As I've done before with the last few releases, I'd like to go over the list of animals that we have yet to get that would be the most likely or most needed. This is especially relevant today after the reveal. For reference, the last thread was from December and is https://forums.frontier.co.uk/threa...-no-flying-birds-fully-marine-animals.611355/
Animals with a high level of general recognizability that we do not have any of: - We're getting a sloth and even though it's an exhibit animal it totally counts. I know it's the sloth most people didn't want, but I don't know how likely we'll be to get a two-toed sloth. Nonetheless, that's a major one crossed off this list. The Walrus and and Old World Porcupine now head up this list, and I'm going to include the Lagomorophs - the Rabbits and Hares, since discussion of that group has picked up with the idea of a farm pack or petting zoo pack. For the standard exhibits, a Cobra and a Chameleon are still not in the game yet.
Animals that are high profile enough to stand out individually by their absence: All of the above obviously, and I'll include the Tasmanian Devil and Kiwi in this as well. They may not be quite as well known to the general public or casual player, but they still come up in discussion. Often. The Secretary Bird and Wolverine are probably second-tier for this particular point.
Animals from a family that have low representation in the game versus their extant species: We're getting a third pig!!!! And for the sake of the peace of the forum I hope it's not the last pig. Nonetheless, the rule of three to a family applies here and pigs are now out of the threshold of low visibility. When last discussed, Equids were still represented by only two species, so I do think it's probable that we will get a third species. And to cut/paste from the last round:
With a smaller number of extant species, these next couple are not quite as urgent, but still worthy of note. The Procyonidae family could use another representative such as the Coati, but I could understand if we ended up not getting it. We also have only 1 Viverridae, and I feel like we could use another, I'd probably pick the African Civet but other options are out there.
If we wanted to break down the bovidae with sheep, goats and cows, we could, but they're still all under same family.
NEW WORLD PRIMATES - Oh boy, this is one of two big topics. This is a big problem especially after the new pack's reveal. Sure we got another Old World Primate (OWP) and while a Baboon is highly requested, I think if we got one of those, OWP would have okay representation.
But nothing could be further from the case with New World Primates (NWP). We have......one.. We need at least another two...at least...and even half a dozen would be welcome. I mean, it's still baffling how much Frontier missed the target on this one, as good as the upcoming pack may be, it's going to be negatively weighed down because there's not a single NWP included. This is by far the most critical overall group of mammals to be added, and I truly hope that Frontier takes note of the general reaction regarding this pack and has some great NWP in store for us in the coming year.
The other big topic is habitat birds. I think many of us thought for sure we'd get exhibit birds with this pack...but nope. We don't even know if we'll ever get them. But even if we don't...there's still many habitat appropriate birds to add in, in addition to the aforementioned Kiwi and Secretary Bird. It really does feel at times that Frontier just doesn't really care about birds at all. If I had to make one huge critique in the roster, and what I feel is truly missing from the game right now, it would be that birds come across as an afterthought. That since flying mechanics are not in the game, they really only want to stick with non-flying birds (with a couple of exceptions) and even with non-flying birds, they give us the bare minimum.
Animals in general from regions that need more representation: , South America rears its head again, and no one is surprised. I mean, look at the above point. The thing is that South America has such a vast diversity of life, that having what we have is just barely scratching the surface. In addition to NWP, the non-rainforest/tropical areas of South American could use a little filling in. The Spectacled Bear, Rhea and Patagonian Mara are all popularly talked about choices, but they're not the only ones out there. Additionally, the Middle East/North Africa is still somewhat barren. But then again, it's somewhat barren literally. But not as much as this game shows. It could use another two-three species at minimum.
Animals that have signs/props/something in the game already: Nothing's changed the Black Rhino, the Dromedary and the aforementioned Cobra all have props but no corresponding animals. Truth be on the first two, I really don't personally care if we get them or not, but it is weird it's gone on this long.
So that, to me, is it. Look, we have probably three packs left for this year. We don't know what will happen after that. Personally I'm hoping that we'll see another two for next year, and if we were extremely lucky we'd get content through all of 2024 and have seven packs left! But it could also be worst case scenario of three packs left (I guess worse would be less than that but I won't entertain that possibility yet). All in all, while these are all important and logical inclusions, it comes down to Habitat Birds and New World Primates as what's ultimately needed the most.
