Biodiversity and the future of Planet Zoo

[yoav_r]

So the future of the game, what will the next DLCs be, and all that stuff are very discussed topics in the community currently.

But I see a lot of users speaking of their local experiences, and many many people angry about the overrepresentation of Africa, and lack of representation of Europe.
So I thought it would be interesting to examine the roster in compraison to global biodiversity. I assume most people here are familiar with the term, but for those who don't, biodiversity in a region is the amount of species that can be found in it.

Here is a biodiversity map of terrestrial animals world wide (Red - more biodiverse, Blue - less biodiverse):

and here is a map I made of all habitat animals in the game (also featured in this post):

Spoiler: Exhibit animals map

When looking at the roster through comparison of the two maps, it seems that the underrepresented regions are actually South America and Oceania.
Maybe to some this was obvious, but I thought it's an interesting perspective.

Wanted to share and hear other's thoughts on this.

 

[DarthQuell]

Agreed. The places that deserve more (at least to me) are:

North America
Southern South America
Oceania
Northern Asia
Europe

 

[yoav_r]

Agreed. The places that deserve more (at least to me) are:

North America
Southern South America
Oceania
Northern Asia
Europe

I'd add Western asia/Northern Africa, it is empty at the moment.

 

[jmarc]

Europe, North Africa and central Asia are pretty blank. Love the map.

 

[jcp011c]

Europe, North Africa and central Asia are pretty blank. Love the map.

Worth noting that could definitely take a focus on a desert theme pack.

Also to me, even though some areas have more biodiversity versus their representation in the game, I'm wondering how niche and specific that diversity is. And also how much of it would be exhibit animals vs. habitat animals. Mainly looking at South America when I say that, though I agree we need more South American animals.

 

[Bearcat9948]

I feel like we might be in for an Exhibit Animals pack with 10-12 of them at some point towards the end of PZ's life. Maybe we'd get super lucky and it would be in between two regular dlcs. Like if it's midway between the spring dlc and summer dlc.

 

[NZFanatic]

I feel like we might be in for an Exhibit Animals pack with 10-12 of them at some point towards the end of PZ's life. Maybe we'd get super lucky and it would be in between two regular dlcs. Like if it's midway between the spring dlc and summer dlc.

Honestly, I really doubt it. The exhibit animals seem to be incredibly unpopular, which is nuts to me. You have people calling them "boring" and "useless" all over the internet, mostly because they don't understand their purpose. I don't think it would be worth the investment for Frontier to give us a whole exhibit pack.

 

[jcp011c]

Honestly, I really doubt it. The exhibit animals seem to be incredibly unpopular, which is nuts to me. You have people calling them "boring" and "useless" all over the internet, mostly because they don't understand their purpose. I don't think it would be worth the investment for Frontier to give us a whole exhibit pack.

I know I'm one of those people, but part of the reason I feel that way is not the animals themselves, but the lack of customization of the exhibits versus the customization in the rest of the game. Sure, we can build different shells, and we have a few choices of enrichment items, but the exhibit sizes are, for now, the same size and shape no matter what animal they are. I think if Frontier really overhauled the entire exhibit process to allow for more modular sizes and shapes, that would make them more interesting.

Granted I say just part of the reason, the other reason is personal taste. I'm not a spider or centipede person at all, and most of the habitat animals are more interesting to me than the exhibit animals, which are fairly static in their "movement". They have small cyclical animations they go through while in one spot and only "change place" when you move away from the exhibit - of course we know the game just makes them disappear from their current spot and puts them in another spot in the exhibit so there's no actual traversing at all.

All of this is frankly why, as great as the game is as a whole, the exhibit are currently a minimally thought out process. And because of that, some players do give them just minimal attention.Their purpose for me is to make money in new zoos. Beetles breed like crazy and I can make decent cash the first few years just off of that. But that, sadly, is the only purpose I have for them right now.

 

[yoav_r]

Honestly, I really doubt it. The exhibit animals seem to be incredibly unpopular, which is nuts to me. You have people calling them "boring" and "useless" all over the internet, mostly because they don't understand their purpose. I don't think it would be worth the investment for Frontier to give us a whole exhibit pack.

They are underappreciated, but they suffer from an overarching problem in the game. Once you put down a habitat/exhibit, you are done and the game gives you no incentive to ever return to look at it. With the habitats it's sort of fine, because each time you build a new habitat. With the exhibits, once you put an exhibit and see how it looks, it will neve r be new to you in any future zoo you build. I do believe that a 10-12 exhibit animal with some highly requested species (especially with larger exhibits) would be a big draw.

 

[NZFanatic]

I know I'm one of those people, but part of the reason I feel that way is not the animals themselves, but the lack of customization of the exhibits versus the customization in the rest of the game. Sure, we can build different shells, and we have a few choices of enrichment items, but the exhibit sizes are, for now, the same size and shape no matter what animal they are. I think if Frontier really overhauled the entire exhibit process to allow for more modular sizes and shapes, that would make them more interesting.

