Spring 2024 DLC Speculation

[Narwhaler]

Cannot highlight enough that the idea of Frontier having animal models around that were "scrapped" makes absolutely no sense. The choices for the pack rosters are clearly established way before they start doing any models, otherwise that would be a terrible way to manage resources. "oh hey I finished the bug haha" "oh shoot well bad news cuz we have decided we prefer the lizard now" that's literally not how it works. The lord howe bug didn't go beyond being listed as scenery that was still being conceptualized, it never reached the stage of getting modelled.

tl;dr there are no secret discarded animal models laying around at Frontier's.

Also I had not really thought about the console players finally being silent in social media, that's gonna be so weird lol and I would appreciate if Frontier officially announced end of support or end of dlcs that is, too. Them being silent about things or simply not acknowledging stuff is a really annoying thing that always gets me. Being clear about things does no harm! If they truly appreciate the PZ community, they will make the announcement.

Also an interesting topic, do you think we will get an Anniversary animal this year? I really want to believe they might plan something just to keep the console players a bit more engaged, and a 5th anniversary is always an important one imo. My vote goes for the ABB.

 

[KönigDerKaffeebohnen]

Im honest wheter its the last dlc or not i just want in to be engaging.
To catch everyones interest and to do that in a positive way.

Last year i genuinly was more happy and excited about the free peccary then 3 of the packs, with tropical feeling like the most save and boring missed opportunity to expand on Sa, Arid took one of my favorite pack idears and butcherd it in the lamest way possible, even if i understand the decision afterwards to focus on north africa and see it as a valid one, the exclusion of the baboon and tortoise in favor of 5 ungulates is just dissapointing and while i agree with the oceania packs existance, its also not very usefull to be personally.

The peccary and eurasia were nice and all, but even then after the initial swan excitement wore of i was just left wondering why we got a shaggy bear instead of a pheasent, crane or monkey?

Even the Goldemort monkey would have rounded the pack out much better, but something like the himalayan monal or golden pheasent would have fit the pack like a glove, finally reused the peacock rig and you really cant tell me that they would have been much harder then the admitedly gorgeous looking fur on the sloth bear.

It really felt like frontier was nerfing themself last year and its a shame.
So many missed opportunitys and i really hope the last pack wont be one aswell and manage to if anything atleast be an exciting finish

 

[PeppyPepp]

I have a bit of a hot take on this whole support ending debate. Just bear with me.

My personal excitement for the game has dwindled a bit over the past year. It will remain one of my favorite games, but with the very possible end in sight, I just want to get it over with. From what I've seen and read, it does point to a console release, and one last DLC for PC this year. Aside from some wishful thinking, this seems to be the general concensus in the community. You know what? I'm fine with that. It's clear the game has gone on for quite some time (it'll be 5 years this november) and I'm happy it has received constant updates and support. I wouldn't mind it going on, if that was the plan, but I'm good either way. Also, I really want to dive straight into mods and not be worried the game might update, and I'd lose a file or something (I know the modders are usually pretty quick to update, but I just want to avoid the hassle for now).

It's also very unlikely the possible update(s) are going to bring any major changes to management gameplay. This is something I've wanted for a long time (deeper and richer management elements to the game - better education system, breeding programs, events, animal personalities...just to name a few). I love getting building pieces and animals, of course, but without the management it's just a "build pretty things" simulator. There's also nothing wrong with that, it's very satisfying when you make something beautiful, it's just that the creative side has always been stronger than the management side.

As for the announcement of the end...there will be none. Basing this off purely of PC: PZ was announced sometime in April 2019 I believe, and last PC DLC came out in June 2019. They never said "PC is ending, this is the last DLC", and I assume it will be the same for PZ. PC also received a subscription pass in 2022 - for 5€/month you have access to all DLCs. Maybe something similar will happen with PZ. Who knows.

