Why is the default merchandise balloons?

[Transform]

I don't know about others but I do find it strange that a game with a heavy conservation vibe has the first merchandise be balloons of all things.

Honestly, I don't care that much, I just find it very tone deaf.

[Croquette]

I mean... Any "conservation zoo" will have balloons that you go to irl. Any roller coaster/zoo tycoon/planet coaster, balloons have always been there, don't see why they would restrain of putting balloons because it goes against conservation lol.

[Transform]

Originally posted by xXSammiSamXx:

I mean... Any "conservation zoo" will have balloons that you go to irl. Any roller coaster/zoo tycoon/planet coaster, balloons have always been there, don't see why they would restrain of putting balloons because it goes against conservation lol.

I've been to many zoos. I've never once seen balloons available for purchase. Perhaps it's simply the zoos here though.

[Krall]

Kinda like Hollywood is anti-gun...except in movies.

I find it odd also that you can store animals and they don't age when you do. They're just game mechanics so nor much we can do until we get really good at Unity.

[Transform]

Originally posted by Krall:

Kinda like Hollywood is anti-gun...except in movies.

I find it odd also that you can store animals and they don't age when you do. They're just game mechanics so nor much we can do until we get really good at Unity.

You make a fair point.

[Razamanaz]

Originally posted by Krall:

Kinda like Hollywood is anti-gun...except in movies.

I find it odd also that you can store animals and they don't age when you do. They're just game mechanics so nor much we can do until we get really good at Unity.

If you're referring to Unity the game engine this game is made with FD's proprietary Cobra Engine.

[Krall]

Originally posted by Razamanaz:

Originally posted by Krall:

Kinda like Hollywood is anti-gun...except in movies.

I find it odd also that you can store animals and they don't age when you do. They're just game mechanics so nor much we can do until we get really good at Unity.

If you're referring to Unity the game engine this game is made with FD's proprietary Cobra Engine.

Yes I know, I mean if you want to take the time to learn programming/Unity and then you can design a game like this setting the standards you want.

[✪ HB]

Originally posted by Krall:

Yes I know, I mean if you want to take the time to learn programming/Unity and then you can design a game like this setting the standards you want.

C# would be the worst language to develop a game like this in.

[Catsim]

The funny thing is the Information Booths sell a lot of things that could be their own shop and preferable to balloon shops. Like a themed umbrella shop would've been cute and you could put adoption pack shops near high appeal habitats. But nope everything is in the info booth.

I wouldn't be surprised if the balloon shop was just in there to keep up the park tycoon tradition of the balloon popping easter egg when you click on the balloons that kids let go.

[curlyhontas]

Originally posted by xXSammiSamXx:

I mean... Any "conservation zoo" will have balloons that you go to irl. Any roller coaster/zoo tycoon/planet coaster, balloons have always been there, don't see why they would restrain of putting balloons because it goes against conservation lol.

This is absolutely false. I worked at a zoo for over 2 years (the Cincinnati Zoo) and balloons were strictly forbidden in the park amongst many other things (examples: skateboards, rollerskates, scooters, emotional support animals (only trained service animals were allowed and only in specific parts as they disrupted the gibbons and wolves, etc.). Not only are balloons dangerous to the environment they are dangerous to the animals in the park. Imagine a child letting go of their birthday party balloon and it getting stuck in a tree, eventually pops and is eaten by a critically endangered species? Employees in guest services and park management would actually get written up if they failed at our turnstiles to confiscate balloons.

[Transform]

Originally posted by curlyhontas:

Originally posted by xXSammiSamXx:

I mean... Any "conservation zoo" will have balloons that you go to irl. Any roller coaster/zoo tycoon/planet coaster, balloons have always been there, don't see why they would restrain of putting balloons because it goes against conservation lol.

This is absolutely false. I worked at a zoo for over 2 years (the Cincinnati Zoo) and balloons were strictly forbidden in the park amongst many other things (examples: skateboards, rollerskates, scooters, emotional support animals (only trained service animals were allowed and only in specific parts as they disrupted the gibbons and wolves, etc.). Not only are balloons dangerous to the environment they are dangerous to the animals in the park. Imagine a child letting go of their birthday party balloon and it getting stuck in a tree, eventually pops and is eaten by a critically endangered species? Employees in guest services and park management would actually get written up if they failed at our turnstiles to confiscate balloons.

Thank you for the great info.

I knew they weren't in zoos

[Krall]

Originally posted by ✪ HB:

Originally posted by Krall:

Yes I know, I mean if you want to take the time to learn programming/Unity and then you can design a game like this setting the standards you want.

C# would be the worst language to develop a game like this in.

You guys missed my whole point.

Why would C# be the worse choice? 2 Point Hospital is a similar game done in Unity.

[✪ HB]

Originally posted by Krall:

2 Point Hospital is a much smaller game in comparison and does not have the same type of features like Planet Zoo/Coaster. The amount of memory management necessary for instance would be impossible to make the game run even remotely smooth using C# as it does not have it.
Sure, you could simplify and remove all the unnecessary features like uniqueness in guests/animals and turn them into robots. But C++/C would even then be superior.

[TimeLadyLena]

I was also really surprised and disappointed to see balloons in this game. It seems so out of place with the conservation stuff, and the reasons mentioned above in relation to why real zoos don't allow them. And for a modern game... idk, it's such a small detail but I wish we had something else. The umbrella thing sounds like a cool and fitting idea!

[Nakia]

Umbrellas can be bought from the info shop. Hats Fantastic = hats of different animals. Just a momento = cuddly toys. and there is the ability to adopt an animal.

I know the Hats and toys are not "default" and need to be researched. I have never checked at the start of the game if the umbrellas are available. Just seems to me when it starts to rain people buy them.