This is what I think Frontier could realistically do. I'm assuming 2 more packs for 2024 and 3 more for 2025. PZ2 will be released in late 2026 (their 3rd CMS game) after PC2 in late 2024 and JWE3 in late 2025. Hence, I'm expecting support until the end of 2025 as any work they do for the first game will also go into the sequel.
Since Frontier favours cute/photogenic animals, I'm going to list more here. Also, I will try to limit the number of new rigs needed for each DLC and use hints provided in planco dictionary and in-game scenery pieces.
Latin America Animal Pack (Summer 2024)
-8 Candidate animals: Coati, Southern Screamer, Bush Dog, Tamandua, Squirrel Monkey, Ocelot, West Indian Manatee (cover), Suriname Toad
-The Manatee will be a big seller. Not too dissimilar to the grey seal swimming animations, will require tweaks. Tamandua will need added arboreal animations using the Giant Anteater rig. Bush Dog will need a new rig, but it's a cute animal so Frontier will definitely add it. Ocelot, Screamer, Coati, Squirrel Monkey are basically clones. Squirrel Monkey is cuter and requires less work than tamarins so I expect they will be chosen. Screamer and Suriname are listed in planco dictionary. NO large South American monkey because Frontier thinks they are ugly.
-Free update will give us the option of having fully aquatic exhibits for the manatee by changing some mechanics.
Pacific Northwest Pack (Winter 2024)
-standard scenery pack: 200 scenery pieces (Native American themed + log cabins that people have been complaining about) This is the final scenery set that the game needs.
-5 Candidate animals: Pacific Walrus (cover), Musk Ox, Sea Otter, American Black Bear, Hummingbird (WE)
-Walrus is an iconic animal, it can also use a preexisting rig with minor tweaks. Musk Ox and American Black Bear are clones. Sea Otter can also use preexisting rig but will require substantial new animations, but since they are so cute Frontier will add them. Hummingbirds can be based on butterflies like what the modding community has done and will be a major draw.
Highland Animal Pack (Spring 2025)
-8 Candidate Animals: Markhor (cover), Spectacled Bear, Goodfellow's Tree Kangaroo, Pallas Cat, Golden Snub Nosed Monkey, Yak, Japanese Serow, Himalayan Vulture (WE)
-rounds out Highland Asia very nicely. Markhor will give us another climbing animal using the ibex rig. Spectacled Bear can use old rig but it will need new climbing animations. Pallas Cat, Golden Snub Nosed Monkey, Yak, Japanese Serow are all clones. Tree Kangaroo will need a new rig. Vulture, Tibet, Goodfellow are listed in planco dictionary. Basically, this DLC has something for everyone: cute animals (tree kangaroo, pallas cat), China players (Golden Snub Nosed Monkey), Japan players (serow), highland asia representation (markhor, yak), domestic addition (yak), new exciting bird exhibit (vulture).
Savanna Animal Pack (Summer 2025)
-8 Candidate Animals: Patagonian Mara, Hamadryas Baboon, Dik-Dik, Honey Badger, Serval, Echidna, Secretary Bird (cover), Black Mamba (exhibit)
-Patagonian Mara is cute and super common in zoos. It will need a new rig. Baboon, Dik-Dik, Honey Badger, Serval are all clones. Secretary Bird, Echidna will need a new rig/animations but Frontier already has experience will quills from the porcupine. Echidna, Secretary Bird, Hamadryas Baboon, Mamba are listed in planco dictionary.
Bird Paradise (Winter 2025)
-finale larger than normal DLC with 12 animals + 60+ bird-related scenery pieces
-it will have to be distinct from the other DLCs as the first DLC recommendation that new players to PZ will see when they load the game. Since the base game already has a ton of regular animals but lacks flying birds, the final DLC will be comprised of birds to add to the base game.
-12 Candidate Animals: Burrowing Owl, Golden Pheasant, Grey Crowned Crane, Wild Turkey, American Flamingo, Mandarin Duck, Pelican (habitat birds), Blue and Yellow/Scarlet/Hyacinth/Military Macaws (cover), Coconut Lorikeet (WEs)
-good geographical representation of eye-catching, interesting, fairly well-known birds: the pheasant, crane, turkey, and flamingo can mostly reuse old rigs. Macaws/Lorikeet, Burrowing Owl will need entirely new rigs. The waterfowl duck and pelican can build on the swan rig which will definitely be reused at some point. Macaw and Lorikeet are present in-game pieces.
5th and 6th anniversary animals: Javan Rhinoceros, King Cobra. Based on in-game pieces and planco dictionary.
Madagascar / Islands (scenery pack)
India (Animal Pack)
China / East Asia (Animal Pack)
Mediterranean (Scenery Pack)
Mexico / Caribbean (Scenery Pack)
A proper desert pack (Animal Pack)
Rainforests (Animal Pack)
LATAM (Animal/Scenery Pack)