Guest mode and an easier way to visit zoos

[tigris115]

I strongly suggest that there should be a first-person mode where one can walk around the zoo like a guest. I think that if I worked hard to build my dream zoo, I should have the privilege of walking around it like a guest instead of only being able to hover over it like God.

Then, have it so people can post their own zoos in-game so that you can walk around them.
This could also be a good way to look at DLC animals before you wanna buy them.
Being able to visit other zoos will also build a stronger community as people will want to show each other their parks

While some consider the "tegidcam" cheat enough, I don't think it is since there's no control and there's no way to visit other's zoos.

 

[ShadowLilly]

I use the cheatcode tegidcam to watch everything from the hight of the guests, works great. Only wish you could interact with the animals

 

[NZFanatic]

While some consider the "tegidcam" cheat enough, I don't think it is since there's no control and there's no way to visit other's zoos.

Tegidcam works the same way as Zookeeper Mode in Zoo Tycoon 2, except without the ability to take pictures and feed animals. IMO the only improvement it needs is in its stability (it's rather choppy) and a way to reverse the camera or use the mouse to control where your avatar is looking.

As for visiting other people's zoos, is that really feasible? And is seeing DLC animals in someone else's zoo any different to seeing videos and pictures of them on YouTube or elsewhere?

 

[shirandhak]

You can visit other people's zoos by downloading them from the workshop and playing them in sandbox. There are really great and awesome zoos out there!
The Tegidcam-cheat should be replaced by something official, 1. to get more control in it and 2. as a real "feature" that is announced and in the documentary/help.
You can't expect everbody to read forums or do a internet-research on something you wish it existed but don't know if it does. Many people just want to play (and to use first person view).

 

[NL_Mutso]

You can visit other people's zoos by downloading them from the workshop and playing them in sandbox

I wouldn't describe this as the easy way. I don't bother with this option to upload my zoo.
I agree, make the Tegidcam-cheat something official and throw visiting (steam) friends zoos in the mix as well.

I would really like to visit (Tegidcam) another zoo, without this other zoo doing the necessary steps.

 

[shirandhak]

You can't just visit other people's zoos if those people don't want you to. You are not the zoo-inspector.

 

[tigris115]

Look, workshops are grossly inconsistent when it comes to loading out big things and you still have to populate the zoo and get all the barriers and paths. It'd be 100000x easier to just visit a friend's zoo. The game is capable of loading zoos so there shouldn't be any problems.

Also, having a feature like this under cheats only means only some people will know.

 

[NL_Mutso]

Look, workshops are grossly inconsistent when it comes to loading out big things and you still have to populate the zoo and get all the barriers and paths. It'd be 100000x easier to just visit a friend's zoo. The game is capable of loading zoos so there shouldn't be any problems.

Yeah, the features are mostly already in the game. It's just used differently. You can load a zoo and you can use tegidcam - it's already close to a feature that many people would like. And it would make your avatar a bit more involved with the game.
The only issue is see, is visiting a zoo with DLC pieces when you don't own this DLC.
But I think it's a nice opportunity to advertise DLC among your friends (if it would be possible) - without doing anything at all.

Also, having a feature like this under cheats only means only some people will know.

I agree, it took me while to find this out. In the first couple of weeks/months almost nobody mentioned it until someone made a suggestion based on this.
Maybe it's well known in PC but a button to activate this - shouldn't be difficult.

 

[Lea_G]

I believe you can download zoos with DLC that you don't own and open it, you just cannot play with it/save it. But for having a look, it works fine.

 

[NL_Mutso]

I believe you can download zoos with DLC that you don't own and open it, you just cannot play with it/save it. But for having a look, it works fine.

Okay, tbh haven't used this feature since November (before the DLC). Tried it, didn't like it.

 

[LN]

Also, having a feature like this under cheats only means only some people will know.

Hmm, makes you wonder why?

Maybe because they added that mode because people wanted it, but there is no interest for Frontier to expand on that mode (the same reason why it never changed in Planet Coaster)?
I understand the request and I can see where it might be enjoyable.

But IMO, the only thing it was good for in Zoo Tycoon 2 was because the staff was so crappy so it was always better to do the "dirty jobs" yourself. (staff was more worse than Planet Zoo, and I have hardly any issues after the last updates in Planet Zoo).

I get the interaction and so on, but I remember that on a certain moment I was only running around my zoo in 1st person brushing animals, scooping poop, filling water trays and feeding troughs. So for me, this request is of minor importance to me and I'd rather have them update the staff even more for better AI.

