Animal-maker's Toolkit

[avietar]

Realistically, we are counting down towards Planet Zoo's end. Of new official content, that is. Some key species are still missing, which means we can safely assume we'll get an Africa DLC (with meerkats and rhinos, among others) and a North American DLC (with moose and cougars, among others). I think it might be safe to assume we'll also get an aviary DLC of some sort. But beyond that? I'm not so sure. There are lots of packs I'd be excited for, but realistically I don't think we're getting them.

But even if official content will one day end, that doesn't mean that new content should end at all! I think the biggest gift Frontier could give us before they bid us goodbye and move on to other projects, is providing us with an Animal-maker's Toolkit! That way, PZ fans could continue creating new content and continue keeping the game alive for many more years to come. The PZ community would keep the game alive long after official support ends, much like what happened with Zoo Tycoon.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on an Animal-maker's Toolkit as a final farewell from Frontier as the game's official lifespan comes to an end.

Additionally, a Theme-maker's Toolkit would be great too! (like what Planet Coaster got) That way the community could create foliage and building items.

 

[FoxyDee]

Would be nice for people that like to use mods. Personally I would not use them as I prefer official content. I would rather have 1 extra pack with official animals rather than the dev time put into releasing the toolkit. But that is just me.

 

[Firestar97]

I would absolutely love this when officiall Support ends if there will be a Way to use the new Animals also in Franchise Mode (at least I hope the Franchise Server will still be online for a few Years after that)

 

[Tobs]

Some people are really eager to see PZ development end. Just curious, why do you say "realistically, I don't think we are getting them"? Without the sun bear leak, would you have expected a SEA animal pack? I can guarantee you: NO.

In those terms, it's a mistake comparing PlanCo and PlanZoo directly. PlanZoo has well exceeded Frontier expectations - in terms of revenue it pretty much already exceeded PlanCo ones, despite the short history of PlanZoo. In addition, PlanZoo is experiencing a different DLC schedule compared to PlanCo.

Anyways, I won't worry about a problem that's not in sight (it will eventually, I know - but there's at least 1 year of oficial PZ development left). When the time comes, I will think and do something about it. In the meantime, I will look forward to new content every 4 (+/-) months.

 

[FoxyDee]

Some people are really eager to see PZ development end. Just curious? Why do you say "realistically, I don't think we are getting them". Without the sun bear leak, would you have expected a SEA animal pack? I can guarantee you: NO.

In those terms, it's a mistake comparing PlanCo and PlanZoo directly. PlanZoo has well exceeded Frontier expectations - in terms of revenue it pretty much already exceeded PlanCo ones, despite the short history of PlanZoo. In addition, PlanZoo is experiencing a different DLC schedule compared to PlanCo.

Anyways, I won't worry about a problem that's not in sight (it will eventually, I know - but there's at least 1 year of oficial PZ development left). When the time comes, I will think and do something about it. In the meantime, I will look forward to new content every 4 (+/-) months.

Thsi summs my thoughts perfectly. +1

 

[Chuditch]

I really hope for an Animalmaker's Toolkit once the game's development has run its course, whether that is in the near future or not. With the help of an integrated program, mods will be able to surpass the barriers that hold them down in quality (unchangable sounds, limited resizing capability, fixed rigs, etc etc) for now and finally be on par with the official content released by Frontier. With or without the toolkit I'm sure modders would get there eventually, but it would really help things along and make the process of creating extremely high quality mods a lot easier. I expect Planet Zoo's official development will go on longer than a lot of people are pushing at the moment and as such I am mostly focused on and excited for more official content right now, but in the end it will be mods that ensure the long-term longevity of the game.

 

[Antmar97]

Idk why people these days only talk about the end of Pz and the remaining time like a timer on a bomb ready to explode, can we just wait to talk about this topic when the second year of support ends? We don't know Frontier plans, but it's too early imo, just enjoy the game.

