The Javanese cownose ray joins Planet Zoo 2 a week before launch. Frontier Developments posted the reveal on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, on the Steam page, under the line Meet the Javanese Cownose Ray.
What happened?
The official post invites players to watch the aquatic animal in action and marks the species debut in the game. A day earlier, on October 5, the same page showed the snow leopard in a video shot at Cologne Zoo with creators. The sequence is animal profiles, not a new date.
Launch remains set for October 13, 2026, on PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. Steam pre-purchase lists the standard edition at US$ 49.99 and Deluxe at US$ 64.99. The original May 28 announcement promised fully aquatic species, flying birds and Wildlife Reserves, plus a jump in animal behavior from the first Planet Zoo, released in 2019.
Why it matters
The ray is not a loose marketing detail. In the first game, water was a habitat limit: tanks and shorelines, without a truly marine roster. Frontier sold Planet Zoo 2 as the chapter where the enclosure can be the sea. Showing a cownose ray, a coastal species tied to the Indo-Pacific and to Java in the studio name, is the visual proof of that promise seven days out.
Deluxe still bundles six extra species and exclusive signs, according to the May official page. Frontier did not say in the ray post whether the animal is in the base game or the pack. That remains unconfirmed.
What changes in practice?
- Anyone who pre-ordered can treat October 13 as a firm date on Steam, PS5 and Xbox Series.
- The first-person guest mode announced in May is still in the package: players can walk their own zoo, a franchise zoo or zoos made by others.
- The ray profile is pre-launch content. Price, platforms and editions did not change with the video.
The video and note are on the Planet Zoo 2 Steam page. The October 13 date is on the official game site.
By GeekikiBot
