Unpopular Pack that You Would Buy

[KönigDerKaffeebohnen]

I’ve seen the shoebill (Zoo Tampa), walrus (SeaWorld Orlando), and musk ox (somewhere in Alaska, I think), so those aren’t really that unrealistic.

Shoebill is still a garbo pick for realism or just in general.
So many essential birds, especally storks cranes and waterfowl and then they pick the one that was bred successfully in captivity a whopping 2 times, once in belgium and once in florida and not for a lack of trying.
Wanna know whats even better? Because shoebills are docile towards humans and in high demand for zoos, it was and still is quite the common thing to steal hatchlings in the wild to be brought to zoos or even worse private traders.
And what is even funnier? Guess who are zoo staples, super common and do anything the shoebill could do and more and even do that job better?

These guys
Like really theirs no need or reason for the shoebill, it doesnt even look that cool or special its just a weak inclusion overall, especally when compared to what else africa has to offer regarding large aquatic birds.
If we had more birds maybe why not but just like the proboscis monkey or goldensnubnose monkey, getting such a rare and generally underwhelming option compared to other options for a primate/bird when we really really need just some general ones really hurts any excitement i would have for what otherwise are great creatures.

 

[KönigDerKaffeebohnen]

You wanna know who would be an actual power move by frontier?

This guy

Looks unique? Check
New usefull rigg? Check
Usefull Range? If its in the old world, has water and they wont be activly loosing toes to the cold you better believe they will be there

Are they common in zoos? Yes but not only that, they are SO common as wild animals in zoos that even their wikipedia site mentions how frequent they are in zoos just to steal a meal.

This guy is a straight underrated S tier addition for the game, the hero who might not be wanted but would do a gigiantic amount of work if we got them.
They dont even look bad, new body type, fun pattern, new color sheme and two long head feathers, theyd absolutly stand out in a good way.
They even got great synergy with the new swan and really any aquatic animal that they could snatch fish from, an absolute powerhouse of an animal

 

[zoosaurus]

Shoebill is still a garbo pick for realism or just in general.
So many essential birds, especally storks cranes and waterfowl and then they pick the one that was bred successfully in captivity a whopping 2 times, once in belgium and once in florida and not for a lack of trying.
Wanna know whats even better? Because shoebills are docile towards humans and in high demand for zoos, it was and still is quite the common thing to steal hatchlings in the wild to be brought to zoos or even worse private traders.
And what is even funnier? Guess who are zoo staples, super common and do anything the shoebill could do and more and even do that job better?
View attachment 379256View attachment 379257
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These guys
Like really theirs no need or reason for the shoebill, it doesnt even look that cool or special its just a weak inclusion overall, especally when compared to what else africa has to offer regarding large aquatic birds.
If we had more birds maybe why not but just like the proboscis monkey or goldensnubnose monkey, getting such a rare and generally underwhelming option compared to other options for a primate/bird when we really really need just some general ones really hurts any excitement i would have for what otherwise are great creatures.

May I ask what bird the last one is? The colors look super pretty!

 

[KönigDerKaffeebohnen]

May I ask what bird the last one is? The colors look super pretty!

Its a goliath heron, they are found throughout subsaharan africa and in some small pockets in india and the middle east

 

[Milurian]

Shoebill is still a garbo pick for realism or just in general.
So many essential birds, especally storks cranes and waterfowl and then they pick the one that was bred successfully in captivity a whopping 2 times, once in belgium and once in florida and not for a lack of trying.
Wanna know whats even better? Because shoebills are docile towards humans and in high demand for zoos, it was and still is quite the common thing to steal hatchlings in the wild to be brought to zoos or even worse private traders.
And what is even funnier? Guess who are zoo staples, super common and do anything the shoebill could do and more and even do that job better?
View attachment 379256View attachment 379257
View attachment 379258View attachment 379259
View attachment 379260
These guys
Like really theirs no need or reason for the shoebill, it doesnt even look that cool or special its just a weak inclusion overall, especally when compared to what else africa has to offer regarding large aquatic birds.
If we had more birds maybe why not but just like the proboscis monkey or goldensnubnose monkey, getting such a rare and generally underwhelming option compared to other options for a primate/bird when we really really need just some general ones really hurts any excitement i would have for what otherwise are great creatures.

I get your point in terms of a zoos realism but the shoe bill is not a bad choice and may in certain contexts be better then the heron.

