Free roaming animals

[nightcat]

In one of the earlier shots of the peacock it looks like he is free roaming in the zoo. In the later ones, unfortunately, not that much, but we can still hope.

So, I want to ask, how do you think free roaming animals could work?


I see three possible ways:

1) Not so much free roaming, but you can turn parts of your zoos in walkthrough exhibits. So for example, the whole entrance area could be an exhibit for the peafowl. There would be other exhibits in the area and so on, but to go out of the area, the guest would have to pass through a “special gate” so no animals in the area can escape in another area.

I like this idea, because it would allow us also to build walkthrough aviaries, petting zoos or jungle-houses (or whatever biome you like). Every harmless animals would have the tag “possible to free roam”.


2) Real free roaming. An animal tagged as “free roaming” would just go wherever it likes (and can reach). You provide shelter and feeding points here and there and the animals will come there – or will not, if they find food and shelter somewhere else.

That would be the most realistic approach for free roaming animals, but it would restrict the animal choices quite heavy. I think in most zoos there are just free roaming peafowls and chicken. Plus: the animals could possibly break into a predator-enclosure and get killed.


3) Free roaming around a central point: You build one central point (probably some kind of shelter + feeding point) and you can assign free roaming animals to that point. The animals will roam free but won’t go too far away from their central point.

This could be another possibility to create walkthrough enclosures and it would be easier to work with than total free roaming animals.



What do you think about the topic?

Do you think we will get free roaming animals?
How will – or how could – it work?

 

[Maky1355]

In our local zoo the peacocks have their own space to eat/sleep but can free roam around - there's a fence that opens and it's usually open. So it's completely realistic. Maybe these animals could have some hidden "home" to place down so it doesn't wander too far away.

 

[vortimous]

I don't see why this cant be implemented (if its not already)…. they have entertainers in planet coaster, free roaming animals should be able to be coded the same way. You have a list on animals that can do it (like peacock) and then just drop them down and they stick to the walkways and go where they want. You could even have it so they DONT need a food or water requirement or have a break room type spot where they will go to refresh. That way once you place them, you don't have to worry about them at all.... seems easy to me...

 

[Jessiy]

In Dublin zoo there is a huge lake at the entrance, which connects to many rivers threw out.
It's filled with lots of duck species as well as swans (and fish)
They have the lake fenced off by a short fence, but the birds can fly over it and usually walk around on the paths and open grass areas. So do the peacocks and peahens.
They have an enclosure for the peacocks, but they allow them to roam free if they like.

I really hope that these smaller animals can roam around in the game, as personally It is always one of my highlights of going to zoos

 

[m2wester]

Hamburg has free roaming maras, capybaras, bennetts wallabys and muntjaks in addition to the common peafowl and water fowl. The Maras have been there for ages. I think at least the 80s? I can't remember them not being there. The others are more recent additions.

I don't think doing it like entertainers would work. Free roaming animals usually means lawns, bushes, flowerbeds and lakes that can be used by the animals. It would be great if they could make free roaming work, but I think it might be problematic with pathfinding towards shelter, feed etc. I'd be fine with free roaming around a central point. Though I'd rather have it added later via dlc rather than having a half baked version on release, to be honest.