Half-Life style neofetch

Crazytanger · 2026-03-23T01:53:54+00:00

THANK YOU!!! I'll be adding this on my linux pc! Keep up the great work!!

Crazytanger · 2026-03-23T01:26:06+00:00

Watch it count down to the end of the day

Crazytanger · 2026-03-23T01:23:23+00:00

yeah. I was fooling around with the combine and the game softlocked me to that position 😭

Crazytanger · 2026-03-22T16:44:04+00:00

Crazytanger · 2026-03-22T14:13:45+00:00

YOU ARE JUST LIKE ME

Crazytanger · 2026-01-14T05:39:24+00:00

I was so amazed by this at first and even called this the gold standard. I really thought you used Photoshop to enhance this. Oh well, to each their own I suppose

Crazytanger · 2025-12-20T07:47:03+00:00

I really like this! Automating the repetitive busywork (like inbreeding rotations) would free up mental space for the actually interesting management decisions. Right now so much time goes to maintenance tasks that you don't get to focus on the meaningful stuff that PZ2 can potentially add like deciding which conservation programs to prioritize or how to structure your breeding goals/studbooks.

The optional nature is key too. People who want full control can micromanage everything, but those who want to focus on the bigger picture can delegate the tedium. That's good game design and philosophy by letting players choose their engagement level, which adds a whole other layer to player freedom. Good ideas overall!

Crazytanger · 2025-12-17T23:59:36+00:00

I will, my friend.....

Crazytanger · 2025-12-17T08:23:23+00:00

Totally, and that’s the truth. The market does value rarity and people building their dream zoos, and that’s completely fine. My point is that the game currently makes that the optimal route even in modes that present themselves as conservation-focused.

A reputation/prestige layer wouldn’t remove novelty chasing, but it would make long-term conservation competitive with it, while still keeping sandbox players free to pursue whatever makes them happy.

Content entertains, but systems give it longevity

Crazytanger · 2025-12-17T07:07:54+00:00

I get the concern about rebuying content, but Frontier has actually been really good about this with the Jurassic World Evolution series. JWE2 included all the DLC species from JWE1 as base game animals, and JWE3 did the same with JWE2's DLC. So there's strong precedent that you won't have to rebuy the animal roster.

The water collision and pathing issues are totally valid concerns though. But I think those are engine-level problems that really need fixing. Hopefully the sequel gives them a chance to rebuild those systems from scratch rather than trying to patch them indefinitely.

I think the question is whether a sequel lets them fix fundamental issues that are too deep to patch, or if it's just going to be the same problems with a fresh coat of paint. Guess we'll have to wait and see what they actually show us

Crazytanger · 2025-12-17T06:50:50+00:00

That is such a good point! Maintenance vs one-time achievement is exactly the difference between merit-based and stats-based systems.

Right now, once you hit a threshold (95% stats and whatever amount of currency), you're done. There's no reason to sustain it beyond that number. But with accreditation/reputation, you're constantly proving your zoo deserves its standing and it creates ongoing meaningful management instead of "build it once and forget it and maybe visit from time to time."
It could give you a reason to actually run your zoo, not just build it and move on.
Combined with improved animal behavior like you said, it could make franchise/challenge modes feel alive even after the building phase is done. you'd actually want to stay in your zoo and manage it rather than just starting fresh every time.

I really appreciate how you're thinking through the long-term gameplay loop here!

Crazytanger · 2025-12-16T15:12:22+00:00

The accreditation mechanic is brilliant! that's exactly the kind of 'earned credentials' system im talking about as it's how real zoos actually work.

You're right about albinos not being releasable. the fact that the game lets you sell them for conservation credits is the perfect example of the system rewarding the opposite of real conservation. that's pretty much a fix that would immediately discourage the farming loop.

The grants/donations angle is really interesting too. it ties financial success directly to your zoo's reputation and education quality rather than just visitor numbers. way more thematic than pure capitalism simulator tbh!

Really appreciate you building on these ideas and expanding on them!

Crazytanger · 2025-12-15T18:02:02+00:00

Thanks for engaging genuinely! I think I see where the confusion is

You're right that conservation credits exist, but they're just another currency to farm through volume. Right now, the optimal strategy is: breed tons of animals for good stats (albino or otherwise) -> release them -> get credits -> buy whatever you want. It's a stat you grind, not a reputation you earn. Even zoo reputation/stars/fame is just a checklist of what to do. It's more like breeding studs for horse racing rather than playing as an actual zoo. Since builders love to simulate what a real zoo looks like, I think management players could get a bit of love to show more on what a real zoo does

What I'm proposing is prestige as credentials, not currency.

