It's a very nice selection but I can't imagine a base game without an African elephant.
Planet Zoo 2 Speculation and ideas
- Thread starter yoav_r
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I went for the Asian Elephant in the base game instead to try and offset how Africa heavy the base game is, although the African Elephant was one of the harder cuts, I would probably drop the Aldabra Tortoise if I had to include it
If I could suggest something maybe just get rid of the domestic pig? On your list Europe has a great representation and the pig seems almost unnecessary. Africa on the other hand seems quite underrepresented compared to its biodiversity.
I definitely think bringing down the initial PZ2 roster number is way more realistic than going with anything close to what currently exists for PZ1 (close to 200 habitat species) so props on that. I do wonder though if Frontier would want to establish a base-game PZ2 as already having over 100 habitat animals? It's definitely something that is easily doable for them if they strategically picked species that don't have a major repurchase draw and have a lot of asset-overlap with "essential" base-game species. Just look at the number of African hoof stock in PZ1. You could include most, if not all, of the less well-known ones in an initial PZ2 roster and still have plenty more popular/visually interesting options to include in DLCs. Additionally, though I'd like to think there would be more species-specific behaviors/animations in a potential PZ2, I bet most of the hoof stock would share almost all the same animations. Would definitely be a think-smarter-not-harder situation for Frontier. They can boast/advertise PZ2 as having a roster that is significantly larger than base-game PZ1, yet still save "all the good stuff" for DLCs. This sort of roster "inflation" was already done for PZ1 base-game. Almost every initial species was directly mirrored by another that shared majority of their design elements (Examples: Chimpanzee & Bonobo, Galapagos & Aldabra Tortoises, Ring-Tailed & Red Ruffed Lemurs, two brown bears, two tigers, Thompson's Gazelle & Springbok, Nile Monitor & Komodo Dragon, etc.) But I'm just speculating, these kinds of things are always fun thought-experiments for me.
The Asian & African elephant duo is a unique case when considering what is truly "essential" to a modern zoo game. They're in a similar situation to the lion and tiger. Two species that are closely related and would behave almost exactly the same in a game, yet would both likely be one of the biggest purchase-draw species for anything zoo related. If it was up to me and I had to deal with Frontier's current financial situation, I'd be so tempted to save one from each of the prior-mentioned duos for DLCs. A DLC headlined by the African Bush Elephant or the Tiger? It would likely be one of the game's best selling DLC. But there's also the chance that you'd run into major pushback, especially in a lion vs tiger situation.
I'm not sure if you noticed but I had even placed the Asian elephant towards the lower end of likelihood for base-game PZ2 in my tier list because of the reasons I mentioned above, and also considering the fact that Frontier seems to have strongly tied PZ's branding with the African Elephant. It was one of the first species they revealed for the game and have consistently highlighted it in almost all of their branding for the game since then. Same can be said for the African Lion, and to a lesser extent, the Giraffe and Brown Bear. What species was used front-and-center for the console release of PZ? The African Elephant. And what species was always headlining all of PZ's branding before then? The African Lion (it's tail is literally in the game's logo). All this to say, if I was going to bet on any two species to be in base-game PZ2, I would put all my money on the African Elephant and African Lion. It's just like what we saw happen with JWE1 & 2 and PC1 & 2; both still highlighted/advertised the "Big Star" of their predecessor (those being the Steel Roller Coaster & the T. Rex).
Tbh (and I know most forum users aren't going to agree with me on this) but I'm kinda hyped to see PZ1 finally come to a close and know that PZ2 is likely to come somewhat closely after (not saying it'll be any sooner than a few years though). Especially now that we have gotten to see most of the new upgrades that are coming to PC2. I can't wait to see PZ get the same treatment. Yes, there have been tweaks and minor upgrades happen to the game through updates, but nothing as game-changing as what can happen in a proper sequel. I just hope Frontier learns from all the design decisions they made in PZ1 (both good and bad) and don't cut any major corners when addressing community wants in the sequel. But it really does seem like they've checked off all the major issues/additions people were wanting in a PC2, so I'm sure we'll be in great shape when a PZ2 finally does come!
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While your at it, throw in the Alpine Goat... not only is it way too similar to the Alpine Ibex, but as I hear it, they're not common in zoos because they're temperamental, and who puts domestic animals in zoos for reasons other than petting zoos?
EDIT: Nevermind, didn't notice you were talking about that list...
