🐾Planet Zoo: Tropical Pack arriving 4 April🐾

[Captain Callum]

From a business perspective, I really don't see them missing out on the financial gain opportunity with birds. It'll either be a bird pack at this point, or a big feature to sell PZ2

A potential planet zoo 2 will be long long down the pipeline of projects that frontier would likely want to sell (basing this off planet coaster 2 is still not here 7 years later). Birds are still one of the community's strongholds for inclusions into the game which many would not support having to pay for a new game just to get access to flying birds

The only reasonable conclusion at this point is that frontier is planning to include birds at the last minute similar to the final dlc that planet coaster left with. We have the groundwork for birds with flying animals in the walkthrough exhibit anyways

 

[abigenius]

Any idea where I could get this picture without the logo? I love the composition of this cover and would love to use it as PC backround.

I don't if it exists on 4K but I have this from the official page

 

[FoxyDee]

It's not about hate. It is very clear that the meta-wishlist is a form of manipulation that induced preferences that some members did not have but assumed because it is not exactly ok to oppose the majority of the community of a forum. Without her existence, probably the DLCs would have looked different. Perhaps more balanced with birds, reptiles, less exotic mammals, but which reflect the fauna of each continent, with more construction elements useful in creating a habitat. Maybe...

Then people would complain why dont we have exotic animals in a ZOO game and why there is a 10th monitor species...And about the construction, I dont think you can blame forum users for the overly-themed pieces. Majority of people here expressed that they would rather get generic ZOO building pieces. This one is on the casuals and some of the youtubers that are mostly builders that enjoy these theme-park pieces the most.

In short, you will NEVER please everyone.

 

[markun]

Really not sure about this one. The category screams animal pack to me and I’m never going to be excited about more heavily themed building pieces when we still don’t have a gridded mesh building set for example.

The red river hog and gibbon will probably be regulars in my zoo builds and maybe the fossa too. The monitor feels like an odd choice to me.

Hopefully brachiation will be extended to the orangutan.

Frankly if they don’t take this opportunity to fix the Malayan tapir I don’t think they ever will

Having thought more about this and slept on it I am broadly happy.

I think at the root of most complaints and constructive criticisms is that scenery packs are by definition so very limited. When we only get four/five animals, it’s very easy for things to get left out and inclusions seem questionable.

I’m actually very much in favour of the lar gibbon. They are very likeable and I actually prefer them to siamangs.

But I understand that it seems odd to go for this when a South American monkey would offer more balance overall.

 

[Humble Bumble]

It takes time to produce these packs, when or if used the Meta Wishlist for reference for the Spring DLC it would have been at least a year ago. The Meta wishlist now won't have any impact on future DLCs, because they are most likely locked in. The developers cannot be as a fickle as we are in our wants. The Lar Gibbon was swinging around the top of most peoples wish lists when the pack was decided.

The meta wishlist is a valuable point of reference but there is a time delay on it.

But one thing it doesn't show is the demand for flying birds, because they are on a separate lower league/list hidden away that doesn't get the same level of visability. Maybe if for example the golden eagle or scarlet macaw was seen on par and in the same list as the red river hog and sloth there might be more emphasis to include them down the line even if they are not ultimatly a habitat animal - like the sloth.

 

[Captain Callum]

I don't if it exists on 4K but I have this from the official page
View attachment 349700

Heres the high quality one :

 

[SalamAnders]

I can't believe some people are now criticizing the meta-wishlist @random goat put so much effort in. Nothing is ever perfect but this list is probably the best thing that ever happened in this community! I think it still shows quite well which animals are popular and I'm glad Frontier is looking at it.

We are not criticizing the work put into it, we are criticizing the fact that people believe it should be followed blindly. For every DLC we get, the more the flaws of that list shows.
I think Goat even agrees with this to some extent.

Sloths were allowed on the list. Most flying birds suitable for the exhibit were not. So according to the list, the sloth was the perfect choice for the box. Far from everyone would agree with that, not even people who voted for the sloth. Because the list cannot deal with the new exhibit system.

Lar Gibbons were higher on the list than all monkeys, yet a lot of people would take almost any monkey over it. But with 100+ monkeys to choose from, and not a whole lot standing out as more iconic than the other, people are not all going to agree which monkey is the best, though all would agree a monkey is better. The list cannot handle unspecific choices.

Plus the lar is a leftover from before the Siamang. The list cannot deal with "leftovers", when a good alternative to the species was added instead.

