Analysis of most likely/needed animals

[jcp011c]

Now that we've got the reveal for 1.9 and the Wetlands animals, it's probably a good time to talk about what animals Frontier is most likely to put in a pack, and what animals are most obviously missing. Keep in mind this is not a personal wishlist, but that doesn't mean that your animals from your own wishlist can't make it in here.

This kind of falls into three main categories now - animals that are high profile enough to stand out individually by their absence, animals are part of a family or order with little to no presentation despite there being quite a few species, and animals that have signs/props/something in the game already.

Animals that are high profile enough to stand out individually by their absence:

A "true" Leopard - Amur/African/Indian/Persian - there's quite a few to choose from, I think one of them has to be a lock before the game's content support ends, be it the end of 2022, 2023 or beyond. I actually highly and suspecting we'll see this as the star animal at the end of 2022's pack.

Gibbon of some species, quite a lot to choose from and very high profile as the last remaining group of apes.

Emu - the most iconic Oceanic animal absent, definitely should be fit in somewhere before the end of the game

(Almost making this cut, the Baboon; it's probably one of two of Africa's most obvious "missing" animal at this point)

animals are part of a family or order with little to no presentation despite there being quite a few species
in trying to keep this to no more than two in the game, we can now cross mustelids and rodents off this section!

The Suidae family - As I keep saying I think this most likely here is the Red River Hog, the other African animal that may be the most obvious "missing", but there are other choices.
the Equus family - Fronted by the Przewalski's Horse, but as above, there are other possibilities here as well
the Marsupial family - we still have only two and given the general underbalance of Oceanian animals, I'd like to think it's likely we'll see not one but two more marsupials.
the Procyonidae family - remains probably the largest completely untouched mammal family. a Coati or Raccoon would be extremely welcome here.

animals that have signs/props/something in the game
Nothing's changed since the last round. We still have the same three animals for this:

Red Deer
Black Rhino
Dromedary.

So that's a total of ...12 animals, if I do include a Baboon and do include 2 marsupials. Just to note for wishlist bias, 7 of these 12 are in my own personal top 20 now.

I welcome thoughts and contributions to the discussion.

 

[Bearcat9948]

I would define what is "most needed" as animals without any real taxonomic representation or dissimilar rigs in the game right now.

That's things like gibbons, small primates (tamarin, marmoset, tarsiers), sloths, a significant amount of ground and wading birds (plus aviary birds, but, you know), a fossa (just because they're unique), tree kangaroos, wombats, coatimundi, raccoons, quolls, the Tasmanian devil, porcupines (at least one, New World or Old World), takins and baboons. We need stuff like that more than anything, because if we get at least one of each, modders can then use those to make other species or subspecies. But right now if someone wants to make a tree kangaroo right now, they have to try and use the binturong or something, and it really just doesn't work.

 

[jcp011c]

I would define what is "most needed" as animals would any real taxonomic representation or dissimilar rigs in the game right now.

That's things like gibbons, small primates (tamarin, marmoset, tarsiers), sloths, a significant amount of ground and wading birds (plus aviary birds, but, you know), a fossa (just because they're unique), tree kangaroos, wombats, coatimundi, raccoons, quolls, the Tasmanian devil, porcupines (at least one, New World or Old World), takins and baboons. We need stuff like that more than anything, because if we get at least one of each, modders can then use those to make other species or subspecies. But right now if someone wants to make a tree kangaroo right now, they have to try and use the binturong or something, and it really just doesn't work.

That's a really good point. I didn't take that into account since I wasn't sure how much Frontier would put forth extra effort for certain animals with the end goal (inadvertently) being to get more mod potential out of it, but it's definitely something to take into account for us, the players.

 

[SpookDoc]

I would define what is "most needed" as animals without any real taxonomic representation or dissimilar rigs in the game right now.

