Spring 2024 DLC Speculation

[Thylaco]

Yeah I hadn't thought of that, clearly things are changing for both games schedule. I feel like the next pack for JWE2 could be their final pack cause it could be an expansion since the lqa was updated a lot earlier, as for PZ hoping its not the final one but if it gives me at least some of what I want then I'll be satisfied.

They are running out of canon species, just Microceratus and Smilodon left, so maybe. I would think JWE2 more likely to end than PZ, with potential for a sequel next year with the movie.

The Chaos Theory show launches on the 24th of May, which will add to the list of canon species (Becklespinax is known, [been called Altispinax since 2016] a few toys suggest variants, maybe some other species), though I could see them leaving CT content for a sequel, as there'll likely be a few seasons between now and then.

In fact, I dream of Planet Zoo 2 or a game as good as that!
which adds nests, eggs, bird flight, marine animals and why not marine spectacle (orcas and dolphins)

Cetaceans being in captivity is often considered unethical, especially Orcas, so I've doubts they'll go for that species.

 

[jcp011c]

As a player, I have always wanted to create a "Sichuan exhibition area" mainly featuring giant pandas, so snub-nosed monkey and takin、pheasant are definitely indispensable
Similarly, when I want to create Amazon or Himalayan themed exhibition areas, I still lack many iconic species such as anacondas, South American tapirs, and New World monkeys, bharal (the main food of snow leopards), and yaks.
So if we look at it from the perspective of your exhibition area, what other species do you need in your exhibition area?

Taking flying/exhibit medium sized birds out of the possible answers, I'm mostly set on all regions except the ones from Latin America - that is, South America and Central America.

The need for additional primates, even just one....is extreme. There's also a near lack of small habitat animals from the Amazon. Plenty of medium sized animals but getting things like the Coati, smaller primates, Ocelot and even oddballs like the Brazilian Porcupine and Tayra would be welcome but not necessary; though the B Porcupine is definitely my oddball animal I really want to make it in, it's not very likely at all.

Talking about non Amazon South America - the Andes and Patagonia particularly, things like the Rhea, Patagonian Mara and Spectacled Bear are pretty important. There's others I'd like to see from those two regions, but those are the main ones. Spectacled Bear is my most wanted specific mammal species (though I think the need for more New World Primates are greater).

Central America would benefit from some of the above as well. Right now the area just don't really feel that well represented.

The other main mammals I want fall into two categories:

The regions are already represented well, it's just a favored species of mine - interesting but not necessary for regional representation. Though Non-Australia/NZ is pretty lightly represented, and India is kind of sparse, I'm not as set as crafting big areas for them. Adding to that, 'm a big canid fan, so they'll always interest me, but most regions don't need canids we don't have, though a case could be made for a jackal, particularly the Golden Jackal, to represent upper Africa and western Middle East. Still, to add something to that, a Tree Kangaroo would do non-Australia/NZ Oceania wonders. I'm less vested in India but acknowledge the opinions it's not that well represented.

Wanting species for diversity's sake or because they're interesting to me but not necessarily. A second giraffe for the first example - having a choice in the species would be great, but in regards to being able to represent the region, one is all that's really needed. Same with the Grey Kangaroo or a second wombat.

There are two exceptions to all of this, that aren't in Latin America, and one's a temperate Otter. But Otters are probably my favorite specific group of wild animals, even more than canids, so Frontier could throw every single one of them into the game without complain from me. Still, it would be nice to be able to have an otter for either North America and Europe - and I could fudge a bit and could use one for both.

The other exception is the most iconic African reptile missing - the Nile Crocodile. It's necessary and more generally well known by casuals, even more so than the Baboon or Secretary Bird if we get right down to it. (I know I'll get lambasted for this though, but I'm ready for it)

Finally, something does feel missing with the Arctic region, but I think it's more skewed towards thinking of wild animal settings in general instead of zoo setups. The Muskox would be great to have, but not necessary for me; I doubt we'll get an Arctic or Snowshoe Hare since they're not common in zoos; the Walrus is definitely a recognizable animal but again, I'm not sure if it's needed for me at least, to make a zoo setting versus natural wildlife setting. Of course, I'd take a Sea Otter.

I'd also say a Cobra is needed to represent India, but given it would be in an exhibit, it's a bit different than the rest of the set up we're talking here.

