Cacomistle's DLC Ideas

[Cacomistle]

Hi all! Over the past few weeks I've been spending lots of time speculating on Planet Zoo's future DLC and potential packs that could be released. I thought I'd share them here and use this thread as a repository for my various ideas. All pack concepts will include a graphic of the roster (made by me) alongside some explanations on the pack's items and animals.


So, let's begin with the Nocturnal Pack:

The Nocturnal Pack would be a DLC focused around adding small animals commonly found in Nocturnal Houses. I decided to go with a Standard Pack for this DLC, mainly to justify the inclusion of various scenery items. Things such as blacklights, dark room walls, scenery for small exhibits, various backstage items and more could be incredibly useful tools for builders. Unique enrichment for small arboreal animals, such as hanging arboreal nests, would also be a welcome addition.

Nocturnal behavior (reversed sleep cycle, enrichment from nocturnal lighting, etc.) would be added for the following animals:

• Aardvark
• Binturong
• Clouded Leopard
• Chinese Pangolin
• Cuvier's Dwarf Caiman
• Fennec Fox
• European Badger

Greater Bilby: The Greater Bilby, while solely present in Australian collections, feels like a vital animal to me. Distinct, iconic, and an Australian Easter icon, including it in the Nocturnal Pack allows one of the most widely kept animals in Australian nocturnal houses to be featured in Planet Zoo.

Southern Three-Banded Armadillo: A xenarthran for this pack also seemed reasonable, given their nocturnal behavior. The choice to pick a Three-Banded Armadillo over a Nine-Banded Armadillo was mainly personal preference. The three-banded is, to my knowledge, more widely kept in captivity, and would offer a unique behavioral quirk with its ability to properly roll into a ball.

Bengal Slow Loris: I debated this spot for a while; I couldn't decide if it should go to the Aye-Aye, an Owl Monket, or a Slow Loris. I opted for a loris in the end since both lemurs and New World monkeys are already present in game, on top of the conservation importance of the Slow Loris. Initially I was going to pick the Pygmy Slow Loris, but a friend pointed out that it was most likely too small for PZ, and the Bengal Slow Loris was also frequently kept in zoos.

Javan Mouse Deer: The Javan Mouse Deer was chosen to add some Tragulid representation to the roster. The Javan species is the most common in captivity, and offers a unique (and adorable) small ungulate to zoo builders.

Tokay Gecko: A gecko for this pack felt like a no-brainer. They're one of the most highly requested exhibit animals besides chameleons, and since most geckos are nocturnal, a night house DLC is the perfect opportunity to include them. The Tokay Gecko was chosen mainly because it's one of the more iconic and large gecko species.

Let me know what you think! I've currently got three other DLC fully formulated alongside a selection of possibly update animals, all of which will be coming soon. I'll gladly accept suggestions for possible DLC packs to conceptualize as well. Many thanks to Chuditch for helping me iron out these ideas. Next up, we'll be returning to an already recently represented region to cap off its roster.

(EDIT: Added a list of currently in-game animals to be given nocturnal behavior.)

 

[AlexSea]

I quite like this pack. It's refreshing seeing one like this when most people (myself included) only make region-based or biome-based packs. I'd buy it if Frontier made it.

 

[ElectricMonk]

I’d definitely like a nocturnal pack and your selections are great. I might go with the aye-aye over the loris, but it’s a close call. The bully is a great choice although there are many other marsupial possibilities that’d work too - a quoll would, for instance, work well.

 

[Cacomistle]

The bilby is a great choice although there are many other marsupial possibilities that’d work too - a quoll would, for instance, work well.

I certainly agree that a quoll would fit well within the pack too. There have been several pack concepts I've had where a quoll could fit, but other animals have come first for me.

 

[Cacomistle]

Our next DLC is the North America Pack, which may seem a bit strange considering there's just been an animal pack centering on the continent. However, there are certainly some animals missing that the game wouldn't feel complete without, personally.

Of course, this is mostly self-indulgent and definitely not a high-priority wish for me; if Frontier added a pack like this, I'd expect it to be around the end of PZ's release cycle when most of their bases have been covered and they want to go back and add finishing touches to some areas.