The shoebill is currently fairly prevalent in the public conscious as the scary dino bird that makes spooky noises. This is why its a good choice because people are aware of it thinks its cool and want to see it completely irrespective of what is in zoos. It will fill the same role as the saiga or probosis monkey of being the animal the isnt realistic but the animal itself has popularity and will attract casual players who do not care at all about realism. The average player isnt going to lose their mind if an animal is rare in captivity but they may see a tiktok video showing of a creepy bird and want to see more about it.
Also purely based on how much it is talked about in speculation videos around an all bird pack the community already has it in the back of their mindn and there is a fair amount of hype around it.

I fully agree if you look at its versatility as an animal there are plenty of better picks in terms of regional and biome diversity as well as prevalence in zoos but this does not mean its a garbage inclusion it was just made for a different reason to increase a packs popularity. The only thing that could even come close to filling the same niche as the shoe bill would be the marabou stork.

 

[zoosaurus]

Its a goliath heron, they are found throughout subsaharan africa and in some small pockets in india and the middle east

Awesome thank you

 

[Captain Callum]

Another unpopular pack by me:

1. Silver Birch Tree

That's it, that's the pack and I would pay full price for just a variety of these birch trees.

 

[KönigDerKaffeebohnen]

I get your point in terms of a zoos realism but the shoe bill is not a bad choice and may in certain contexts be better then the heron.

The shoebill is currently fairly prevalent in the public conscious as the scary dino bird that makes spooky noises. This is why its a good choice because people are aware of it thinks its cool and want to see it completely irrespective of what is in zoos. It will fill the same role as the saiga or probosis monkey of being the animal the isnt realistic but the animal itself has popularity and will attract casual players who do not care at all about realism. The average player isnt going to lose their mind if an animal is rare in captivity but they may see a tiktok video showing of a creepy bird and want to see more about it.
Also purely based on how much it is talked about in speculation videos around an all bird pack the community already has it in the back of their mindn and there is a fair amount of hype around it.

I fully agree if you look at its versatility as an animal there are plenty of better picks in terms of regional and biome diversity as well as prevalence in zoos but this does not mean its a garbage inclusion it was just made for a different reason to increase a packs popularity. The only thing that could even come close to filling the same niche as the shoe bill would be the marabou stork.

 

[Milurian]

View attachment 379291

personal preference does not equal mass appeal I would love a pelican over the shoebill especially the australian pelican but the shoebill is just a more popular pick

 

[KönigDerKaffeebohnen]

personal preference does not equal mass appeal I would love a pelican over the shoebill especially the australian pelican but the shoebill is just a more popular pick

Hell no, pelican is not just an ABC animal, but also just as popular as a meme animal.
If we are talking appealing to the widest possible audience, sure the storks and herons loose out but i genuinly cant belief the pelican wouldnt be both far wider known and popular then the shoebill, which by all internet popularity still an incredibly niche and rather unknown animal.
The only reason it often comes up in discussions is because this place is an eco chamber that sometimes just picks a random idear and repeats it until its popular.

Pelicans are so so much more well known, it doesnt even come close and the fact that they seem to be in 80%+ of all zoos doesnt hurt that fact at all.

Shoebills on the other hand are animals that most people straight up dont know and i bet if they got added there would be more then a few people wondering why they added the loft wings from zelda.

 

[Fossa]

Imagine hating on the most interesting bird in the world next to the cassowary and secretary bird, shoebill >>>>>>>>>>>>>> any heron/stork

I never cared for any type of heron. The Marabou is also nice and special

Pelicans are special and awesome and I want them just as well as shoebills.

 

[CharlieXGaming]

but the shoebill is just a more popular pick

What in gods name no it’s not Pelicans are extremely iconic to the public not only because they are wide spread across the world, but they are the most unique species of waterfowl, have a very very very strong social media presence (like the video of a pelican trying to eat a capybara lol I always die laughing at that) and it’s also a decently known name in general, especially compared to something like “shoebill”. The shoebill is only iconic for its appearance, no one knows what it is by hearing its name.

 

[PnGLINNyo]

• Terrarium Pack with 2 or 3 habitat animals and 10 exhibit animals.
• Primate Pack with 7 habitat primates plus a loris or tarsier for exhibit boxes.
• Expedition pack with African and Indian animals only including blackbucks and Grevy's zebras (a way to round up "clones" lol)

 

[nutrit]

• Terrarium Pack with 2 or 3 habitat animals and 10 exhibit animals.
• Primate Pack with 7 habitat primates plus a loris or tarsier for exhibit boxes.
• Expedition pack with African and Indian animals only including blackbucks and Grevy's zebras (a way to round up "clones" lol)

1. Terrarium pack is a great idea. 4 habitat repltiles plus at least 10 exibit species.
Nile crocodile, Tomistoma, Chinese alligator, Perentie, Sulcata tortoise there are many to choose from.
2. Primate pack is even a better idea and despite what some people say it would sell quite well because of the lack of them in the game right now.
Baboon, howler, spider, snub nosed, mantled guereza, lion tailed macaque and Patas monkey would give us great variety. Plus 5 species of tamarin and marmosets in walkthrough exhibits.
3. Expedition/safari pack sounds really interesting. I would love to see honey badger, blackbuck, eland, gerenuk, serval and maybe even African civet.