That's things like gibbons, small primates (tamarin, marmoset, tarsiers), sloths, a significant amount of ground and wading birds (plus aviary birds, but, you know), a fossa (just because they're unique), tree kangaroos, wombats, coatimundi, raccoons, quolls, the Tasmanian devil, porcupines (at least one, New World or Old World), takins and baboons. We need stuff like that more than anything, because if we get at least one of each, modders can then use those to make other species or subspecies. But right now if someone wants to make a tree kangaroo right now, they have to try and use the binturong or something, and it really just doesn't work.

Piggybacking off of what @Bearcat9948 stated, at this point in this game’s development (roughly 2 and a half years after PZ’s initial release) my concerns are not about certain missing species, but instead what taxonomical Orders and Families commonly found in zoos have little to no representation in PZ at all. For example, I think the game would greatly benefit from a Tree Kangaroo, but I care very little about the exact species though. At the end of the day, both Goodfellow’s and Matschie’s Tree Kangaroos would function exactly the same in-game and there would be no true gameplay difference between the two. I’m interested in what animal varieties bring something new to the game, whether that be through mechanics or behaviors/animations.

There are so many animal Orders with many species that are common in captivity, yet currently have no representation in PZ. Bearcat listed some great examples, and there are so many more. The issue becomes even more apparent when you consider the full scope of species in captivity, not just mammals or largely-terrestrial birds. There’s numerous reptile families with species large enough to easily be habitat species, yet majority of what we’ve received is crocodilians. Nevermind the thousands of taxonomic families that are fully aquatic, none of these have any representation right now at all in PZ.

 

[Antimony96]

If we're talking about families/orders with limited representation I think a lot of habitat birds could go there. Some examples provided

• Galliformes (e.g. golden pheasant, helmeted guineafowl) - 1 rep (Indian peafowl)
• Anseriformes (mandarin duck, red-breasted goose) - 0 reps
• Ciconiidae (white stork, marabou stork) - 0 reps
• Gruidae (grey-crowned crane) - 1 rep (red-crowned crane)
• Secretarybird

 

[FoxyDee]

What I feel is still missing:

• Gibbon
• MORE monkey species such as howler monkey, spider monkey, squirrel monkey, tamarins, marmosets...
• Sloths
• Crested Porcupine
• More marsupials - tasmanian devils, tree kangaroos, wallabies, wombats,...
• BIRDS - if not flying at least the ones that can be kept without aviaries (kiwi, spoonbill, duck, swan, secretary bird...)
• more unique small carnivores that are not cats or dogs - civets, genets, fossa,...

Of course, there is ALOT more to be desired unfortunately, but these I feel would bring something new to the table.

 

[Aramar]

One thing that Frontier has been doing in each DLC is including at least one animal with a shape different to all the animals in the game (Dall sheep, anteater, kangaroo/koala, seal/otter/penguin, binturong, meerkat/fennec, beaver/sea lion, badger, crane/platypus). Therefore, I think we can expect to continue this trend and the porcupine seems a good candidate, don't you think?

 

[RedPandaReggie]

I think now, the most needed animals for the game (outside of flying birds), would be a Leopard, maybe 2 species of gibbon the Lar Gibbon and the Siamang, the Tasmanian Devil, Maned Wolf, Emu, Black Handed Spider Monkey, Black Howler Monkey, Golden Lion/Emperor/Cotton-Top Tamarin Monkey, Crested Porcupine, Red River Hog, Przewalski's Horse, Fossa, Common Wombat, Matschie's or Goodfellow's Tree Kangaroo, Two Toed or Three Toed Sloth, Hamadryas Baboon, Dromedary Camel, Caracal, Sichuan Takin, Brown Kiwi, Coati, Walrus, Musk Ox, Wolverine, Secretary Bird, Scimitar Oryx and Sifaka Lemur, with many more animals that people would want

 

[sockeyejo]

As an aside (seems to be my thing today, here and elsewhere), I love threads like this that include a lot of discussion rather than just list after list.

