Welcome to Issue 3 of
May 19-25
E3 ANNOUNCEMENT!
May 19-25
E3 ANNOUNCEMENT!
It was exciting to receive information about what Frontier was going to present at E3 about Planet Zoo.
Bo Marit posted (Planet Zoo at E3's PC Gaming Show!)
"Hi everyone,
We hope you've been enjoying some of the Planet Zoo glimpses we've been giving you - from beautiful lion screenshots to Zoopedia facts to our first Developer Journal; we're so thankful you're on this journey with us!
We are also just as excited as you are, and cannot wait to show you even more of what the amazing Frontier team have been working on. That's why we'd like to invite you to join us for Planet Zoo's official gameplay reveal during the PC Gaming Show at E3, on Monday 10 June at 5PM UTC. This year is looking like an amazing line-up of games and developers, and we're thrilled to be a part of it. You can tune in at www.twitch.tv/pcgamer - if you're watching please send our team some support in the chat!
We don't have a public booth at E3 this year, but we will be at the show for the full week. If you're a content creator attending E3 and you're interested in playing the game when it launches on Steam this Fall, please let us know by sending an email to community@frontier.co.uk so we can book an appointment for you. For those who will not be attending the convention, don't worry! Aside from the PC Gaming Show we'll be keeping you in the loop via our social media channels, so be sure to give them a follow and get all of the news from us directly."
PLANET ZOO ANIMAL REVEAL – GIANT GALAPAGOS TORTOISE FACTS
The Giant Galapagos Tortoise is coming to Planet Zoo!
See the video below in the Tweets From Planet Zoo Twitter section below for more information.
Here are some facts about the tortoise.
- Common Name: Galápagos Tortoise
- Scientific Name: Chelonoidis nigra
- Lifespan: 100 or more years
- IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable
TWEETS FROM PLANET ZOO TWITTER
1) On Monday we received the E3 announcement. First gameplay trailer!!!!
Source: https://twitter.com/PlanetZooGame/status/1130428208271253504
2) On Tuesday they gifted us with a new screenshot. Do you see all the zebras?
Source: https://twitter.com/PlanetZooGame/status/1130819041390669824
3) On Wednesday the weekly poll for the ZoopediaFacts was released.
Source: https://twitter.com/PlanetZooGame/status/1131243501889445888
4) Also, on Wednesday the answer to how many zebras (10) were in the picture was answered.
Source: https://twitter.com/PlanetZooGame/status/1131199944713486339
5) On Thursday we got an animal reveal tease
Source: https://twitter.com/PlanetZooGame/status/1131511349840961536
6) And on the same day (Thursday) they revealed Giant Galapagos Tortoise video
Source: https://twitter.com/PlanetZooGame/status/1131545530948030464
7) The third tweet on Thursday was a fact about Galapagos Tortoises.
Source: https://twitter.com/PlanetZooGame/status/1131590824792330240
8) Friday we received our ZoopediaFact about the West African Lion.
Source: https://twitter.com/PlanetZooGame/status/1131966103847096320
DEVELOPER POSTS FROM THE OFFICIAL FORUMS
Developer Journal: Making Planet Zoo
The Developer Journal was updated to read:
It's definitely been an awesome experience so far; one of the things I love most about working on Planet Zoo is seeing the animals come to life from the early stages to the final, gorgeous model, showcasing a large set of lifelike animations. It's also amazing listening to the realistic animal sounds and seeing how the game code and design bring them to life in-game. Our animals display a wide array of behaviours in the game, which makes you feel that much closer to them!
The last sentence used to read:
This results in animals displaying a wide array of real life behaviors, and interacting with each other, the guests, staff and especially you, the player!
Bo Marit commented about this:
COMMUNITY DISCUSSIONS
1) The new zebra screenshot
Obviously. there was much discussion about the new zebra picture.
- New Screenshot !!!