Animals with a high level of general recognizability that we do not have any of: - We're getting a sloth and even though it's an exhibit animal it totally counts. I know it's the sloth most people didn't want, but I don't know how likely we'll be to get a two-toed sloth. Nonetheless, that's a major one crossed off this list. The Walrus and and Old World Porcupine now head up this list, and I'm going to include the Lagomorophs - the Rabbits and Hares, since discussion of that group has picked up with the idea of a farm pack or petting zoo pack. For the standard exhibits, a Cobra and a Chameleon are still not in the game yet.
Animals that are high profile enough to stand out individually by their absence: All of the above obviously, and I'll include the Tasmanian Devil and Kiwi in this as well. They may not be quite as well known to the general public or casual player, but they still come up in discussion. Often. The Secretary Bird and Wolverine are probably second-tier for this particular point.
Animals from a family that have low representation in the game versus their extant species: We're getting a third pig!!!! And for the sake of the peace of the forum I hope it's not the last pig. Nonetheless, the rule of three to a family applies here and pigs are now out of the threshold of low visibility. When last discussed, Equids were still represented by only two species, so I do think it's probable that we will get a third species. And to cut/paste from the last round:
With a smaller number of extant species, these next couple are not quite as urgent, but still worthy of note. The Procyonidae family could use another representative such as the Coati, but I could understand if we ended up not getting it. We also have only 1 Viverridae, and I feel like we could use another, I'd probably pick the African Civet but other options are out there.
If we wanted to break down the bovidae with sheep, goats and cows, we could, but they're still all under same family.
NEW WORLD PRIMATES - Oh boy, this is one of two big topics. This is a big problem especially after the new pack's reveal. Sure we got another Old World Primate (OWP) and while a Baboon is highly requested, I think if we got one of those, OWP would have okay representation.
But nothing could be further from the case with New World Primates (NWP). We have......one.. We need at least another two...at least...and even half a dozen would be welcome. I mean, it's still baffling how much Frontier missed the target on this one, as good as the upcoming pack may be, it's going to be negatively weighed down because there's not a single NWP included. This is by far the most critical overall group of mammals to be added, and I truly hope that Frontier takes note of the general reaction regarding this pack and has some great NWP in store for us in the coming year.
The other big topic is habitat birds. I think many of us thought for sure we'd get exhibit birds with this pack...but nope. We don't even know if we'll ever get them. But even if we don't...there's still many habitat appropriate birds to add in, in addition to the aforementioned Kiwi and Secretary Bird. It really does feel at times that Frontier just doesn't really care about birds at all. If I had to make one huge critique in the roster, and what I feel is truly missing from the game right now, it would be that birds come across as an afterthought. That since flying mechanics are not in the game, they really only want to stick with non-flying birds (with a couple of exceptions) and even with non-flying birds, they give us the bare minimum.
Animals in general from regions that need more representation: , South America rears its head again, and no one is surprised. I mean, look at the above point. The thing is that South America has such a vast diversity of life, that having what we have is just barely scratching the surface. In addition to NWP, the non-rainforest/tropical areas of South American could use a little filling in. The Spectacled Bear, Rhea and Patagonian Mara are all popularly talked about choices, but they're not the only ones out there. Additionally, the Middle East/North Africa is still somewhat barren. But then again, it's somewhat barren literally. But not as much as this game shows. It could use another two-three species at minimum.
Animals that have signs/props/something in the game already: Nothing's changed the Black Rhino, the Dromedary and the aforementioned Cobra all have props but no corresponding animals. Truth be on the first two, I really don't personally care if we get them or not, but it is weird it's gone on this long.
So that, to me, is it. Look, we have probably three packs left for this year. We don't know what will happen after that. Personally I'm hoping that we'll see another two for next year, and if we were extremely lucky we'd get content through all of 2024 and have seven packs left! But it could also be worst case scenario of three packs left (I guess worse would be less than that but I won't entertain that possibility yet). All in all, while these are all important and logical inclusions, it comes down to Habitat Birds and New World Primates as what's ultimately needed the most.
