Howrse - Howrse

Rules have changed, products have been removed (and added!), strategies have been adjusted, features created, interfaces have been updated, economics altered, social understandings shifted. This game has been through a lot.

Many of these complaints are valid. Many complaints are frustrations with no universal solution. In addition to these, I've read some (few) complaints that are simply whiny and entitled. The latter are rare - the forums contain many genuine concerns of unfairness.

I have my own opinions. Rather than posting them on the forums or responding to players with opposite opinions, I'm writing them here - I could say it's an exercise of self-discipline, but in reality I just need to get some things off my chest without risk of someone thinking I disagree or offending anyone. We, as players, are all on the same team.

The concepts of "Pay to Play" and "Pay to Win" are two very different ideas that are unfortunately used interchangeably. With the introduction of the premium key in the August 2021 Promo, the term 'Freemium' has increased in usage.

"Freemium" - a pricing strategy by which a basic product or service is provided free of charge, but money is charged for additional features, services, or virtual goods that expand the functionality of the free version of the software.

Pay to win and Freemium are more similar in definition than pay-to-play. However, freemium requires real money being spent. I'd like to point out that passes are obtainable without spending real-life currency.

This is a pay-to-win/spend-money-for-serious-advantages game, a fact that many complain about. There are certainly valid points raised by players. Howrse has very limited options for making passes without spending money. Did you know that they have even removed some of those very limited options? Those actions were extremely controversial and must be addressed. Since pay-to-win is the best option for both the company and for us players, efforts must be made to keep it from becoming pay-to-play.

The gambling aspect of this game ('loot boxes') is highly controversial amongst players. From luck items (HoPs, GF, TC), luck based promos (lottery, anything with "random" spins), to prize-giving divines, loot boxes have been analyzed by players. The rate of drops and maximizing gains is a hot topic. However, the idea of a game intended for children containing an aspect of gambling is often called out as unethical by definition, period.

This distaste for the concept of loot boxes is only enhanced by the inconsistencies and unfairness seen when using them. "Random" is never truly so, leaving players on their own to calculate data on drop rates, timers, and predictability. The phrase, "You have a chance to win X!" is present throughout this game. In reality, players are often able to narrow down this 'chance' to a very specific range, percentage, or schedule - a hidden truth revealing that something is not as random as it seems.

The alternative to grand-prizes offered in loot boxes typically have little value. A mere consolation prize is provided. Players complain about how if they are going to spend a lot of money on a chance, and lose, they deserve a prize with value closer to what they spent. (Example: a HoP costs 100p and the grand prize is often ~3000e) While this complaint may initially sound selfish or entitled, recall that drop rates are often calculated to a very specific range - random is not necessarily random and the true odds are undisclosed to players purchasing these loot boxes.

Players are given multiple opportunities to provide input on features of this game. Forums and 'Contact Us' are widely used options. Players may comment, complain, suggest, request, and more to Howrse. Ironically, many complaints made are that previous attempts at communication have been downright ignored.

Some complain that this issue goes further than simply disregarding comments. Changes, updates, and decisions have been made that 'nerf' (weakening feature/making it ineffective) the games of thousands of players. These obvious downgrades are the main argument from players who feel ignored - if clearly no one wants something to happen, why would Howrse do it?

Solidifying the idea that Howrse ignores its playerbase, there will often be mass complaints about a glitch/inconsistency within the interface, features, or otherwise. Other unnecessary updates will take place before remedies. When situations like this happen, players become angry due to the blatant ignorance.

There are realistic, reasonable improvements that can be made on the company's end to reduce the amount of complaints they receive - at least, they will certainly reduce the amount of complaints they deserve.

A simple remedy to decrease the 'Pay to Play' complaint would be increasing opportunities to earn passes. New ideas are not even necessary - Howrse has removed multiple pass-earning features from the game and returning them should not be difficult.

i. Before the introduction of Yggdrasil and the new pass system, players could send horses aged 30+ to Heaven and receive a pass up to ten times a day. In my opinion, Howrse should adjust the Yggdrasil system to give a player 10p [equivalent to the former 1p] each time a horse aged 30+ is sent to Heaven, max. 10 times a day if Howrse prefers. He can still grow into a new form if that's something Howrse genuinely wants.

