Hey Frontier,
I’ve got a list of features that I think would take Planet Zoo to the next level.
Some are realistic, some are wild, but all of them would make the game more fun, deeper, and more creative.
Whether you add them in DLCs or save them for Planet Zoo 2 - please consider them.
1.
Hybrid Animals (Optional Breeding)
Let us breed real-life hybrids. These aren’t fantasy - they exist in the real world and would add depth to genetics and breeding mechanics.
Examples of known hybrids:
Adds new strategy and replayability to breeding programs.
2.
Nature Reserves (Optional Mode)
I’m not saying zoos are bad - it’s called Planet Zoo after all - but adding an optional nature reserve mode would offer a fresh, grounded experience.
Key ideas:
3.
Marine Life Expansion (More Focus)
Aquatic life is already a small part of the game, but it deserves more love - especially with how stunning and educational marine animals can be.
Requested features:
4.
Birds & Aviaries (New Dedicated Point)
Planet Zoo lacks proper aviaries and flying bird behavior - something real zoos depend on.
The community has been calling for an aviary DLC for years. Flighted birds like eagles, parrots, cranes, vultures, owls, and waterfowl are missing and badly needed
Implementation Suggestions:
5.
“Guests in the Cage” Attractions
Flip the experience: guests are inside a cage or tunnel, and animals roam freely around them.
Examples:
It’s immersive, thrilling, and much safer than letting guests roam among predators.
6.
Wildlife Researchers & Documentary Crews
Add more behind-the-scenes depth with dedicated research roles.
Features:
7.
Seasonal Migration & Group Events (For Reserves)
Add seasonal animal migrations in nature reserves.
Examples:
8.
Animal Cameras, Drones & Explorer Mode
Make the game more immersive with new player tools:
9.
Smarter AI + Genetics
10.
Mascots, Face Painters & Zoo Activities
Real zoos have fun features - let us recreate them:
11.
Countryside Life Mode – Pets, Farm Animals & Natural Threats
Introduce a third optional game mode focused on rural life, where players manage a traditional countryside space instead of a zoo or nature reserve.
This setting reflects real-life rural animal keeping, common in villages or small towns around the world.
Animals you'd care for:
Gameplay Systems:
Realistic Threats:
Wild predators and pests like snakes, ravens, hawks, foxes, wolves, rats, or weasels can:
Final Thoughts
I know... each one of these points could probably become a separate game on its own
But I really love Planet Zoo - it’s easily the best animal simulation game out there. It doesn’t just let us care for animals, it lets us express creativity through realistic building, management, and beautiful environments.
I truly hope some of these ideas can inspire future updates, DLCs, or even Planet Zoo 2 someday. Thanks for reading!
I’ve got a list of features that I think would take Planet Zoo to the next level.
Some are realistic, some are wild, but all of them would make the game more fun, deeper, and more creative.
Whether you add them in DLCs or save them for Planet Zoo 2 - please consider them.
1.
Hybrid Animals (Optional Breeding)Let us breed real-life hybrids. These aren’t fantasy - they exist in the real world and would add depth to genetics and breeding mechanics.
Examples of known hybrids:
- Liger (lion + tigress)
- Tigon (tiger + lioness)
- Zorse (zebra + horse)
- Zonkey (zebra + donkey)
- Mule / Hinny (horse + donkey)
- Grolar / Pizzly Bear (grizzly + polar bear)
- Coywolf (coyote + wolf/dog)
- Wholphin (false killer whale + dolphin)
- Leopon (leopard + lioness)
- Pumapard (puma + leopard)
- Cama (camel + llama)
- Beefalo (buffalo + cow)
- Dzo (yak + cow)
- Narluga (narwhal + beluga whale)
Adds new strategy and replayability to breeding programs.
2.
Nature Reserves (Optional Mode)I’m not saying zoos are bad - it’s called Planet Zoo after all - but adding an optional nature reserve mode would offer a fresh, grounded experience.
Key ideas:
- Sanctuary Mode Toggle: Focus shifts from guest happiness to animal conservation and rehabilitation.
- Field Researchers & Wildlife Crews: Staff who observe behavior, document traits, take photos, or even act like National Geographic crews.
- Animal Release & Tracking: Rescue and release animals, then follow their survival or ecosystem impact post-release.
- Guided Safari Tours: Guests explore habitats in jeeps while animals roam free - like real safaris.
- Legal vs. Illegal Hunters: Introduce legal hunting to maintain balance and generate income, while stopping poachers through rangers and alerts.
- Conservation Progression: Success is measured by habitat health, animal welfare, and species protection - not just ticket sales.
3.
Marine Life Expansion (More Focus)Aquatic life is already a small part of the game, but it deserves more love - especially with how stunning and educational marine animals can be.
