:
Europe doesn't have many species but, since Europe doesn't have very many endemic species, I don't think this is very likely at this stage. Eurasian Lynx, European Badger, Alpine Ibex and a few others would be nice additions, but I honestly think one DLC would be enough to complete the roster for Europe but enough animals could be included in other, non-geographic packs, to fill the roster out enough.
North America has a decent(ish) roster, but lacks desert species - this is also a big market, so economically might be worthwhile for Frontier from a business POV. Cougars, Alligators, Coati, Moose, Wolverines, Calafornian Sea Lions, Sea otters, and many more would make great inclusions
Africa: Has by far the biggest roster already, but still has many flagship species that haven't yet been included.... Meerkats, Seretary birds, Nile Crocodiles, Red River hogs, various monkey species, Caracal, Serval, Dromedary, Fennec Fox etc., etc.
Asia has the second biggest roster in the game, especially if Indian animals are included in the same category. Nevertheless, there are many species, especially in SE Asia that would make great additions - and there was the Sun bear leak, so this is a strong possibility if the next pack is a geographic pack.
Antarctica: Pretty much the only options are seals and penguins. Since we got both of these in the last pack I'd be VERY surprised if we got this.
South America: Started with a poor roster but we've already had one dedicated DLC and half the aquatic pack was from here so I'd say its pretty unlikely that we'll get more South American species in the next pack. Nevertheless, there are many, many great options that could/should still be added.
Oceania: In my view, Australia remains the most underrepresented continent, even after the release of the Australia DLC (although, as an Australian, I am, perhaps, biased). Whilst I think that a dedicated DLC is very, very, unlikely, I'd hope that more Australian species make it into the next few DLCs, assuming that there are some that aren't geographically-themed. There are many Australian species I'd still like to see including (but not limited to): Tasmanian Devils, Eastern Grey Kangaroos, at least one wallaby species, Platypuses, an echidna species, Wombats, Emus and many, many more would make fantastic additions.
Oceania more broadly lacks representation and I'd love to see Kiwis, at least somewhere down the line.
Other:
I've seen a fair bit of demand for a marine/
aquarium pack and some for a '
petting zoo' pack - personally I think that both of these are a low priority, and that the wild terrestrial and semi-aquatic rosters are
greatly expanded before we see either of these. I do not want ceteceans to be added to the game and, fortunately, I don't think its likely that they will be.
A good way of introducing a good range of animals, both in terms of geographic range and biome type, and which could include good flagship species
and reinforce the conservation message of the game, would be an
endangered or
threatened species pack (note: Sun Bear would fit in a threatened species pack).
Another interesting option might be a
nocturnal pack. Again, lots of good options from around the world and
maybe a way of creating darkened spaces for nocturnal houses????... Note, though, that many normally nocturnal (and crepuscular) species are not generally kept in nocturnal houses in zoos. Habitat Species I have seen in nocturnal houses that might be good additions include: Aye ayes (London zoo), Brown Kiwi (Aukland Zoo) and Platypus (Melbourne Zoo). All of these would be good additions, as would bats and I'm sure others, who've been to other zoos would be able to suggest more....
perhaps I'll start a thread. I've started a thread
here.
PREDICTIONS:
Since the last pack was a big-ticket pack, I don't think the next will be. Given the Sun Bear leak, I'd say, boringly, that SE Asia is the odds-on favourite. I'd love though, if after that, we were to get a threatened species pack