 

[QueenCinna]

A potential planet zoo 2 will be long long down the pipeline of projects that frontier would likely want to sell (basing this off planet coaster 2 is still not here 7 years later). Birds are still one of the community's strongholds for inclusions into the game which many would not support having to pay for a new game just to get access to flying birds

The only reasonable conclusion at this point is that frontier is planning to include birds at the last minute similar to the final dlc that planet coaster left with. We have the groundwork for birds with flying animals in the walkthrough exhibit anyways

I also think that pz2 is a long way off, I can't see them releasing it in the next 5 years. I brought it up just to remind people that frontier is ultimately a business, and will pay attention to what they believe will net them the most profits. I could see birds being the final pack, as it would sell and the hype would likely get new players in to purchase base game and other dlc

 

[DarthQuell]

Ok, here is my piece of the pie:

Regarding the wishlist, it started off as a fun project to compile everybody's wishes there. Some people posted their choices by priority, yes, but most did not and didn't care about what came 1st as long as they got it. So, I don't understand the arguments against the wishlist, to be honest...

Regarding the DLC, a lot of these choices and the theme are great and it IS what the community has asked for. I understand the disappointment about the format and maybe some choices (in my opinion, I'm just happy we got these types of animals). @Aramar gave a bit better detail a few posts up.

What I'm against is rude comments and also people trying to put down others for liking this pack (or anything, for that matter). Some people like the monitor, yet I saw somebody post about how it's a horrible choice and they shouldn't like the monitor. What is that, y'all? Literally.
I feel like lately some people have been trying to force their opinions in others and shoot other opinions down. This was not the Frontier Forums I saw when I 1st arrived back in 2020, y'all.
We all have our own way to play the game. Some like sandbox. Some are builders and want more pieces. Some are animal nerds and want a mix of popular and oddball animals. Some love the exhibits and wish for an entire DLC based around them. Some want more reptiles while others want birds.
Why put down the way other people play the game just because you don't like a certain aspect? And that's what I'm seeing lately, that some people can't deal when somebody else is enjoying some part of the game

 

[markun]

But one thing it doesn't show is the demand for flying birds, because they are on a separate lower league/list hidden away that doesn't get the same level of visability. Maybe if for example the golden eagle or scarlet macaw was seen on par and in the same list as the red river hog and sloth there might be more emphasis to include them down the line even if they are not ultimatly a habitat animal - like the sloth.

I think the community has made its demand for flying birds more than clear, we don’t need the meta list to do that.

 

[FoxyDee]

Heres the high quality one :
View attachment 349701

Thank you very much you Captain.

 

[Crocodile DunDean]

I don't if it exists on 4K but I have this from the official page
View attachment 349700

I managed to find a bigger version suitable for a wallpaper.

 

[Captain Callum]

Some people like the monitor, yet I saw somebody post about how it's a horrible choice and they shouldn't like the monitor.

Really? Criticising the monitor on your own behalf is completely fair but telling others to hate it because they don't like it? What is wrong with people

The monitor should be treated as an improved Nile Monitor since we know we will never get a base game animal rework. People criticise when we get another caiman, criticise when we get another monitor, criticise the sloth choice, criticise this and that. When we get to that stage of mentality, I think someone needs a break from the game

 

[DarthQuell]

Really? Criticising the monitor on your own behalf is completely fair but telling others to hate it because they don't like it? What is wrong with people

I mean, take it with a grain of salt because I may have misunderstood, but that's what I thought

 

[TheHippoGirl]

We are not criticizing the work put into it, we are criticizing the fact that people believe it should be followed blindly. For every DLC we get, the more the flaws of that list shows.
I think Goat even agrees with this to some extent.

Sloths were allowed on the list. Most flying birds suitable for the exhibit were not. So according to the list, the sloth was the perfect choice for the box. Far from everyone would agree with that, not even people who voted for the sloth. Because the list cannot deal with the new exhibit system.

Lar Gibbons were higher on the list than all monkeys, yet a lot of people would take almost any monkey over it. But with 100+ monkeys to choose from, and not a whole lot standing out as more iconic than the other, people are not all going to agree which monkey is the best, though all would agree a monkey is better. The list cannot handle unspecific choices.

Plus the lar is a leftover from before the Siamang. The list cannot deal with "leftovers", when a good alternative to the species was added instead.

I agree the list has some flaws, that's why I said nothing is ever perfect. But I think Frontier knows about those flaws. They know very well how the list was made. For example, I'm sure they know there are no birds on the list because those were not included and that doesn't mean people don't want birds. I'm sure Frontier is well aware that birds are very requested.