 

[nutrit]

What I feel is really needed and anticipated:

• Gibbon
• Leopard
• Crested Porcupine
• Any Sloth and any Armadillo
• More monkeys: Black howler, baboon, mantled guereza, spider monkey and Lion tailed macaque
• More marsupials - Tasmanian devil, any tree kangaroo, wallaby, wombat, echidna
• More unique carnivores: Coati, serval, caracal, African civet, fossa, wolverine, maned wolf, walrus, Honey badger
• More unique ungulates: Takin, Giant eland, Blackbuck, Red River hog, Musk ox, Nilgai, Muntjac, Dik-dik
• Species extinct in the wild and critically endangered: Scimitar horned oryx, Somali wild donkey, Père David’s deer, Black rhinoceros, Addax, Przewalski horse
• More ground birds: Ground hornbill, Pelican, Shoebill, Grey crowned crane, Scarlet ibis, Secretary bird, any Turkey, Great argus, Stork or Jabiru, Roseate spoonbill, Red crowned crane, Kiwi, Black swan, Nene goose possibilities are endless

 

[Narwhaler]

We need rabbits, the endangered European rabbit would be my top pick. They are very common in European zoos and would fit into a possible grasslands animal pack.

 

[jcp011c]

We need rabbits, the endangered European rabbit would be my top pick. They are very common in European zoos and would fit into a possible grasslands animal pack.

Oh gosh, I totally forgot about the rabbit family. Yes, we should have a representative of that.

Retrospective thinking there's likely other mammal families I didn't touch on either, the civets are only represented by the binturong. There's a lot of smaller animal species like voles and shrews that are not represented as yet, but I don't include them as I suspect they'd be far too small for habitats as they're usually in terrariums in zoos.

 

[becks474]

I am pretty sure we will see the following animals:
Leopard
Baboon
Maned Wolf
Emu
Przewalski Horse
Tasmanian Devil

I think earlier or later these animals will surely come to the game

Others which I am also very convinced we probably will get are:
Porcupine
Dromedary
Fossa
Red River Hog

I am also the opinion that a gibbon and more monkeys are needed. But I am not sure if we will get them because the exclusion could be a result of problems with integrating good brachiation. Perhaps we will see something like an aboreal pack which could bring them to us.

 

[Swiftie_Midnights_]

I'm just want right now to get THE CRESTED PORCUPINE AND THE TWO TOED SLOTH AND CAPYBARA!
They are the two animals that if they come into play all 5 tops of my favorite animals will come into play! For me it will be just a dream but I hope to see also Matschie's tree kangaroo, Amur leopard, Tasmanian devil,
Siamang, south american coati, wombat, racoon, armadillo, bald eagle,fossa,squirrel monkey,Red River hog, sea otter.

 

[TheDuckKnight]

I'd say the most needed would be:

1. Leopard - the final big cat and now the most requested animal on the Meta Wishlist
2. Gibbon (any kind) - the last ape and another highly coveted choice
3. Przewalski's Wild Horse- I almost feel like I could write an essay why need them lol
   • High contender on the wishlist
   • Extensive real-world history of conversation in zoological parks
   • An absent holdover from the Zoo Tycoon days
   • Supplies much needed representation for equines
4. Sloth (any kind) - one of the last true iconic zoo animals missing, plus being a worldwide phenomenon and meme would probably help with marketing
5. Porcupine (any kind) - Personally I lean towards North American to boost up "woodland critters" numbers, but another beloved, charismatic animal
6. Walrus - the last family of the pinnipeds (since we have seals and sea lions), plus a fan favorite
7. Monkeys - So many potential contenders (howler, squirrel, spider, Colobus - my personal fave)
8. Turtles - I'm very surprised the lack of support for these folks around here. There's so many opportunities to build upon both reptile and semi-aquatic numbers with them. And not just as exhibit animals - there's a great deal of very large turtle species that can certainly have enclosures. I'm quite disappointed we didn't get one in the new Wetlands DLC.
   Contenders include the alligator snapping turtle, fly river turtle, Amazon river turtle, giant softshell turtle, and of course sea turtles
9. Australian Animals - Certainly not alone with wanting more from down under, especially the opportunity to get marsupials (tree kangaroos, wombats, Tasmanian devils - all of which are quite high on the list)
10. Birds and birds and birds - I refuse to give up hope on flighted birds. We're nearing 80 mammals, and a meager total of 7 of birds. If it were my call, at least one bird per each DLC going forward, along with the longly desired Aviary Pack (a big one at that)
    For flighted, I'd say parrots, owls, eagles, vultures, and toucans would round out the Top 5.
    But for Frontier's current trend of ground and aquatic birds: pelicans, ducks, puffins, ibis, spoonbills, emu, kiwi, secretary bird, and so many more are in need.

