Planet Zoo: Barnyard Animal Pack | Announce

I don't believe i'm saying this, but, domestics deserved this pack more than SA animals.
Why? Well look at the numbers: we have roughly 13 animals from SA, meanwhile domestics only have 3, and all of them are cammelids, there's a very obvious and dramatic difference between both and domestic clearly needed the boost.
I mean I don't agree with the numbers point since SA should have more than domestics, ones a continent and the other is just a tiny part of zoos, but I can kinda agree on the fact that domestics have been much more of a request in the past than South America.
 
And funnily enough most traditional breeds do have sort of a conservational value, since the big scale meat industry took hold most of them are threatend by extinction.
So zoos do play a big role in keeping these around. Its not exactly the same thing as with wild animals, but still

This is something i don't understand and i wanted to ask about since i know nothing about domestic breeds and stuff

But why is it important to keep certain breeds around? Is not like they play a role in the environment. Like if they disaapear is like a breeds of dog dissapearing. I don't see what impact does that have, not even for the agropecuarie industry. Like, is there any difference between one breed of sheep from another that makes them more important to be preserve?
 
I also must mention that wildlife conservation arguments only show up when the animals discussed are domestic ones, i never saw someone complain about NA pack or europe pack because they only have non-endangered species, and nobody said anything about the dromedary despite it being a domestic itself, so i guess wild life conservation only matter when the animal in question is a traditional domestic.
Wildlife conservation doesn't only extend to endangered species. It's about protecting ecosystems and ensuring the future of species that might become endangered in the future or that are important to the ecosystem where other, more endangered species exist. Porcupines and meerkats for example are widespread in their native ranges, but for zoos they are kept because a) they represent aspects of the ecosystem that are important but often overlooked and b) despite not being excessively poached or hunted, they are still at risk of eventual extinction due to factors such as climate change. They are also easily accessible to zoos, which is another reason, but I digress.

I totally disagree that domestics have no place in a zoo game. As has been repeatedly said, by me and others, even in the context of not being happy about this DLC, zoos contain domestic species; some even play an active role in what is called rare breed conservation, i.e. protecting specific breeds that aren't common anymore due to being replaced by breeds that are more fit for purpose (none of the animals in this pack fit that description, obviously, but anyway). So a barnyard DLC makes sense, whatever, that's not really the issue in and of itself.

I 100% agree that Earth Day was the wrong time for this. One might argue that there is no "right time" for a barnyard DLC, but I think a lot of comments have suggested otherwise; a recurring thought here is that if we really thought there was more DLC coming, then this would be far more palatable. So there might not be an "ideal time", but there is certainly a "wrong time".

This is a period of uncertainty. Everyone had high expectations for this pack. No matter which way you look at it, the timing was bad.
 
But why is it important to keep certain breeds around?
It's not necessarily important from a practical standpoint. It's mostly done by hobbyists, usually for cultural/heritage reasons. A good example is the Enderby Island rabbit or Arapawa goat here in New Zealand; many people consider them important to our history, and so they are protected breeds. And it sounds crass, but for a lot of people, including some zoos, these animals do become a small source of income, as they can sell them to breeders, collectors, enthusiasts, and so on as pets (just to reiterate, this is discussing rare domestic breeds, in case someone for some reason imagines I'm talking about, you know, lemurs or something 😅).
 
This is something i don't understand and i wanted to ask about since i know nothing about domestic breeds and stuff

But why is it important to keep certain breeds around? Is not like they play a role in the environment. Like if they disaapear is like a breeds of dog dissapearing. I don't see what impact does that have, not even for the agropecuarie industry. Like, is there any difference between one breed of sheep from another that makes them more important to be preserve?
It's not necessarily important from a practical standpoint. It's mostly done by hobbyists, usually for cultural/heritage reasons. A good example is the Enderby Island rabbit or Arapawa goat here in New Zealand; many people consider them important to our history, and so they are protected breeds. And it sounds crass, but for a lot of people, including some zoos, these animals do become a small source of income, as they can sell them to breeders, collectors, enthusiasts, and so on as pets (just to reiterate, this is discussing rare domestic breeds, in case someone for some reason imagines I'm talking about, you know, lemurs or something 😅).
Yeah mainly cultural heritage reasons.
Sorta like how some historic buildings or monuments get protected. Like pratically it would be better to tear the old stuff down and build something more usefull or efficient there, but in doing so you would lose some of youre past/culture/history
 
This is something i don't understand and i wanted to ask about since i know nothing about domestic breeds and stuff

But why is it important to keep certain breeds around? Is not like they play a role in the environment. Like if they disaapear is like a breeds of dog dissapearing. I don't see what impact does that have, not even for the agropecuarie industry. Like, is there any difference between one breed of sheep from another that makes them more important to be preserve?
It's nothing more than "preserving history" garbage... some people like to think holding onto every little tiny meaningless detail is somehow essential...
 