Requested features:
- More Marine Species: Add dolphins, orcas, whales, sharks, sea lions, manatees, narwhals, and more.
- Marine Shows & Entertainment: Optional performances or enrichment shows like real-life dolphin and sea lion shows.
- Large Ocean Enclosures & Underwater Tunnels: Deeper, more immersive aquatic zones.
4.
Birds & Aviaries (New Dedicated Point)Planet Zoo lacks proper aviaries and flying bird behavior - something real zoos depend on.
The community has been calling for an aviary DLC for years. Flighted birds like eagles, parrots, cranes, vultures, owls, and waterfowl are missing and badly needed
Implementation Suggestions:
- Closed aviary exhibits: fully sealed from all angles so free-flight birds can’t escape, while still allowing space to fly and perch.
- Species list: include eagles (e.g. bald/harpy/golden), hawks, owls, parrots/macaws, toucans, cranes, waterfowl, vultures, condors, secretary birds, puffins, etc.
- Guest interaction: guests can walk through aviaries, join guided keeper talks with hawks in flight, or watch feeding/demonstrations.
- In Nature Reserves: allow birds to behave like they do in the wild - fly across open terrain, build nests, hunt or scavenge in natural ecosystems.
5.
“Guests in the Cage” AttractionsFlip the experience: guests are inside a cage or tunnel, and animals roam freely around them.
Examples:
- Glass tunnels through lion or bear enclosures
- Suspended pods inside predator habitats
- Underwater walkways in crocodile or hippo exhibits
- Observation cages dropped in the middle of savannah or jungle zones
It’s immersive, thrilling, and much safer than letting guests roam among predators.
6.
Wildlife Researchers & Documentary CrewsAdd more behind-the-scenes depth with dedicated research roles.
Features:
- Assign researchers to track animal behavior
- Discover hidden traits, special interactions, and unlock unique education content
- Add documentary crews - cameras, drones, and educational filming events
7.
Seasonal Migration & Group Events (For Reserves)Add seasonal animal migrations in nature reserves.
Examples:
- Birds flying in and out by season
- Herd migrations (zebras, wildebeests)
- Dynamic events: social groups forming, dominance fights, breeding changes
- Tool use (e.g. primates), nesting, territorial behaviors
8.
Animal Cameras, Drones & Explorer ModeMake the game more immersive with new player tools:
- Drone View: Fly over your park
- Collar Cameras: See life from an animal’s POV
- Hideable Wildlife Cameras: Place cameras to watch and record behavior
- Explorer Mode: Walk around the zoo in first person as a visitor or staff
- All these features increase immersion and help showcase your habitats.
9.
Smarter AI + Genetics- Add real family trees, friendships, rivalries
- Genetic inheritance: size, color, behavior, fertility
- Optional ethical choices: breed hybrids or avoid them?
10.
Mascots, Face Painters & Zoo ActivitiesReal zoos have fun features - let us recreate them:
- Mascots: Animal costume characters that entertain guests
- Face Painters: Staff who paint animals on kids’ faces
- Petting Zones & Feeding Events: More hands-on activities
- Birthday Parties, Animal Shows, & Guided Tours
11.
Countryside Life Mode – Pets, Farm Animals & Natural ThreatsIntroduce a third optional game mode focused on rural life, where players manage a traditional countryside space instead of a zoo or nature reserve.
This setting reflects real-life rural animal keeping, common in villages or small towns around the world.
Animals you'd care for:- Pets: Dogs (for protection), Cats (control pests/mice), Rabbits, Turtles
- Farm Animals: Cows (for milk, hides, meat), Sheep (for wool), Goats, Chickens (for eggs), Ducks, Horses, Donkeys
- Tamed Exotics: Optionally, raise wild animals like lions, tigers, or bears from young age
Gameplay Systems:- Resource Production: Milk cows, collect wool, use animal manure for crops, trade leather or eggs
- Behavioral Use: Dogs can guard livestock, cats hunt rats/weasels, donkeys or oxen pull carts
- Animal-Human Bonding: Raise animals from young and build trust, they act differently based on relationship
Realistic Threats:Wild predators and pests like snakes, ravens, hawks, foxes, wolves, rats, or weasels can:
- Kill or steal livestock
- Break into barns
- Cause chaos in food storage
- Guard dogs or fencing upgrades
- Scarecrows, traps, or motion alarms
- Day/Night risk system with dynamic events
- Rewards for humane defense or smart prevention
Final ThoughtsI know... each one of these points could probably become a separate game on its own
But I really love Planet Zoo - it’s easily the best animal simulation game out there. It doesn’t just let us care for animals, it lets us express creativity through realistic building, management, and beautiful environments.
I truly hope some of these ideas can inspire future updates, DLCs, or even Planet Zoo 2 someday. Thanks for reading!
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