 

[Milurian]

Saying that putting a bird in the WTE would be a waste of a slot literally makes no sense to me - a wasted slot for what?! What would’ve gone in there instead? Another useless bat or second sloth? Maybe it’s not an entire roster of birds but I would rather get 1 than another WTE animal that’s a copy of what we already have.

bats are the second most underrepresented mammal groups the most being rodents so there is definitely justification for more.

 

[Milurian]

when looking at my most wanted animal the leopard seal it had 1 pack to make it in maybe 3 on a stretch aquatic / oceania,australia

 

[SallinDaemon]

Idk even regions that you could consider "complete" like Oce, Eu and NA all have alot of species that would make cool additions still. So i dont really think of them as complete, since that means there is nothing left to add.

Id rather think of them as in a nice state were you can build sizeable sections or local zoos for them

Agreed! For a truly realistic 'local species' zoo, I could think of easily a dozen animals I've seen exhibited here in the UK. For variety's sake as we come to the possible end of PZ's DLCs though, I don't think they're needed as much as animals from other regions.

If I did get to put together a Local Species pack just for me, though...
1. Polecat
2. European Hedgehog
3. Roe deer
4. Brown hare
5. Red squirrel
6. Mallard duck/Tufted duck
7. Grey heron
+ Common Pipistrelle WE, or maybe an Adder? Or a variety-pack of garden birds like how we got the butterflies if I can continue to dream lmao

And that's still skipping many others that I'd also be interested in! I suppose that's what mods will be for once PZ's packed up its update bags

 

[Milurian]

On the topic of whether oceania is well represented, on a global scale it is looking at the oceanic animals commonly found or known internationally planet zoo has all but 2.

The roster size is the biggest issue with oceania even if you included all available animal an oceanic zoo would still be small and very limited in options same thing with europe and to an extent north america. When comparing that to the state of asia and africas roster you have plenty of options and choice you can chose to look specifically at certain regions or climates in both and still build a functioning zoo that has the same number of animals as the entirety of oceania or europes roster.

also looking at local oceanic zoos we dont have anywhere near enough animals due to strict import laws and remote locations many oceanic zoos have a majority of their roster being local animals for many its the entirety of their roster.

 

[CharlieXGaming]

The roster size is the biggest issue with oceania even if you included all available animal an oceanic zoo would still be small and very limited in options same thing with europe and to an extent north america. When comparing that to the state of asia and africas roster you have plenty of options and choice you can chose to look specifically at certain regions or climates in both and still build a functioning zoo that has the same number of animals as the entirety of oceania or europes roster.

Thats cause Asia and Africa take up most of real life zoos, while Oceania or North America have smaller sections so it makes sense to have less of those continents in comparison to Africa and Asia.

also looking at local oceanic zoos we dont have anywhere near enough animals due to strict import laws and remote locations many oceanic zoos have a majority of their roster being local animals for many its the entirety of their roster.

Its Planet Zoo, not Planet Oceania. We've gone from 1 to 19 species from Australia/Oceania, thats pretty good and seeing how other continents need more rep Oceania really isnt a priority imo with possibly one pack to go.

 

[bkfireshark]

Honestly, as much as I love Oceania animals, I feel like the only one we "need" is the Echidna and Rainbow Lorikeet(if we get aviaries). I would love other animals as well, such as the Quoll, Bilby, and Bandicoot, but if we are only getting 1 or 2 more DLCs, I'm fine with passing on them

 

[Fallax]

I think the animal that missed the most pack opportunities might be the Great White Pelican. It could have fit into Aquatic, Southeast Asia (barely), Africa, Europe, Wetlands, Eurasia...

 

[CharlieXGaming]

It would've been cool if the DLCs had gone a different route and we get one every 6 months with the same continental themes but expanded more, like for example:
Bolded Species are the brand new ones, a lot of this is shuffling around ones we have gotten from packs

November 2019: Game Launches
December 2019: Deluxe Upgrade Species Pack; 4 species including Komodo Dragon, Grey Seal, Pygmy Hippo and the King Penguin

June 2020: South America Expansion; 13 species (11 Habitat 2 Exhibit) including Jaguar, Capybara, Maned Wolf, Llama, Giant Anteater, Capuchin Monkey, Collared Peccary, Giant Otter, Spectacled Caiman, Greater Rhea, Patagonian Mara, Red Eyed Tree Frog (E), Brown Throated Sloth (WTE) with the WTE being introduced a lot earlier. 150+ piece building set.
December 2020: North America Expansion; 13 species (11 Habitat 2 Exhibit) including Polar Bear, Moose, North American Beaver, California Sea Lion, Cougar, American Black Bear, Nine Banded Armadillo, Raccoon, Arctic Fox, Reindeer, American Alligator, American Bullfrog (E), 5 species of Butterfly (WTE) from NA. 150+ piece building set.