To be completely frank, I don't know how anyone can consider a zoo complete without the exhibits.

Your post does illustrate a point though - everyone, whether you like the exhibits or not, wants them overhauled, but it's doubtful Frontier will actually do so because they aren't going to see it as worth their time. I believe this because in the same breath you've expressed a desire to see the system expanded upon, while also saying that you don't like using the exhibits. I don't believe, from a business perspective, that Frontier ultimately cares if the exhibits themselves are successful in the game or not. I doubt they're sitting there wondering how to make them more appealing to people; it's just easier to say, "well, people don't like them, so why expend the resources?"

 

[NZFanatic]

Just to add to the above, I don't particularly like building for certain animals in the game. I've expressed many times that I find using the climbing equipment extremely finnicky while also trying to build realistic habitats (due to the space), but I still do it because otherwise it doesn't actually feel like I'm building a zoo, which really defeats the whole purpose of the game. Every zoo has reptiles and most have invertebrates. I totally agree and accept that the exhibits are for the most part far too large for the majority of the available species, but even so, a zoo without a few small reptiles and amphibians on display just isn't a zoo.

 

[yoav_r]

Just to add to the above, I don't particularly like building for certain animals in the game. I've expressed many times that I find using the climbing equipment extremely finnicky while also trying to build realistic habitats (due to the space), but I still do it because otherwise it doesn't actually feel like I'm building a zoo, which really defeats the whole purpose of the game. Every zoo has reptiles and most have invertebrates. I totally agree and accept that the exhibits are for the most part far too large for the majority of the available species, but even so, a zoo without a few small reptiles and amphibians on display just isn't a zoo.

While I agree with the general sentiement, especially the overly large exhibits for tiny animals, I must say I've seen quite a few zoos with no small exhibits and terrariums, especially zoos which speaclize in megafauna and open huge exhibits. I still remember before Frontier revealed the Boa Constrictor people really didn't expect small terrarium animals to be in the game at all, and it was an amazing surprise when they did. I'm still happy these animals are in the game at all, and appreciate that we have them.

 

[NZFanatic]

While I agree with the general sentiement, especially the overly large exhibits for tiny animals, I must say I've seen quite a few zoos with no small exhibits and terrariums, especially zoos which speaclize in megafauna and open huge exhibits. I still remember before Frontier revealed the Boa Constrictor people really didn't expect small terrarium animals to be in the game at all, and it was an amazing surprise when they did. I'm still happy these animals are in the game at all, and appreciate that we have them.

Honestly, point me to a zoo without smaller reptile species at the least.

 

[Hugo98]

Honestly, point me to a zoo without smaller reptile species at the least.

Some safari parks (which you can also count as zoos) indeed do not have reptiles, amphibians nor invertebrates. Like this one: https://www.serengeti-park.de/en/our-animals-from-a-to-z/. (zootierliste.de/en confirms the lack of those animals in this park).
But I also think these zoos/safari parks/whatever are more likely exceptions.

To be more on topic: We definitely need more South American species and also more from Oceania. But although the biodiversity in Europe, Northern Asia and North America is not that big, I still think we at least need a few species from these regions. I mean Frontier is a British company, isn't it? So, it would be really weird not to include local European fauna. In addition, many customers are from Europe, so I'm pretty sure we will get a European pack.

 

[KönigDerKaffeebohnen]

Disclaimer:
My satirical opinion on the europe discussions, using the map.
This is Not meant to target any specific person and everybody is entitled to their own opinion

Spoiler

Biodiversity in europe: Low to Medium
Endemic Creatures from Europe in the game: None
Some People: wE dOnT nEed aN eUrOPeaN pAcK, EurOpE hAs nOt eVeN 4 AniMaLs i lIkE

 

[jcp011c]

Some safari parks (which you can also count as zoos) indeed do not have reptiles, amphibians nor invertebrates. Like this one: https://www.serengeti-park.de/en/our-animals-from-a-to-z/. (zootierliste.de/en confirms the lack of those animals in this park).
But I also think these zoos/safari parks/whatever are more likely exceptions.

To be more on topic: We definitely need more South American species and also more from Oceania. But although the biodiversity in Europe, Northern Asia and North America is not that big, I still think we at least need a few species from these regions. I mean Frontier is a British company, isn't it? So, it would be really weird not to include local European fauna. In addition, many customers are from Europe, so I'm pretty sure we will get a European pack.

Yes, I think that's why there's not much of a gripe or panic yet about Europe and North America - while nothing is certain, it's generally anticipated that we'll get packs from those two continents. Until we do, we're not as pressed about what the missing animals are in those regions, because we've only got what's in the base game - which is little or not. I imagine that after we get those packs there will be more concern and "what abouts" for the still missing animals.