With all that said, here is the North America Pack:

The DLC would mainly be centered around adding some highly-requested North American animals, with the main draw being the incredibly popular Wolverine. One issue I've seen brought up is that a potential NA standard pack doesn't really have any opportunities for scenery, but there are certainly potential options when it comes to building. Camping and cabin-themed scenery would be welcome, but Frontier could also collaborate with Native American artists (similarly to the Australia Pack) to bring some more culturally representative scenery to the game.

And now for the animals:

Wolverine: It wouldn't feel right to have another North America DLC without leaving out one of the most highly requested animals in the entire game. The Wolverine would, of course, be the flagship animal of the pack, bringing along some mustelid representation (currently only found with the Badger and Otter) as well.

Raccoon: Another highly-requested and iconic North American animal, the Raccoon feels like a shoe-in for this pack. While I was initially set on giving this spot to the American Black Bear, I decided the Raccoon was a much better choice given its popularity.

Elk: The Elk, or Wapiti, is another iconic North American species, albeit less widely requested than the former two animals. However, the Elk also provides some more cervid representation, made distinctive from both the Fallow Deer and Moose due to its bugling cries, branchlike antlers and shaggy mane.

Musk Ox: The Musk Ox is another highly requested North American animal, and for good reason. Left out of both the Arctic and North American Animal packs, a standard North America pack offers this bizarre caprine a final chance to enter Planet Zoo's roster. Originally I considered giving its space to the Bighorn Sheep or the Collared Peccary, however the Musk Ox won out in the end.

Axolotl: Adding both an incredibly popular animal, a critically endangered species, and a vital Central American representative to the pack, the Axolotl also felt like a perfect fit for this DLC. In spite of its widespread popularity in herpkeeping, the Axolotl is nearly extinct in the wild. Giving the exhibit animal space to this salamander could help Frontier draw attention to the threat of this iconic species' extinction.


And that's the North America Pack. Let me know what you think! It may seem a little out of left field, but I certainly have some more crucial DLC concepts coming. For example, in the next DLC concept, we'll be revisiting a hotspot for some of the most iconic- yet threatened -species on the planet in the form of an Animal Pack.

 

[Doran]

If they will ever revisit North America i would prefer it being region that literally got swept under the rug last time. Everyone know im talking about Mexico and Central America.

 

[MagnoliaMagpie]

Hi all! Over the past few weeks I've been spending lots of time speculating on Planet Zoo's future DLC and potential packs that could be released. I thought I'd share them here and use this thread as a repository for my various ideas. All pack concepts will include a graphic of the roster (made by me) alongside some explanations on the pack's items and animals.


So, let's begin with the Nocturnal Pack:

The Nocturnal Pack would be a DLC focused around adding small animals commonly found in Nocturnal Houses. I decided to go with a Standard Pack for this DLC, mainly to justify the inclusion of various scenery items. Things such as blacklights, dark room walls, scenery for small exhibits, various backstage items and more could be incredibly useful tools for builders. Unique enrichment for small arboreal animals, such as hanging arboreal nests, would also be a welcome addition.

Nocturnal behavior (reversed sleep cycle, enrichment from nocturnal lighting, etc.) would be added for the following animals:

• Aardvark
• Binturong
• Clouded Leopard
• Chinese Pangolin
• Cuvier's Dwarf Caiman
• Fennec Fox
• European Badger

Greater Bilby: The Greater Bilby, while solely present in Australian collections, feels like a vital animal to me. Distinct, iconic, and an Australian Easter icon, including it in the Nocturnal Pack allows one of the most widely kept animals in Australian nocturnal houses to be featured in Planet Zoo.

Southern Three-Banded Armadillo: A xenarthran for this pack also seemed reasonable, given their nocturnal behavior. The choice to pick a Three-Banded Armadillo over a Nine-Banded Armadillo was mainly personal preference. The three-banded is, to my knowledge, more widely kept in captivity, and would offer a unique behavioral quirk with its ability to properly roll into a ball.

Bengal Slow Loris: I debated this spot for a while; I couldn't decide if it should go to the Aye-Aye, an Owl Monket, or a Slow Loris. I opted for a loris in the end since both lemurs and New World monkeys are already present in game, on top of the conservation importance of the Slow Loris. Initially I was going to pick the Pygmy Slow Loris, but a friend pointed out that it was most likely too small for PZ, and the Bengal Slow Loris was also frequently kept in zoos.

