HGG Community Forums

As many of us know, a very popular trend in Hajinc culture is to breed “even” lines i.e. breed foundies to foundies, 2nd gens to 2nd gens, and so forth. I believe the strategy behind this is to build a line of horses in which the breeder can see consistent improvement starting from foundation stats. I find this an intriguing and cool strategy we are able to play with based on Ammit’s design of the game. However, what bothers me is how some people seem to have, in their minds, turned this “trend” into a “rule” to the point that “uneven” lined horses are considered worthless. This perplexes me. An “uneven” lined horse is just as capable of being a good show horse or passing on genes and showing ability as an “even” lined horse. So how could that possibly make it completely worthless?

I have been aware of this way of playing for a long time. Even though I’ve only had my current account for a few months, I played the game a number of years ago, too (before we had a lot of the cool stuff and genes we have now. Way to go, Ammit!) I vaguely remember even lines being popular then too (I was younger and didn’t follow the forums as much), but what bothers me now is that this strategy has become so strong to some (maybe even many) players, that those who don’t follow it are practically shamed for producing a horse with uneven lines; and heaven forbid they offer it or its services to the public. I will back up and reveal that reason I was finally pushed to the point that I wanted to say something is based on a thread I read recently in which a player published an ad offering some horses for sale. The player came right out and said they were unevenly lined, but had a rare gene. Another player wrote back indicating that since they were uneven lines, the horses should be altered if not “yummed”. That was beyond rude.

Now, most people are nicer about it than that when making “suggestions” about only breeding even lines. I know most players believe they are just trying to be helpful, and that may be so; but I don’t think anyone should feel they have to play the game a certain way or risk being shunned. If someone doesn’t like or want what someone else offers, no one will force them to buy or breed to it. How one chooses to use their horses is up to them only. If someone only wants their public stock bred to in a certain way, put the rules on the horse’s page and if someone continuously ignores it, they can be blocked. (note I say continuously. Be nice to newbies. They don’t always understand :) ). In any gaming community, it is definitely important to respect other player’s “property”, but that goes both ways.

Now, I know some are probably going to look up my account to see what’s in my barn. I will tell you: I have foundies and lined, some of which are even and some of which are not; but those uneven lined horses are just as good at showing, making good showing babies, and being colorful as the evens. If I need to sell one and no one wants to buy, well that’s life but what’s more, that horse was my choice.

Thank you for reading. I realllly didn’t plan for this to get this long. Too bad it wasn’t for a school paper. :P I’m preparing for a burning, but I’m just hoping to at least loosen some corsets that have been pulled a little too tight by reminding people that there isn’t just one way to play the game. :)