What Kinda Packs Will We Get Now?

[DarthQuell]

Heavily based off of the "What can we realistically expect next?" thread, now that we kinda have gotten a pack for each continent, what kind of DLC will we start getting?

It's been speculated that we'll get biome packs, like the Forest pack or the Desert pack.
Other theories are animal family packs, like a primate DLC or an ungulate DLC.

What do y'all think?

 

[Aramar]

I prefer biome packs since they are more diverse than family packs. For example, I prefer having 4 monkeys in 4 packs than one pack with 4 monkeys.

 

[abigenius]

I think that we will very possibly have packs of biomes, specific regions of some continent and perhaps but I think that there will not be, they are the packs of families of animals such as primates or ungulates

 

[[VR] Deggial]

I also think, that we will get biome packs in 2022.

Which is almost a guarantee, that we will not get biome packs.

 

[jcp011c]

Yeah, that's the big question isn't it. I also think biome packs are the most likely candidate. But it could also be a variety of other things- general family packs (think, pack of mustelids not just a pack of otters, as one example). Or something like Endangered species.

Of course, there's always the Avian and Marine options.

 

[Iben]

I still don't see a reason to suspect that we'd move away from the types of DLC we had so far. People like to say that "we did all continents", but the devs themselves said that the DLCs up till now were either region or mechanic based. Given that there's still plenty more regions we could visit or revisit (Amazon, Madagascar, Oceania,...) and that there's still packs that could be based upon mechanics ( birds, fish, marine, ...), I don't see a reason to suspect that we'd get biome packs.

Unless I'm mistaking, there doesn't seem to be any indication for a switch to biome packs or an end of region based packs. I think we're dealing with a serious case of parroting, where one person just said "biome packs" one day and people just all started repeating it and assuming that that will be the case

 

[Swjosdotschka]

I still don't see a reason to suspect that we'd move away from the types of DLC we had so far. People like to say that "we did all continents", but the devs themselves said that the DLCs up till now were either region or mechanic based. Given that there's still plenty more regions we could visit or revisit (Amazon, Madagascar, Oceania,...)

Oh great, why the heck haven't I discussed that with you, before I wrote an g blog post for a community member, saying we covered all regions.... -.- goes hiding in shame

 

[[VR] Deggial]

"parroting" is not a nice term to describe it, imo.

Sure, the devs stated that until now, all DLCs were region- (and/or mechanic) based. (Hard to ignore hard facts. But "until now" doesn't define the future.)
Sure, at some point, somebody wrote it the first time here on the forum. Very speculative at this point, but not a stupid thought.
People read it and found the idea compelling and even logic. It makes it possible to add, for example, additional African animals without dedicating a whole DLC to this already well covered continent.
Furthermore, certain biomes are actually quite underrepresented and additions to them seem desirable. Desert animals would be lovely. Mountains need some attention as well.

So, convincing others with a good idea and persuasive arguments doesn't make them brainlessly repeating this very proposal.

 

[jcp011c]

I still don't see a reason to suspect that we'd move away from the types of DLC we had so far. People like to say that "we did all continents", but the devs themselves said that the DLCs up till now were either region or mechanic based. Given that there's still plenty more regions we could visit or revisit (Amazon, Madagascar, Oceania,...) and that there's still packs that could be based upon mechanics ( birds, fish, marine, ...), I don't see a reason to suspect that we'd get biome packs.

Unless I'm mistaking, there doesn't seem to be any indication for a switch to biome packs or an end of region based packs. I think we're dealing with a serious case of parroting, where one person just said "biome packs" one day and people just all started repeating it and assuming that that will be the case

Good point. they could definitely get more region specific. I guess we'll know a little more come March/April (I doubt the next pack will be as soon as Feb.)

 

[Hugo98]

Well, I don't think that, just because Frontier only did region or mechanic based DLCs yet (or better: one mechanic based and the rest were geographical DLCs), biome based packs or even other themed packs (endangered, nocturnal animals etc) are completely unrealistic.
But I agree with @Iben that there are still plenty of regions left which would be worth a pack. It's also possible that we get a second round for the regions we already visited, especially South America would be totally worth for another pack, preferably an animal pack as well as Australia and Oceania.