(shudders) ...what a sad, sad downgrade this would be... I understand it's likely not all previous animals would return, but this? Less than half?! Yikes... also...
- Removing the Baird's Tapir... but adding a Lowland Tapir?
- Removing the Greater Flamingo... but adding an American Flamingo?
- Not sure I like the idea of lumping globally common animals like the Arctic Fox under a specific continent, even if that's how they were sold...
- Of all the things NOT to axe, the random European farm breeds? At least some people actually voted for the Highland Cow...
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Honestly think we'll be waiting a long long time for a sequel and hey lets enjoy Planet Coaster 2 ay 
Another new game released at the end of 2025 according to Frontier documents. I seem to remember something about an entirely new title. But even if that wasn't mentioned, it's way to early for a Planet Zoo sequel. People just spent a fortune on the original and I really don't think Frontier would abuse gamers in that way. And that's what it will look like to me if this game ends for an immediate sequel.
Honestly? If Planet Zoo 2 released in the next 12 months are you really going to be happy simply uninstalling the original after all you've spent? To me it would have been a total waste of time and Money.
Another new game released at the end of 2025 according to Frontier documents. I seem to remember something about an entirely new title. But even if that wasn't mentioned, it's way to early for a Planet Zoo sequel. People just spent a fortune on the original and I really don't think Frontier would abuse gamers in that way. And that's what it will look like to me if this game ends for an immediate sequel.
Honestly? If Planet Zoo 2 released in the next 12 months are you really going to be happy simply uninstalling the original after all you've spent? To me it would have been a total waste of time and Money.
the game in 2025 is confirmed jurrasic world evolution 3. Most of us are suggesting the 3rd game confirmed cms game for 2026 will be planet zoo 2 since unless its a completely new title its all we can expect. It will also be around the same time period from original release to sequel as planet coaster 8yrs for coaster 7yrs for planet zoo. It will also be around 2yrs from the last planet zoo release and this is a pretty common sequel interval in the gaming industry.Honestly think we'll be waiting a long long time for a sequel and hey lets enjoy Planet Coaster 2 ay
Another new game released at the end of 2025 according to Frontier documents. I seem to remember something about an entirely new title. But even if that wasn't mentioned, it's way to early for a Planet Zoo sequel. People just spent a fortune on the original and I really don't think Frontier would abuse gamers in that way. And that's what it will look like to me if this game ends for an immediate sequel.
Honestly? If Planet Zoo 2 released in the next 12 months are you really going to be happy simply uninstalling the original after all you've spent? To me it would have been a total waste of time and Money.
We have also been theorising a sequel is in progress for close to 2 years putting a pretty good estimate of sequel development time at 4 years at time of release which 4-6 years would be reasonable for a game this size.
Well I have been listening to the general consensus about how many habitat animals we would get and I went with 70 which I think is a safe guess although I would definitely hope for more.
The lowland tapir is far more common in zoos with a much larger range than the Baird’s.
The American Flamingo is also more common in zoos and gives South America more diversity.
After my above conversation with Annie Konik I have decided to replace the pig with the African Elephant.
I made it on tierliste so there is only 1 icon for each animal hence why I can’t put animals like the arctic fox and moose in multiple continents.
I will make some tweaks after we get the final DLC so I might make an alternate version with more animals, I’d just rather be pleasantly surprised with a larger roster than I was expecting than be disappointed to get a smaller roster than I was expecting
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As @Milurian has pointed out, there were 3 CMS games confirmed by Frontier. One in FY25 (this year, aka PC2), one in FY26 (next year, confirmed to be a game akin to JWE and confirmed by Frontier to be the next CMS game) and one in FY27 (aka 2026). These CMS games are part of their "Renewed focus on CMS games" and given that two out of the three are sequels to existing CMS games, it's not unlikely that Planet Zoo 2 is the third game coming in 2026. That would put a similar amount of time between the original and the sequel as with JWE and JWE2.
But in all honesty, I think the whole "sequels are abuse" is a bad take anyway. Just because a sequel comes, doesn't mean that all of a sudden the original becomes worthless. That doesn't mean that they take the game away from you. It doesn't take away the 5 years of fun you already had with the game (7 years if the sequel comes in 2026). It's just a new game you can enjoy if you wish to do so. It only becomes a waste of time and money if you yourself let it be so. But that's entirely on you.
