So im curious. With the thread on the new features, a few of you were talking about "Elite" players. I, personally have never really noticed people talk about "elite" on HP before. Which does actually sadden me becasue I dont like the "rich vs poor" style of ANY game, and we are trying to make that line VERY small here on HP.

So with my curiousity which always kills the cat...

What would you guys consider an "elite" player to be?

ALSO

Please be aware that all im looking for is opinions, this is not a place to start and fights, or disagreements. Im honestly just trying to see what everyones thoughts are on this.

In my opinion "elite" players are the ones who bring in tons of money be it mulitple accounts, their graphics,etc.. the more money they bring in the more points their animals can get which makes them the ones who have the highest animals on the game where as some people cant affored or don't have the means to even get their animals past 1 mil or so points. Personally i hope all of the new features are affordable to everyone on HP so that every one has a equal oppertunity to utalize them.

I would think elite would be someone who has the lines people want or even vy for in thier own breeding program

Lots of moohlah, stellar lines. Plain and simple. 

I dont think there is elite players on this game this is one of the fairest game i have ever played that being said...

I get mad because people have more accounts than me..hahaha

Never really thought of having "elite" players on HP, but from my past experiences, an "elite player" would be someone who has been around for a while. Normally with lots of accounts, money, and high pointed animals with LONG lines.

I really haven't thought of 'elite' players, I know of players with advantages and that usually comes with being able to afford accounts in USD. I guess in my opinion what aspects may lead players to think of an 'elite' title would be the following

- Dozens of accounts

- Obscene amounts of HPD

- Advanced skills in manipulation

- Networking within the HP community and being able to pull resources from other 'friend players'

I think 'elite' just means rich in all honesty. For example if you have 20 accounts:

Per month:

4 private horse shows w/ 10 spots - 800 mil

4 private dog shows w/ 10 spots - 400 mil

Horse tickets (@ 400k) - 400 mil

Dog tickets (@300k) - 300 mil

Bank Salary - 32 mil

Thats a total of 1,932,000,000 a month. Not including public shows, manipulations, other services etc.

There are players with 80 accounts that would add up to 7,728,000,000 a month.

So I think when players look at data like this they realize that these players can capitalize on the activities that can be done on HP such as doing horse or dog projects and getting to 16 million points, bidding high on image auctions to block out competition, etc. etc.

All in all I dont really think its elite as much as it is rich, and i could see the jealousy of other players.

But bottom line is, if you can afford to upgrade 20 accounts on a regular basis then I guess your allowed to be rich since your paying 100's of dollars in real life currency to be able to be.

Hopefully i didn't get too off track o.O

I never really thought of "Elite" players here on HP.  Yes, some people have a ton of upgraded accounts, but not all of them are really cashing in on the "full value" of the services.  For example, I only charge $200k/spot in my horse and dog shows, because I hate feeling like I'm begging people to buy them.  I think players with multiple accounts are actually more like to offer discounts on weekly reservations for shows (and monthly for tickets) to make their lives easier; at least, I rarely see these players advertising in the Chat channels.

I think HP has a good balance.  If you are willing to work hard, and use what skills you have, it is easy to get ahead.

I have a ton of accounts on HP, and what I'd consider some nice lines, so I probably qualify as "elite"? But I don't spend real money on HP (I think the last time was like two years ago?) and I don't sell graphics (er, because I'm graphics-challenged. No skills whatsoever.) :)

Even though I hate the term "elite", I usually consider it as someone who has done well for themselves. Nice, long lines. high pointed animals, a few upgraded accounts. I don't really think money makes much of a difference though, although usually people with high pointed animals are pretty wealthy.