 

[becks474]

As I already mentioned in another Thread, I am the opinion that the only family packs which are working for the "normal player" are birds, fishes (Marine) and perhaps primates. So I hope we will get biome packs and if I could bet I would put my money on something like a tropical rainforest animal pack next which would also work with the capybara.
Edit: I agree that there is also the possibility to stay on regional type of DLC

 

[jcp011c]

As I already mentioned in another Thread, I am the opinion that the only family packs which are working for the "normal player" are birds, fishes (Marine) and perhaps primates. So I hope we will get biome packs and if I could bet I would put my money on something like a tropical rainforest animal pack next which would also work with the capybara.

I agree with that last part. Unless the next pack is Avian or Marine, which I think now it will not be, I think it will be a pack that the Capybara can headline. How that theme will work exactly remains to be seen.

 

[TheYeti]

I think what's important to consider for 5-animal DLCs is the presence of at least one high-demand, charismatic, either large and somehow unique animal for the cover. Without one of these, I don't expect high sales for a DLC with only 5 animals (even though these packs may be loved by the active community including myself). Of the remaining animals, the capybara, leopard, gibbon, baboon, Przewalski's horse, sloth, walrus, manatee and pelican could play such a role.

In addition, such a DLC will need 150+ scenery pieces and foliage. While I can imagine this for some regions (Middle East, Southeast Asia) and perhaps for mechanics/behaviours (aviaries, aquariums, nocturnal animals), I think it's less likely to see biome packs with a lot of scenery. Off course, they could decide to include tonnes of foliage or rocks instead, but this also seems unlikely. Since I also don't expect 4 animal DLCs in one year, I expect that at least two of the next DLCs will be region-based.

For the animal DLCs, a lot of options are open. They can be related to mechanics (arboreal, aquarium, aviaries, etc.) if the free update include necessary changes to incorporate these animals. Here, it is also possible to have DLCs focussing on biomes or regions and the criteria for a charismatic cover animal may be less high since the pack will contain many animals anyway. Even though we had DLCs for South America, Australia and Africa, all of these regions have plenty of animals that would fit an Animal DLC. For the realism aspect of zoos, this is actually required if we want to have a bit of a meaningful South America or Australia section in the zoo. Off course, these animals can also come in biome packs, which have the added benefit that they can include animals from regions that would otherwise be excluded. I personally don't see potential in a Madagascar DLC (no large charismatic animal and a much smaller region than others), but I can see a fossa or a sifaka appear in a rainforest or islands DLC.

 

[jcp011c]

Oh gosh, if we're talking animal packs vs. 4+1+ scenery packs, after Europe, I don't see any real need for anything but animal packs. I know that would upset building focused players greatly, and I don't see Frontier going that route to be honest, but for my personal wants, it's now animal packs all the way.

 

[TheYeti]

Oh gosh, if we're talking animal packs vs. 4+1+ scenery packs, after Europe, I don't see any real need for anything but animal packs. I know that would upset building focused players greatly, and I don't see Frontier going that route to be honest, but for my personal wants, it's now animal packs all the way.

I think we still need a lot of items. I know a lot of fans are from Europe (myself included) and are very interested in European scenery/animals (myself excluded), but some regions are still underrepresented. A lot of players (myself included) build zoos in Southeast Asian locations and while they generally look great, I can't help but say we still lack building pieces for that region. My main issue is that all the stone pieces we have are either rectangular or have certain patterns (such as the South American ones), but nothing like the stone pieces which you see abundantly in Asian zoos. While we were always able to build realistic European zoos, there is still no way to build anything like the style of what is seen in, for instance, the Bali Zoo or Ragunan Zoo in Indonesia.

More importantly, however, we lack many generic zoo items. The Aquatic pack did a great job by adding faux rocks and the Africa pack contained amazing beams and plaster/mosaic pieces, but there is still a lack of choice when it comes to fences, paths, or even generic zoo walls. There's not a single tile wall in the game for instance, even though these are often seen in modern zoos. We also have a lack in building sets with basic wood pieces. For a realistic texture, it's currently best to use planks or the backside of doors, but that's not the most practical way of building.

I do think we need more animals and I would love to get more animal DLCs that also contain some smaller, less iconic species. But next to that, I really wish that Frontier would put as much effort in accurately representing the architecture of regions such as Southeast Asia, the Middle East and even South America as they have now done for Europe. That pack, as irrelevant as it may be for zoos, is so complete when it comes to items that can be used to mimic the architecture. Yet for other regions, we still miss those kind of items that are essential to even create the general feeling of a realistic zoo.

