What do you think PZ really lacks to be a full Zoo simulation game?
- Thread starter raf8655
- Start date
I would say some kind of petting zoo mechanic, but I’m not really sure there’s a good way to do that.
Backstage props (shovels, pitchforks, dumpsters, hoses, fire extinguishers....). I would give a lot of money for a realistic backstage props pack. Also more realistic animal doors, educational props (skeletons, antlers...) and playgrounds.
Definitely backstage props.
Regardless of whether or not we get birds we really need netted enclosures, mesh walls and roof pieces in different styles and shapes, better and more varied glass walls and roof pieces, bars, piano wire panels, signs that aren't screens, uniform design animal signs and shapes, smaller more naturalistic enrichment items, all kinds of keeper equipment and behind the scenes pieces, lockers, bins, skips, pond/pool liners, a ticket booth counter, more dead trees/branches, countless foliage possibilities including autumn and winter versions of trees.
We also need realistic maps without overly dramatic backgrounds, the ability to select different biome textures on the same map (very hard to do a tropical house or desert dome with different biomes for example) and manual control of temperature in sandbox at least.
Regardless of whether or not we get birds we really need netted enclosures, mesh walls and roof pieces in different styles and shapes, better and more varied glass walls and roof pieces, bars, piano wire panels, signs that aren't screens, uniform design animal signs and shapes, smaller more naturalistic enrichment items, all kinds of keeper equipment and behind the scenes pieces, lockers, bins, skips, pond/pool liners, a ticket booth counter, more dead trees/branches, countless foliage possibilities including autumn and winter versions of trees.
We also need realistic maps without overly dramatic backgrounds, the ability to select different biome textures on the same map (very hard to do a tropical house or desert dome with different biomes for example) and manual control of temperature in sandbox at least.
Absolutely agree with you!
For me it is unacceptable that after 2 years of packs and updates there isn't still this in the game, in all zoos there are playgrounds rides with the shape of animals where children can have fun!
I agree with you!
There are exhibit animals, such as insects, which obviously have an excessively large exhibit to be in.
I hope that one day we can also have exhibits made up of 2-4 squares in size that can accommodate small mammals, for example, but this will almost certainly remain a dream.
Also, I don't understand a thing. Why, if you have decided to introduce exhibit animals in the initial game, only 1 of them is released at each release of a new pack? Why should they be under-represented? Why should the logic of maximum earnings with minimum effort prevail if fans have bought all the packs widely?
Yes, that's another thing that is usually always present in all zoos and it would be nice to have it.
This. This. This!
Absolutely and super absolutely agree!
It is unacceptable that after 2 years of pack there are no useful pieces to build backstage, realistic animal doors, educational props...I find it very frustrating and ridiculous that you have to try to build these things with the pieces that are ingame, inadequate to accomplish these useful things that are missing!
Agree with you, especially this part "We also need realistic maps without overly dramatic backgrounds, the ability to select different biome textures on the same map (very hard to do a tropical house or desert dome with different biomes for example)".
It is absurd to have always the same background with unrealistic mountains on tropical maps. It would be nice to have the possibility, for example, to have the realistic terrain made of leaves of the tropical biome on all maps because it is the most suitable base for many animals.
For me I think the focus has always been too much on building and not enough on zoo management. The management always seemed too easy to me and they have things like diseases that in franchise mode don't really seem to do anything. I don't think I've ever imported a diseased animal in franchise into my zoo and so long as you keep things clean every animal stays healthy. Give me drama and things to sort out.
I'd also like to see more focus put on the animals in terms of them acting and feeling like individuals - a lot of the time they do feel like props. More things like animals having opinions on others in the group leading to different behaviours (including occasional fights just because they hate each other). Animals having favourite foods and toys. Animals having opinions on other species in the habitat or the guests. Just make them feel more real and less like replaceable props. Animals in zoos in real life, especially intelligent ones, absolutely have distinct personalities.
I'd also like to see more focus put on the animals in terms of them acting and feeling like individuals - a lot of the time they do feel like props. More things like animals having opinions on others in the group leading to different behaviours (including occasional fights just because they hate each other). Animals having favourite foods and toys. Animals having opinions on other species in the habitat or the guests. Just make them feel more real and less like replaceable props. Animals in zoos in real life, especially intelligent ones, absolutely have distinct personalities.
Not animal related:
Playgrounds. Swings/slides/climbing structures. I'd also throw carousels in here. Would probably require a major overhaul to guests to make them any more than display props.
More naturalistic climbing structures like vines and branches.
Signs that aren't electronic screens. Even with the custom billboards, most zoos opt for standard signs like the ones that Nicholas Lion Rider made.
More backstage props, as said before.
Animal related (but not specific animal requests):
Petting zoos (a step beyond walkthrough habitats and would only apply to domesticated animals like the llama)
Animal feeding function, which many zoos allow in a limited and sanctioned form, commonly with giraffes.
More exhibit shapes and sizes. The 4x4x4 boxes as standard for everything from dung beetles to iguanas is silly and cumbersome. Nearly all invertebrates could be kept in enclosures less than a meter wide, and maybe 1-2m for most of the smaller reptiles and amphibians. Iguanas could use a larger exhibit size, which could also be applied to the largest snakes.
Playgrounds. Swings/slides/climbing structures. I'd also throw carousels in here. Would probably require a major overhaul to guests to make them any more than display props.
More naturalistic climbing structures like vines and branches.
Signs that aren't electronic screens. Even with the custom billboards, most zoos opt for standard signs like the ones that Nicholas Lion Rider made.
More backstage props, as said before.
Animal related (but not specific animal requests):
Petting zoos (a step beyond walkthrough habitats and would only apply to domesticated animals like the llama)
Animal feeding function, which many zoos allow in a limited and sanctioned form, commonly with giraffes.
