Considering how tour tracks can snap onto paths as crossings now with JWE2 I feel like it's time to make the pathways system more interesting.
The main implementation I think would be to have paths snap into a bridge tool when placed over water. As of now you can only build around water or just get rid of it. Being able to have walkways over your ponds and lakes would make the game a lot more visually interesting.
And why stop there? Tour rides can snap onto fences so why shouldn't paths? I feel like paths should be able to cut into exhibits with a sparse cable fence surrounding the path. Have it so only security level 1 or 2 can safely be kept around these walkways and I feel it would make a great deal of sense. Maybe some exceptions like Coelophysis. Definitely help make Homalocephale and the (presumably) upcoming Microceratus more interesting to house. Of course there's the issue of dinosaurs getting to the other side of the fence, I think the smaller dinosaurs like Homalocephale and Compsognathus should be able to run in and out and across the pathway no problem with your Struthiomimus and the like treating the path as another barrier due to the fence. I think the key to treating that issue is making it so the path can just jut out and not need to looped, and of course if one wanted to connect it to the other side of the fence they could do it at the edge of an enclosure. Add a guest throwing food down animation and kibble dispenser decoration and boom, you just about have a petting zoo. I think it's a good middle ground. Especially if a sandy path is added.
Of course I think this should be the case for Aviaries as well. Hell, the database in the game HAS a picture of a glass tunnel going through an aviary. Next to screenshots from the game I might add.
Am I also saying it would be a good idea to dangle a pathway over a Mosasaurus? No. But I'm not NOT saying that it might make lagoon animals a threat to your guests and an actual gameplay incentive if you'd like. And I mean come on, if you've just got Ichthyosaurus or Plesiosaurus then a lagoon boardwalk would be nice. A user on the reddit thread suggested instead of lagoon bridges that there be underwater tunnels. I thought this would be hard to implement in a 3D space with controllers in mind but here's how I think it could be done: The pathway snaps onto the side of the lagoon and creates a building with the appropriate attraction signage that is essentially a stairwell down on the inside. Meaning the tunnel doesn't have to slope down from the surface and is always vertically in the very middle of the lagoon. That way it can operate like any other path/track tool and snap again to the other side that the tunnel is directed to. It would also be nice but not be expected if the player in visitor mode could interact with the building and have it warp them to the tunnel to walk around. But again this is already a tall order.
I had already posted this on the subreddit so sorry if anyone has already seen this. This just a better place to post this is all.
The main implementation I think would be to have paths snap into a bridge tool when placed over water. As of now you can only build around water or just get rid of it. Being able to have walkways over your ponds and lakes would make the game a lot more visually interesting.
And why stop there? Tour rides can snap onto fences so why shouldn't paths? I feel like paths should be able to cut into exhibits with a sparse cable fence surrounding the path. Have it so only security level 1 or 2 can safely be kept around these walkways and I feel it would make a great deal of sense. Maybe some exceptions like Coelophysis. Definitely help make Homalocephale and the (presumably) upcoming Microceratus more interesting to house. Of course there's the issue of dinosaurs getting to the other side of the fence, I think the smaller dinosaurs like Homalocephale and Compsognathus should be able to run in and out and across the pathway no problem with your Struthiomimus and the like treating the path as another barrier due to the fence. I think the key to treating that issue is making it so the path can just jut out and not need to looped, and of course if one wanted to connect it to the other side of the fence they could do it at the edge of an enclosure. Add a guest throwing food down animation and kibble dispenser decoration and boom, you just about have a petting zoo. I think it's a good middle ground. Especially if a sandy path is added.
Of course I think this should be the case for Aviaries as well. Hell, the database in the game HAS a picture of a glass tunnel going through an aviary. Next to screenshots from the game I might add.
Am I also saying it would be a good idea to dangle a pathway over a Mosasaurus? No. But I'm not NOT saying that it might make lagoon animals a threat to your guests and an actual gameplay incentive if you'd like. And I mean come on, if you've just got Ichthyosaurus or Plesiosaurus then a lagoon boardwalk would be nice. A user on the reddit thread suggested instead of lagoon bridges that there be underwater tunnels. I thought this would be hard to implement in a 3D space with controllers in mind but here's how I think it could be done: The pathway snaps onto the side of the lagoon and creates a building with the appropriate attraction signage that is essentially a stairwell down on the inside. Meaning the tunnel doesn't have to slope down from the surface and is always vertically in the very middle of the lagoon. That way it can operate like any other path/track tool and snap again to the other side that the tunnel is directed to. It would also be nice but not be expected if the player in visitor mode could interact with the building and have it warp them to the tunnel to walk around. But again this is already a tall order.
I had already posted this on the subreddit so sorry if anyone has already seen this. This just a better place to post this is all.
And even then, why stop there? Why not add different types of bridges, tunnels, and other additions?
