DLC formula that can meet us halfway or content

[Spiderhawk]

Hey everybody

I’ve noted a lot of requests/feedback from everyone. I remember a lot of us were asking for an all animal pack and when we got SEA animal pack, I noticed some people were furious and wanted to go back to theme and 4+1. While the 2021 packs have given some very highly request animals (or at least in the top 20-30 I believe) I’m wondering if frontier could consider making a halfway pack.

There are enough posts about how the next pack is likely a NA pack that could be theme or animal or there are theory’s that the next pack covers NA and Europe. I’m not trying to make another post about those subjects or create another list of animals you want.

It seems we are currently divided between builders and animals, correct me if I am wrong but I am sensing that in many of these forums.
Is there a formula you believe can satisfy everyone to some degree and what would it look like?

Example a lot of scenery and 5+1 animals?
Building prices, scenery, more animals, rocks foliage etc yet priced more?
Also something I thought of, if we get more 7+1 would you want to follow a formula?

Examples:Unless the regions being covered do not have animals listed bellow
1 canine
1 feline
1 primate
1 bird (that don’t need to be contained in an aviary)
1 ungulate
1 reptile
1 highly requested that doesn’t match above
And of course a good pick for a exhibit
Share your opinion bellow

 

[iloveyourzoos]

I still think that the billboards were intended to fulfill the building needs aspect of the game for the SEA dlc/update, and that Frontier was genuinely surprised when builders decided that those didn't "count" as building items. I assume that the billboards were intended to take the place of x number of pieces. As in they didn't think of it as 7+1+0 pack, but rather a 7+1+x pack, where x is a certain, smaller number of building pieces that correlates to the amount of staff resources that went towards billboards. (maybe 50?)

Because that's what I think they were trying to do (even if there was a missed connection in the way the billboards were received), I feel like returning to that animal pack formula -- this time with x pieces that builders would accept as their own -- would work perfectly.

 

[KönigDerKaffeebohnen]

Personally what i would wish for if we get more animal packs, is that each of them incorporate one domestic breed from that region, slowly filling up that roster with interesting species from around the world. I am happy with the SEA pack, but the vitnamese pot bellied pig would have been a great choice (even though 2 pigs in one pack is maybe a bit much piggie) or for an african animal pack i would be really disappointed if neither the pygmy goat or the watussi cattle would be added.

Many people have stated their disappoinment with the lama and i do belive that more domestic animals would fix that in retrospect and as one animal from 7 would not take much away from the wild animals.

 

[ElectricMonk]

There is no formula that will please 100% of people. I think Frontier have done pretty well so far with the choices of pack types. I don’t remember anyone being ‘furious’ with the animal-only pack (although several people, me included, did say we hoped there would still be packs with build components). A few people, though, did complain a LOT when the Africa pack turned out to be a 4+1 pack (although many of those seemed to think it meant Frontier had ‘abandoned’ animal-only packs for ever.

 

[FoxyDee]

Personally I would be totally fine with animals packs and then some core building pieces with the free updates (such as the mesh). I know alot of people would disagree, but for me personally, I dont need a fancy asian or african hut style shops and buildings, I just need more animals and more realistic stuff for enclosure building. I dont build overly themed zoos as I have never been to one. I am fine with using concrete, wooden, glass, rock and mesh pieces. But that is just me prefering more animals. Realistically, Frontier has to carter to both builders and animals lovers so I respect that even though I think animals are more important.

 

[KönigDerKaffeebohnen]

Also i bet that many of the hardcore builders would also be happy, if that way more "planet zoo themed" items are included in the game.
Anyone who has watched leafs videos knows his rants about more unthemed pieces

 

[Swjosdotschka]

Personally I would be totally fine with animals packs and then some core building pieces with the free updates (such as the mesh). I know alot of people would disagree, but for me personally, I dont need a fancy asian or african hut style shops and buildings, I just need more animals and more realistic stuff for enclosure building. I dont build overly themed zoos as I have never been to one. I am fine with using concrete, wooden, glass, rock and mesh pieces. But that is just me prefering more animals. Realistically, Frontier has to carter to both builders and animals lovers so I respect that even though I think animals are more important.