Speaking about the tool, i probably would not use it, but if it can help modders to do a better job is a very welcome addition.

 

[avietar]

I want it to be clear that I don't want to see PZ support end soon at all. I'd love for many many years of official support!

But there are so many animals that we'd all like to see, and that won't be included in the game contained in themed DLCs or Animal packs 3 or 4 times a year. There simply isn't enough time and resources. An Animal-maker's toolkit would ensure we could make all of the animals we'd like to see in our zoos, even if there wasn't the time and resources to create them within the official lifespan of the game.

 

[LN]

I reallistically don't see such a tool being made public.
The reason for that is because the game is build on an inhouse developed engine, and they want to keep all knowledge inside the company, compared to Cities Skylines that uses the Unity engine, which is open-source.

And I don't have the skills of a modder, so I wouldn't be using it anyways. Nor am I not using unofficial content.

 

[normAnC0]

Realistically, we are counting down towards Planet Zoo's end. Of new official content, that is. Some key species are still missing, which means we can safely assume we'll get an Africa DLC (with meerkats and rhinos, among others) and a North American DLC (with moose and cougars, among others). I think it might be safe to assume we'll also get an aviary DLC of some sort. But beyond that? I'm not so sure. There are lots of packs I'd be excited for, but realistically I don't think we're getting them.

But even if official content will one day end, that doesn't mean that new content should end at all! I think the biggest gift Frontier could give us before they bid us goodbye and move on to other projects, is providing us with an Animal-maker's Toolkit! That way, PZ fans could continue creating new content and continue keeping the game alive for many more years to come. The PZ community would keep the game alive long after official support ends, much like what happened with Zoo Tycoon.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on an Animal-maker's Toolkit as a final farewell from Frontier as the game's official lifespan comes to an end.

Additionally, a Theme-maker's Toolkit would be great too! (like what Planet Coaster got) That way the community could create foliage and building items.

it would be cool!

 

[NL_Mutso]

An Animal-maker's toolkit would ensure we could make all of the animals we'd like to see in our zoos, even if there wasn't the time and resources to create them within the official lifespan of the game.

I'm not against the idea, would be nice to have tools when support ends at some point but also don't expect this to be added.

But how would this work?
Movement, animations, sounds, behaviour, social needs, requirements.
I don't think the normal PZ player wouldn't be able to use it.

 

[DragonNTiger]

I'm not against the idea, would be nice to have tools when support ends at some point but also don't expect this to be added.

But how would this work?
Movement, animations, sounds, behaviour, social needs, requirements.
I don't think the normal PZ player wouldn't be able to use it.

They wouldn't... but the modding community would benefit substantially, and when they benefit the common player does too.

 

[NZFanatic]

Without the sun bear leak, would you have expected a SEA animal pack? I can guarantee you: NO.

Just as a point, even with that leak I didn't expect a SEA Pack. I was expecting a general "Asia Pack" or a "Tropics Pack". I certainly didn't think they would regionalise in the way they did.

 

[NL_Mutso]

They wouldn't... but the modding community would benefit substantially, and when they benefit the common player does too.

Not an actual answer, but how would such a toolkit work?
A Spore like creation kit? with a preset of behaviours? and sounds?

Most modders have skills in creating models and the graphics part but when it comes to extensive programming that's even limited within the modding community.
(examples like: Hitboxes/import sounds and when to use a certain sound/when to show an interaction with an item or foilage).

 

[AndyZoos]

I am really, really hoping this comes to fruition. They released a Thememaker's Toolkit for PlanetCoaster, so I think we'll probably get something like that. But an Animal Maker's Toolkit would be phenomenal too!

It would also be a way to help ensure the longevity of the game. Sales would probably be low over time, but if you release a Toolkit like that... The modding community will probably thrive and create a significantly massive variety of animals for the game. Which will only increase the player base over time (see also: Zoo Tycoon 2; which wasn't even available for sale on Steam).