From a Zoo viewing perspective, I like the Tegidcam function, and that's the only thing I need it for.
Won't mind seeing a updated version for better control though.

 

[tigris115]

Yeah, the features are mostly already in the game. It's just used differently. You can load a zoo and you can use tegidcam - it's already close to a feature that many people would like. And it would make your avatar a bit more involved with the game.

That means you have to put down all the paths, fences, etc. which is a massive pain compared to just having your avatar in the zoo and making it walk around. Both ZT2 and ZTXbox did this with the former game being quite primitive. And since PZ wants to be an online interactive experience, this only helps that goal

 

[NL_Mutso]

That means you have to put down all the paths, fences, etc.

A bit confused why you bring this up - i didn't mention it. One way or another, the zoo needs to be loaded in some form.

From a Zoo viewing perspective, I like the Tegidcam function, and that's the only thing I need it for.
Won't mind seeing a updated version for better control though.

I think most people want an easier method or don't use it because they don't check the forum, which shouldn't be necessary when you play a game (TY Shirandhak for that POV)

I get the interaction and so on, but I remember that on a certain moment I was only running around my zoo in 1st person brushing animals, scooping poop, filling water trays and feeding troughs. So for me, this request is of minor importance to me and I'd rather have them update the staff even more for better AI.

I think some requests for this interaction in PZ were actually a result of the issues they have with their zoo keepers in PZ. Wasn't a big fan of this feature in ZT2/ZT2013 but do understand that people like it..
Don't see interaction (doing chores yourself) being implemented in PZ.
Maybe another game will fill in this gap in the future (a Zoo keeper tycoon)

 

[tigris115]

I just think that loading the zoo with everything in it from an FPS POV and having you walk around it should be fairly easy.

 

[ElectricMonk]

It is easy,...

Step 1: Download zoo from Steam
Step 2: Open Zoo in game
Step 3: Rename staff member 'tegidcam'
Step 4: Walk around zoo.

you still have to populate the zoo and get all the barriers and paths

What do you mean by this? The paths and barriers and animals and staff are all in the zoo when you download it from Steam.

 

[NL_Mutso]

I just think that loading the zoo with everything in it from an FPS POV and having you walk around it should be fairly easy.

I'm pretty sure we're on the same page on this one .

It is easy,...

Step 1: Download zoo from Steam
Step 2: Open Zoo in game
Step 3: Rename staff member 'tegidcam'
Step 4: Walk around zoo.

Once you know it, it's easy but a feature like this shouldn't be hidden/behind a cheat.
Expanding on this feature is not an unreasonable request/wish, some framework/features are already present in some way. He isn't asking for interaction, which would require a lot more effort and imo isn't very likely to be added at all. Seen a lot of suggestions, for which you can immediately say that's a bit unreasonable (basically asking for almost a new game within PZ)
Personally I think it's a great way to make the online franchise mode more interesting to others and a very simple way of advertising DLC.

 

[shirandhak]

sorry

 

[shirandhak]

It is easy,...

Step 1: Download zoo from Steam
Step 2: Open Zoo in game
Step 3: Rename staff member 'tegidcam'
Step 4: Walk around zoo.

This is exactly what I think. And if you want to visit your friend's zoos, then all they have to do is sending you their zoo-file or putting it in their workshop. But you can't demand that you can visit any zoo of whomever you want (because perhaps the owner doesn't want you to).

 

[NL_Mutso]

This is exactly what I think. And if you want to visit your friend's zoos, then all they have to do is sending you their zoo-file or putting it in their workshop. But you can't demand that you can visit any zoo of whomever you want (because perhaps the owner doesn't want you to).

Why the argument about demanding visiting other zoos and not allowing people to visit your zoo? Nobody said anything about this.
If that is considered a 'problem' and people don't want this, you can easily add an checkbox option in the menu or make a permission option.

And if you want to visit your friend's zoos, then all they have to do is sending you their zoo-file or putting it in their workshop

Sending your zoo-file would be annoying to do. Everytime your friend makes a new addition, you'll have to receive&download this file again.
And ZT2013 had a co-op mode, which a lot of people liked. So I can understand the multiple similar requests I've seen on this forum.

 

[shirandhak]

Why the argument about demanding visiting other zoos and not allowing people to visit your zoo? Nobody said anything about this.
If that is considered a 'problem' and people don't want this, you can easily add an checkbox option in the menu or make a permission option.

Maybe I misinterpreted something, sorry. I think discussions may get rather complicated, because many of us try to write and understand in a language which isn't our mothertongue.
If it is just a case of "give permission and other people can enter and walk through your zoo", then: be welcome!