Eh. I'm a builder (and animal lover) and LOVE to theme. Still I don't need much more themed pieces. I would also be fine with basic zoo stuff and then animal pack after animal pack after animal pack at this point.

Only themed things I'm missing is a wild west theme with that awesome settlers wagon from Planet Coaster and some asian themed things from planet coaster, like a dragon and such. After that: Just give me more animals for an asian inspired garden, for north america, europe, more primates, gibbons, sea lions... you name it And yes, birds.

I could go on with animals for the next three years but would probably only need until the end of this year with themed pieces, to put it in a nutshell.

 

[Cocolori]

I agree that whatever Frontier do with a DLC is unlikely to make everyone happy either in the format or the choice of animals and I also think they have struck a pretty good balance so far. As I've stated before I am throwing in another category that I personally think is more important than either animals or build pieces (especially as mods are now a thing) which is new game mechanics like aviaries, an improvement to the educators, restaurants like in Planet Coaster etc.

I also think there is one thing that would probably be almost universally welcomed as a free update - the provision of a two sets of assets; one consistent and relatively plain style of statues and one set of consistent and relatively unthemed signs FOR ALL ANIMALS. The free statues you get for the career modes have helped a little but still only cover a small amount of the roster and there are still species that have no representation at all.

 

[NL_Mutso]

I don’t remember anyone being ‘furious’ with the animal-only pack

Same but also not remembering people being 'furious' with the African DLC or other DLC.
In the end everyone wants more animals in DLC, quite a few were dissapointed that there weren't any pieces in the SEA DLC, but of that group almost everyone was fine with a mix.

I know some consider the billboards as building pieces but that also means you don't have to buy the DLC to have new stuff.

I think people would've been 'furious' if we had 2 animals packs in a row, when building is also a large part of the game. If you are lucky they complain, if you are unlucky these will move on to other games (and never return to PZ)
A while ago I had some issues with people (also on this forum) who keep telling to move on to other games if you want to build.
Imo if you want long support maybe not a smart move to push away a part of the (DLC buying) player base, including telling which game they should move on to (PK).

 

[iloveyourzoos]

I don’t remember anyone being ‘furious’ with the animal-only pack

It's very interesting how people perceive things differently. I found the reactions to that pack to be the most furious from those who didn't like it, in a way that truly shocked me. But maybe that's just hearing from different people or hearing people differently.

A while ago I had some issues with people (also on this forum) who keep telling to move on to other games if you want to build.

I've seen this posted several times in threads that I've been a part of, so want to ask if the also on this forum part is meant to refer specifically to me?

If so, I would like to publicly apologize. It was never my intention to tell anyone to stop playing the game, and I am truly sorry for anything I wrote that came across that way.

I still think that Frontier should consider the plethora of quality building games on the market compared to the number of quality animal games, and be realistic about how that may impact the longevity of each player base going forward. But my intention was to acknowledge that dynamic as an outside factor and a sort of entropy that was beyond their control and which should be accounted for in their planning. It was not my intention to say that anyone should stop playing the game or to drive anyone out, and I deeply apologize if it came across that way. Rather, it was to acknowledge that certain types of players had already started to signal that they were moving on to other things, and that others were more likely do so based solely on the availability of other options, regardless of how much might be put into any future dlc to win them back. But I always meant it as a question of being responsive and realistic about what people had done and were likely to do, never as telling someone that they should stop playing.

Again, I'm not even sure if this is meant for me. If not, please feel free to disregard. But if it is about me (wholly or even partially), then I am truly sorry and I sincerely apologize.

 

[NL_Mutso]

I've seen this posted several times in threads that I've been a part of, so want to ask if the also on this forum part is meant to refer specifically to me?

No.. not you
Don't remember the usernames, so it would be bad from my part to actually try to name them.
They were more direct (which I think you don't do in your posts) with something like: We need this more than you do, you got enough options. "Go play other games if you want to build".
Looking at the building options in PZ, I think it's fair to say there isn't any competition (yet). PK looks great as far we know but building for something you don't care about is less fun.
All i'm saying is that be careful what you wish for, especially with niche games.

I've heard a lot of people saying they really appreciated the building pieces because they really new building challenges after 6 months. Pretty sure they would be extremely happy with a 14,99 DLC with just more of everything. Personally think 9,99 is that magical number that a lot of people don't even look twice before buying it.

