I don't expect nothing, no clue about acquatic or falying animals, but the same 4 animals pack won't be a "high note", especially not after a not existing "first year" content. The comunity has been pretty clear: 4 animals is not that much, it doesn't drive anyone crazy anymore. So I think we deserve a little bit more, but of course I'm not expecting much.
Planet Zoo - Animal Talks
- Thread starter Chante Goodman
- Start date
I have always wondered if the reason why it's so, so difficult to raise education in our zoos is because the team were working on some more impactful features, like guides/educators. We also had the educator in the trailer before release, so I think this has been coming from the very start. Now it finally makes sense that education was always too low!
I would wholly disagree. It's absurd to expect them to change the four animal per pack system this late into the year. Roadmaps are usually a year in advance. We don't know what Frontier's roadmap looks like and we never will, so the only logical assumption is that it will be business as usual until at the earliest next year when they have a new roadmap based on feedback from this year. They might have included an end-of-year treat at the end of their roadmap, but there's no way for us to possibly know that, and getting worked up over it is a pointless exercise that only serves to make yourself upset.
Looking at this year's new content, it was extremely obvious stuff that I imagine most people saw (or should have seen) coming a mile away. Christmas season was bound to give us an Arctic theme, and Australia and South America were the two most underrepresented regions of the base game that American and European audiences would consider 'exotic'. Then we got colour variations, which again were tied into statements made pre-launch about the uniqueness of animals, so again that was something expected from the get-go, and now we're getting the educator, which again, was something shown in the trailer that everybody thought would already be in the game.
Unlike many I don't latch onto these things and demand them of Frontier. Until it was pointed out in a 'suggestions' thread a while back I'd totally forgotten that there was an educator/tour guide in the trailer at all. I also never read that deeply into Frontier's statements about unique animals. Looking at it retroactively, however, shows that these additions are really quite unsurprising (though, and I'll say this even though it shouldn't need to be said, they are still great inclusions and extremely welcome inclusions).
Next year is the true blank slate. This year they covered the obvious stuff, so next year it's more likely to be the 'still obvious but more difficult' stuff such as aviaries and aquatics, maybe new exhibits, all of those tricky things that the BroNation helpfully compiled.
So, the 'high-note' might be something totally new, like aquatic animals, or it might be a fulfilment of highly-requested regular things, or it might just be a pack that Frontier thinks we all want like Europe. In the end 'high-note' is a common turn of phrase and a buzzword designed to get people talking, as we are right now, and generate clicks, speculation, and hype on social media (which it is doing).
I think they are just like that because all the other education items are quite small and also it is just a marker or point, so, I don't believe that its design has anything to do with the upcoming DLCShort message but has anyone considered that the educator post looks like part of a pier or dock, and the painted motif looks like waves...?
Loving all the speculation.
Which animals can educators throw food in for, Giraffes, Hippopotamuses, Hyenas, Elephants? Can you give an example of what animals can receive food from these talks, also, carnivorous species such as lions and hyenas would be easier to give food from an elevated point.
Short message but has anyone considered that the educator post looks like part of a pier or dock, and the painted motif looks like waves...?
Loving all the speculation.
Frontier's hints are typically far more obvious. For the Australia Pack they showcased a whole bunch of Australian foliage in the update screenshots, for example.
NZ Fanatic is correct, in the previews for the vending machines, you could clearly point out the Staghorn Ferns and the Spiny-Head Matt Rushes
I believe even the rainbow eucalyptus was in one of those shots as well. It was pretty blatant. I imagine we'll see something when 1.4.0 is announced in a week or so.
I can see it, I'll happily jump on that hype train!Short message but has anyone considered that the educator post looks like part of a pier or dock, and the painted motif looks like waves...?
Loving all the speculation.
That design could also just be natural + interesting with no real theming, but I am expecting those aquatics, so...
SeaweedI can see it, I'll happily jump on that hype train!
That design could also just be natural + interesting with no real theming, but I am expecting those aquatics, so...
I do agree with you that there is a number of individuals that have definitely adapted (I wanted to say evolved, but it could be taken out of context, and someone is bound to get offended, lol) their gameplay based on all they have learned about zoos playing this game. I have not watched any of the YouTube videos in a long time, but I do remember that some of those players even at the early stages of this game seemed to already understand that there were a lot of basic pieces and content missing. Of course, if I remember correctly, some of those players also came from the Planet Coaster world, and at times seemed to have a theme park approach to zoo building. I remember seeing things like main streets, (The iconic Walt Disney approach to building its beloved Disneyland) Large Resorts within the parks, beach themed areas, floating Islands, etc, so I take all of it into consideration.