A potential issue caused by this solution is that Yggy has been in-game for years now. Players may feel they lost out on all of those passes they could have made in that time and request compensation. Unfortunately, mass reimbursement would absolutely tank in-game economics (as seen in this game's history). Howrse should recognize the very valid frustrations and assure them that this pass making opportunity will not be changed again.

ii. Another feature once existed to provide players with passes. Once a month, they could exchange 20% of their equus total for a pass. Players often evaded the price by purchasing a friends horse, purchasing the pass for a reduced amount, and then selling a horse back to that friend. This feature was removed many years ago but can be brought back efficiently with some adjustments to prevent players from circumventing the system. I believe the opportunity should be presented more often, perhaps once a week. A universal price could be set - say, 100k equus for 10 passes - and Howrse can set a limit to how many times this purchase can happen/adjust the exchange rate. For example, perhaps on Sundays players can buy 50 passes for 50k equus 1 time! A potential issue caused by this solution is the current exchange rate. 999 passes buy 1million equus/19 passes buy 9500equus. This current exchange rate is wildly inaccurate to how players value passes and would have to be updated to be more congruent with a new system.

Finally, the idea of taxes within this game should be removed completely. They were created (DM if I'm wrong) following an auction glitch that led to many getting currency they did not earn. This massively unbalanced Howrse economics and they created taxes to remove currency from the game. A potential issue with this solution - rather, guaranteed - is the removal of the Piggy Bank's promotional offers. These offers are driven by the taxes automatically taken from what we sell. I personally don't care at all. The benefits outweigh the value of those offers, but I'm sure many would disagree.

Considering the issues I listed above and the general distaste in forums for the decisions the Howrse team is making, it may surprise you to hear that Howrse has made positive changes for the community in many regards.

I give my examples below not to prove anyone wrong or invalidate concerns, but to demonstrate that the forums don't focus on the positive as much as the negative. Comments initiate change, and when something is positive, why would they want them to change? It makes sense for the forums to be a place of discussion and betterment, not fluffy praise; I only ask that you keep these positive additions in mind when considering the general state of Howrse.

- Howrse has developed a 'pity system' for their loot boxes in the form of divine fragments. Thanks to divine fragments, players don't need to rely on perfect luck to earn their divines. While some complain about this addition to the game, worried that divines are now more complicated, this is actually ensuring that you cannot buy an infinite amount of loot boxes without a return on your investment. In fact, this is an example of Howrse listening to player complaints regarding loot boxes.

- Continuing my above point, Ascent of Olympus is another, more accessible strategy to obtaining divine fragments. This is Howrse's most recent addition and addresses the pay-to-play complaint. Ascent is free to play once daily, more if you spend your Daily Objective passes, and means that divines are obtainable without loot boxes.

Frankly, the most irrational complaint I read on the forums is the accusation that Howrse is 'greedy'. This is a conclusion players have made based on certain issues outlined above, such as pay-to-win and loot boxes. I call back to the above first point - this is a business. Howrse consists of real human beings who go to work everyday and need to be paid. If you want genuine, dedicated change to happen, Owlient must be able to afford the best developers. If there is no profit, there is no Howrse.

Aside from a business perspective, recall that we as players are a team. We should remember that those around us may be of different cultures, upbringings, but especially on this game, age. I urge us all to consider each other's potential perspectives before responding to a comment. If you don't understand, ask them to elaborate. While this is important to keep forums civil and new players joining, there is another reason:

Your tone is the difference between a whiny complaint and constructive criticism. Whether you are frustrated by another disappointing update, or fed up with a snarky player, take a gracious step back and consider other perspectives before typing a respectful response. As players, we are a team, and I ask you represent us well.

While certainly not required for making a complaint in the forums, these tips will help your comment demand respect and show that you have taken time to consider every aspect of your issue. It will give your voice credibility and administration will be comfortable taking your concerns into account.