Europe & North America Done?

[DarthQuell]

I just wanna say something here: I'm from North America, Texas to be specific. My paternal family is from Argentina. I have many friends and family that live in Mexico and from there. Basically, I may be a bit biased, but aren't we all wanting animals that we'd see locally?

When I started playing this game 2 years ago in 2020, the only animals at the time for NA were 4 animals (8 if you include the Arctic pack). South America had 5, Oceania had 5, so it's not a huge difference.

Later, Aquatic pack came out and brought 2 more SA animals for a total of 6 (7 if you include the king penguin), and the grey seal added an animal to NA, bringing the 4 to 5 (or 8 to 9).

It wasn't until the NAAP that North America finally got a satisfying roster, bringing our 5 animals up to a solid 12 (or from 9 to 16). Then the Twilight pack added 3 more, making it 15 (or 19). Not bad for a severely underrepresented continent to go from a mere 4 all the way to a grand total of 15 (or 19). Would I like more NA animals? Totally, totally. I can make another 2 animal packs and possibly want more. But, that's more of a personal want and not of necessity like it was before.

That's just for NA. Europe is another story and, since I'm not from there and don't have much knowledge, I'll let a European explain it better than me.

In the case of Oceania and South America, the priority should be focused to them, especially South America, due to it's relative lack of animals. Oceania, I'm not saying it's complete, but relatively, compared to SA, it feels more full, but that could be due to how animals from there aren't common outside the country (?).

Anyways, that's my piece, and I'm sure it makes no sense

 

[Eletan888]

As the title suggests, I made this thread because I’m interested to know what the community’s thoughts are on the current rosters for North America and Europe, and how they compare to other continents.

Thanks to the recent Fall DLC and 3rd Anniversary Update, both continents have seen some major growth in their rosters. Additionally, both continents have been fleshed out through previous years’ DLC quite well, with the Arctic Pack, NA Animal Pack, and Europe Pack to show for this. All this said, where should Frontier’s priorities be continent-wise now? How would you rank the continents in order of importance for future DLC additions? Also, what do you feel is the most likely decision you see Frontier taking, your own feelings aside?

I wouldn't say they are done, but I would say other regions need more representation at this point. Approaching representation from a continental approach isn't even the best way to categorize what needs more species v.s. another. Asia, for instance, would seem to be well represented in the game, however, regions like the Himalayas, Arabian Peninsula, and even the Indian subcontinent, could definitely be expanded upon. The same goes for Africa, the sub-Saharan savannas are pretty well off in my opinion, but the regions like the Congo and Madagascar have some modern zoo classics that would be awesome to have in-game.

To add, depending on where someone lives in the world can influence which species they would like added to the game, as well as personal preference. I fell like most can agree that South America is lacking the most right now. No sloths!

 

[premierfong]

Not even close. Just Canada need another 10, and USA needs another 10, and Mexico needs another 10. Need a taco stand too.

 

[Legendary animals]

Imo, South America is lacking unique animals, such as the nine-banded armadillo, giant armadillo, kinkajou, sloths (three toed, and two toed) Patagonian mara, ocelot, Brazilian porcupine, ring tailed coati, Brazilian tapir, and southern tamandua just to name a few. So I think because of South America’s huge biodiversity, it should be worked on. Africa could some some iconic species too, (mostly Southern Africa) which include the black backed jackal, honey badger, caracal, white backed vulture, loads of stork species, secretary bird, lesser bush baby, leopard tortoise, (as a habitat animal) cape fox, steenbok or klipspringer, black mamba or boomslang ( as exhibit animals) chacma baboon, and lots more. Now, Europe is missing iconic species as well, such as the wild boar, harp seal, Geoferry’s bat, chamois, wolverin, Eurasian elk, Iberian lynx, Eurasian beaver, white stork, musk ox, bearded vulture, raccoon dog, marmot and puffins.
All of those continents could be worked on.

 

[jcp011c]

I just wanna say something here: I'm from North America, Texas to be specific. My paternal family is from Argentina. I have many friends and family that live in Mexico and from there. Basically, I may be a bit biased, but aren't we all wanting animals that we'd see locally?

When I started playing this game 2 years ago in 2020, the only animals at the time for NA were 4 animals (8 if you include the Arctic pack). South America had 5, Oceania had 5, so it's not a huge difference.

Later, Aquatic pack came out and brought 2 more SA animals for a total of 6 (7 if you include the king penguin), and the grey seal added an animal to NA, bringing the 4 to 5 (or 8 to 9).

It wasn't until the NAAP that North America finally got a satisfying roster, bringing our 5 animals up to a solid 12 (or from 9 to 16). Then the Twilight pack added 3 more, making it 15 (or 19). Not bad for a severely underrepresented continent to go from a mere 4 all the way to a grand total of 15 (or 19). Would I like more NA animals? Totally, totally. I can make another 2 animal packs and possibly want more. But, that's more of a personal want and not of necessity like it was before.

