With the new Gamescon animal reveals, we know 32 of the 50ish animals that will appear in the Standard Edition of the base game. I've noticed a somewhat concerning trend that I wonder if anyone else has seen.
We now know about 8 small/exhibit/terrarium species, and so far all 8 of them are found in or near South America. Likewise none of the full-sized animals are native to that region. From an ecological standpoint I understand this choice; the Amazon rainforest is the most diverse ecosystem on earth but is mostly filled with mid- to small-sized animals. Nonetheless, let me explain why this trend is concerning from a design standpoint.
I like to build my zoos in biogeographic areas, grouping African, Asian, and North American animals (etc.) in their own sections. Instead of building one massive herpetarium or insectarium for my small animals, I hope to fit small animal enclosures thematically in between big enclosures within these regional sections. At the moment we have no small animals to represent any region except South America. Assuming that small animals make up no more than 15 out of 50ish species, we will be lucky if we get one small animal for every other region of the world, especially as there are at least a macaw and a sloth rumored but not yet announced that will make still more small animals for South America.
I hope that the remaining small animal announcements will include some geographic diversity. Where are the king cobras, emperor scorpions, scarab beetles, Burmese pythons, gaboon vipers, goliath frogs, or any of the other famous small animals of the world? Moreover, where are the large anchor animals for South America, like jaguars, tapirs, spectacled bears, or giant anteaters? At least one would make a solid basis for a complete South American zoo section. As it currently stands all of my small animals will end up in a single South American house, and the rest of the world will be megafauna only.
Alright, I'm off my soap box now. Tell me if you've noticed this and what you think about it.
We now know about 8 small/exhibit/terrarium species, and so far all 8 of them are found in or near South America. Likewise none of the full-sized animals are native to that region. From an ecological standpoint I understand this choice; the Amazon rainforest is the most diverse ecosystem on earth but is mostly filled with mid- to small-sized animals. Nonetheless, let me explain why this trend is concerning from a design standpoint.
I like to build my zoos in biogeographic areas, grouping African, Asian, and North American animals (etc.) in their own sections. Instead of building one massive herpetarium or insectarium for my small animals, I hope to fit small animal enclosures thematically in between big enclosures within these regional sections. At the moment we have no small animals to represent any region except South America. Assuming that small animals make up no more than 15 out of 50ish species, we will be lucky if we get one small animal for every other region of the world, especially as there are at least a macaw and a sloth rumored but not yet announced that will make still more small animals for South America.
I hope that the remaining small animal announcements will include some geographic diversity. Where are the king cobras, emperor scorpions, scarab beetles, Burmese pythons, gaboon vipers, goliath frogs, or any of the other famous small animals of the world? Moreover, where are the large anchor animals for South America, like jaguars, tapirs, spectacled bears, or giant anteaters? At least one would make a solid basis for a complete South American zoo section. As it currently stands all of my small animals will end up in a single South American house, and the rest of the world will be megafauna only.
Alright, I'm off my soap box now. Tell me if you've noticed this and what you think about it.
