Michael Brookes
Game Director
The issue is that it isn't our game, we developed the game for Microsoft, we cannot communicate anything that they haven't already.
Michael
Zoo Tycoon Zoo limit
- Thread starter Cmdr Eagleboy
- Start date
The issue is that it isn't our game, we developed the game for Microsoft, we cannot communicate anything that they haven't already.
Michael
Frontier: Talk to Microsoft Game Studios
Microsoft: Talk to Frontier Studios
Frontier: It's NOT our game
Microsoft: We only published the game
Frontier: We don't know anything, talk to Microsoft.
Microsoft: We don't know anything, talk to Frontier.
Microsoft: Talk to Frontier Studios
Frontier: It's NOT our game
Microsoft: We only published the game
Frontier: We don't know anything, talk to Microsoft.
Microsoft: We don't know anything, talk to Frontier.
Last edited:
Just curious, have you actually asked Microsoft (Microsoft Studios I think it was publisher)? FD seems to have contract which forbids them to talk more about game.
Thanks for the info. What I'm wondering is who exactly should players be directing feedback to?
I do find it a bit frustrating that there isn't really any acknowledgement of the players and their feedback. It's a bit disappointing considering the potential in the game.
Michael Brookes
Game Director
As Michael said. Microsoft contracted Frontier to create the game for them. There is info on this and other note in this thread A couple of notes about Zoo Tycoon
So requests for updates and fixes etc should be directed to Microsoft, as they own the game and make the decision on how the game is structured and what updates etc. will be released, not Frontier.
So requests for updates and fixes etc should be directed to Microsoft, as they own the game and make the decision on how the game is structured and what updates etc. will be released, not Frontier.
I don't suppose you guys could let them know how we feel about the zoo limit?
Microsoft is like a giant castle without a mailbox, which also happens to be surrounded by a moat. Maybe my Googles skills failed me but I could never find a proper place to send feedback as a gamer.
Anyway, I guess there's not much more to discuss in this thread. I do appreciate you guys stopping by though.
This game was one of the reasons I bought the Xbox one recently. Love Zoo Tycoon on PC and I only looked at one review video for this one before deciding.
Turns out that was a huge mistake. It looks great but it's literally just placing exhibits on the map and then adding objects from a choice of about 4 things.
The menus are tedious and sandbox allows you to play for about 10 minutes before you reach the limit. Can't believe I have paid £50 for this
Turns out that was a huge mistake. It looks great but it's literally just placing exhibits on the map and then adding objects from a choice of about 4 things.
The menus are tedious and sandbox allows you to play for about 10 minutes before you reach the limit. Can't believe I have paid £50 for this
You developed the game. Therefore, the decision to implement the zoo limit in the first place must have been your idea. Or did Microsoft storm your meetings one day and demand that people only be able to build a ridiculously low number of buildings? Why give people such a large space to build their zoo on if it is completely impractical to use given the low zoo limit? These are design decisions. If you sacrificed those decisions to Microsoft, the game suffered for it, and you as a developer sacrificed your reputation along with it. You can't pass the buck. The albatross is firmly around your neck. This game is yours.
Even if you can't comment on it.
Last edited:
While I suppose we can't even guess at the political relationships between publisher and developer, given the stone wall from both, I applaude the above statement. Cuts through all the smoke like a bright ray of sunshine...
Im starting to think one of the two should come out and explain there is a zoo limit because of the graphics being such a high resolution. My wife plays sims and that also had limits. More zoo space simply means original zt2 like graphics. If zt2 would have had graphics like this I guarentee they would have had far less objects and animals. Even if on pc I have wlp3 and with the graphics on high it lags like crazy. Or maybe they eventually will raise the zoo limit but probably if expansions are added. Until they add newer species like jaguar, moose, gorillas, and other animals that big of a map would be pointless. Today I made a zoo with two species of tiger,3 rhino, 2 bearand 2giraffe my point is the only species a bigger zoo map would benifit as is is antelope. Now if they add 20-30 new species then the demand for bigger space is much more.
I don't believe the zoo limit has much to do with the graphics. No matter how big your zoo is, the engine should only render what's closest to your character.
Really the only possible reason the game would lag would be during multiplayer sessions with the the map completely filled. Even at that point it would lag do to a poorly optimized game.
I invested in both the next gen systems because I know with their specs they can easily handle sims and rts games I play now on a low end PC with max settings.
I was really looking forward to seeing them ported over without having to strip away everything just to make it playable.
I really hope hope they get this optimized very soon, as a lot have already stated its a game breaker and a shot in the foot for future DLC.
No point of buying new animals if you can't add them to your current zoo. We supposed to make a new zoo for every expansion?
I stopped playing after I hit the zoo limit and warn everyone to not to buy it till the limit is removed.
Really the only possible reason the game would lag would be during multiplayer sessions with the the map completely filled. Even at that point it would lag do to a poorly optimized game.
I invested in both the next gen systems because I know with their specs they can easily handle sims and rts games I play now on a low end PC with max settings.
I was really looking forward to seeing them ported over without having to strip away everything just to make it playable.
I really hope hope they get this optimized very soon, as a lot have already stated its a game breaker and a shot in the foot for future DLC.
No point of buying new animals if you can't add them to your current zoo. We supposed to make a new zoo for every expansion?
I stopped playing after I hit the zoo limit and warn everyone to not to buy it till the limit is removed.
A better argument for Kickstarter I have never heard.
Okay how about this:
1.) You start the convo with Microsoft about the fan's concerns seeing that you have the contact and we don't. Don't spit the about how you can't because I know for a fact developer and publisher can communicate.