Javan Mouse Deer: The Javan Mouse Deer was chosen to add some Tragulid representation to the roster. The Javan species is the most common in captivity, and offers a unique (and adorable) small ungulate to zoo builders.

Tokay Gecko: A gecko for this pack felt like a no-brainer. They're one of the most highly requested exhibit animals besides chameleons, and since most geckos are nocturnal, a night house DLC is the perfect opportunity to include them. The Tokay Gecko was chosen mainly because it's one of the more iconic and large gecko species.

Let me know what you think! I've currently got three other DLC fully formulated alongside a selection of possibly update animals, all of which will be coming soon. I'll gladly accept suggestions for possible DLC packs to conceptualize as well. Many thanks to Chuditch for helping me iron out these ideas. Next up, we'll be returning to an already recently represented region to cap off its roster.

(EDIT: Added a list of currently in-game animals to be given nocturnal behavior.)

I would love this. If it were to come out, I would get it in a heartbeat. I have wanted a Nocturnal pack for a while. I would say Bats are also necessary for this pack but not until Aviaries are a thing of course.

 

[avietar]

It certainly feels a little out of left field for me

I wonder what a Europe revisited would look like in your view. Personally I much prefer the red deer over the wapiti, as it is such a European icon and has a beautiful deep voice and dark coat, so I would have chosen the white tailed deer or even better, the north american black bear for your pack instead. Or the collared peccary or bighorn sheep. Or striped skunk!

 

[nutrit]

I’ve grown to really love NA porcupine - such an amazing creatures. They have also become quite popular in European zoos.

I would like to see them in another NA pack along with Racoon, Wolverine and Armadillo and walrus, musk ox and collared peccary if it is another animal pack.

I was so not so excited for NA or Europe pack and now I absolutely love it.
If we could ever revisit Europe I want Red fox, Wild boar, Red deer and Common genet
and porcupine, River otter and Alpine chamois if it is animal pack.

 

[jcp011c]

Our next DLC is the North America Pack, which may seem a bit strange considering there's just been an animal pack centering on the continent. However, there are certainly some animals missing that the game wouldn't feel complete without, personally.

Of course, this is mostly self-indulgent and definitely not a high-priority wish for me; if Frontier added a pack like this, I'd expect it to be around the end of PZ's release cycle when most of their bases have been covered and they want to go back and add finishing touches to some areas.

With all that said, here is the North America Pack:

The DLC would mainly be centered around adding some highly-requested North American animals, with the main draw being the incredibly popular Wolverine. One issue I've seen brought up is that a potential NA standard pack doesn't really have any opportunities for scenery, but there are certainly potential options when it comes to building. Camping and cabin-themed scenery would be welcome, but Frontier could also collaborate with Native American artists (similarly to the Australia Pack) to bring some more culturally representative scenery to the game.

And now for the animals:

Wolverine: It wouldn't feel right to have another North America DLC without leaving out one of the most highly requested animals in the entire game. The Wolverine would, of course, be the flagship animal of the pack, bringing along some mustelid representation (currently only found with the Badger and Otter) as well.

Raccoon: Another highly-requested and iconic North American animal, the Raccoon feels like a shoe-in for this pack. While I was initially set on giving this spot to the American Black Bear, I decided the Raccoon was a much better choice given its popularity.

Elk: The Elk, or Wapiti, is another iconic North American species, albeit less widely requested than the former two animals. However, the Elk also provides some more cervid representation, made distinctive from both the Fallow Deer and Moose due to its bugling cries, branchlike antlers and shaggy mane.

Musk Ox: The Musk Ox is another highly requested North American animal, and for good reason. Left out of both the Arctic and North American Animal packs, a standard North America pack offers this bizarre caprine a final chance to enter Planet Zoo's roster. Originally I considered giving its space to the Bighorn Sheep or the Collared Peccary, however the Musk Ox won out in the end.

Axolotl: Adding both an incredibly popular animal, a critically endangered species, and a vital Central American representative to the pack, the Axolotl also felt like a perfect fit for this DLC. In spite of its widespread popularity in herpkeeping, the Axolotl is nearly extinct in the wild. Giving the exhibit animal space to this salamander could help Frontier draw attention to the threat of this iconic species' extinction.