So I just started a new zoo, and at the starter entrance,
Screenshot 2024-04-23 200850.png

Just have to rub it in game don't you.
 
I want to give my thoughts on the DLC now that I've had time to think about it!

First, I am looking forward to this pack. I like making realistic zoos, inspired by the zoos I've visited (and just zoos that I think are cool!). Most zoos where I live have petting zoos or farm exhibits. So while I find these animals not super exciting, I greatly value what they will allow me to do. However, I feel like the breeds chosen could have been better and I'm honestly a bit confused by Frontier's choices. The community generally does not like oddballs, and I really wish they'd stop.

  1. Sussex Chicken- I think this was a pretty good choice. Sure, this breed isn't common worldwide, but it resembles a stereotypical chicken so it's fine with me.
  2. Highland Cattle- This is a very Frontier move. It's definitely the cute and "trendy" animal of the pack. I would have preferred the Watusi, but they are fun and recognizable.
  3. Alpine Goat- This is the pack's biggest offense to me. Nigerian dwarf or Nubian, I feel like that's all I need to say.
  4. Alpaca- I love alpacas! The llama was definitely doing it for me as far as SA camelids go, but I think in the end I'll be happy to have them. Definitely a refreshing pick amongst the more traditional farm animals.
  5. American Standard Donkey- I love donkeys and just equids in general! The Shetland pony is interchangeable here for me, but I think I like the donkey a bit more.
  6. Hill Randor Sheep- I would have preferred something like the Southdown sheep, but I honestly don't care too much about this pick.
  7. Tamworth Pig- Also one of the more disappointing picks. The Kunekune pig would have been so much better! They are cute and would have added more diversity.
I think this pack suffers from a lack of diversity. This pack is full of standard, European breeds, when there is so much diversity in the world! With my version we'd have (2) Africa, (2) Europe, (1) Oceania, (1) North America, and (1) South America.
 
Maybe I missed something, why is everyone saying that this is the last DLC?
Because (amongst other reasons) all in previous years, Frontier's financial reports specifically noted new DLC releases for PZ in the following financial year. The last financial report (for the first time) did not - it only indicated DLC in FY23-24 which ends in a couple of months.
 
If I recall correctly, a rumor video posted a while back said:
  • Planet Zoo was coming to consoles.
  • The next DLC would be the last DLC...
The Planet Zoo coming to consoles came true, so...

Oh, ok thanks for your response

I think this an "ok" pack but definitely the game shouldn't finish like this.

Frontier can get a lot of money if they just release an aviary expansion to end with a bang.
 
This is something i don't understand and i wanted to ask about since i know nothing about domestic breeds and stuff

But why is it important to keep certain breeds around? Is not like they play a role in the environment. Like if they disaapear is like a breeds of dog dissapearing. I don't see what impact does that have, not even for the agropecuarie industry. Like, is there any difference between one breed of sheep from another that makes them more important to be preserve?
As others have said, there are cultural heritage reasons but there are also more practical reasons... The loss of breeds is a loss of genetic diversity, which increases the risk of diseases that can have very substantial effects - for example, the potato famine (1840s) resulted from very low genetic diversity in potatoes in Europe and led directly to the death of millions and indirectly to social upheaval and the revolutions that swept Europe in 1848. Maintaining 'heritage' breeds is one avenue for maintaining genetic diversity.
 
Wildlife conservation doesn't only extend to endangered species. It's about protecting ecosystems and ensuring the future of species that might become endangered in the future or that are important to the ecosystem where other, more endangered species exist. Porcupines and meerkats for example are widespread in their native ranges, but for zoos they are kept because a) they represent aspects of the ecosystem that are important but often overlooked and b) despite not being excessively poached or hunted, they are still at risk of eventual extinction due to factors such as climate change. They are also easily accessible to zoos, which is another reason, but I digress.

