How to present mating/birth in a PEGI 12 fashion

[tigris115]

So obviously, you can't have realistic mating and birth in this game as it will kill the family demographic and I assume no one at Frontier wants to animate an elephant's prehensile winkie. I think having the animals go off into a cave is too cartoonish and will stick out like a sore thumb during gameplay. So here's my idea of how to have animal mating be realistic while not showing off genitals or afterbirth

For mating, just have them give each other nuzzles or be really close. They can do this anywhere and it won't feel too obvious

For birth, just have the babies appear next to the mother like in Zoo Tycoon 2. Again, this can be done anywhere, allowing for more creativity. On a side note, it would be cool if you could create cubbing dens for the carnivorans.

 

[HeatherG]

In an article it was said that breeding and birth will be behind-the-scenes. I guess we'll see what that all means a bit later on when we get more info.

 

[Whats0There]

In an article it was said that breeding and birth will be behind-the-scenes. I guess we'll see what that all means a bit later on when we get more info.

That's pretty clear. Thank god. Can't have some of the most important acts in these animals' lives actually depicted in a game that sports 'authentic living animals'.

 

[Maky1355]

I'm sure 12-year-olds aren't so ignorant to think you nuzzle and a stork delivers the baby. If we look at Wildlife park 2, it had a rating of PEGI 3 and it contained animals doing the deed quite accurately. And I'm sure kids have seen genitals in real life too. Anyway - I don't think it's a big deal if they make mating a bit more realistic - no need for genitals but I wouldn't complain if there was other stuff. As far as birthing is concerned I don't think we need a long, bloody birth with X% chance of both of them dying (tho this feature would be interesting).
I think the best option here is to enable/disable it in settings.

 

[LN]

I'll wait for the first time I've seen it happen in-game before I place my verdict.

 

[EternalAbyss]

I'm sure 12-year-olds aren't so ignorant to think you nuzzle and a stork delivers the baby. If we look at Wildlife park 2, it had a rating of PEGI 3 and it contained animals doing the deed quite accurately. And I'm sure kids have seen genitals in real life too. Anyway - I don't think it's a big deal if they make mating a bit more realistic - no need for genitals but I wouldn't complain if there was other stuff. As far as birthing is concerned I don't think we need a long, bloody birth with X% chance of both of them dying (tho this feature would be interesting).
I think the best option here is to enable/disable it in settings.

That amazes me about WLP 2 in itself.. I love that it included that!

I've never really went into the info on Steam about that game but just did and wow..

• 20 missions and freeplay maps (sandboxmode) around the world
• 50 different animal species, 30 plant species
• More than 100 animal houses, visitor facilities, staff buildings, decorative park elements, and enclosure equipment
• Direct interaction with the animals, e.g. petting, feeding, shooing, etc.
• Realistic animal behaviour with individual social and sex lives, birth and aging, aggression, and trainability
• Rebreeding of exotic and extinct animal and plant species in special research labs
• Intricate water simulation, with underwater world, waterfalls, etc.
• Bridge systems, underwater tunnels, and jeeps for real safari adventures
• Visitor mode for taking a walk or a drive around your own park
• Photo album for organizing your pictures of the park
• Encyclopaedia with lots of useful information about the animals and plants
• Advertising and marketing for luring new visitors

Gosh, this makes me want it to be in Planet Zoo more! xD

 

[EternalAbyss]

This also leads me to a question about reptiles and egg laying mammals.. Most reptiles lay eggs so will we see this process or will that be hidden to? I really don't want any of it hidden away, it seems to unrealistic however if they won't show live birth. I think maybe egg laying should be shown though as some dig a hole and lay their eggs and cover them up until hatching time, others build a nest above ground using vegetation and sticks before laying their eggs.

Here's a list of animals that lay eggs in real life and I wouldn't want this process to be hidden because it is so cool to see.

 

[DTV Enternainment]

I think some Animals would build a Nest maybe they incubatethem it self Likes small birds Peafowls and Flamingos. But I think it will be natural mating because It is. Many Videos also show them Mating and stuff and everyone is laughing."And the Animals are likejust let have some mating ok ? Thanks!" They dont even need the genetalia to do this

 

[EternalAbyss]

I think some Animals would build a Nest maybe they incubatethem it self Likes small birds Peafowls and Flamingos. But I think it will be natural mating because It is. Many Videos also show them Mating and stuff and everyone is laughing."And the Animals are likejust let have some mating ok ? Thanks!" They dont even need the genetalia to do this

Exactly! lol Wildlife Park 2 had mating but no genitalia as well and it was PEGI 3 as stated above.