Speaking of PC, I am VERY interested in their next creative game. There's been whispering all throughout the community that it might actually be PC2, and I am excited if that really turns out to be the case. I'm not much of coaster gal, but I did like PC a lot, and I am interested to see what the sequel might look like.

As for the last DLC, I don't really care all that much what it is and what animals we get. More animals is always better so I'm good with whatever we get.

 

[NZFanatic]

Speaking of PC, I am VERY interested in their next creative game. There's been whispering all throughout the community that it might actually be PC2, and I am excited if that really turns out to be the case. I'm not much of coaster gal, but I did like PC a lot, and I am interested to see what the sequel might look like.

I'm more interested in seeing the difference between PC2 (if it indeed exists) and PC1 in terms of potential, graphics, modelling, etc. Given how close PZ is to PC in this regard, the PC sequel should indicate whether a potential future PZ sequel will be a big improvement on the current game.

I'm not really into the coasters either, but it'll be interesting to see.

 

[Swjosdotschka]

I'm more interested in seeing the difference between PC2 (if it indeed exists) and PC1 in terms of potential, graphics, modelling, etc. Given how close PZ is to PC in this regard, the PC sequel should indicate whether a potential future PZ sequel will be a big improvement on the current game.

This. It's a bit like having a crystal ball.
However, PC2 might differ more from PC 1thanz PZ2 from PZ1. Weather and staff management already bring a game difference. But in general the development will be interesting, also from us.

I just hope I can keep myself from buying it (I might fail). I have absolutely no knowledge about theme parks, therefore no ideas, though I did enjoy the old Roller Coaster Tycoon, lol I'm afraid I get into the mood of building along when I watch others. And telling a story of a little, small amusement park would be kinda nice. But we'll see.

You all know when I will ran wild? When PC 2 has scaling items like Prehistoric Kingdom. Imagine THAT having in PZ. Or easy texture switch of walls, instead of 10 different walls.... Building wise Prehistoric Kingdom has some pretty awesome stuff.

 

[Tinou97]

I just hope I can keep myself from buying it (I might fail).

Yeah me too. Last year there was a moment I needed a break from PZ so I bought PC (and all the DLCs) during the sales on steam. I played for 3 hours and never got back to the game. Not that I don't like the game, it is actually nice. I just don't find the time for it and I find it more difficult to build things compared to PZ. So I came back to PZ very quicly Well spent money...
And knowing myself I can do the same mistake once again. I already bought the sims and several DLCs only to play like 20 hours.

 

[CharlieXGaming]

You all know when I will ran wild? When PC 2 has scaling items like Prehistoric Kingdom. Imagine THAT having in PZ.

Hot take, I wouldn’t be a fan of it personally, it seems like a thing that would be very overwhelming when it comes to building. I like the challenge of working with what we got, I would only find use for scaling for things like signs or maybe beams.

 

[Captain Callum]

Hot take, I wouldn’t be a fan of it personally, it seems like a thing that would be very overwhelming when it comes to building. I like the challenge of working with what we got, I would only find use for scaling for things like signs or maybe beams.

That's what I thought playing Prehistoric Kingdom, the building was completely different and far more complex compared to planet zoo. Adding more and more complex building features make even the builders reconsider the thoughts of scaling which will just further bloat the available tools. All we need are smaller text letters and more 0.5 metre beams/rods for the available scenery we already have.

 

[Swjosdotschka]

Yeah me too. Last year there was a moment I needed a break from PZ so I bought PC (and all the DLCs) during the sales on steam. I played for 3 hours and never got back to the game. Not that I don't like the game, it is actually nice. I just don't find the time for it and I find it more difficult to build things compared to PZ. So I came back to PZ very quicly Well spent money...
And knowing myself I can do the same mistake once again. I already bought the sims and several DLCs only to play like 20 hours.