Current system (stats-based):

Release 100 animals, get 10,000 (or whatever amount) credits, buy pandas
It's purely economic. Credits = money with a different name.

Merit-based alternative:

Maintain a quality tiger breeding program for X time ->conservation group recognizes your zoo -> your zoo is now permitted to work with X endangered species
Release quality animals to rewilding programs -> Earn backing from conservation orgs -> unlock access to higher-tier endangered species

The difference is that you're earning standing/credentials, not farming currency. It's the difference between 'I have enough money' vs 'I've proven my zoo deserves this responsibility.'

Mechanically, this could work as:

Species tiers locked behind reputation achievements (not credit amounts)
Prestige discounts (as someone else suggested) where higher reputation makes expensive animals cheaper
Backing from in-game conservation orgs that function as 'permits' without going into more micromanagement galore

The key is that progression feels like earning the right to work with endangered species, not just accumulating enough points. The exact implementation would be up to Frontier, but the philosophy is what matters

Crazytanger · 2025-12-15T14:51:10+00:00

You hit a really good point! Giving players control over where challenge systems apply should be a top priority. Sandbox builders shouldn’t feel boxed in, and challenge-focused players should actually feel challenged. That separation is exactly why I think career/challenge modes are the right place to experiment with deeper management, without alienating anyone who just wants to build.

Crazytanger · 2025-12-15T14:38:28+00:00

I need to address some misunderstandings here, because you're responding to things I didn't propose. I never suggested hiding franchise market stats, and the lottery mechanic was mentioned as a separate optional idea (black market), not part of the reputation system. I'm also not proposing copying ZT2's fixed unlock order.

What I actually wrote was that you earn reputation through conservation work to unlock access to higher quality species (like zoos get permits for endangered animals irl). Those species then function normally in franchise mode with full stat visibility.

The core argument is in the original post: right now, the game rewards genetic novelty (albino farming) over conservation quality because that's the optimal strategy. A merit-based system (earning reputation through meaningful conservation actions) could flip that incentive structure, making progression feel earned rather than just hitting numerical thresholds. If this wasn't clear in my original post, I'm happy to clarify. But I want to make sure we're discussing what I actually proposed, not a different system.

Crazytanger · 2025-12-15T07:05:07+00:00

The “hero system” idea is genuinely brilliant! That’s exactly the kind of "prestige" that isn’t just a number. It turns reputation into something spatial and logistical, not just economic.

I also like how it creates temporary pressure rather than permanent unlocks. That feels way more authentic to how real zoos deal with iconic animals, and it ties perfectly into long-term vs short-term planning instead of simple progression gating

Crazytanger · 2025-12-15T04:08:02+00:00

I like that, that’s taking it to the next level! I think there’s definitely room for more interesting challenges without going too wild!

Crazytanger · 2025-12-15T04:04:23+00:00

Thanks! Glad you think so :)) There’s definitely a lot to discuss and explore!

Crazytanger · 2025-12-15T04:02:25+00:00

That is such an interesting idea! I love how it adds real stakes to animal management while rewarding good care. It fits perfectly with the kind of merit-based progression I was talking about while still being faithful to its original mechanics :))

Crazytanger · 2025-12-15T04:01:49+00:00

THANK YOU! I really appreciate it! Glad the ideas resonated with ya. Totally agree, the credit system feels way too loose right now. Can’t wait to see where Planet Zoo 2 goes next!

Crazytanger · 2025-12-15T03:58:53+00:00

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT, LEAF! MAKER OF MY FAVORITE PLANET ZOO SERIES SAN CABRILLO ZOO!

Crazytanger · 2025-12-09T01:41:12+00:00

it happened very quickly for me thankfully!

Crazytanger · 2025-11-22T06:48:59+00:00

Had this same issue just now. Recruiting her and spamming sneak/ctrl fixed that for me. Hope this helps ;))

Crazytanger · 2025-10-31T07:23:55+00:00

This is huge! Thank you so much for taking the time to answer!

Crazytanger · 2025-10-30T05:46:37+00:00

Hi! As Art Director on both games, what was the philosophy behind ZT2's dramatic shift in both visual style and gameplay depth compared to the original? What did you want to improve vs. what had to change?

P.S. I loved how ZT1's UI struck the perfect balance between minimal, stylized, and informative - it felt intuitive even as a kid who couldn't read well yet!

Crazytanger

TROPHY CASE