Virtual Horse Ranch: Grand Prix Version
Virtual Horse Ranch: Grand Prix Version is an MMO game where players buy, sell, and raise horses. Voted the #1 simulated horse game, the online game does not require downloads of any sort. It is completely browser-based. It has a massive number of players, 95% of which are female.
Game Fundamentals
In the game, players can buy and sell virtual horses to feed, train, compete in events, and breed with other horses. Unlike other virtual pet games, horses do not age on their own accord. To advance further in the game, players must "take a turn" - which causes the ranch and horses to proceed to the next "day". The horses then grow older and players can continue training, competing, etc.
There are 339 different breeds of horses on Virtual Horse Ranch. Players can choose from any of these to keep on their ranch. Different breeds feature different colors, event bonuses, and particular attributes.
Feed and Aging
Players have the option of changing the horse's diet and deciding where on the ranch it lives. A horse's diet is made up of four essential ingredients: Alfalfa, Oat Hay, Grain, and Hot Oats. Changing the amount of each ingredient that the horse receives will change the horse's mood, energy level, and in some cases health. A horse can be placed in either The Stable or the pasture. In the pasture, the horse will not age day-to-day; aging only happens when the horse is in the stable.
Horses between the ages of 0.1 and 2.5 years will age 0.1 years per turn. However, horses above the age of 2.5 years will age 0.05 years per day. 20 turns makes up one virtual year.
Competition
Competitions (events) are classified into 12 disciplines (3 Day Eventing, Bronco, Dressage, Driving, Endurance, Gaited, Gymkana, Halter, Jumping, Racing, Sport, and Western) which are further divided into 27 sub-disciplines. Horses that place fifth or above in events will earn a share of the event purse, which ranges from $0 to $550,000 (playcash).
Horses are judged in events based on their strengths and weaknesses, as well as accessories. A horse wearing the appropriate tack, for example, will perform better in an event than a horse that is untacked.
Trial Events
Trial events are a system of one-horse events designed to estimate how well the horse will perform in an actual event. It displays vital information in a table, including the horse's overall score and winnings. The trial event results will provide the owner with valuable information, such as the optimum age for a horse in that event, as well as the percentage of each statistic's (strength, speed, intelligence, endurance, energy, health, etc.) value in that event.
For example, important statistics for Track Racing are listed below:
Important Stats |
Approximate Level of Importance |
|---|---|
Health |
always important |
Surefoot |
10% |
Movement |
0% |
Strength |
14% |
Speed |
30% |
Endurance |
14% |
Intelligence |
0% |
Hyperness |
2% |
Speed is 30% important in this event, and being the highest percentage of all, it is extremely important for Track Racing. Strength and Endurance should be considered next; however, movement and intelligence do not effect the horse's performance in Track Racing at all.
On occasion, a horse will not adhere to these guidelines. In rare occurrences, a horse entered in an event may place ahead of a horse whose general statistics surpass it. However, these occurrences are largely attributed to the "randomizer" element of events and are unlikely to happen.
Training
Training is text-based, lacking a graphics engine.
Each player has the chance to develop their own individual strategies for training horses. The training of a horse greatly affects how well a horse does in events, as well as the horse's market value. It is common for subscribed players to train others' horses in exchange for PlayCash.
It is GeneRally better for a horse to be trained at as young an age as possible, as the age of the horse is an important factor in many events.
Some players, mostly sponsors, offer to train horses for other players for playcash, though the price May Be steep.
Common training terms include: "Stat max", "level" and "roll".
Breeding
Stallions can be bred five times a turn and mares can be bred once each time they are "in heat", which varies depending on the mare. It takes ten turns for a mare to give birth. Horses are unbreedable at age 23, and at age 33.2 they are automatically sent to the Happy Horse Retirement Facility.
Sponsor players may also use their breeding skill to enhance a horse's offspring or add to the number of times it can be bred throughout its lifetime.
Foals are affected enormously by their parents, in a system of artificial genetics. They have a 49% of inheriting each parent's coloration, and a 2% chance of being albino. The parents' stats may affect a foal as well. Horses born with the highest NATURAL stats for their breed are known as birthcap.
Skills and Offline Points
Players with paid accounts have access to a set of skills: Breeding; Driving; Driving Training; English riding; English Training; Farrier; Horsemanship; Item Crafting; Ranch Management; Sport Horse riding; Sport Training; Veterinary Medicine; Western riding; and Western Training. Each skill relates to a different discipline or ability.
Each skill can range from 0% - 100%, with each player allowed a total of 500% to distribute throughout their skills. Horsemanship is "free" skill - it does not add to the skill total.
Players also can choose a "skill title", which describes that player's specialty and is visible to all other players. Depending on the skill and skill percentage, the skill title varies.
Offline points are a valuable resource to sponsor players. For each hour spent logged out of Virtual Horse Ranch, the player earns one offline point, which is added to their bank of points. Offline points can be used to quickly raise skills and train horses.
Novice and Sponsor Accounts
The two types of accounts on Virtual Horse Ranch are called "novice" and "sponsor" accounts.
Novice Accounts
Novice accounts are free. Each player begins the game with a novice account. Benefits and restrictions include: twenty horse max; 46 breedings max; limited play hours; and the receipt of $100,000 playcash upon signup. Novices can earn money as easily as sponsors. there are many ways, including Player Aid Programs, selling horses, betting and training.
Sponsor Accounts
Sponsor accounts cost $29.95 (US) per year. Benefits and restrictions include: unlimited number of horses; unlimited number of breedings; ability to host four events concurrently; ability to create/maintain a club; unlimited turns; listed as a sponsor and at the topmost of ranch directories; ability to use player skills; ability to use Bulletin Board; the receipt of $100,000 playcash upon upgrade; and up to ten additional accounts.
Virtual Horse Ranch as a Community
Virtual Horse Ranch is a persistent world of multi-national users. Players have access to social areas such as a chatroom (monitored 24/7 by volunteers over 18), forum, clubs, and a bulletin board (sponsors only).