That's just for NA. Europe is another story and, since I'm not from there and don't have much knowledge, I'll let a European explain it better than me.

In the case of Oceania and South America, the priority should be focused to them, especially South America, due to it's relative lack of animals. Oceania, I'm not saying it's complete, but relatively, compared to SA, it feels more full, but that could be due to how animals from there aren't common outside the country (?).

Anyways, that's my piece, and I'm sure it makes no sense

I have to agree with all this completely. I realize this may just be my own personal opinion, but I feel like I can almost make a completely satisfying North American section or even full zoo. There's other animals I'd like to see, but all that's really missing for me is another cold weather smaller carnivore, which would be represented by the Wolverine. I've got several zoos where I'm just leaving that one spot open because it's the only animal that's going to scratch that itch, as the saying goes.

Well, I say almost, but we're still missing birds, and there's several NA birds I've really love to see...but since we're missing so many of those from most continents, it's a completely different discussion.

Otherwise I think North America is doing really well as far as representation goes. I said before the American Black Bear is high profile enough and recognizable within North America, that I could see it being added. I think a Coati would have a chance too. They're not essential for me but they're near my top 10. They do add a spot in the roster that would be different from other species. After that, I'm not so sure. While the Bighorn Sheep, Rocky Mountain Goat, North American Porcupine, Coyote, North American River Otter are on my want list, they're not actually a priority. C

 

[NZFanatic]

I too find Europe harder to choose for than North America. Even in terms of habitat birds which is usually where I go if I run out of mammalian ideas.

If I was to throw an animal pack together for Europe:

• European wild boar (popular choice).
• Wisent (another popular choice).
• Eurasian brown bear (probably the unpopular pick of the pack).
• Chamois (I think this one would be quite popular).
• Mute swan.
• Alpine marmot.
• European pine marten.

For an exhibit animal, it's a tough choice. The scheltopusik would be my pick for the standard exhibit, but I'm not sure about the walkthrough exhibit. Possibly the Atlantic puffin.

For North America, I can probably do another animal pack as well, though as I've said many times there's no personal great need for me to have more North American species.

• Collared peccary.
• American black bear.
• Bighorn sheep.
• Grey fox (@DarthQuell this is your fault - honestly another fox is the last thing I want, but between that and the coyote, this is the one I choose).
• North American porcupine.
• Wolverine.
• Southern sea otter.

And for an exhibit animal, I would have to choose another snake, as we haven't had one since the base game. For me this would be the scarlet kingsnake.

 

[becks474]

I too find Europe harder to choose for than North America. Even in terms of habitat birds which is usually where I go if I run out of mammalian ideas.

If I was to throw an animal pack together for Europe:

• European wild boar (popular choice).
• Wisent (another popular choice).
• Eurasian brown bear (probably the unpopular pick of the pack).
• Chamois (I think this one would be quite popular).
• Mute swan.
• Alpine marmot.
• European pine marten.

For an exhibit animal, it's a tough choice. The scheltopusik would be my pick for the standard exhibit, but I'm not sure about the walkthrough exhibit. Possibly the Atlantic puffin.

For North America, I can probably do another animal pack as well, though as I've said many times there's no personal great need for me to have more North American species.

• Collared peccary.
• American black bear.
• Bighorn sheep.
• Grey fox (@DarthQuell this is your fault - honestly another fox is the last thing I want, but between that and the coyote, this is the one I choose).
• North American porcupine.
• Wolverine.
• Southern sea otter.

And for an exhibit animal, I would have to choose another snake, as we haven't had one since the base game. For me this would be the scarlet kingsnake.

For Europe the Capercaillie would be a very interesting and iconic pick. In the south of Europe there are Dalamtican Pelicans. The quail would be a very small pick. Other picks could be the Eurasian Griffon or the White Stork. Personally I would replace the Eurasian Brown Bear (in my personal Option we have enough brown bear subspecies) with the Capercaillie.

Edit:
The Grey Fox is actually no real fox species and even more far away from the Vulpes Genus than the Coyote. In fact it is the species which is genetically the most far away related from and to all other canine species.

 

[NZFanatic]

The Grey Fox is actually no real fox species

It looks like a fox.

 

[becks474]

It looks like a fox.

But it is not. Interestingly the Tanuki belongs to the "Real Foxes" (Vulpini)

 

[Naturaroca]

Personally I think that for Europe to be well represented in general, mainly, in my opinion, it would need the addition to the game (not counting aviary birds or small squirrel-type rodents) of the Brown Bear, the wolverine, the wild boar, the stork, mallard, mouflon, chamois, roe deer, marmot and genet.

With these animals, in my opinion it would be totally complete.

 

[ElectricMonk]

Nowhere will ever be complete but Europe and NA are at the bottom of the priority pile.

 

[NZFanatic]

But it is not.