There is definitely a high chance that Frontier goes ahead and finally delivers on a multitude of zoo related content this December, even alongside an aquatic DLC, that would make perfect sense to me, but there is also the possibility that things like hotels, additional rides, enhanced management features, improved guest thoughts, etc are released by them and considered the high note. A large section of the community that focuses on the management aspect would be satisfied with enhanced gameplay, and rides such as merry go round, water rapids, zip lines and air balloons would definitely get them exited. Now personally, I hope that is not the case, the management stuff is irrelevant for me, I can't use it, and while some of the rides would definitely be a welcomed addition, not at the expense of the million zoo building and scenery components we need. So food for thought, I'm with you on what we need, but also see that there are many that would prefer enhanced gameplay and management.
A dedicated Zoo pack would by all intents and purposes address a large number of areas all at the same time, and push the game further towards a zoo than a theme park. I still believe however, that if at some point Frontier does add a TMT feature, that would take care of all the missing gaps when it comes to building.
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You would think that the most impacting negative aspect of someone not enjoying this game would be the amount of content and animals that are missing (Not saying that anyone should dislike this game, it is amazing in my humble opinion) yet the biggest reason for disliking the game from so many is that is allegedly boring and too difficult, go figure.
When I first started playing, having not ever played Planet Coaster, I did find it extremely difficult to get my head around some of the finer points of building. I found it very frustrating, too, because it was a game I'd been waiting for basically for ten years and I couldn't play it properly. Then I got a new laptop, it ran much better, and I was able to spend more time figuring it out. A lot of casual gamers (which is what I'd describe myself as, too) prefer things to be relatively simple and straightforward from the start.
As for boring, well, that boils down to personal opinion I suppose. 'Boring' isn't the word I would personally use, but 'repetitive' does come to mind. I said in another thread I'm also hoping for something of a game changer in the next few months to sort of rekindle my passion for the game and give me more of a reason to spend time on it. Although to be totally fair, I have a habit of starting fresh zoos a lot, and my biggest issue is having to redo all the initial facilities, gardens, and landscaping, which is all very time-consuming. In some ways I'd almost prefer if the whole map was, for example, covered in forest, so I could clear areas for building rather than having to fill areas in as I go.
It would be cool, if in Animal Talks this Entertainer could have an Animal on his side. Even Animals who are not intended for Guests. Not a Lion or Bear, but what is wrong with a Bongo or Tapir? In regular Animals that are ised for this shows have enough trust to his Keeper and stay colm.
I think the animal talks feature would be the perfect opportunity to include animal ambassadors in the game, as you often see in most zoos. The majority of these ambassador species are often small mammals, birds and reptiles, you really would not see a Tapir or Bongo standing next to a keeper in a zoo's visitor area. Even though it is improbable that we will see this feature included with animal talks, as Frontier made no mention of it, it is definitely a great idea for the future. There are hardly any small mammal species represented in the game, and this would be a great opportunity to showcase something like an echidna, sloth, tamandua, prehensile-tailed porcupine, squirrel monkey, etc. Even species that are not considered rare or important to zoos, but are often talked about in this forum by players, like rabbits, skunks, nine-banded armadillo, hedgehog, raccoons etc.
If we were to add birds and reptiles not currently found in game, then this list would of course become a lot bigger. In short this could be the perfect opportunity to introduce a number of species to the game that might not necessarily make the final roster when the game's long term support runs its course.
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You know what you are absolutely correct, lol, I remember when I first purchased the gaming equipment and game, I was full of excitement, my first official video game ever. Well the outcome was a disaster, as I had no clue how anything worked, and even the official tutorials were not very helpful, at least to me. What helped me tremendously was watching some of the players that made videos showing how everything worked. I purchased Planet Coaster in between the beta and the official release and that was so helpful, since both games operate basically in the same way. Even now I'm still learning new things about the game, mostly things that I never checked out before, but when it comes to sandbox, there is absolutely nothing that I feel is left to learn at this point. Overall I think that anyone having difficulty with the game, should just watch a few of the player's tutorials and just get a little practice, it is an amazing game, with infinite possibilities. Even though I have never played challenge or career mode, It is my understanding that the management aspect is fairly simple as well.
I think your habit of starting new zoos, is a universal one lol, I have seen many players state the same here. I have the complete opposite problem, as of now besides a bunch of blueprints, I have only worked on two projects one in Planet Zoo and another in Planet Coaster. I have so many ideas for future projects in Planet Zoo, but I'm unable to start anything new until I have completed my current project. It is a bit frustrating because I would to work on so many other things, but I can only truly handle one project at a time. That is why I will never be able to understand the boring part.
HeatherG
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Hi Klokan34 welcome!
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Thanks!