So while it wouldn't benefit Frontier to do this while they're still actively supporting the game with updates and DLCs, doing it toward the end of the game's lifecycle would help the common player and it would put Frontier in a position where they are able to just let the game sit and allow the fans to do the work for them. And more players (albeit at a pretty slow rate) would start playing the game as time goes on... At no cost to Frontier.

I see no reason why they wouldn't want to do this (but again, not until the end of the game's lifecycle/support).

 

[Roxxsmom]

When does Frontier end support of a game, generally? I'm used to games that have fewer DLCs released, but when they do, they are larger and more expensive (and released at longer intervals), and there is often a story arc (with RPGs, at least) brought to a close by the last expansion (except for mmos--some of those have run and been supported for decades).

This game seems like a brilliant marketing strategy, as it is essentially open ended. With thousands of animals out there (hundreds of which are seen in zoos), they could ostensibly be releasing packs for years as long as people continue to buy them.

I assume there is a calculus game companies enter into about the economic benefits of continuing to release new content for a popular game vs pulling staff into a new game that might not be out for years but might make them even more money once it is finished.

 

[NZFanatic]

When does Frontier end support of a game, generally?

Generally three years, I think. I also loosely recall something popping up about them only planning ahead to 2023, but it might have been a false "leak" so don't quote me on that.

 

[NL_Mutso]

When does Frontier end support of a game, generally?

I think there's no real good example.

JWE was 1,5 years (as we know of)
PC was 3 years (?) with DLC 2,5 years.
Elite Dangerous still has support and will be supported

At this moment, we don't know what support actually means. Could be updates/fixes, DLC, or support for the online Franchise.

This game seems like a brilliant marketing strategy, as it is essentially open ended. With thousands of animals out there (hundreds of which are seen in zoos), they could ostensibly be releasing packs for years as long as people continue to buy them.

I gave up on that logic a long time ago. Some of the best sold games never get DLC and not convinced that buying DLC would mean longer DLC support.
Also on that part there's also no real good example: Games that seemed to be dead, got new DLC after 2 years. Popular Games only get 6 months - 1 year support or the base game never gets DLC.
Personally thought that JWE was popular enough for new DLC as well (also including console versions) and you can still add a lot of dino species.

 

[DragonNTiger]

Not an actual answer, but how would such a toolkit work?
A Spore like creation kit? with a preset of behaviours? and sounds?

Most modders have skills in creating models and the graphics part but when it comes to extensive programming that's even limited within the modding community.
(examples like: Hitboxes/import sounds and when to use a certain sound/when to show an interaction with an item or foilage).

Presumably it would be some sort of developer kit, making it easier to locate and modify existing elements, and also help integrate custom made ones more seamlessly... basically an assistant program to make custom content creation easier; remove the guesswork, improve the quality, make things less glitchy, etc.

 

[NL_Mutso]

Presumably it would be some sort of developer kit, making it easier to locate and modify existing elements, and also help integrate custom made ones more seamlessly... basically an assistant program to make custom content creation easier; improve the quality, make things less glitchy, etc.

Ok, that gives a POV.
The idea animal makers toolkit sound nice but if you look at all the extra detail (compared to the thememakers kit) - that's a big difference.

Never seen devs releasing their programming tools or a community version of their tools on this level. (that's basically the request)
I can see the thememakers kit work if they decide to stop doing building pieces/scenery items and provide this as an alternative

I like the idea but if you really think about it, 99% of the PZ community will be unable to use it. You'll need a lot of skills and (imo) experience with the Cobra Engine to pull this off correctly. Atm, modders are using behaviours/sounds/movement of existing rigs/animals but to make those from scratch?

Don't mind being wrong on this one but this just sounds unlikely.
Also the reason why I asked what kind of kit people are expecting.
If it's easier and use-able for a large group, I'm more open to that. I gave Spore as an example.