Discussion Thread #3 - What do you wish you'd known before starting your first zoo?

[Firestar97]

Maybe some in game tutorials focused od building would be good.

It really shouldn't be necessary to search for a YouTube Tutorial for such a important Game Mechanic

 

[Leaf Productions]

It really shouldn't be necessary to search for a YouTube Tutorial for such a important Game Mechanic

This is something that Planet Zoo (to no fault of it's own) kinda struggles with. The really amazing, in-depth builds get promoted but it's extremely difficult to pull it off as a new player. Would be nice to see some CM involvement in working with builders and new players to develop sort of "logs" or tutorials in how players develop building skills, starting with basic practices, then moving onto more advanced, off the grid, hex code manipulation, stuff!

 

[wispfox]

Spam donation boxes.

Oh goodness, yes. Those were a literal game-changer. Every zoo I've done since I figured that out has more income from donation boxes than anything else.

Place ATMs! Guests can and do run out of money to spend. If you want to milk them for all they're worth, ATMs are your friend.

Build shops, because guests quickly get hungry and thirsty and will spend lots of money there. Also don't forget bins and caretakers, or you'll end up with a filthy zoo.

And these two, also! Especially the bins and the places to eat/drink/buy souvenirs. They spend way more on things than on the entrance fees.

Place viewing areas away from the main path, or it will clog with guests.

Don't place high profile animals near the entrance.

Make sure your main path 'loops', so your guests don't need to turn around and clog your main path.

Good suggestions! I'm still doing career mode, but these look really useful in the future.

Build with %rotation instead of free rotation, so everything easily aligns in your design.

Huh... will have to look into this!

 

[wispfox]

I had a really tough time with the gondola in the relevant career scenario - it was not obvious to me that the exit ramp needed to be a regular path! Had to follow a youtube video (which, audio is much harder for me than visual, so that wasn't fun) to figure that part out.

I have no real good grasp on underground building, so I'm a little worried about building for aquatics so that my guests can actually see anything. Also, to make easier ways for my workers to get places without going through all the crowds.

Also, the scenario with the pickpockets made no sense without a reminder of security cameras.

 

[avietar]

Oh goodness, yes. Those were a literal game-changer. Every zoo I've done since I figured that out has more income from donation boxes than anything else.



And these two, also! Especially the bins and the places to eat/drink/buy souvenirs. They spend way more on things than on the entrance fees.



Good suggestions! I'm still doing career mode, but these look really useful in the future.



Huh... will have to look into this!

I'm glad you found my reply useful! Keep at it!

 

[Anthracite_Impreza]

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