- New Screenshot on Twitter
- Zebra exhibit in Planet Zoo (Different Terrains and Biomes)
- YouTube videos (See YouTube video section below for list of videos)
- The zebras are gorgeous. As someone on discord put it “Ahh just looking at that zebra picture makes me hype..specifically the one laying down..from its eye lashes to its visibly soft mane...the animals look so good”
- The variety and vegetation. Lush grass, variety of trees, and plants.
- The foal (behind far right tree). Illustrates that babies are not just smaller version of the adult. They look different. This confirms what tweakers said “In addition, each animal also has a male, female and young version, which means that each species actually comes back in three ways…are not all identical.”
- Walkways. We see in the left background there is an observation walkway.
- Animal interaction with foliage. Zebra lying down seems to be interacting with the grass. Specifically the grass is not poking through the zebra.
- The enclosure is very large.
This picture also started a discussion about the terrains or biomes the zebras were exhibited in.
One reddit poster wondered why the zebras were on normal grass raising a concern about if there will be different terrains or biomes.
Here are some replies to that poster:
"I feel alone in not wanting biome brushes, or at least wanting the option to just use grass. Zoos just have their animals on grass/dirt/stone, after all... they don't have them in different biomes.
Edit: My issue is that I think it looks unrealistic to have African foliage, for example, growing in a climate that's subject to weather shifts that would make that foliage impossible to grow. I want my zoos to look like real zoos, and real zoos don't give animals exact biomes -- they just get as close as they can, or use fake plants to give it a certain look for the sake of the visitors (but not going as far as importing special grass and dirt). I am curious if there are any zoos that have managed to give animals their exact biome, the way we would be able to with a terrain brush. I'm not aware of any that do. Even the Smithsonian and Tiergarten Schönbrunn just use grass, dirt, sand and stone.
I get that it's just a game, I'm just hoping it's not like Zoo Tycoon where you have a savannah biome sitting next to an arctic biome or whatever. It looks ugly IMO. Fine and fun if it's optional, but I'll be really disappointed if it's required. Based on this screenshot, I have hopes it's not " (wolf lg)
" (wolf lg)
"Are there any zoos in EU / NA that keep their zebras on "Savannah grass"? How do you convince grass from the Savannahs to grow and look like Savannah grass in a colder, wetter climate? I always thought it was unrealistic that many zoo games had Savannah and boreal and temperate and tropical and so on... These things are products of climate and take years to establish, not do something you just plop down, and real zoos are limited to grass, sand, dirt, mud, wood chippings, rock, concrete and so on with various amounts of brush and trees as appropriate.
Not to say that I dislike the biome system in ZT(2) - I actually really like the colourfulness of it, even if it is unrealistic. I wouldn't mind a more realistic system as long as it still allows for visual variety and isn't like JWE, where everything was just green.
Fortunately, from the screenshots we've seen so far, it does look like there's colour a-plenty" (CoalCrafty)
Also notice in the above collage of pictures the variety of enclosures the zebras are in.
2) The new animal reveal – Galapagos Tortoise
Of course, why wouldn’t there be a lot of discussion on this.
- Giant Galapagos Tortoise coming to Planet Zoo
- Galapagos Tortoise Video on twitter
- Giant Galapagos Tortoise !!
- Turtle Hype
Source: https://www.reddit.com/r/PlanetZoo/comments/bsewhp/evolution_of_giant_galapagos_tortoise_in_zoo_games/
YOUTUBE VIDEOS DISCUSSING PLANET ZOO
1) An interesting video I missed putting into last weeks newsletter is a video from the Callado Brothers. In it they try to copy the hippo exhibit for the picture released in the Gaminfomer magazine (Gameinformer Screenshot) in Zoo Tycoon2.
ZT2 - Planet Zoo Hippopotamus Speed Build
2) Zebra screenshot discussion time happened on Tuesday.
- BeyondDrewTV
New Zebra Screenshot! | Planet Zoo Update - Pause Games
Planet Zoo Spotlight #8 | New Screenshot | Amazing Grass, Plants and Trees! - BestInSlot Gameplay COMING SOON! Another New Screenshot! | Planet Zoo Update
Planet Zoo: Predictions and Wishlist - Coastal, Island and Wetland
3) Thursday with the reveal of Tortoise we have videos discussing this.
