Thanks! Really appreciate it.
Planet Zoo Mods?
- Thread starter stdape2011
- Start date
Thanks! Really appreciate it.
All speaking personally, and respecting that others have different opinions, philosophies, technical abilities, and comfort levels:
As someone who lacks a lot of computer expertise, I had been afraid to try the earlier mods that replace things, or that "broke" with updates. Not for any philosophical reason or anything the modders had done, but just from fears about my own technical (lack of) ability. The officially non-supported "at my own risk" aspect was too high for me because "my own capacities" were too low.
But the new easily usable, non-replacement mods have been a godsend for me. As someone who loves this game so much, having the option to expand the species types in sandbox is huge! And the way that they have made the files self-contained, so that I feel like someone of my own technical abilities can both place them and undo them if necessary, has changed the risk calculation for me personally. I am in awe and very grateful for the modders who made this possible. Thank you!
But I also want to reassure Frontier, that I personally will also be buying every dlc, at full price, the moment each is released. Because it is my love of this game and my desire for more of it that is driving both decisions. And that I recognize the difference between an official animal and a modded one.
An official animal, building piece, or game mechanic is always going to be incorporated into the full game in ways that modders can't do (And don't claim to do! And shouldn't be expected to do! And are usually very explicit about telling us that the mod won't do!). I play a lot in franchise mode, for example. I also consult the habitat tab, nature tab, education tools, and plant coverage rating a lot when I play. Those types of interconnected gameplay mechanics won't always work when you're using a mod. (And strangely for me, making a mod that worked with those complicated mechanics could potentially require a level of interconnected coding that might push beyond my own tech/risk calculation).
So I've begun to think of my animals in three categories: habitat animals, exhibit animals, and modded animals -- each of which has different constraints and gameplay possibilities. And in the same way that I'm glad to have iguanas and snakes in the game, even if there are some limits to what I can do with them, I'm also glad to have the newly modded animals, even with some limitations. For me, the calculation has never been about comparing a fully incorporated species to a modded counterpart, but rather about comparing a modded animal to a non-existent (non-)counterpart! And in the same way that I would jump at the chance to buy a dlc that allowed more exhibit possibilities for sizes and shapes, even knowing that the snakes and iguanas already exist, so too would I jump at the opportunity to buy a dlc animal even if a modded version already existed.
I guess I'm also a bit surprised to see people hypothesizing that Frontier is going to suffer financially or have to change their business model because of mods. In all the other threads, we're told that PZ's profits, resources, and internal roadmap are so finely tuned that it would be preposterous for them to change anything. Surely the smaller number of people who are going to seek out these wonderful mods can't be enough to change all that? Especially when many of us mod-seekers have explicitly said that we'll be continuing to buy the dlcs (as I did above).
As someone who lacks a lot of computer expertise, I had been afraid to try the earlier mods that replace things, or that "broke" with updates. Not for any philosophical reason or anything the modders had done, but just from fears about my own technical (lack of) ability. The officially non-supported "at my own risk" aspect was too high for me because "my own capacities" were too low.
But the new easily usable, non-replacement mods have been a godsend for me. As someone who loves this game so much, having the option to expand the species types in sandbox is huge! And the way that they have made the files self-contained, so that I feel like someone of my own technical abilities can both place them and undo them if necessary, has changed the risk calculation for me personally. I am in awe and very grateful for the modders who made this possible. Thank you!
But I also want to reassure Frontier, that I personally will also be buying every dlc, at full price, the moment each is released. Because it is my love of this game and my desire for more of it that is driving both decisions. And that I recognize the difference between an official animal and a modded one.
An official animal, building piece, or game mechanic is always going to be incorporated into the full game in ways that modders can't do (And don't claim to do! And shouldn't be expected to do! And are usually very explicit about telling us that the mod won't do!). I play a lot in franchise mode, for example. I also consult the habitat tab, nature tab, education tools, and plant coverage rating a lot when I play. Those types of interconnected gameplay mechanics won't always work when you're using a mod. (And strangely for me, making a mod that worked with those complicated mechanics could potentially require a level of interconnected coding that might push beyond my own tech/risk calculation).
So I've begun to think of my animals in three categories: habitat animals, exhibit animals, and modded animals -- each of which has different constraints and gameplay possibilities. And in the same way that I'm glad to have iguanas and snakes in the game, even if there are some limits to what I can do with them, I'm also glad to have the newly modded animals, even with some limitations. For me, the calculation has never been about comparing a fully incorporated species to a modded counterpart, but rather about comparing a modded animal to a non-existent (non-)counterpart! And in the same way that I would jump at the chance to buy a dlc that allowed more exhibit possibilities for sizes and shapes, even knowing that the snakes and iguanas already exist, so too would I jump at the opportunity to buy a dlc animal even if a modded version already existed.