 

[Laura_91]

Ive not read the full thread so sorry if its been said but im sure someone shared something somewhere on the forum that said it was planned to go to biome next.

 

[Iben]

So, convincing others with a good idea and persuasive arguments doesn't make them brainlessly repeating this very proposal.

I'm not talking about that though. There's nothing wrong with wanting biome packs, but I've seen a bunch of people assume that biome packs are a given because they considered the region packs to be over, something we've got no indication of whatsoever, not even in the slightest. That part is parroting in my eyes

 

[jcp011c]

I think we still need a lot of items. I know a lot of fans are from Europe (myself included) and are very interested in European scenery/animals (myself excluded), but some regions are still underrepresented. A lot of players (myself included) build zoos in Southeast Asian locations and while they generally look great, I can't help but say we still lack building pieces for that region. My main issue is that all the stone pieces we have are either rectangular or have certain patterns (such as the South American ones), but nothing like the stone pieces which you see abundantly in Asian zoos. While we were always able to build realistic European zoos, there is still no way to build anything like the style of what is seen in, for instance, the Bali Zoo or Ragunan Zoo in Indonesia.

More importantly, however, we lack many generic zoo items. The Aquatic pack did a great job by adding faux rocks and the Africa pack contained amazing beams and plaster/mosaic pieces, but there is still a lack of choice when it comes to fences, paths, or even generic zoo walls. There's not a single tile wall in the game for instance, even though these are often seen in modern zoos. We also have a lack in building sets with basic wood pieces. For a realistic texture, it's currently best to use planks or the backside of doors, but that's not the most practical way of building.

I do think we need more animals and I would love to get more animal DLCs that also contain some smaller, less iconic species. But next to that, I really wish that Frontier would put as much effort in accurately representing the architecture of regions such as Southeast Asia, the Middle East and even South America as they have now done for Europe. That pack, as irrelevant as it may be for zoos, is so complete when it comes to items that can be used to mimic the architecture. Yet for other regions, we still miss those kind of items that are essential to even create the general feeling of a realistic zoo.

I can understand wanting more, I just mentioned it was my personal want. It wouldn't upset me though if we got more 4+1+scenery packs. Maybe they could come up with a different pack type. 5+1 or 6+1 with less building items. Especially if those building items are more odds and ends than actual sets. Some backstage or behind the scene items would definitely be appreciated. And it's true, even as an beginner builder, there are pieces I've wished for that we don't have yet, nor will likely come with the Europe set.

 

[SalamAnders]

While I don't expect we will see anything called '...pack 2', they might just go by making animal packs for some of those who only got a 'pack' so far. That would make sense for the SA, AU, and probably even Africa Pack. Since it is easy to find more popular choices from these continents. Further down the line, it might even make sense to then sell them in bundles 'SA Pack + SA Animal Pack' in some kind of sale.

I also wouldn't be surprised to see an increase in the number of animal packs we will get, like maybe 3/4 next year. More and more people seem to think animal packs are more important and I imagine they get easier to make for every new animal and mechanic we get.
This year we have seen an increase in the number of animals added compared to the first year, so it might increase further next year.

 

[random goat]

I share the sentiment of @TheYeti and @Iben to a great extent. Given the limited slots for future DLCs (4, maybe 6?), I see why they could carry on with the packs based on regions or mechanics. Honestly, there is still a lot to cover in that regard, from building pieces to animals. The mechanic-based packs would guarantee a solid DLC roster with potentially Aviaries, Aquarium and Arboreal packs. Region-based packs can still be a thing and they could make more sense to justify the inclusion of more building pieces. Yeah, there is still room for at least one more scenery pack, imo. Based on the meta-wishlist they could go with an Oceania pack, Amazonas, Middle-East, Greater Asia, Central America or even just 'Islands'.
Don't get me wrong, they can totally go for biome packs instead, but imo with just a limited amount of DLCs, it has the risk of leaving some biomes behind, which would inevitably lead to people complaining. On the other hand, the biome packs would be ideal to include some animals that otherwise wouldn't be likely to be featured in other packs (most not-endangered African animals).
Either way, as much as I desperately want more animals, I also think 3 animal packs and 1 scenery pack for next year is the combination that would make most sense.