That doesn't matter. The tanuki doesn't look like a fox, and the grey fox does. What I'm bored of is animals that look like foxes. We have three now. I don't care which one is genetically closer to being an actual fox because that information doesn't have any bearing on the fact that a grey fox would be a fourth fox.

 

[becks474]

That doesn't matter. The tanuki doesn't look like a fox, and the grey fox does. What I'm bored of is animals that look like foxes. We have three now. I don't care which one is genetically closer to being an actual fox because that information doesn't have any bearing on the fact that a grey fox would be a fourth fox.

I have really no problem with wanting animals because of their visual appearance. But it remains the fact that Integration of the Tanuki would mean a fourth fox whereas it would not be the case with the Grey Fox. But we should not argue. It is perhaps kind of werk-related disease in my case as I studied molecular biology. And genes normally do not lie whereas tze visual appearance can be a bit tricky by convergent Evolution

Edit: A good example is the Hyrax which looks a bit like a Marmot (Rodent in General) but its closest relative is the Elephant

 

[Chuditch]

And genes normally do not lie whereas tze visual appearance can be a bit tricky by convergent Evolution

I think it's less convergent evolution and more that the ancestral canid looked like a fox, hence why the body type was retained by several groups of small canids.

 

[becks474]

I think it's less convergent evolution and more that the ancestral canid looked like a fox, hence why the body type was retained by several groups of small canids.

This was not directly adressed upon the fox thematic but to the fact that in general visual appearance can fool. In case of the canines you are probably right.

 

[NZFanatic]

But it remains the fact

The facts of genetics were never in question. I'm honestly not even sure why you brought it up to begin with. I'm well aware of how genetics relates to taxonomy, it just isn't really important here.

Red fox, Arctic fox, fennec fox; all look similar. We've had a lot of foxes. The grey fox also looks similar and I'm pretty tired of getting canines that all look similar to each other (Arctic wolf, dingo, dhole). The raccoon dog doesn't look that similar to the dogs we already have, or the foxes. I'd also accept the bush dog for its uniqueness.

I only added the grey fox because it's at least more interesting than the coyote, and has some neat behaviours as well (extensive climbing).

 

[becks474]

The facts of genetics were never in question. I'm honestly not even sure why you brought it up to begin with. I'm well aware of how genetics relates to taxonomy, it just isn't really important here.

Red fox, Arctic fox, fennec fox; all look similar. We've had a lot of foxes. The grey fox also looks similar and I'm pretty tired of getting canines that all look similar to each other (Arctic wolf, dingo, dhole). The raccoon dog doesn't look that similar to the dogs we already have, or the foxes. I'd also accept the bush dog for its uniqueness.

I only added the grey fox because it's at least more interesting than the coyote, and has some neat behaviours as well (extensive climbing).

It depends within the Forum. Some want to have a better regional distribution of species, some a better taxonomic distribution. I personally do not care both. The species on my wishlist are mainly because I have seen them already in a Zoo IRL or because they are very unique and interesting to me like the Kiwi. And I never said that you would be not aware of genetics. I just wanted to bring this "fun fact" of canine systematics. Perhaps somebody is interested in it. I personally like it if other users are sharing things I did not know before. But I already said that everybody can, and I also do it, wish every species he wants regarding the visual appearance. But calling the Grey Fox repetitive a fourth fox species is just wrong. But you are right, it does not really mind and I also agree with you that it looks more interesting than the coyote. But I must say that I fear that the Coyote will be the species of choice for Frontier if we should get another NA canine. This is my last posting on this topic and now I will concentrate myself back on the topic regarding finished or not-finished NA and European species representation within the game.

 

[Chuditch]

For an exhibit animal, it's a tough choice. The scheltopusik would be my pick for the standard exhibit, but I'm not sure about the walkthrough exhibit. Possibly the Atlantic puffin.

I really want the sheltopusik. Honestly might actually be my most wanted animal from either of the continents being discussed in this thread at this point, which is odd for an exhibit animal.

 

[DarthQuell]

Grey fox (@DarthQuell this is your fault - honestly another fox is the last thing I want, but between that and the coyote, this is the one I choose).

I happily take the blame. All hail the North American gray fox, hands down the best canine to ever exist

 

[markun]

If I could only pick only an animal pack’s worth of animals for each region, these would be my priorities. I am not including tropical Central America or the Caribbean and will ignore walkthrough exhibits as it isn’t clear what direction they will take. Things like walrus, pelicans, harbour seal and sea otter are out too as I feel they could be in an aquatic themed pack.

Europe

• White stork
• European brown bear
• Wisent
• Wild boar
• Eurasian otter
• Chamois
• Alpine marmot
• A Mediterranean tortoise species

North America

• Musk ox
• Black bear
• Wolverine
• Mountain goat
• River otter
• Elk/wapiti
• Canada lynx
• A box turtle species