I guess I'm also a bit surprised to see people hypothesizing that Frontier is going to suffer financially or have to change their business model because of mods. In all the other threads, we're told that PZ's profits, resources, and internal roadmap are so finely tuned that it would be preposterous for them to change anything. Surely the smaller number of people who are going to seek out these wonderful mods can't be enough to change all that? Especially when many of us mod-seekers have explicitly said that we'll be continuing to buy the dlcs (as I did above).
Spot on @iloveyourzoos
By the way: I just found out that, at least for JWE you need certain dlcs if the certain standalone mod you are using is based on a DLC dinosaurs. I made the same experience in the Sims. So for users that are mod collectors, there is now even one reason more to buy DLCs, if the same rules apply to PZ.
I use to be a major mod creator for ZT2. My team and myself created animals, plants, fencing and walls and put them in "packs" to be downloaded. we prided ourselves on high quality stuff. That being said, I don't support the idea of people creating animals for PZ, sorry, just my opinion. I wouldn't mod for PZ.
It's your opinion, so I won't argue against it, however can I ask why? What is the difference between the two for you?
Out of curiosity, what design team were you apart of? It's always cool to see veteran ZT2 modders in other parts.
I assume it's because Frontier is against Mods. Microsoft had nothing against it (at least for the first Zoo Tycoon and I assume also for the second one)
I wouldn't call myself a Veteran because I've only created one Mod (and started multiple other Mods but the 3D Models got lost due to Hardware Problems) but maybe it also interests you that I've once created a Woolly Rhino Remake for Zoo Tycoon 2
This isn't true though. They are not against modding, they just don't actively support it. There is a big difference between those two.
Frontier is NOT against mods. They just don't support it. That's a huge difference. The guy who made the first standalone mod and another modder litterally asked them, if they had to face any problems with Frontier and they said the modders are save. They still give keys to influencers who cover mods heavily.
It's a false narrative that they are against it. They just don't allow promoting them here.
Basically they don't care until you advertise them on their "lawn"
Again, please stop mis-spreading information.
From last year:
They just don't support modding. They recommend not-using them. They ask us to not post pics neither links to mods.
But that's miles away from "being against mods".
Let's use the correct terminology: "Frontier doesn't officially support mods."
I'm sorry. Wasn't intentionally spreading false Information. But it's at least close to being against Mods if it isn't allowed to post Pictures
I think it's more like they don't want people posting pictures on an officially supported Frontier platform e.g. the forum. I can see the logic - it might confuse people if it's not clear what is officially possible in planet zoo and what isn't. It's not like they'll come after you for posting about mods on any unofficial apps, social media platform or forums. I think this relatively standard practice especially when a game is still actively being updated by a dev team.
Maybe they could then create a Mod Subforum?
That would be effectively condoning it. The whole point is that you have to talk about it on unofficial channels.Maybe they could then create a Mod Subforum?
I've posted on another couple of threads - new to Planet Zoo but long time ZT2 player. Enjoying the game so far, so hats off to Frontier.
Part of the reason I've finally got PZ is because there are now some interesting mods (and partly £ due to not having a PC good enough previously).
I loved ZT2 (and the original) because of the huge amount of mods that were focused on types of cats. My ideal zoo is pretty much simply full of every type and subspecies of cat - I'd happily have two lion or two tiger exhibits rather than various other non-cat species.
I appreciate this is my reference and others prefer a wider variety of animals but it's the reason I still pick the game up every now and again fifteen years on. I'd happily pay a bit of extra £ to Frontier or a mod for a standalone South African Lion but would unlikely download another Tapir (for example) even if it was free. Some mod downloads weren't 100% reliable though so do have a preference for official animals where possible - but the rate of release of new animals doesn't suggest a huge range of cats (I could easily list off 25 species or subspecies) anytime soon. Not a criticism of Frontier by the way - it's an impossible job given the variety of animals in the world.
In short - I'm in the camp that thinks a mod community enhances a game but prefer the consistency of official mods where possible. To me it seems that the current modding community respect that balance - retiring mods when an official release comes out.
Part of the reason I've finally got PZ is because there are now some interesting mods (and partly £ due to not having a PC good enough previously).
I loved ZT2 (and the original) because of the huge amount of mods that were focused on types of cats. My ideal zoo is pretty much simply full of every type and subspecies of cat - I'd happily have two lion or two tiger exhibits rather than various other non-cat species.
I appreciate this is my reference and others prefer a wider variety of animals but it's the reason I still pick the game up every now and again fifteen years on. I'd happily pay a bit of extra £ to Frontier or a mod for a standalone South African Lion but would unlikely download another Tapir (for example) even if it was free. Some mod downloads weren't 100% reliable though so do have a preference for official animals where possible - but the rate of release of new animals doesn't suggest a huge range of cats (I could easily list off 25 species or subspecies) anytime soon. Not a criticism of Frontier by the way - it's an impossible job given the variety of animals in the world.
In short - I'm in the camp that thinks a mod community enhances a game but prefer the consistency of official mods where possible. To me it seems that the current modding community respect that balance - retiring mods when an official release comes out.
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