 

[Doran]

Birds and birds and birds - I refuse to give up hope on flighted birds.

I like your attitude, soldier. Keep it up.
Someday we will se dawn of the birds.

 

[TheDuckKnight]

I like your attitude, soldier. Keep it up.
Someday we will se dawn of the birds.

It's honor to fight by your side, commander!

 

[NZFanatic]

Just to clarify, is this animals we think we're likely to actually get based on what is needed, or just animals we want?

The meta-wishlist is the best metric for both, of course. For example, in terms of marsupials the Tasmanian devil is ranked really highly, and for birds so is the emu. The Amur leopard and Przewalski's horse are also near the top. So is the crested porcupine. I think there's a good chance of all of these appearing.

If I had to guess, I'd say this year the next three packs could be Asia (scenery, with the leopard, horse, and possibly a gibbon), Desert/Grasslands (animal pack, emu, possibly the horse, porcupine), and islands (scenery, Tasmanian devil, fossa, potentially kiwi which has garnered a lot more attention lately).

 

[lunavinceres]

I think my list is similar to what a lot of people have said:

• Wild Horse - I believe we just have zebras for equines
• Birds - hopefully we might see an Avery pack and more added gradually after (like with aquatic) but at least ground/water birds
• Small cats eg. fishing cat, pallas cat, serval etc
• Sloths
• Rodents/rodent like animals eg. rock hyrax, porcupine.
• Gibbons
• Fossa - nothing quite like this
• Pig/hog representatives eg red river hog.

 

[NachoB]

What I feel is really needed and anticipated:

• Gibbon
• Leopard
• Crested Porcupine
• Any Sloth and any Armadillo
• More monkeys: Black howler, baboon, mantled guereza, spider monkey and Lion tailed macaque
• More marsupials - Tasmanian devil, any tree kangaroo, wallaby, wombat, echidna
• More unique carnivores: Coati, serval, caracal, African civet, fossa, wolverine, maned wolf, walrus, Honey badger
• More unique ungulates: Takin, Giant eland, Blackbuck, Red River hog, Musk ox, Nilgai, Muntjac, Dik-dik
• Species extinct in the wild and critically endangered: Scimitar horned oryx, Somali wild donkey, Père David’s deer, Black rhinoceros, Addax, Przewalski horse
• More ground birds: Ground hornbill, Pelican, Shoebill, Grey crowned crane, Scarlet ibis, Secretary bird, any Turkey, Great argus, Stork or Jabiru, Roseate spoonbill, Red crowned crane, Kiwi, Black swan, Nene goose possibilities are endless

I think this perfectly summarizes the most needed animals in the game.

Of course i would add even more birds like guineafowls, ducks and pheasants, but one group that is also lacking in the represantation in habitat animals are reptiles. We have mainly crocodilinas and 2 giant tortoises but turtles (think arrau turtle, mata mata, alligator snapping turtle, soft shell river turtles), medium size to small size tortoises (radiated, red footed, star, leopard, african spurred), monitors and large lizards (perentie, asian water monitor, tree monitors) and snakes (green anaconda, african rock python).

And endangered animal pack or just regular dlc has to come at some point imo considering the focus of the game on conservation.