June 2021: Australasia Expansion; 13 species including Red Kangaroo, Koala, Goodfellows Tree Kangaroo, Emu, Dingo, Tasmanian Devil, Quokka, North Island Brown Kiwi, Platypus, Common Wombat, Southern Cassowary, Spectacled Flying Fox (WTE) and Eastern Blue Tongued Skink (E). 150+ piece building set.
December 2021: European Expansion; 13 species including Wisent, Wild Boar, European Hare, Wolverine, Mute Swan, Eurasian Lynx, European Fallow Deer, Alpine Ibex, European Badger, Red Fox, Red Deer, Hermanns Tortoise & Fire Salamander (E). 150+ piece building set.

June 2022: Asian Passage Expansion; 13 species including Clouded Leopard, Sloth Bear, Przewalski's Horse, Asian Small Clawed Otter, Siamang, Malayan Tapir, Red Crowned Crane, Binturong, Takin, Saiga, North Sulawesi Babirusa, Giant Malaysian Leaf Insect (E), Egyptian Fruit Bat (WTE). 150+ piece building set (tropical pack set)
December 2022: African Pridelands Expansion; 13 species including Meerkat, Southern White Rhino, African Crested Porcupine, Hamadryas Baboon, Dromedary Camel, Scimitar Horned Oryx, Sand Cat, Secretary Bird, Red River Hog, African Penguin, Somali Wild Ass, Scarab Beetle & Desert Viper (E) 150+ piece building set.

Then after that into 2023 I would do just species packs like JWE2 filling out the rest of what we missed:

March 2023: High Climbers Species Pack; 4 species including Lar Gibbon, South American Coati, Dall Sheep and Sun Bear.
June 2023: Predator Species Pack: 4 species including Amur Leopard, Asian Water Monitor, Honey Badger and Fossa.
September 2023: Herbivore Species Pack; 4 species including Red River Hog, Red Necked Wallaby, Black Rhino and Wild Water Buffalo.
December 2023 (Send off): 4 more animals that would fill the last spots of the roster that I cant think of right now.

 

[Milurian]

Thats cause Asia and Africa take up most of real life zoos, while Oceania or North America have smaller sections so it makes sense to have less of those continents in comparison to Africa and Asia.

Its Planet Zoo, not Planet Oceania. We've gone from 1 to 19 species from Australia/Oceania, thats pretty good and seeing how other continents need more rep Oceania really isnt a priority imo with possibly one pack to go.

Its not planet northern hemisphere either as I just said the zoos in oceania are predominantly oceanic animals so your argument is that one global region is just superior. If you actually paid attention to my wording which you clearly didnt I did say on a global scale oceania is well represented but there is a difference between functionally well represented and representative of reality.

I do agree on a global scale yes africa and asia make up the majority of the collections but for a region to be "complete" in planet zoo it should be able to on its own be able to have a functioning zoo with some options not just use the same handful of animals every single time. Also using your argument we dont need anymore animals from south america either since they are only slightly more prevalent in global collections than oceania.

 

[Milurian]

my opinions on what order regions need representation

• south america (obvious everyones been asking for it for years and the roster is limited in both diversity and quantity)
• asia (everything but south east asia is very limited but as a continent can have a functioning zoo)
• europe (its very hard to build a european area without utilising animal that are not obviously euroepan and even harder to build a dedicated zoo)
• africa (we have alot it can support itself rather well but does have some key things missing)
• oceania (volume and choice is the only thing lacking representation is good)
• north america (still missing some key animals and just general quantity of animals is low it is probably the closest to done and is able to have a small but relatively diverse zoo with some options)

 

[QueenCinna]

Honestly, as much as I love Oceania animals, I feel like the only one we "need" is the Echidna and Rainbow Lorikeet(if we get aviaries). I would love other animals as well, such as the Quoll, Bilby, and Bandicoot, but if we are only getting 1 or 2 more DLCs, I'm fine with passing on them

bilby mentioned, queencinna activated

 

[DarkTemplar]

Idk even regions that you could consider "complete" like Oce, Eu and NA all have alot of species that would make cool additions still. So i dont really think of them as complete, since that means there is nothing left to add.