Baha, we seem to bei wired pretty similar
I bought PC after release, but did not know yet that building videos existed and was pretty overwhelmed with how to build. So I abndoned the game. I successfully kept myself from buying DLCs once PZ came out and I figured it all out. But this time? Oh boy... if I see my best male friend play it, I might be doomed.
What I'm most afraid of is, having new building options that then I will miss in PZ. That could be huge things like the named scaling or something, but I am even more afraid of beautiful items I would then "need" in PZ. It's already bad enough when I see cool items in PC that I want (western sytle stuff, the huge chinese dragon in PZ etc)

And yes, from a time perspective, I just don't have time for both games. Not with other hobbies. And the high creativity that is needed for both games can be draining.

Hot take, I wouldn’t be a fan of it personally, it seems like a thing that would be very overwhelming when it comes to building. I like the challenge of working with what we got, I would only find use for scaling for things like signs or maybe beams.

I get that. But I feel it could be something like the new axes we got. If we don't want them, we could simply not use them.
But shrinking huge plants and rocks down or make them bigger could already give us so much more variety in game.
At the very least I hope EVERYTHING will be flexi color. The pain that I can not recolor my beloved ruins in PZ is very real...

 

[RightWhale]

TBH I don’t know if scaling would be good for me, I’m trying to make a full indoor building and I am struggling to get the pathing and everything else to work. I would rather Planet Zoo 2 fix the path system and streamline some of the building before they add scaling. I can work with the pieces I have, I cannot understand half the wizardry in this game

 

[CharlieXGaming]

At the very least I hope EVERYTHING will be flexi color. The pain that I can not recolor my beloved ruins in PZ is very real...

Now that I can agree on.

 

[RightWhale]

I know this seems silly, but the building has such a steep learning curve it actually makes me stressed to play the game. I have bought every dlc, but I may have spent more time on here than in the game. Sometimes thinking of Planet Zoo makes me stressed, so while I like how detailed the building is I hope they find a way to make it more player friendly in Planet Zoo 2. (Without getting rid of features)

 

[Narwhaler]

Scaling would definitely be something super useful, specially for beams and rocks.

 

[RightWhale]

Scaling would definitely be something super useful, specially for beams and rocks.

I would actually be ok with this, I half take back what I said.

 

[Captain Callum]

I’m trying to make a full indoor building and I am struggling to get the pathing and everything else to work. I would rather Planet Zoo 2 fix the path system and streamline some of the building before they add scaling.

I think the main problem really is the game requires a whole lot of patience to spend months to years working with the game to understand the initial complexity of the building and knowing how to work with not against the limitations of the game. I'm in the upper 3000 hour playtime (yes i feel bad I've played this much) and I only actually began to have fun in the game after 1000 hours, those first 1000 hours were difficult even coming from planet coaster. But looking at other games in the same niche, the building is extremely limited with no customisation like jwe, or an extremely complex to the average player like what the planet games offer. Prehistoric Kingdom offers a different approach where half of the people say its a far easier building system but far more bloated menus, or people like me who are used to the planet zoo style, find it extremely overwhelming with all the extra building features.

I'm often against the idea of a second planet zoo since sequels are more bad than good these days, but the idea of frontier actually improving the core building mechanics while staying true to what makes the planet building unique is appealing. Paths, water, and terrain continue to this day being the most frustrating parts of the game. There is nothing worse than building a great habitat to only be punched in the face with the obstructed error.

 

[Swjosdotschka]

Everyone complains about the path system, but I honestly also don't see how to imrpove it, without simplifying it (which I don't want). Like with JWE? Easy paths, but not very flexible.
It just has to be less picky with needing a huge distance to a barrier etc. And OMG, just tell me what the heck is your problem when you shout "restricted" or whatever at me. Sometimes I litterally can't tell why and I play this game for a while now.

 

[CharlieXGaming]

 

[Captain Callum]

View attachment 381800

I make building paths seem easy in my videos, but any time any sort of elevation pops up i'm like

Just a simple sloped path, HOW HARD CAN IT BE! Of course I'm glad how versatile the path system is, I hated the limitations of the jwe paths as complex elevated and sloped paths are essential to my zoos even with the frustrations that they come with.