And that's the North America Pack. Let me know what you think! It may seem a little out of left field, but I certainly have some more crucial DLC concepts coming. For example, in the next DLC concept, we'll be revisiting a hotspot for some of the most iconic- yet threatened -species on the planet in the form of an Animal Pack.

I really like this list. I'd probably switch out the Elk for the Black Bear, but that's just me. We have a bunch of bears already, and we have less deer, so I can certainly see the reasoning behind the inclusion. Overall a great pack though. I really like the themes as well. Something with a "Little House On The Prairie" type of theme for lack of a better description, or prairie western. Something with a mid 1800's vibe. or as you mentioned, something with a Native American theme that is tactfully and respectfully done, which I have no doubt that is how Frontier would approach it - they did very well with the Australian theme.

 

[Cacomistle]

Thanks everyone for your feedback

I agree that Central America should have gotten a focus, but there were just loads of high-priority animals for me that ended up taking the cake. While I personally prefer the elk to the red deer (and especially the white-tailed deer), it could definitely be switched out to include a walrus, peccary, grey fox, ringtail, skunk, or any other North American animal that's been left out. I do have plans for the American Black Bear that'll be seen later.

As for porcupines, I definitely have the inclusion of some porcupines planned for later pack concepts. It's just that the North American porcupine was my personal lowest priority when it came to the group.

 

[Cacomistle]

With that said, here's the next pack!

Here's the Asiatic Animal Pack:

Focused on bringing in some high-priority animals and bringing in some of the continent's distinct biota, I decided to go with an Animal Pack in spite of the continent already having one because I just couldn't make up my mind. This pack would, of course, come with the introduction of brachiation as well. I do need to note something important, in the form of an animal that I seemingly missed out on here. The Przewalski's Horse will be coming in a later DLC that I feel it fits the themes of well. If I were to include it in this pack, it would be taking the place of the Blackbuck.

Amur Leopard: One of the most highly requested animals in all of PZ, the critically endangered Amur Leopard is an obvious and welcome choice for the pack, taking the mantle of its flagship animal. I decided the Amur Leopard was a better choice for the overall roster than the African Leopard, mainly due to its prevalence in captivity and conservation significance.

Northern White-Cheeked Gibbon: I'll admit, my choice to go with the White-Cheeked Gibbon over the Lar Gibbon was entirely personal preference. White-Cheeked Gibbons are my favorite animals, and while they may be somewhat unlikely in comparison, I'd be incredibly happy if they got in. To make an argument for my favorite simian, however, the White-Cheeked Gibbon is incredibly threatened, with all members of its genus being some level of endangered. On top of that, they're relatively common in captivity even if beaten out by the more prevalent Lar Gibbon.

Asian Small-Clawed Otter: Highly requested and an incredibly popular choice in zoos, the Asian Small-Clawed Otter also felt like an easy choice for this pack. An iconic zoo species that sets itself apart from the Giant Otter by being the smallest otter species.

Sichuan Takin: A Takin also felt like an incredibly good choice for this pack. An iconic Himalayan species prevalent in zoos with a distinct look and taxonomy, the Sichuan Takin was specifically chosen because from what I've seen it is the most common Takin kept in zoos.

Golden Snub-Nosed Monkey: I always wanted to include an Old World Monkey within this pack, and I decided to opt for a personal favorite that was surprisingly high on the meta list in comparison to the other options I considered. While initially I considered including the Grey Langur or Francois' Langur, the distinct Snub-Nosed Monkey won out in the end.

Blackbuck: A highly popular zoo animal, I initially debated giving this space to the Reeve's Muntjac seeing as it was an even more widespread zoo ungulate and added a distinct cervid to the game. The choice was so tough that I ended up consulting the meta list and going with the Blackbuck in the end. Admittedly, I do still have a soft spot for the Muntjac, but the Blackbuck was too popular not to leave out.

Tanuki: This may seem like an out of left field choice, but a Tanuki, or Japanese Raccoon Dog, also felt like the exact kind of wildcard animal Frontier would include in a pack. An iconic Japanese species, Raccoon Dogs are frequent enough in zoos and notably adorable.

