RC Horse Potential

I love the idea of members creating their own RCs, but I was thinking hard about it a moment ago (because I was bored and had nothing better to do) and I had a good idea. Well, at least I think it's a good idea.

From what I've observed, most people rescue the horses and either put them up for sale immediately or geld the horses and then put them for sale. Gelding them does ensure that somebody won't adopt them and then immediately breed them and create foals with lower stats, but for the 0-3 year olds who have only 100 stats, some have the potential to have at least +300 stats by the end of their lives. I know that's probably not a lot for many of the seasoned breeders on this site, but for somebody just starting the game that's a lot.

If we started a program of sorts where we snag the 0-3 year old horses from the rc and raise them until they have pretty decent stats, then sell them to new members for really cheap (like around $5,000), explaining to them the importance of stats and the harm of over breeding in a brief but friendly pm when they buy the horse I think that would help both the new members and the community. I imagine it wouldn't be the most profitable thing to do, but I think if it's successful it'll help improve the quality of EV horses in the long run.

That's just the jist of the idea and it's completely open to altering, but what do you guys think? Should this idea be pursued?

I think this might present a great opportunity for newer members. Maybe once the horse reaches a certain age or stat, lock the horse and post it to a forum board or other central area that allows newer members to look at the available horses? It could even be a "member group" so that additional site work isn't required?

I love this idea!
*Cast rushes over to the RC to train up some newbie ponies*

Edit... I will also not be telling newbies how to raise or breed their horses.
I sometimes breed my horses younger and more often than some think is "correct"...
If they have questions they can contact me but I think they should learn to play their way. :)

Last edited on 2016-05-29 at 16:56:41 by Cast

A horse born at 100 stats can easily reach upwards of 600 stats by the end of their lives. I have some that are over 800 at 17 (none of my foundation horses have reached 22 yet.) Foundation horses have tons of potential.

I'm not quite sure why people find it so important to try to control what other players do with their horses, though. I do not care in the slightest if someone decides they don't want to bother with stats, and just want to breed the pretty ponies. If their stock doesn't suit me, I just won't buy it. There are plenty of people focusing on stats, and producing really nice show ponies. The RC is there largely so that new people can get some cheap starter stock, to use how they please, and it would be unfortunate for more experienced players to hog all the RC stock, and only let people have them if they agree to play by their standards.

If someone want to raise stats, and doesn't understand how to do it, I'm happy to give advice, but otherwise, I'll do as I like to be done by, and not try to pressure other people into playing the game my way. I'd sure hate it if anyone did that to me.

Thank you Confessor for summing up my thoughts nicely. :)

@Confessor
As a newer player.
*applauds*

while i totally agree with Confessor on all points, I don't think that what Anchor has suggested is all bad.

Raising up some RC foundies with the intention of giving them to newer players is a generous idea, and if you're willing to do so while respecting their autonomy as players of the game in their own way, I think that would be a very nice thing to do.

when i first started playing the game, Roxas was kind enough to breed me a pair of foals from her wonderful lines, and the fact that i didn't want to "let her down" by ignoring those foals probably kept me around EV when i have a history of quitting sim games after a few weeks.

I'm also "guilty" of overbreeding and am not at all ashamed of it. I don't breed low stat or terribly conformed horses. I breed pairs many times and make a tidy profit off the foals, and have no intention of stopping because a handful of players think that overbreeding makes a horse worth less. my bank account proves that otherwise.

TLDR; good idea, but understand not everyone will play the way you want :)

Dumping a whole lot of time and money into something I'll just give away? No thanks.

I hadn't even thought about it as trying to persuade new members to play a certain way, but now that I've read through it again I'm internally kicking myself because it sounds like I'm trying to do exatctly that. I don't even have a problem with over breeding, I was just writing down the first thing that came to mind.   Sorry that it came off as that, trust me it wasn't my intention.

If we didn't pm them, no trying to sway anybody's opinions about anything, and just offer them decently statted horses for cheap, would this be a good idea?

(I'm typing this on my phone with a puppy in my lap, so sorry for any errors :) )

Last edited on 2016-05-29 at 10:55:51 by Anchor

When I first started I was able to find younger (under 5) 200+ stat horses in the RC. People didn't want them for whatever reason & I was lucky enough to get them. I like this idea as it would benefit newer players, but I also understand the idea of letting new players play as they want. I know it would be a loss, but what if people took a couple of RC horses, raising them to about 250 stats and then put them back in the RC for the newer members to snatch up? If we took a stallion & mare we'd even be putting possible breeding pairs back in. If after 2 days no one took them, then we could take them back if we wanted or let them go to the great pasture beyond.

@Valzed- I honestly think that's a brilliant idea. Sure, we wouldn't benefit income wise, but I'm sure it'll help new members start out and stay interested in the game

Last edited on 2016-05-29 at 11:01:39 by Anchor

I'd caution against putting them back in the Rescue Center. Not-new players might see them for the great deal they are and snatch them up!
Perhaps keep an updated list of players participating on the forums, and let newbies contact them about getting a horse?

Also, with the riding school it's fairly easy to make money on any horse. A 3 year old store doesn't NEED treats, and they make around $300 a day at the riding school so you'd have your money back in less than a day. You also don't have the expense of show fees and buying/upgrading tack.

I might raise a pair if this gets organized (perhaps an EV group?) and off the ground.

Last edited on 2016-05-29 at 11:45:21 by ᴋᴀʜᴢɪᴇ ɪ

You've got a good point, Kahzie. We would definitely want them to get into the hands of newer players. I hadn't thought about the Riding Centers as a way to recoup any losses! Kahzie, you're brilliant! Okay, so what if we still only charged the "RC adoption fee" of $200 for each horse & started a member group where newer people can come and buy these horses?

.............................

Last edited on 2016-05-30 at 14:18:44 by Cast

I'd totally join said group :)
though I don't think charging 1000 to 5000 would be ridiculous, since the horses we'd be raising are going to be better than the average RC horse. Selling a 500 stat foundie for 200 is a bit low, especially if you've been using space in your stable to keep it for 10+ weeks :)