 

[wilkie79]

Wonder if they did show mating, the sound guys would replicate the sound of tortoises mating.

Source: https://youtu.be/DEY9e0AREmA

 

[EternalAbyss]

Lol, yea that would be pretty funny and comical to see.

 

[DTV Enternainment]

Lets breed some Galapagos Tortoises just for the Fun

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0PJZ0gnRjs&t=67s

 

[Whats0There]

Found the article that confirms that mating and birth happens off camera, in order to (paraphrasing) respect the animals' privacy and keep the game family friendly: https://wccftech.com/planet-zoo-hands-on-interview-e3-2019/

Also, interestingly, from the same article: '[...] carnivorous or aggressive animals may even hurt or kill other animals in the zoo.'

One wonders if the hurting and killing will be animated. If so, we will have animated pooping, violence and killing. At the same time, the most fundamental, life-giving activities have to happen off-camera.

I repeat: we will be able to enjoy the sight of pooping, violence and killing, but seeing creatures create LIFE is beyond the pale. This is a deep cultural pathology that should be called out ad nauseam. I don't blame Frontier for this, we're all children of our time, but boy would I appreciate it if they had the guts to challenge this ridiculous dogma.

 

[Maky1355]

I repeat: we will be able to enjoy the sight of pooping, violence and killing, but seeing creatures create LIFE is beyond the pale. This is a deep cultural pathology that should be called out ad nauseam. I don't blame Frontier for this, we're all children of our time, but boy would I appreciate it if they had the guts to challenge this ridiculous dogma.

Yes, it's very weird how this beautiful part (start) of life is demonized. Even if you look at most of our "bad" words, they have something to do with reproduction. It's really backward and I see no issue in 12 year olds knowing more about mating/birth... WLP2 and 3 got mating right and it's pegi 3.

 

[EternalAbyss]

Yes, it's very weird how this beautiful part (start) of life is demonized. Even if you look at most of our "bad" words, they have something to do with reproduction. It's really backward and I see no issue in 12 year olds knowing more about mating/birth... WLP2 and 3 got mating right and it's pegi 3.

I agree! I find that most 12 year olds in this day already know about mating and such because they own farm animals or pets and have personally seen it happen or potentially they went to a zoo and saw this as well. (Take DayByDay Vlogs, for example, I already know that their 11 and 12 year old already know of that because they have owned many pets and horses). I knew about everything like that at age 6, learned it all on my own, didn't need a 'birds and bees' talk because I analyzed everything and just knew what it was even though nobody ever told me at that age. I'm now 24 and to me it shouldn't be demonized, it just seems odd to have everything shown (i'm assuming, praying) except the birth and mating..

 

[Maky1355]

I agree! I find that most 12 year olds in this day already know about mating and such because they own farm animals or pets and have personally seen it or potentially they went to a zoo and saw this as well. I knew about everything like that at age 6, learned it all on my own, didn't need a 'birds and bees' talk because I analyzed everything and just knew what it was even though nobody ever told me at that age.

Same here, plus my parents weren't all secretive about it. When I asked where babies come from I got a straight answer as a toddler and later saw my cat mate and give birth when I was 6. Really no big deal.

 

[EternalAbyss]

Same here, plus my parents weren't all secretive about it. When I asked where babies come from I got a straight answer as a toddler and later saw my cat mate and give birth when I was 6. Really no big deal.

Yea, exactly. It was beautiful. I saw a few of my dogs give birth as well.

 

[Maky1355]

Yea, exactly. It was beautiful. I saw a few of my dogs give birth as well.

I worry about the younger generations... Seems like they're protected from life and filled with confusion.

 

[EternalAbyss]

I worry about the younger generations... Seems like they're protected from life and filled with confusion.

Some, yes.. Unfortunately, their parents see mating or birth as mature content and want to filter it all out for their childs sake.

 

[Maky1355]

Some, yes.. Unfortunately, their parents see mating or birth as mature content and want to filter it all out for their childs sake.

How a person, especially a kid takes anything depends on how big a deal the people around them make of it. My family and friends never made reproduction a big deal, so I guess I just see it as that. It is a big deal when you're deciding to do it, but that's totally separate from seeing animals do it.