Japanese Giant Salamander: A Giant Salamander also felt like a given for this pack, considering their vulnerability and popularity. I debated between the Chinese Giant Salamander and the Japanese Giant Salamander, and the Japanese Giant Salamander seemed to be much more common in captivity. Perhaps this spot should have gone to its Chinese cousin instead; either way, a Giant Salamander is certainly a great addition to the game.


Let me know what you think! I definitely wanted to prioritize some highly-requested animals with this one. While my packs so far have been mainly avoiding high-priority areas like South America and Australia, that's mainly because I'm tentative about focusing on those areas when I feel it's very likely they'll be expanded upon in DLC this year, potentially in new pack formats. Next up, we'll be visiting one of the more content-deprived regions of the world!

(EDIT: Hit send too early. Apologies! )

(EDIT: Rerouted my plans a bit to go for some higher-priority DLC)

 

[Antimony96]

I'm workshopping my own East Asia Pack wishlist/theory (since I think there's good reason to think it's coming) the next but I think if you're leaning into a Japanese theme with the tanuki, you also have to include the red-crowned crane. Plus, we haven't had a DLC bird since the Africa Pack.

 

[Cacomistle]

I'm workshopping my own East Asia Pack wishlist/theory (since I think there's good reason to think it's coming) the next but I think if you're leaning into a Japanese theme with the tanuki, you also have to include the red-crowned crane. Plus, we haven't had a DLC bird since the Africa Pack.

A crane will be coming in a future DLC, alongside the Przewalski's Horse (and in an African Animal Pack if I ever end up making one, there are so many good animals in Africa that the Grey Crowned Crane is one of the few I'm sure on). I decided the crane was lower priority to me than animals like the Takin, Leopard, Otter, and Giant Salamander and opted to leave it out even if it deprives the pack of some Japanese animal representation.

 

[ElectricMonk]

Hmmm…. I think the NA pack is very low priority at this point (as you note) but the animal choices are pretty good. Same goes for the asiatic pack - my quick question is what region(s) of Asia are meant to be covered? If all if Asia then I think the Middle East is in much greater need of more species. TBH, I personally, would combine northern temperate and taiga regions Asia, NA, and Europe into a single pack (Boreal pack) and include many of the species you have in those two packs and then have a stand-alone pack for the Middle East.

 

[Cacomistle]

Hmmm…. I think the NA pack is very low priority at this point (as you note) but the animal choices are pretty good. Same goes for the asiatic pack - my quick question is what region(s) of Asia are meant to be covered? If all if Asia then I think the Middle East is in much greater need of more species. TBH, I personally, would combine northern temperate and taiga regions Asia, NA, and Europe into a single pack (Boreal pack) and include many of the species you have in those two packs and then have a stand-alone pack for the Middle East.

I'm actually considering making the Middle East its own pack, which is the primary reason for the lack of Middle Eastern fauna in this DLC. The idea arose from the aforementioned roster issues with the African Animal Pack, and on top of that I wasn't sure if a Middle Eastern DLC should be a standard pack or an animal pack. If people think it's a good idea I'll definitely start work on one, it certainly seems like something Frontier would do.

 

[ElectricMonk]

I think a middle eastern pack is needed since the region currently has the least in-game representation outside South-east Australia and New Zealand (I trust you’ve got an Oceania pack on the way?). An alternative to the Amur leopard in the asiatic pack, if you had a middle eastern pack, would be the Persian leopard. This would open a slot in your asiatic pack and introduce an old world cat covering a unique niche.

 

[SanRazo618]

Love the pack ideas!

 

[Doran]

I debated between the Chinese Giant Salamander and the Japanese Giant Salamander, and the Japanese Giant Salamander seemed to be much more common in captivity.

Chinese is more common, since there are more of them in Europe and in China they are like everywhere.

 

[Cacomistle]

Chinese is more common, since there are more of them in Europe and in China they are like everywhere.

Thanks for the info. I've updated the Asiatic Pack to include the Chinese Giant Salamander instead:

As for the Middle Eastern Pack, does anyone have any suggestions for scenery theming? I can't think of much given the Africa Pack's architectural influences were largely Middle Eastern, albeit I'm not very familiar with Middle Eastern architecture.

In further news, I am currently working on a couple graphics for packs for some of the higher priority regions of the globe. The currently completed one will be coming next.