Id rather think of them as in a nice state were you can build sizeable sections or local zoos for them

A local China pack may include:
1. King Cobra (exhibit)
2. Chinese Crocodile Lizard (exhibit)
3. Red-and-white Giant Flying Squirrel (WTE)
4. Coconut Crab
5. Chinese Giant Salamander
6. Yangtze Giant Softshell Turtle
7. Golden Pheasant
8. Mandarin Duck
9. Dalmatian Pelican
10. Asian Crested Ibis
11. Great Bustard
12. Mountain Hare
13. Golden Snub-nosed Monkey
14. Francois Langur
15. Yellow-throated Marten
16. Pallas Cat
17. Pere David's Deer
18. Reeve's Muntjac
19. Wild Yak
20. Bharal

 

[CharlieXGaming]

Its not planet northern hemisphere either as I just said the zoos in oceania are predominantly oceanic animals so your argument is that one global region is just superior. If you actually paid attention to my wording which you clearly didnt I did say on a global scale oceania is well represented but there is a difference between functionally well represented and representative of reality.

Yeah I missed that part sorry I see it now, its late for me I'm slow I retract my post from earlier.

Also using your argument we dont need anymore animals from south america either since they are only slightly more prevalent in global collections than oceania.

South America's kinda different though, because Oceania already has its icons, if you asked a random person what animals they know live in Australia, we have all of the ones they say. Emu, Kangaroos, Koalas, Dingo's, Devils, etc. the remaining ones apart from the Tree roo aren't as well known to the general public. Meanwhile SA is missing a lot of key species that people know it for, mainly birds and monkeys. Tamarins, Howler Monkeys, colourful birds of paradise, macaws, etc. would probably be the first ones people think of along with a couple we do have like jaguar or capy. I know this doesn't relate to the "how big sections are in a real zoo" point I made earlier just saying there are different reasons some continents deserve to be represented more than others at certain times. You're right SA only slightly beats Oceania with how big sections are in real zoos, but on a different point we are missing more iconic species from SA than we are Oceania.

 

[Milurian]

there are different reasons some continents deserve to be represented more than others at certain times. You're right SA only slightly beats Oceania with how big sections are in real zoos, but on a different point we are missing more iconic species from SA than we are Oceania.

On this we agree

 

[frank1055]

Asia is a weird one i feel like. Some areas are really good like SEA, which is kinda only missing a lowkey filler ungulate like anoa or spotted deer and a monkey, but even those are not desperately needed.
But you also have areas like the himalayas or india where you only got the star animals covered but almost nothing else

So as I mentioned before, Asia should be divided into several parts to distinguish. From the current perspective, Southeast Asia is almost perfect, while East Asia and North Asia can still introduce many species. East Asia can even add 7+1 pack

 

[frank1055]

chinese animal pack:
1.Snub-nosed monkey
2.Père David's Deer
3.Golden Pheasant
4.Red-and-white Giant Flying Squirrel(Gliding mechanism)
5.Chinese Alligator(Cave users)
6.Pallas Cat/Raccoon Dog
7.Wild Yak

8.Chinese Crocodile Lizard (exhibit)
Why can't PZ have such a DLC like Feathered Species Pack in JWE2?
Feathered Species Pack Almost all of them are Chinese species

 

[premierfong]

chinese animal pack:
1.Snub-nosed monkey
2.Père David's Deer
3.Golden Pheasant
4.Red-and-white Giant Flying Squirrel(Gliding mechanism)
5.Chinese Alligator(Cave users)
6.Pallas Cat/Raccoon Dog
7.Wild Yak

8.Chinese Crocodile Lizard (exhibit)
Why can't PZ have such a DLC like Feathered Species Pack in JWE2?
Feathered Species Pack Almost all of them are Chinese species

honestly they should just continue with support and do DLC by countries. Hire some fresh grad to make the animal over see by a senior. I don't think its going to cost that much.

 

[NZFanatic]

I don't think its going to cost that much.

How would you know?

Besides, what would be the point for Frontier? Like why would they bother? Half the PZ fanbase will move on to the next Planet game anyway as soon as it's out, just like how half of the Coaster fanbase moved on to Zoo.