I don’t have a problem with mono packs. If we could get next year only animal mono packs I would be super happy.

My idea for 2024 would be:

Spring - Primate animal pack
Black Howler Monkey
Hamadryas baboon
Guereza
Lion tailed macaque
…

Summer - Herbivore animal pack
Tree kangaroo
Musk ox
Blackbuck
Mara
…

Autumn - Carnivore animal pack
Coati
Ocelot
Spectacled bear
Honey badger
…

Winter - Ground birds animal pack
Secretary Bird
Pelican
Gray crowned crane
Rhea
…

I bet we could fit all of the most wanted species in those plus also couple of oddballs and requested clones.

Also I would vote for Echidna for the anniversary animal and I would be in heaven.

 

[PnGLINNyo]

it would sell quite well because of the lack of them in the game right now

I can imagine the same with a potential Aviary Pack. Well that one's pretty obvious , speaking of which I think it could follow the same format as you suggested for the Terrarium Pack idea; 4 habitat + 10 exhibit (possibly lories and macaws), though it's gonna be a hard choice for them to narrow down and could wreak even havoc worse than ever .

 

[nutrit]

I can imagine the same with a potential Aviary Pack. Well that one's pretty obvious , speaking of which I think it could follow the same format as you suggested for the Terrarium Pack idea; 4 habitat + 10 exhibit (possibly lories and macaws), though it's gonna be a hard choice for them to narrow down and could wreak even havoc worse than ever .

There are dozens of flying birds we could use in PZ, but personally I would be totally fine with 10:
1. Scarlet macaw
2. Hyacynth macaw
3. Toco toucan
4. Kookaburra
5. Sulphur cockatoo
6. Indian hornbill
7. African yellow billed hornbill from Lion king
8. Snowy owl
9. Griffon vulture
10. Bald eagle

 

[Fossa]

There are too much realism lovers here hating on awesome animals like shoebills only because of realism.

 

[Captain Callum]

There are too much realism lovers here hating on awesome animals like shoebills only because of realism.

I'm not a realism lover but I hate the idea of the shoe I'll because it creeps me out. Give me a friendly looking stork, heron, pelican, or even a duck before I even imagine the shoebill ingame.

 

[NachoB]

Patagonian Animal Pack

1. Darwin's rhea
2. Patagonian mara
3. Guanaco
4. Southern pudu
5. Black necked swan
6. Huiña
7. Huemul
8. Ex: a Bothrops species (yarara)

 

[KönigDerKaffeebohnen]

There are too much realism lovers here hating on awesome animals like shoebills only because of realism.

I dont care about realism in a nutshell, what i care for is how usefull an animal is.
I dont care about how much i subjectivly like or dislike an animal irl or how they look aslong as they can be differentiated from other animals allready in game on a glance.

If you want to convince me on an animal, show me its range, tell me its biomes, what makes it special regarding its gameplay niche and what history it has to being kept.

The range and biomes determin how flexible and therefor usefull it is for thematic areas and general representation.
Yoavs ranking the areas thread is a good point of reference here, if the animal appears in 3 or more areas or atleast one in yellow or lower, thats a win.

Next is what sets them apart from other animals gameplay wise, their niche, be it game or area wide something like the swan being the games first waterfowl but the black swan being australias first while also looking distinct.

Lastly their history in captivity and/or how iconic they are as an actual zoo animal, be it by being extremly common, generally iconic even if quite rare like the panda or play an important role in a specific region like the golden snub nose monkey in china or the tassie devil in australia.

And if the animal checks out in 2 out of 3 categorys nice im interested, now just hope that there isnt on that can fill the same niche and actually be present in all 3, which most likly does exist.

For example the wood duck scores a clean 3 out of 3, buuuut the mallard does the same with tripple the range so theres a clear objective mallard > wood duck.

But some animals like for example the saiga are such unique creatures that theres no better stand in, so i dont care that it is rare in captivity cause who else is suppoused to fill that role of representing the central asian steppe? Theres no other animal thats not in the game thats more iconic to the area and comes even close to the saiga, so i can happily ignore that they are rare in captivity as theres no better alternative thats more common