I say what I always say when the "waste of money" argument comes up: Look up your time spend on the game on Steam. Divide what you spend on the game with the hours. Compare it with any other pleasure you can have for one hour for that price.
I couldn't even get my beloved Coca Cola for the "price" that comes up. It's cents.
I couldn't even get my beloved Coca Cola for the "price" that comes up. It's cents.
The whole sequel is a waste of money idea comes from people expecting the sequel to be an almost identical clone to its predecessor which unfortunately is often the case in the gaming industry but even with just some of the improvements we have seen in planet coaster 2 a sequel seems worthwhile to me.
I was really against a sequel. I just didn't see the point, because PZ1 is actually fine the way it is.
Then last month I saw the "deep dive" of PC2, the path tool alone convinced me that I needed this sequel! I don't have any problems with the current path tool, but when the dude just drew a plaza on the floor freehand, I almost started crying.
Now imagine we get a tool like that for PZ2 to build enclosures (also for the paths, of course, I'm just assuming that). How easy it will be to build enclosure barriers. Maybe there will be a better menu in which we can also choose whether the enclosure should be a normal one, an aquarium or an aviary. And I can really imagine this utopia.
Then last month I saw the "deep dive" of PC2, the path tool alone convinced me that I needed this sequel! I don't have any problems with the current path tool, but when the dude just drew a plaza on the floor freehand, I almost started crying.
Now imagine we get a tool like that for PZ2 to build enclosures (also for the paths, of course, I'm just assuming that). How easy it will be to build enclosure barriers. Maybe there will be a better menu in which we can also choose whether the enclosure should be a normal one, an aquarium or an aviary. And I can really imagine this utopia.
I honestly can't wrap my head around this sentiment.
REAL ZOOS are "Africa-heavy". This is a zoo game. The roster does and should reflect real life (to an extent). IMO Africa should take up a solid 40% of the roster at least, maybe even more.
Greater is actually the more commonly kept species, 320 vs 253 holdings.
And atleast i associate flamingos more with african than the americas, so changing greater to cuban would be a downgrade for me. No reason to not have both in the PZ2 basegame tho as they are basicly a only a change in colorsaturation
For funsies list of most common Flamingo species and their holdings.
Greater: 320
Chilean: 265
Cuban: 253
Lesser: 100
Andea: 2
Puna: 1
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Speaking anecodtally here but in my experience zoos are often just as heavy with Asian species too, I think they are rather close honestly.
Asian species are harder to come by. I'm sure there are some exceptions to the rule, but the trouble with anecdotes is that they tend to come with confirmation bias.
Generally speaking, zoos have a lot more species from Africa. By and large this is because of availability in captive populations and ease of husbandry. For the game, depending on the species involved, I'd go 40% Africa, 30% Asia, 15% South America, and 10% North America, and 5% Oceania (or something like that - I'm not doing science here). More than half of all species would be ungulates, with primates occupying the next biggest chunk (I'm not thinking about birds, though they'd be up there, too). Then cats. The rest would be the mixed bag of small carnivores, dogs, elephants, and so on.
The big focus of zoos on african animals probably is atleast in a big part also due to them making up alot of the really iconic, and probably also most exciting animals to visitors.
If you want to draw people into your zoo africa is certainly the way to go
With the tier lists being made, I (poorly) edited together my 100-species roster I posted a while back onto a tierlist. This is basically my best case scenario roster, including most of the necessary species as well as filling in some vital gaps and adding a decent amount of flying and aquatic species. Some important species are missing as realistically they'd be needed to sell DLCs (domestics, gibbons, more bears, foxes, smaller cats, Asian rhinos, South American ungulates, etc.)
I like your roster. I'd personally replace Arctic Fox with Red Fox and Fennec with maybe the Elephant. I love the Arctic Fox (one of my favorite irl and in PZ) but he just seems like a DLC animal to me. And the Fennec is iconic and cool but to me the Red Fox kind of covers the Fennec's range. Which brings me to, I'd hope for the sequel to have subspecies... A Red Fox with larger ears to represent the desert animals, one with thicker fur to represent North American populations (the one in game looks like it has either summer coat or is from Eurasia), and of course the color variants (at least the cross fox and the silver/black to make their return).
I’m aware real zoos are Africa heavy, and this roster still is with about 30% African animals, the game should have a Africa favouring roster but not at the sacrifice of all other regions
I’m not expecting 10 animals from each continent but I am expecting to be able to build a decent South American section