Also, I don't think Frontier is following the metawishlist blindly. If it was the case, we would never have gotten the nile lechwe, the blue wildebeest or the asian water monitor. I think it's one of several tools they use to make their decisions. And it's great they are looking at it because, even with its flaws, it remains a good indication of what animals people would like to see in the game.

 

[DarthQuell]

The monitor should be treated as an improved Nile Monitor since we know we will never get a base game animal rework.

Even better: our 1st DLC habitat reptile that isn't a crocodilian (if you don't count the Deluxe DLC)

People criticise when we get another caiman, criticise when we get another monitor, criticise the sloth choice, criticise this and that. When we get to that stage of mentality, I think someone needs a break from the game

Yeah, I actually agree. I've met people who get so addicted they lose track of everything else and their temper is crazy...

I'm sure they know there are no birds on the list because those were not included and that doesn't mean people don't want birds. I'm sure Frontier is well aware that birds are very requested.

Agreed. The mods have stated that they read all the threads (maybe not every post, but many of them). There has been so many threads and mentions of birds that they know we want them. Why they aren't doing more, nobody knows except Frontier. I mean, maybe this particular team struggles with feathers? Or they're saving birds for an all bird pack, like somebody mentioned before...

And it's great they are looking at it because, even with its flaws, it remains a good indication of what animals people would like to see in the game.

Exactly. And personally, even though it's nice to get the popular species, I prefer the oddballs

 

[Humble Bumble]

I think the community has made its demand for flying birds more than clear, we don’t need the meta list to do that.

clearly the community hasn't because we haven't got them yet. If the community really wants the scarlet macaw as much as the tasmanian devil ( i suspect more) then they need to show it in votes.

 

[OkapiJohn]

I think this pack does highlight a few biases of the wishlist, and while it's a great resource and I feel grateful towards the people who have put a lot of time doing it, in my opinion it should not be the entire basis to chose a line-up for a pack.

A problem with the meta-wishlist is that it only focuses on individual animals species, so when people want a representant of a bigger taxa (e.g. New World monkeys), the vote will get split up (between tamarins, squirrel monkeys, howlers, spider monkeys, sakis....) and will result in a lot of animals in the 10-30 range ; but I think any of these animals would have been better received than the animals in this pack (except perhaps the river hog).

The fact we can't change our vote on the wishlist also introduces a bias - if a very popular species isn't included, but another close species is, a lot of players would be satisfied with the close species and would be disappointed if the popular option is also included later on over less represented taxa. That's kinda what happened here with the gibbon (it stayed very high on randomgoat's wishlist because it was highly requested before the siamang, but when you look at SuzieSky's more recent wishlist for instance, it's clear that it's actually not that requested anymore). It might happen with Linnaeus's two-toed sloth as well - I'm sure a large part of the community (although not everyone) is satisfied with the sloth species we'll get and wouldn't want another sloth species taking the slot of other less represented niches, but it's high on randomgoat's wishlist and it will likely stay there as it's not in the game, in a position which likely doesn't exactly represent the community's current needs and want.

This is my point. Why are you assuming that Frontier chose the Gibbon based on the meta-wishlist? Doesn't frontier have other sources/tools/reasons to choose a specific animal? These non-supported assumptions are just creating the feeling that frontier is being mean or dumb for not following the meta-wishlist like a believer follows the bible. I love the meta-wishlist but surely too many people are putting way too much faith on it. I still think the devs are capable to take independent decisions from the wishlist.

 

[Captain Callum]

This is my point. Why are you assuming that Frontier chose the Gibbon based on the meta-wishlist? Doesn't frontier have other sources/tools/reasons to choose a specific animal? These non-supported assumptions are just creating the feeling that frontier is being mean or dumb for not following the meta-wishlist like a believer follows the bible. I love the meta-wishlist but surely too many people are putting way too much faith on it. I still think the devs are capable to take independent decisions from the wishlist.

The Devs a while back said community wishlists were occasionally looked at inspiration for certain themes if they struggled to finalise a strong lineup. It's very clear frontier is competent in deciding what animals should go where without any assistance from the community, the Lar gibbon being high on the wishlist could just be a coincidence

 

[markun]

clearly the community hasn't because we haven't got them yet. If the community really wants the scarlet macaw as much as the tasmanian devil ( i suspect more) then they need to show it in votes.

Frontier don’t take orders from us and don’t use the meta list as our instructions to them.

People are constantly banging on about birds, trust me, they know we want them.