I think looking for the middle ground is the best way to go. The game has a big focus on animals and building. Some themes 6+1 with less building pieces, some themes with animals only and some with the 4+1+building pieces. If you time those nicely in a proper order, that would be great. But the species have to be really good in those regular packs.
A lot of people, including me, would've like to seen an African animal pack. We got the regular pack with some of the best building pieces in a DLC. Personally still think the African pack should've been the next DLC (September/October?) because 2 animal packs in a row always seemed a bit unlikely.

 

[SanRazo618]

Animal pack for me please!

 

[NZFanatic]

A few people, though, did complain a LOT when the Africa pack turned out to be a 4+1 pack (although many of those seemed to think it meant Frontier had ‘abandoned’ animal-only packs for ever.

While I did see some commentary to that effect, the feeling I got from the Africa Pack complaints was more that the continent was primed for an animal pack. There are a bunch of iconic and common zoo animals from Africa that have yet to appear in the game, so it just seemed like an odd decision to give us another African building set and only four habitat animals instead of nixing the building set and giving us seven habitat animals, and doing a building set for a more appropriate area.

 

[Tally]

I'm a person who likes variety, so to me the standard DLC packs are ideal since I get both animals AND neat new building pieces.

 

[NL_Mutso]

While I did see some commentary to that effect, the feeling I got from the Africa Pack complaints was more that the continent was primed for an animal pack

I think many commented right after the SEA pack, the African pack would've been the perfect choice for another animal pack.
So not surprised to see those comments.

 

[Kolikokoli]

Instead of another xxx+ same pieces but with different colors (grid pieces), I'd much more prefer like 20-50 pieces of items (like murals, statues, foliage, cars, benches etc.) and 6+1 animals. I would also prefer universal generic pieces instead of those over-the-top themed ones. Like for example gates, road barriers, windows, doors, iron bars, tables, pots etc.

 

[NL_Mutso]

Instead of another xxx+ same pieces but with different colors (grid pieces), I'd much more prefer like 20-50 pieces of items (like murals, statues, foliage, cars, benches etc.) and 6+1 animals. I would also prefer universal generic pieces instead of those over-the-top themed ones. Like for example gates, road barriers, windows, doors, iron bars, tables, pots etc.

I'd personally prefer more "smart" choices when it comes to building pieces.
If they added some specific roof pieces to the SEA pack, that would've helped to create a more SEA-vibe. The thatch options African/SA don't look that great.

There's a certain charm to the themed ones, our local (medium-sized) zoo has a lot of themed zones.
People love the look of those areas, but the old zoo had a more "open" feel to it. Which had a traditional look but very natural/spacious habitats, great for photography.

Could explain it but some pics do work better:

Abandoned coal mine, and yes a rollercoaster was added to compliment the adventure focus of the zoo:
(personally not a fan of the rollcoaster but the look of the buildings has appeal.

Entrance to Jungola, and butterfly garden.

Serenga section:

Nortica:

 

[Leaf Productions]

I still think we should advocate for a higher price point to appease both builders and animal lovers alike. Give us that animal pack level of animals with the amount of scenery we could expect from any normal pack. Price mark that shizz at $15-$20 and you'll have a best-seller. Frame it like a game-changing pack and you'll have everybody over it - fans and content creators alike.

Also i bet that many of the hardcore builders would also be happy, if that way more "planet zoo themed" items are included in the game.
Anyone who has watched leaf's videos knows his rants about more unthemed pieces

Also this. 100%. Heck if our next DLC is an animal pack, at least help 'ya boi out by expanding on the already existing "Planet Zoo" theme. Gimme that plastic-like picnic benches you see in zoo's, gimme some more basic and general trash cans, hell I'd love some education boards that aren't screens - give us ones that are painted or plastic or something that can be used without power. I can't remember the last time I saw a zoo with an electronic education board that PZ tries to go for. Billboards were cool but they require a lot of backend tinkering to get to working right. I have to spend hours trying to convert Youtube videos into webm's, and then sort through and organize them all for a pretty ok looking product. I would just love more ingame planet zoo themed items if it means we get an Animal Pack.