Plus, as noted on the map, they're not a biodiverse as other parts of the world. Though I still contend that exhibit classed animals, and will add in birds, make up much of the regions of South America and Oceania. If they don't do birds, it leaves us with a lot of exhibit animals to cover. While I can imagine there's still hundreds of habitat type animals that Frontier could do from those regions, it's probably more realistic to pare that down to 1 to 2 dozen of the most likely candidates for inclusion, and probably only actually including less than a dozen from each if that. At any rate, no matter what kind of habitat animals they add in from those regions, it's not going to anywhere near approach the ratio on the biodiversity map.

@KönigDerKaffeebohnen just saw your comment. I think they will have European pack, but for satirical purposes, I can see it now. Using the Moose for the North American pack and saying, "well, they're also in Europe, so there you go!" Or for a little more generosity, tangentially shoehorning the Alpine Ibex in a barely related pack and calling it a done deal.

 

[KönigDerKaffeebohnen]

Disclaimer: This tired idiot thought we were in needed packs and Not here so yeah sorry for talking about my reading of frontiers buissness decisions and i hope o can add some thing to the discussion anyways. Kudos

Ofcourse they will have an european pack, im more then sure on that.
Giving every continent besides europe a pack would just be weird, and a strange buissness move from frontiers part.
Its Not even hard to imagine what kind of animals would go in there, with a lynx, ibex and a deer, Most prominantly the red deer obvious pack selling headliners.
Anyone Who actually argues against an european pack is just delusional.
Its a question of when and how, Not if.
Im sure that when designing the base game raster, they actually designed a bigger one and started cutting packs from it.
Not saying the animals themself where all set in stone, i would bet the capuchin monkey was at one point just new world monkey, and im quite sure that some animals were switched out for others but the baseline stands.
They planned a roster and cutted out the packs for later development.
Some "evidence" would be the patterns of some weird inclusions and choices for the base game animals, as well as the fact that every dlc besides SEA had an animals that should have been basegame.
This is Not a jab at frontier, just an observation.
From a buissness perspective that makes a Lot of sense and is quite the smart move.
Thats part of the reason why This thread exists, as i wanted to confirm my suspicion and get a general feel on the topic.
The 4 packs that i lined out are, while being 4 packs i like alot, what i belive to be Most logical to be in the roadmap from the thrends we have seen so far.
NA for autum, Aviaries for Winter as the big new thing and then the other 2, filling out the "base" raster of the game.
This is what i belive was meant with that the dlcs will come atleast till the end of buisness year 2022, this is what was planned from the Start and the sales will decide if they will expand on the dlc with noteable exclusions like the leopards or capybara for either final packs or a new internal roadmap.
If what ever im saying holds any weight, only time can tell, but the theory would atleast explain odd inclusions like the lonely base game tapir, saltwater crocodile over nile crocodile, the fact that only Africa and asia had over 10 animals and more

Sry if my rambling was very confusing

 

[jcp011c]

I think I follow you completely and agree @KönigDerKaffeebohnen - I get wordy and ramble too, I think it's just a love for this game and animals in general, so no worries there!

I definitely agree especially about slots in the planned back not being set in stone but generalities. You take a general theme - and you may have a single animal or maybe even two that you know you definitely want to include, the rest is brainstorming and gauging via online how the players are feeling and what they are wanting. That is , just by reading the forums or social media, not actively sending out questionnaires or anything. "New World Monkey", at first, maybe a half dozen candidates later on and a final decision off of one or two choices. Heh, for all we know, they may not have planned to bring some animals on board at all, but the overall interest on certain species steered them in that direction.

I think they've done a pretty good job on the packs so far, with one misstep for the community at large, (and I think we can guess which animal that is), even if my personal choices would have been different, I still think they overall made good choices. And I definitely hope we get packs through the end of next year, 6 more packs sounds about "right", though I'd love to see years and years of content. On the other hand, if we did only get two more packs total to see us through just this year, I'd be very disappointed as there's so much ground to cover, no matter if it's regions with a lot of biodiversity or not.

 

[KönigDerKaffeebohnen]

Another thing about biodiversity is that for the purpose of our zoo game its completly irrelevant lol.
Like people have already pointed out, Most of the Hot spots Artnt Hot because of possible habitat animals but exhibits.
Also in the end its about giving us cool animals.
Greenland is near Black but i can remember the riots at launch where the number 1 missed animal was the polarbear.
Right now they can make good packs for literally everywhere, so the fact that palearctic and nearctic are Severly underrepresented in game is a bigger issue then that there are millions of bugs in some square meters of brazil alone

 

[macronecu]

so the fact that palearctic and nearctic are Severly underrepresented in game is a bigger issue then that there are millions of bugs in some square meters of brazil alone

I agree, and I think frontier did a great job by having small exhibit animals representing the majority of animals from these regions in the game.

@yoav_r would you consider adding the exhibit animals map to the original post that you had on the other thread? I think putting it there would give us insight about this issue. Because I remember the amazon region being overcrowded with exhibit animals on that map