More exhibit shapes and sizes. The 4x4x4 boxes as standard for everything from dung beetles to iguanas is silly and cumbersome. Nearly all invertebrates could be kept in enclosures less than a meter wide, and maybe 1-2m for most of the smaller reptiles and amphibians. Iguanas could use a larger exhibit size, which could also be applied to the largest snakes.
Less guests, less themepark vibes and less guest demands. As it is now, you should rename the game to "Planet Guest" instead to "Planet Zoo". Most things I am building is for guest entertainment and not for animals. If you look at real zoos (at least in europe), there are no rides and much less facilities, even in bigger zoos. Perhaps one or two restaurants, some toilets and one souvenir shop at the exit/entrance, that's all.
And no, please not more management (at least not in sandbox).
Oh - and P.S. before I forget: This dislike for staff-facilities is ridiculous - in Europe, people spend a lot of money for just a glimpse inside of them..
And no, please not more management (at least not in sandbox).
Oh - and P.S. before I forget: This dislike for staff-facilities is ridiculous - in Europe, people spend a lot of money for just a glimpse inside of them..
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For me the following points would be a great addition:
FOR STAGE / CREATIVITY
FOR THE DYNAMICS OF THE GAME/GAME:
These are just a few ideas that I think could work really well for players.
FOR STAGE / CREATIVITY
- More items for staff, backstage, and enrichment items for the animals.
- Ex: fire extinguishers, brooms, buckets, half-height feeders for ungulates, swing ropes for monkeys, etc.
- Add flexicolor to pieces that are already in the game.
- There are many pieces that would add a lot if they had the flexicolor characteristic, in fact I think that this characteristic would be good in almost all the pieces.
FOR THE DYNAMICS OF THE GAME/GAME:
- Sabotage
- Inclement weather
- Kidnapping of animals that must be reported to the police to recover them
- Medicate animals.
- After passing an animal through the hospital, having to give the animal medication for a while until it recovers. This could make one feel like they take more care of their animals. This could be done through an alert such as "give medication" and having to alert veterinary staff, similar to the "an animal is dehydrated" alert that is already in the game)
- Be able to drive a guest vehicle.
- Ex: golf cart type car in different views as can be done with JWE vehicles
- Option to be able to use your home avatar as a zoo admin or visitor
- Being able to move with the avatar around the stage.
These are just a few ideas that I think could work really well for players.
I don't really think that Planet Zoo needs more things, but for the sake of dreaming and completed realism:
- This should be easy to do: Flexicolour staff clothes AND season-clothes. It makes no sense to see people go to the zoo in Taiga or Tundra zoo's full of snow and they just wear shorts and shirts, freezing their legs and arms off. Flexicolour staff would make zoo's even more personal. Maybe even be able to add/pick a Zoo logo that will appear everywhere.
- I would love more complex animal behavior. Like sometimes the animals will fight and they have to change zoo's. Like when an animal gets sick, others will perhaps challenge them for a title and thus the loser has to move out of the habitat. But also things like nursing/feeding young ones, interspecies interaction, interaction with keepers/vets (behind a fence perhaps) or even with guests behind a window.
- I would love an online feature where you can trade with other players directly and form like a Zoo Association together. Add functions like being responsible for a certain species their studbook. Of course, totally optional.
- functional backstage/indoor habitat. Like vets being able to visit animals backstage, being able to place working doors for animal habitats. Being able to shut of habitats to separate animals if needed, or add like a 'timer' on them so when you play the time, that at evening some animals will go inside. I would love that kind of realism.
- Eco display function: when we'll be getting smaller free-roam animals, I would love to be able to create 1 big building and being able to release all kind of of animals that roam freely in those Eco displays. Same for fish, duck and maybe even turtles in scenery ponds. Kind of like new 'filler' animals, beside the list of Habitat and Exhibit animals. Might be too difficult to implement.
- Customizable terrarium, palludarium, vivarium, aquarium, etc. Maybe even a new one for small aviary birds as well, even if they just have a loop animation.
Animal personalities, that makes managing them more of a challenge and make me manage the animals more than the guests. Just something, so that not every animal is easily replaceable, easily kept or easily bred. At the moment, even the less fertile animals and hard to breed species breed like rats, when you got your research done.
That's actually what I'm missing by far the most. Something that makes this zoo game a zoo game and not so much a theme park copy.
Other things animal related:
That's actually what I'm missing by far the most. Something that makes this zoo game a zoo game and not so much a theme park copy.
Other things animal related:
- Mother to child interactions, including carrying etc. where suitable.
- In general more species interactions that go beyond mateing and fighting.
- Interactions between enriching species would be the cherry on top, but I understand that that might be too much to ask, animation wise.
- MORE SHOPS. Pleeease give me Crepes and German Wurst and all the fun brands from Planet Coaster. Sound is done, animation is done, mesh is done... this can't be a one million dollar wish.
- Aviaries with flying birds
- Night houses (though I really miss flying foxes)
- Interactive items for visitors, where they could for example guess which animal makes which noise etc.
- Merry go rounds. I don' need a play ground, just an old, nice flat ride.
Just adding to this, as well as a rework of the disease system there could be a potential for a pest system. Whenever I go to Chester Zoo I notice mice running around in some of the habitats. These are probably harmless and just eating the crumbs but I'm sure there are some pests zoos have to deal with that are much more problematic.
Also I do think playgrounds as mentioned by many are a great idea so long as they don't stray into the theme park ride category. Just seesaw, wooden/plastic climbing frames etc would be great.
In general though I think the focus needs to move onto the animals and away from guests/more building.