I totally disagree that domestics have no place in a zoo game. As has been repeatedly said, by me and others, even in the context of not being happy about this DLC, zoos contain domestic species; some even play an active role in what is called rare breed conservation, i.e. protecting specific breeds that aren't common anymore due to being replaced by breeds that are more fit for purpose (none of the animals in this pack fit that description, obviously, but anyway). So a barnyard DLC makes sense, whatever, that's not really the issue in and of itself.

I 100% agree that Earth Day was the wrong time for this. One might argue that there is no "right time" for a barnyard DLC, but I think a lot of comments have suggested otherwise; a recurring thought here is that if we really thought there was more DLC coming, then this would be far more palatable. So there might not be an "ideal time", but there is certainly a "wrong time".

This is a period of uncertainty. Everyone had high expectations for this pack. No matter which way you look at it, the timing was bad.
Very very good points. Many zoos do have a farm or petting zoo area, if not both (where you don't pet all of the farm animals). That's how our local zoo is set up. And it does certainly add to the realism of a zoo roster, even if it's not the most exotic of packs.

Also good point that if we really knew for sure if this was the end of support or not, that would make a world of difference in how this pack is perceived. If, in two, four or however many months from now we do get another DLC, the Barnyard pack will not be the pack that everyone points to as preventing their favorites from not making it into the game. If it is the final pack, the history of Planet Zoo will not view this DLC kindly - sorry for the dramatic flair.

I'm still hoping for another pack. But fully admit this could be it as well. It's so not about flying birds anymore, I'm well past accepting that ain't happening. Instead I just can't believe we may not get another New World Primate or Coati, the two things I was thinking we would get "for sure".
 
Can we stop with the farm hate? It's ridiculous. Y'all are sucking the fun outta everything. It's almost as bad as the Star Wars fandom, all this gatekeeping. It's annoying. We got the barnyard pack, too late. Nothing y'all can do. Suck it up, buttercup, but now I'm getting fed up with y'all's hate comments about pixels.

There are so many thing I wanted in the game but didn't come. Y'all see me talking about it with so much negativity? No, I shrug it off and look at the positive aspects, what I'll benefit from. But y'all keep talking about something y'all can't change, and it's so petty
 
Can we stop with the farm hate? It's ridiculous. Y'all are sucking the fun outta everything. It's almost as bad as the Star Wars fandom, all this gatekeeping. It's annoying. We got the barnyard pack, too late. Nothing y'all can do. Suck it up, buttercup, but now I'm getting fed up with y'all's hate comments about pixels.

There are so many thing I wanted in the game but didn't come. Y'all see me talking about it with so much negativity? No, I shrug it off and look at the positive aspects, what I'll benefit from. But y'all keep talking about something y'all can't change, and it's so petty
Agreed, and 6 y'all(s) in this message LOL
 
So... first off, I'm honestly really excited for the Update and DLC. I've been waiting for Petting Zoos since the beginning of the game and for guests to be able to interact with animals. However for this to possibly be the last dlc is really disappointing. I feel this is not a big and last farewell kinda dlc. This dlc should've been an Aviary, Aquatic, or a Around the World dlc where we get an animal pack with the most requsted animals that we wanted from around the world. This dlc would be also alot bigger and more expensive by giving us way more animals and the update would give us something game changing to make PZ even better and more replayable. That is really my two cents and honestly am loving this dlc and update. I respect, love, and appreciate all the hard work that you do with this now small team of yours, but please don't make this the last dlc. Please give us a proper farewell with alot bigger/more expensive dlc that is super game changing and highly requested. We would willingly pay you guys more for a bigger dlc if you make one that gives us our highly requested animals and game mechanics. Also if this isn't the last dlc...by all means take your time and don't rush it. We understand your situation and want you guys to take the time you all need. 😉

Also regarding the update and dlc, I really hope guests can interact with the Giraffes by feeding them. This is a huge request for the new update from me and others if you can add it please and thank you. I would also love to see an interactive feeder that guests can use to feed the animals or if that's too much to just give it to us as a scenery piece that'll make me so happy. If you can possibly add these two things I would love you forever! :giggle:❤️
 
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Agreed, and 6 y'all(s) in this message LOL
Y'all can't handle the y'all's...
Also, I really hope guests can interact with the Giraffes by feeding them. This is a huge request for the new update from me and others if you can add it please and thank you. I would also love to see an interactive feeder that guests can use to feed the animals or if that's too much to just give it to us as a scenery piece that'll make me so happy. if you can add this I would love you forever! :giggle:❤️
That would be so cool. Oh man, imagine a giraffe feeding platform or something
 
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