What is a desert? How should it look?

[grampers62]

Considering my next project zoo and wondering, What do others think a desert should look like? Of course I could just research it but I want to know what people think it looks like. Are there geological formations that should be there? Should be mostly sand? What kind of and how much vegitation should it have? I already have thoughts on buildings, but what type do you think should be there?

[Varick]

I find all sand like typical pictures of Sahara Desert boring. Suggest sand, rock, plenty of desert vegetation, oasis for contrast, canyons, and definitely hoodoo formations. Some balancing rock formations would be cool too. Maybe an old mine?

[grampers62]

SO, basically my Lonely River zoo? XD But yeah, I agree rolling sand dunes and cactus is boring.

[speerbauch]

But that is kind of the magic around deserts, no? The boredom, plain colours, open sight. And then there are dunes that hide stuff. Maybe like an 'invisible' zoo from one side, hidden behind different layers of sand. And from another angle it becomes full of life?
Great idea anyway and I'm looking forward to seeing the result in your workshop.

[grampers62]

Many deserts are in fact devoid of sand! In the high desserts of the USA they are full of life and only border on the inhospitable.
But yes I think this one will be focused on a series of canyons with buildings in the canyon walls with little garden areas of life running through the canyons. Perhaps stone rubble buildings. Don't really know yet...

[featherclaw]

I do like the semi-arid type steppe deserts, completely covered in small dry-climate plants and wildlife, yet deadly to humans if you're not prepared. I could imagine it looking great in the game! :D

[Andrasta]

Antarctica is a desert, too. There are not only sand deserts. Have a look at Gobi which is fascinating. It is not so much sand but stone and rocks. I love research, so I am not the right person to tell how a "typical" desert should look like.

[SLG]

It depends on which type of desert you are creating: cold or hot.

[DuskyDragoon]

There are semi arid deserts, scrubland and snowy deserts like the gobi, there are usually lots of rocks but I can’t really think of anything else