- Geekism
Giant Tortoise! | Planet Zoo Update #07 - Pause Games
Planet Zoo Spotlight #9 | New Animal Reveal | Giant Galapagos Tortoise - Sdanwolf Cuteness Overload! | Giant Tortoise Planet Zoo
PLANET ZOO || Announcement Trailer Analysis
5) Also on Friday, Rudi Rennkamel wrapped up the weeks Planet Zoo's news with a video.
Weekly Catch up - Tortoise, Zebras and Animations - PLANET ZOO Update
FEATURE SPOTLIGHT – ANIMAL SOUNDS
There is an interesting fact about real zoos and sounds. While one would think that animals are the main sound source. That if fact is not the case. Generally, animals are quiet. For example, a running rhinoceros “produces hardly any sound on the soft surface of its environment.” (tweakers) In real life people would accept that but, in a game, if a person couldn’t hear the running rhinoceros, they would consider that a bug. Thus, the developers “provided them with sound, where you really would not hear that.” (tweakers)
Now what you hear in the game will also depend on the player’s position. “The game constantly makes a calculation based on the position of the player, and switches audio sources on or off based on this. Each animal has multiple places that generate audio, and the game determines in real time what you as a player will or will not hear and in which mix. The more you zoom out, the more general this mix.”
Where do the sounds come from? Frontier used many sources. They have an extensive digital library of real animal sounds. (MeriStation) But they also use a technique called foley which is the process of reproducing everyday sound effects. Therefore, according to Rock, Paper, shotgun “...you aren’t hearing hippo noises. You’re hearing audio technicians punching pieces of Xmas tree with boxing gloves to recreate half-ton footfalls, slowed-down human breathing and the artful rumpling of a leather coat…” since according to this article “zoo animals…are inconvenient source material for any audio team”
Sounds for animals may not be specific to that animal for Frontier has created libraries of assets that cover several animals. Jim Croft, head of audio, states: “We don’t do [the sound of] elephant skin, we do leathery skin, or feathery skin, or rough skin, and then the animals that need that get the right skin. And then the footsteps, we do small, medium and large hooves, we do claws.” Therefore, the movement sound of the hippopotamus is in a way that of the rhinoceros or elephant. (Rock, Paper, Shotgun)
On the other hand, animals do have calls that are specific to them. In fact, these calls are an important means to provide information to the player. If you are zoomed way out overseeing your zoo you will still be able to here calls to tell you that one of your animals is in distress.
This was based on information from:
- tweakers – Google translated, link is to first page of 4 page article
- Rock Paper Shotgun
- MeriStation – Google Translated
ZOO SPOTLIGHT – THE HENRY DOORLY ZOO (In 360-degree virtual reality)
Opened in 1894 as the Riverview Park Zoo. This 130 acre (53 ha) zoo is home to over 900 species of animals.
Wikipedia states: “Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is nationally renowned for its leadership in animal conservation and research. Evolving from the public Riverview Park Zoo established in 1894, today the zoo includes several notable exhibits. It features the largest cat complex in North America; "Kingdoms of the Night" is the world's largest nocturnal exhibit and indoor swamp; the Lied Jungle is one of the world's largest indoor rainforests, and the "Desert Dome" is one of the world's largest indoor deserts, as well as the largest glazed geodesic dome in the world. The zoo is Nebraska’s top paid attendance attraction and has welcomed more than 25 million visitors over the past 40 years.”
Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium ~ Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha zoo opens Asian Highlands exhibit Friday
I have put links to YouTube videos with 360-degree virtual Reality.
