Wednesday, January 5, 2011

New versions of Howrse

Well, the big surprise that Howrse have been promising has arrived. And the surprise is ..... four new 'versions' of Howrse. According to the posting from Ow - Owlient have decided to offer more "more culture specific animations" (whatever that means!) and allow players to have a better, more localised gaming experience.

Now there are a number of other language versions of the game already in existence such as the original French version as well German, Russian, Spanish ones, amongst others. However, these new versions will be English language sites but, we are told, will be more tailored to the country's specific culture. Hmmm.

So, USA, UK, Canada and Australia will be first up with their own version. The current 'international' site (www.howrse.com) will continue. You can choose whether to just keep playing the current version, switch to one of the new ones or do both. In fact, you can register with as many as you like. Actually, this is already the case with all the non-English language sites. I used to play the Spanish and Russian versions as well as the 'international' version.

So, the big questions are: Why have Owlient done this? And: What will you be doing?

As far as we're concerned, it seems that Owlient, as a business, have realised that there's a whole new market out there. Thousands of players who want a chance to play a new, shiny version of the game (in their own language) that they will have a chance of being successful at. It will be a (fairly) level playing field to start with and so many people will want to be there at the beginning with a chance to be top of the rankings. And how will they do this quickly? By purchasing passes of course! Cynical, but true. And, in fairness, making money is what business's do. Owlient are no different. So it's actually a clever idea. Especially if large numbers of players decide to play two or more verions of the game. That's a lot of extra passes needed isn't it?

Aside from the money-making side, how successful will these new versions be? Initially, they're sure to be popular for the reasons stated above. But will they last? We shall have to wait and see. Maybe the novelty will wear off. Maybe the clutter-free new versions will attract players who have become disillusioned with all the breeding groups and 'elite' players found on Howrse.com.

So, let us know what you think. Talk to your friends and other players. We'd all love to know what our fellow players feel about this. Excited? Unhappy? Not bothered?

Get posting!

Patsy

UPDATE: I just had a look at the statistics for Ultimate Howrse. Most interesting. Guess which countries rank as the top 4 (out of 61 countries) for visitors to this site?

USA 57.3%
UK 20.7%
Canada 15.5%
Australia 6.5%

46 comments:

  1. I didn't know the original version was french!

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  2. Whats the link for the UK version of howrse?

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  3. The address for the UK site is:

    http://uk.howrse.com

    Patsy

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  4. What is the Canadian one?

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  5. whats the link for the canada version?

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  6. what's the link for the canada version?

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  7. Here's the link for Howrse Canada:

    http://ca.howrse.com/

    Have fun!

    Patsy

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  8. You are right about the novelty for I'm sure it will wear off of me and friends(selecting a small group out of the millions that play on International Howrse) who just want to hang out together and know which constant server(s) will be of use to each of us to stay together. I have currently joined all four (I was believing my account would switch over to the US one as it says on my profile I live in US) along with keeping my international account. Perhaps I will delete a couple of those accounts when I figured

    I just have too many accounts--thus too many horses--to look after and will retreat to the international as my haven of Howrse.

    I have nothing against Owlient building itself to meet the global economy of the world today; currently it cannot affect me because I do not buy passes from the company. Like many things of Owlient, things have come and gone, I won't be surprised if a server that is not acknowledged with a population like others, may be taken down or, at least, placed under dormancy.

    Even then, Howrse will continue to draw people together over their love over the equus breeds and species today, tomorrow and the next.

    Perhaps because of the number of accounts on International (4 million and over as seen on the front page), this will help slim down the drag on the systems, help keep the massive multiplayers (MMO) of Howrse from lagging, being cut out, or even safely placed in their selected environments that are connected to their language/country. That is my theory over the four english servers (no longer counting International).

    People may have even just gained more in common than just horses because of this massive change.

    nlm1993

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  9. what is the link for the USA version

    Firestar01010

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  10. Firestar01010 the link is

    http://us.howrse.com/

    Lucy

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  11. Thanks for the websites

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  12. I was upset to join Canadian Howrse and not find any Newfoundland Ponies, which is what I initially set out to breed.
    Oh well, I have the top Connemara in the Connemara GP Ranking now, so I appreciate that Howrse gave everybody the chance to start from the beginning!