2.) Give us the exact location online/email/etc to take this issue to Microsoft. Microsoft is such a large company, it's difficult to know where to even begin. The things we have tried haven't gotten us anywhere. And even a response of 'DEAL WITH IT' from Microsoft would be something.
3.) Admit you simply don't care and are done with the game. Simple as that. Your reputation as a developer is getting hurt anyway so at least show some respect and just admit it.
Your prolonged silence is pretty much the same as number 3. So, to save face, do number 1 or 2 and show you care at least a little. I mean I've tried to be kind and hope for the best but come on, it really is getting pathetic.
One of the theories here is that the zoo limit exists because of planned DLC. Frontier may or may not be the development house contracted to provide that (but it's likely that they would be), but in any event, Frontier are almost certainly under contract not to breathe a word about any of it until Microsoft do.
Given that Microsoft is 30% marketing, 5% developers and 65% lawyers, and with a bank balance that dwarfs the average small African nation's GDP, they're simply not going to break that contract... not even a little. It could mean the end of Frontier.
So even if they spoke to Microsoft on "our" behalf, the end communication would be the same. Nada.
Given that Microsoft is 30% marketing, 5% developers and 65% lawyers, and with a bank balance that dwarfs the average small African nation's GDP, they're simply not going to break that contract... not even a little. It could mean the end of Frontier.
So even if they spoke to Microsoft on "our" behalf, the end communication would be the same. Nada.
You would think that 30% marketing would be smart enough to not let the games fanbase fume over an issue like this. Step in and say something, what is that going to hurt? Even if it is that they are done with the game, I'd at least respect that. Butter it up however you want Juniper, the fact remains. Regardless of a fix or not, the handling of the whole thing is laughable. And that's saying it kindly.
I wasn't "buttering it up" - I was just saying the facts as I see them. I agree it's poor customer service, but let's face it, it's not something Microsoft generally care about.
Couldn't agree more.
My therory is the zoo limit exist because of multiplayer, since the simulation data would have to be sent back and forth between players.
While having a full map in single player could work just fine, I can see it may cause a lot of lag with with the simulation data being shared amongst players.
If that was the case I'd be more than happy having a single player mode without the zoo limit and a mode for multiplayer only.
Disney infinity has a similar limit for the xbox 360 except they let you know that the animated objects fill the bar much quicker and will cause lag in multiplayer when you go past 3/4 full. So I build much different worlds for single and multiplayer. If I past the limits and/or use lots of animated objects, at least i know it'll work fine in single player and I'm allowed to do so.
While having a full map in single player could work just fine, I can see it may cause a lot of lag with with the simulation data being shared amongst players.
If that was the case I'd be more than happy having a single player mode without the zoo limit and a mode for multiplayer only.
Disney infinity has a similar limit for the xbox 360 except they let you know that the animated objects fill the bar much quicker and will cause lag in multiplayer when you go past 3/4 full. So I build much different worlds for single and multiplayer. If I past the limits and/or use lots of animated objects, at least i know it'll work fine in single player and I'm allowed to do so.
Hello, new to this forum. The whole reason for signing up today was specifically to find info and discuss the issue of zoo limit. This seems to be an issue that every single review or forum complaint ive read brings up, and its my complaint issue too. I was absolutely loving the game, getting very addicted to the gameplay, when i suddenly hit the zoo limit. The zoo I made wasnt even very big yet!!! I also began running into the issue of not being able to keep up with customer and animal satisfaction and demands due to the small zoo limit. I had 4 bathrooms at one point but only 5 main exhibits for example....At first I thought maybe this is an issue having to do with my zoo's level, and continued to play the game thinking that as I leveled up I would unlock more zoo limit space. But that never happened. I then thought maybe I need to unlock the extra zoo space by playing the campaign mode. But so far no extra zoo space has been unlocked by doing this. When I looked online and found this was a strict zoo limit issue I was extremely disappointed in the game.
Aside from this issue, The game is very enjoyable as a whole, has amazing textures and models for the animals and the animations are delightful. I love the interactions options and that there are various enrichments to place along with food etc. I also love that there is a decent number of sub species for each species available (for example, at least a dozen types of bears), however....there is a second issue I have with this game...
there is still a small number of main species overall (only 9 total for main exhibits plus whatever is available for the small exhibits). Would you please add more animal species as well? Such as wolves, penguins, dolphins, (aquarium biomes) walruses, caribou and other deer species besides antellopes, anteaters, mountain goats, snow leopards and other leopards, wilderbeasts, water buffalos, american buffalos, cougars, kangaroos, koalas, crocodiles, and a petting zoo....Im not saying all these have to be added, just that the current number of animals is so small even adding some of these in an expansion would be awesome...otherwise the game seriously loses its appeal due to lack of variety and zoo limit issues.
Aside from this issue, The game is very enjoyable as a whole, has amazing textures and models for the animals and the animations are delightful. I love the interactions options and that there are various enrichments to place along with food etc. I also love that there is a decent number of sub species for each species available (for example, at least a dozen types of bears), however....there is a second issue I have with this game...
there is still a small number of main species overall (only 9 total for main exhibits plus whatever is available for the small exhibits). Would you please add more animal species as well? Such as wolves, penguins, dolphins, (aquarium biomes) walruses, caribou and other deer species besides antellopes, anteaters, mountain goats, snow leopards and other leopards, wilderbeasts, water buffalos, american buffalos, cougars, kangaroos, koalas, crocodiles, and a petting zoo....Im not saying all these have to be added, just that the current number of animals is so small even adding some of these in an expansion would be awesome...otherwise the game seriously loses its appeal due to lack of variety and zoo limit issues.