Browser Game: Invitation for 1-2 alpha testers
Hi! I've been designing a horse browser sim for years and have finally begun development this year. At the end of October, I'll officially open the game to a small group of alpha testers. It's just myself working on this project, so the additional players will help as I continue to develop the game.
This is a horse breeding and management game centered on genetics, long-term development, and player choice. Players care for, train, compete, test, and breed their horses while managing health, bloodlines, and stable goals. Each horse has inherited genetics, personality, conformation, performance, and health.
**Before Reading**
While the core cycle is in place and it's playable as a solo game, it won't be as engaging or full as developed games. Due to space and interaction needs at this stage, it's really important that a tester is able to commit to playing long term.
You'd get to stress test, find bugs, try to break everything, but also play the game and give feedback on what works, what doesn't, and potentially suggest new features. The game is designed head to toe, but it transforms daily and I'd love to see what others might come up with.
It's very likely I missed existing or planned features in the following list, but the main point is: upon joining, the horse life cycle is finished. Planned features involving the horses day-to-day are all in place.
Available Now
Animals
- Individual animal profiles with stats, personality, conformation, color, and health genetics.
- Daily care, training, activities, competing, and long-term care.
- Life-stage progression, aging, health changes, and death.
Genetics
- Loci, alleles, inheritance.
- Genetic testing by loci or panel.
- Health genetics, structural risk of injury or illness, Climate/Terrain preferences.
- Inbreeding.
Breeding
- Stud listings, breeding offers, and breeding eligibility requirements.
- Pregnancy progression, ultrasounds, and birth.
- Foal genetics and traits inherited from both parents.
- Breeding grades based on health, competition history, mare + stud care, genetic testing, and training.
Competitions
- Multiple disciplines, venues, tiers, and competition requirements.
- Stat and personality-based scoring with placements and advancement.
- Competition titles.
- Conformation shows.
- Two disciplines per horse.
Veterinary care
- Different examinations for diagnosing illnesses and injuries.
- Treatments: prescription, over-the-counter, surgery, or stall rest.
- Health certificates.
- Conditions that affect energy, mood, care needs, activity, and breeding.
Economy and items
- Game currencies, daily allowances, shops, vet services, competition prizes.
Messaging and social features
- Instant messaging.
- Public game group chat with separate channels.
- Private direct messages.
- Friend requests and player profiles.
Full tutorial to get testers familiar with the gameplay.
Planned features
Groups
- Player-created groups with shared goals and resources.
- Group roles, permissions, private discussions, and progression.
- Shared animals, inventory, finances, and venues.
Breed campaigns
- Cross-breed to develop new breeds (ie goal could be "submit a horse that has x, x, and x breed ancestry to be registered as this new breed)
- Player proposed custom breeds.
- Campaign phases, contribution rankings, and rewards.
Marketplace
- Player-to-player sales of animals, items, and genetic material.
- Personal stores, listings, offers, gifting, and currency exchange.
Jobs
- Hire other players to care for, train, breed, age, or compete animals.
- Job listings, applications, contracts, and protected payments.
- Completion tracking and player ratings.
Season rankings
- Seasonal competition leaderboards for players and groups.
- Overall, breed-specific, and discipline-specific rankings.
- End-of-season placements and rewards.