Expansion idea

[Hugh Manatee]

It was disappointing to learn the game's release date has been postponed from Q2 to Q3. Regardless, I look forward to its inevitable release. From what I've seen so far, it looks promising. The list of animals is impressive. In particular, the early mammals. Paraceratherium has always been on my wishlist, after playing Jurassic Park and Planet Zoo. As well, the giant sloth and about half the others.

The dev's willingness to avoid making a dinosaurs only game is good to see because the "prehistoric" is often confined to the Jurassic. Since the dev's appear to be open to epochs, I would like to suggest the Permian. There are plenty of interesting choices that I would love to see added to the game.

First and foremost, a star of the Permian is, dimetrodon, with its iconic sail. The gorgonopsid and the lystrosaurus, as well. The latter has an entire layer named after it because their fossils dominate that strata, making it unique. Another interesting choice would be the cotylorhynchus, a lesser known and odd looking critter. It was 6 metres long and quite bulky in the center, but with an tiny head and a tail that tapered to a point. An interesting amphibian, the prionosuchus, was 9 metres long and bears a striking resemblance to crocs and gators, but totally unrelated. They are a perfect example of parallel evolution, which has nature reproducing a similar design in unrelated species that live in a similar niche in the environment.

The Carboniferous would also be interesting, more so if there is floral, as well as, fauna. Giant ferns and whiptails must have looked impressive. The giant dragonfly would be brilliant. Same for the giant centipede.

EDIT: typo

[Hugh Manatee]

@SBA77. What a nice thing to say. It's always rewarding to start a thread that triggers discussion. This is why we have forums, after all.

By far, the most ignorant thing a person can say on a forum is, TL;DR. Seriously? They go out of their way to point out they didn't read something? Um. OK. Thank you for contributing absolutely nothing, apart from your ego. Posts like that pollute a forum, by its very audacity.

No ego BS in my threads. We play nice here. And, we share everything. Well. Apart from my basketball. I do not allow anyone to play my basketball. Why? IT'S MIIIIINE! That's why. You got a problem with that? lol

@Shipwrecked. Dinosaurs are cooler? In your opinion? "Dinosaurs are cooler" is not an opinion. It is a fact. Dinosaurs are cooler. End of. The jury has ruled. Elvis has left the building.

Dude! Those mini-exhibits rock! Also, I noticed you can resize plants as well. All these little elements I've seen so far look spot on. By the time the release date nears, I'm going to be like Cartman when he was going nuts waiting for the release of the Wii. That's assuming you watch South Park. If you don't. Why?

[Mythical Ostrich]

I'm really glad they're not just doing dinosaurs. As much as I love them, I'm very excited for the mammoths and other extinct species. I wonder if we'll get the dodo

[Hugh Manatee]

Publicado originalmente por Mythical Ostrich:

I'm really glad they're not just doing dinosaurs. As much as I love them, I'm very excited for the mammoths and other extinct species. I wonder if we'll get the dodo

Absolutely. I love dinosaurs, too. But, we already have a ton of dinosaurs in other games. Still, I'll enjoy them in the game. Thankfully, this game will open up more than just the cliche dinosaurs. I've been wishing for a giant sloth, mammoths and the giant rhino, to name a few for ages.

I would love a dodo! Bet they would fit perfect in the mini-cages. HURRY Q3!! lol

[Nederbeest]

The funny thing is, a couple of years back the dodo was an idea of the developers to add to game in some sort of recently extinct animal pack or something like that. It would also include the Thylacine. Keep in mind it was and still is an idea.

[Hugh Manatee]

Publicado originalmente por Nederbeest:

The funny thing is, a couple of years back the dodo was an idea of the developers to add to game in some sort of recently extinct animal pack or something like that. It would also include the Thylacine. Keep in mind it was and still is an idea.

When you think about it, both are the poster children for extinctions caused by man. It makes sense they would be considered.

Actually, that would make a great expac. Recently extinct by the hand of man. A great addition to that could be the Steller's sea cow. Man, I wish I could see one. It was a huge dugong, measuring around 30 ft. They were hunted to extinction in under 3 decades in the mid 18th century. The moa, from NZ is another good one.

Don't mind me. lol It's just my imagination. It has a tendency towards hyperactivity. >.<

EDIT: typo.

[Shipwrecked]

Publicado originalmente por Nederbeest:

The funny thing is, a couple of years back the dodo was an idea of the developers to add to game in some sort of recently extinct animal pack or something like that. It would also include the Thylacine. Keep in mind it was and still is an idea.

The dodo always gets me, because media often associates it with the Ice Age (such as the movie Ice Age), but then I realize that the dodo died out in the 1600s AD, which sounds really weird lol. Same with the Great Auk and Thylacine.

[Nederbeest]

It's a bit of a shame how we humans are always so good at destroying things. I really think we need to change as a species, or there will be no future for us or the world we live in. We are not immune to extinction (and we are causing them almost on a yearly basis). Kinda sad and depressing at times, but hey, let us all pretend that everything is fine. I mean, why should we provide a future for our children or the world we live in?

[Hugh Manatee]

@Shipwrecked. From what I know, the dodo was killed for its meat, but they tasted terrible. Their loss was such a waste. Yes. The media has a way of getting facts wrong. Rottweilers are a prime example. They have been demonised in cinema and on TV, yet they are the smartest dog after the poodle and make a fantastic addition to your family. After owning rotties myself, I speak from experience.

@Nederbeest. It is a shame. The dodo was particularly sad, as I described to Shipwrecked. Perhaps an expac highlighting the creatures we extinguished could be somewhat educational and help prevent future extinctions.

[Hugh Manatee]

OMFG! How did I not think of this one before?

Titanoboa. The largest snake discovered. Over 40 feet long. Can you imagine? It could swallow you whole for a light snack. We'd be like a Mars bar to them.

[Nederbeest]

Publicado originalmente por Hugh Manatee:

OMFG! How did I not think of this one before?

Titanoboa. The largest snake discovered. Over 40 feet long. Can you imagine? It could swallow you whole for a light snack. We'd be like a Mars bar to them.

You swallow your Mars bars whole...???

[Hugh Manatee]

Publicado originalmente por Nederbeest:

You swallow your Mars bars whole...???

Eventually.

That said.

I must chew it into bits before I swallow it in order to digest it properly. You know, because I am a human. I am not a whole Mars bar swallowing snake. ;)

Good one. I bet you love Airplane films.

"Surely, you have seen them. Don't call me Shirley." lmao!

[Hugh Manatee]

Just a heads up. I have been looking at the mods for Planet Zoo on the Nexus Mods site and discovered a few of the animals I mention (Like, Dimetrodon, Tasmanian Tiger and a few choices of Dodo) are available as mods for the game. There's even a mod that somehow puts roller coasters into the game!

EDIT: If you decide to use the mods be aware that some are listed as, 'new species'. Whereas others are listed as replacing an animal in the game. Personally, I'll only choose new species as I don't wish to replace the existing animals.

[Shipwrecked]

Okay, that's cool. I'll probably wait a bit before modding PZ just for compatibility's sake, but that's pretty amazing!

[Hugh Manatee]

Thought you would be interested. From what I've seen, the mods seem compatible and cause no issues. But, I appreciate your hesitation. This is why I'm backing my game up before I try any. If there are any issues, I'll remove the mods easily enough and reload the old saves. Mind you, with the new animals installed, I'll most likely start a new sandbox to check them out. I love how they have fish as well.

Anyway, not long before PK is released. Fingers crossed.