- Asian Highlands. An Immersive journey through. Animals: Red Panda, White-naped Crane, Sloth Bear, Amur Tiger, Snow Leopard, Takin, Goral, Indian Rhino, Tufted Deer, Pere David’s Deer
- African Grasslands. Panoramic views of grasslands and African wildlife. Animals: Meerkat, Klipspringer, Hyrax, Kenya Crested Guinea Fowl, White-Throated Monitors, Giraffe, Impala, White Rhinoceros, Spur-winged Geese, African Elephant, African Pygmy Goat, African Pink-backed Pelicans, White-faced Whistling Ducks, Cheetah, African Lion, Sable Antelope, Bongo (Henry Doorly Zoo African Grasslands 360)
- Bay Family Children’s Adventure Trails. An interactive exhibit that highlights kids’ learning through play in nature.
- and Mary Holland Meadowlark Theater. A Birds in Flight Program highlighting 15 of Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium’s bird species, including Harris Hawks, Guinea Fowl, Red Front Macaws and Blue and Gold Macaws.
- Desert Dome. The world’s largest indoor desert. Animals: Many reptile and amphibians, Ocelots, Peccary, Bobcat (Henry Doorly Zoo Desert Dome 360 VR)
- Eugene T. Mahoney Kingdoms of the Night. World's largest nocturnal exhibit. It is located beneath the Desert Dome. Kingdoms of the Night unearths the mysteries and animals of the darkness.
- Lied Jungle. Exhibit showcases rainforests from South America, Asia and Africa. Animals: Blue Monkey, Common Squirrel Monkey, Black Howler Monkey, Pygmy Hippopotamus, Baird’s Tapir (Henry Doorly Zoo Lied Jungle 360 VR)
- Suzanne and Walter Scott Aquarium. Discover polar regions, temperate oceans, coral reefs and the Amazon exploring the largest aquarium in a zoo. (Henry Doorly Zoo Suzanne and Walter Scott Aquarium 360 VR)
- Berniece Grewcock Butterfly and Insect Pavilion. The butterfly conservatory features waterfalls, an Amazon water lily pool, exquisite butterflies, moths and hummingbirds. The insect pavilion is home to ants, spiders, scorpions, walking sticks, mantids, centipedes, roaches, beetles and a host of other amazing creatures. (Henry Doorly Zoo Insects 360 VR)
- Expedition Madagascar. Showcases the unique animals of the island of Madagascar.
- Hubbard Gorilla Valley. Three-acre gorilla exhibit.
- Hubbard Orangutan Forest. Home of the orangutan.
- Owen Coastal Shores. Opens spring 2020. New habitat for the sea lions.
- Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Pavilion. Hands-on activities along with a number of animal exhibits from small mammals to tarantulas and snakes.
- Garden of the Senses. Filled with over 250 different species of herbs, perennials and trees, along with blankets of roses and flowers
- Simmons Aviary. More than 500 birds in the world's second largest free-flight aviary.
- Lagoon Island. These islands provide the summer home for some of Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium's swinging primates.
- Skyfari. (Henry Doorly Zoo Skyfari 2 360 VR)
Zoo hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (April 1 – October 31) and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (November 1 – March 31).
Next week we will visit the Burgers’ Zoo in the Netherlands.
Let me know what your favorite zoo is in the comments below or in the forum post favorite zoo's.
THE FIRST ZOOKEEPER ZONE
Also this week Frontier released there first email newsletter "Zookeeper Zone." To signup for this newsletter all you have to do so go the official Planet Zoo website. It talked about the Tortoise reveal and the developer journal released last week.
There was an interesting post on the official forum from Mopmil looking at the symbols in the Zookeeper Zone newsletter.
Hints of panda and unknown canid
On the official zookeeper zone letter released there are multiple symbols of plants and animals footprints. This includes bamboo and an unknown canid paw print. The bamboo is associated with pandas and could be hinting towards them being in the game. Also I originally thought the print to be a...
LINKS TO MY OTHER POSTS.
- Animals and Features (A post were I gather all the information we know about Planet Zoo)
- Links to YouTube videos featuring Planet Zoo
- Links to zoo master plans for more zoo design ideas
- Chart of Animals From the Zoo Tycoon games and Known Planet Zoo animals
- List of Zoos in the United States for inspiration as you wait for release of Planet Zoo
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