ADDY IS THE ELITEST ELITE -bows-

-pets Duckie- You can be my #1 minion. Good Duckie. lmao

-fangirls-

On HL I remember SNOB and the rules there would be : lots of PP, high pointed animals, lots of money, and to me on HL that group was the "elite". I really don't feel like theres a clear "split" between elites and "poor" theres a graduated system, yes. There are your new people or those who have been playing for just a little while, the people who have been playing for a long time but never accumulated upgrades (which really by high pointed animals and lots of money is what you need to achieve those) and then those who have a large number of upgrades or who can sell a large number of upgrades or make quality graphics that consistantly sell well. Really as Adranth pointed out with hard work and lots of time you don't need graphic skills or RLD to accumulate a lot of upgrades and still save a bunch of money. At around 20 upgrades can really "pay for themselves" and give you a little extra for your own spending habbits. I had 30 upgrades I now have 16 (I only really spend RLD on upgrades hence why I'm cutting back...for now would like to get them all back later)...I have about 8 bill HPD. In the past people have asked me how I can save so much and really all I do is don't spend my money on anything else while I'm saving. I dont use privates, or buy upgrades using HPD, or buy many graphics or layouts. With the number of accounts I have I can accumulate money pretty fast. I dont feel like those with lots of upgrades (tera, famous shamus, adranth or mystery to name a few) really feel as though they are "better" or "elite" compared to others, and really...self-categorization as elite is really what makes elite elite.

/not sure I'm making sense as I'm tired and yeah...

Actually, Lemo, you made perfect sense. I think elite is a word that is thrown around by people who don't have what others have and are honestly jealous (sorry if that's harsh or anything...wasn't meant to be).

I have around 1 bill HPD, some nice lines, 14 upgrades, am a rather well known member of the HP community (mod badge or not), and yet I don't classify myself as elite. It's taken me almost 3 years to get here. 3 full years to get what I have. I worked very hard on my lines and I still don't have any animal at 2 million points or more. I don't spend the money to do crazy projects. I don't buy a ton of graphics. I pretty much just spend on buying more horses/dogs and training them.

Yes, I spend real money on my upgrades, but that's because I work a full time job, my husband works a full time job, and I have a little extra money to throw to the game after bills are paid and such.

I honestly think the term "elite" is an ugly term...one that is filled with distaste and almost hatred of other players just because they have something someone else doesn't. I've never considered this game to have elite players because no one has the attitude. No one parades their animals around or their money acting like they're better than everyone. And that, to me, is why I don't even consider this game to have elite players.

I guess I feel the same as Lemo, although I do my own upgrades on 25 accounts with my own money, Im not good at graphics and I dont sell my private shows

I use them for my animals, wow according to Phism Im really loosing a lot of HPD, but Im happy with things and thats what matters, I havent run accross anybody

that acted like they thought they were better than most either, I have seen people that had more HPD, higher pointed animals, etc but I figured they had been on

here longer than me so they should have that, otherwise they wern't that interested in the game, anyway I enjoy this game and the people Ive run accross so

Im glad to be here, thank you to all

I remember SNOB. I think I was a member of that. There was another one also on HL.....

Anyway, I never thought of anyone as being elite. But then it depends on how you define the term. If you use it in a complimentary sense, then yes people who have been around forever and have lots of extras like long lines and many accounts are elite. They should be folks you should aspire to. 

Now if you mean it in a derogatory way, then no. There is no one on this game who thinks they are any better than anyone else. And trust me, coming from HL I know where I'm coming from. In the years I have been playing (I've had this account since '09 but only really started in '11 and then again last year) I have never seen anyone act as if they are better than you.

In fact, if you look at it I"M elite!!! I have a the qualificatons--except lines but I'm working on that--but I don't consider myself any better or worse than anyone else. 

Like I said, players who have long lines like Lemo for example or who do great graphics like Blue and Charlie or can code like Stephanie or have a ton of associations like Famous Shamus are not people to be jealous of. They are people that you should look at and say "Hey I want to do whatever like that!" and then use it to motivate yourself to do it.

Anyway, that's my 2 cents.

i didnt think there were "elite"  players on hp...i mean we all help each other with everything....even projects....look at starr....and how many people.gave free or discounted tickets to help the cause....in a way we are all elite due to the fact that we help each other out....

The funny thing is, how many players have "elite {breed} presented by {name}" on their animals though. Are the animals held to a different elitist standard?!

In all seriousness, I don't think there is an elite group on HP so much as players that are revered by others because of their accomplishments whether it's their lines, high pointed animals loads of money or even graphics skills. Do they feel entitled to anything because of their accomplishments? Not that I'm aware of, everyone works for what they have on here. Overall, I'd say are generally friendly to all newcomers and don't try to show them how elite we've made ourselves on the internet.