 

[RightWhale]

I think the main problem really is the game requires a whole lot of patience to spend months to years working with the game to understand the initial complexity of the building and knowing how to work with not against the limitations of the game. I'm in the upper 3000 hour playtime (yes i feel bad I've played this much) and I only actually began to have fun in the game after 1000 hours, those first 1000 hours were difficult even coming from planet coaster. But looking at other games in the same niche, the building is extremely limited with no customisation like jwe, or an extremely complex to the average player like what the planet games offer. Prehistoric Kingdom offers a different approach where half of the people say its a far easier building system but far more bloated menus, or people like me who are used to the planet zoo style, find it extremely overwhelming with all the extra building features.

I'm often against the idea of a second planet zoo since sequels are more bad than good these days, but the idea of frontier actually improving the core building mechanics while staying true to what makes the planet building unique is appealing. Paths, water, and terrain continue to this day being the most frustrating parts of the game. There is nothing worse than building a great habitat to only be punched in the face with the obstructed error.

Yeah, right now I have around 156 hours. Which is probably super low numbers for the forum. The problem I have is that the game has such a huge learning curve it’s like I’m looking up a mountain to climb just to play the game. Often I find that I don’t want to play the game unless I have over an hour to spend, and if I have any extra mental energy I have to think of: exhibit plans, building, and fighting any of the ingame systems to do what I want. Considering I am in school I don’t have much time or mental energy.

I’ll give an example of what happened last night: I’m finally building in sandbox when normally I play in Franchise. I’m trying to build a zoo with the classic theme, so I decided I want to build a reptile house. I spend around 30-40 minutes trying to set up a section for underwater viewing for some caimans, fighting the pathing, terrain, and water. I didn’t even have a single wall placed down yet, after awhile I tried placing down some exhibit boxes and the same stuff happened. I then scrapped everything. I decided not to do underwater viewing, so while I like how it looks so far, I lost out on a cool feature because getting every system to work right is not beginner friendly.

So if we get a sequel I hope the systems are ironed out to be easier, while keeping a good learning curve to keep doing cool stuff.

 

[Swjosdotschka]

Yeah, right now I have around 156 hours. Which is probably super low numbers for the forum. The problem I have is that the game has such a huge learning curve it’s like I’m looking up a mountain to climb just to play the game. Often I find that I don’t want to play the game unless I have over an hour to spend, and if I have any extra mental energy I have to think of: exhibit plans, building, and fighting any of the ingame systems to do what I want. Considering I am in school I don’t have much time or mental energy.

I’ll give an example of what happened last night: I’m finally building in sandbox when normally I play in Franchise. I’m trying to build a zoo with the classic theme, so I decided I want to build a reptile house. I spend around 30-40 minutes trying to set up a section for underwater viewing for some caimans, fighting the pathing, terrain, and water. I didn’t even have a single wall placed down yet, after awhile I tried placing down some exhibit boxes and the same stuff happened. I then scrapped everything. I decided not to do underwater viewing, so while I like how it looks so far, I lost out on a cool feature because getting every system to work right is not beginner friendly.

So if we get a sequel I hope the systems are ironed out to be easier, while keeping a good learning curve to keep doing cool stuff.

To be fair, underwater viewings are a nightmare. In general. Then try to make the pool look artificial (like I always want) AND make the path accessable / disability friendly and the real frustration begins.

I can understand the frustration and the learning curve thought. I do have that in other games. In PZ, I admit, I kinda love it. Makes me super proud of myself when I build something good. But yeah, when I look at things like @justGoron aviary tutorial, I want to rage quit the game just trying the first steps (Highly recommend the tutorial though, for people who have more patience and fustration tolerance than I have)
The thing is, you do not HAVE to build fancy in PZ, but most of us want to.