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  13. you can get newfoundland ponies on great britain
    version

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  14. which is howrse.co.uk

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  15. why don't you have the canadian horse on the canadian Howrse game?

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  16. Yes, it is a bit strange not to have Canadian Horses on the Canadian game isn't it?

    We're not sure why Howrse/Owlient have chosen to do this (sadly it's got nothing to do with us).On the UK version there are hardly any UK breeds either but we do have the Akhal-Teke and the French Trotter...hmmm!

    Perhaps they'll bring more breeds out at a later date.

    Lucy

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  17. what are the links for the canadian howrse?



    Paulina

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  18. Here's the link for Howrse Canada:

    http://ca.howrse.com/

    Have fun!

    Lucy

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  19. How do you switch servers? I have a friend on the US server while i am on the international one. And i can not find her.

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  20. were is the link for the USA version

    middnight15

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  21. We've posted the link to the USA site just up the page but here it again:

    http://us.howrse.com/

    Lucy

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  22. Visit my page for sales and covering or Thoroughbreds, Canadian horses and Marwaris!
    Jellyfish123
    Also offering a care service if you have no time or are unable to care for your horse for some reason! I will purchase your horse for 500, the cell it back to you for the same 500 plus food costs plus a 50$ fee for each day it stays!
    Check out my page for further details!

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  23. looking for cheap marwaris! fully trained message me at the name of Bromo if you have any!

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  24. y is there even another howrse what the difference

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  25. Howrse (Owlient) wanted to expand their gaming operations in order to generate more income for the business. Many players who play on a national version of the game also play on the international version. This means they often buy passes on both versions which means Owlient make more money and thus more profit. :-)

    Patsy

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  26. I think that is the reason howrse did this: so they can have more money. Personally I think you should have more versions, so 1 version where only kids can play, 1 where adults who DON'T buy passes, and 1 version where adults who DO buy passes.

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  27. Anyone know where the American version has its secret page? The international link doesn't work, and editting the link to the American site hasn't gotten me anywhere. It just keeps saying the page I requested doesn't exist.

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  28. are you on the objective? the secret page only works one time - when you have the specific objective.

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  29. where is sectet page no 1 on the canadian version??

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  30. Does anyone have the link to the German version?

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  31. Can you have a u.s an Canadian account?

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  32. No you cant have two accounts i'm pretty sure, if you do and Howrse finds out,you can be deleted off of the game.

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  33. what is the link for secret page 1 on canada horse?

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  34. You can have one account per version, but if you make two accounts on one version, it's a serious offense.

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  35. there are different breeds on the international version, that are not present in the canadian version... It is sort of weird...

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  36. Well I am on the Int. version and loving every minute of it! I used to be Emma13524 but sadly I was blocked so here I am! :D

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  37. OMG I have been on howrse for ayear now and I am absolutely addicted to it. Im A_sprinkle_of_magic on the international and Arabian Nights on the French.

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  38. What is the link to the french version

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  39. What year did howrse.com start?

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  40. Howrse.com started in April 2007.

    Patsy

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  41. Whats the link to the Australian version?

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  42. I think this has been made just because of money. Howrse versions are hardly different to each other. I play at Finnish server atm and also in INT server and only differences are that in Fin server there aren't so many breeds or divines yet (more divines comes every month..) and monthly competitions normally come to fin server few days later than in INT server. Except now it seems that release the horses campaign doesn't get to fin server at all..

    It is nice to be able to play and chat in my own native language but i wish there was even Finnish horse breeds available there. And that customer service wouldn't say "we have no idea why your work didn't get into Creation Space" when asked why.. :''D

    Btw, don't mind my grammar mistakes if there are any, I'm not very good at English grammar.. ^^''

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  43. Hello im merlinfurlan,
    My horses are the best that they can be because i train them every day and look after them every day.
    If interested in giving me your horse to train for 15 days i will give it back to you as a wonderfully fully trained horse. I call it "horsey boot camp". Or if you dont have time to look after them i will take them for how ever long you want.
    If you are interested or thinking about sending your horse to boot camp or you would just like to talk email me.
    happy howrsing,
    Merlin Furlan.
    p.s: if you give me your horse to look after i can e-mail you to remind you that i have your horse.

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  44. What is the newest server on howrse?

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  45. What's the Spanish version link?

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