Results of the 2025 HP Player Survey

Hello, and welcome to the results post for the 2025 HP Player Survey!

Earlier this year, we the HP admins posted a player survey. We were each seeking feedback on the areas in which we each are in charge of for HP: Koni regarding breeds being added/removed, BV regarding our social media presence, and I (Blitz) regarding new features and HPP/Achievements. 

We were blown away by the number of responses we received! In total, 44 different players responsed, giving us feedback on the above topics.

In the following first three replies to this thread, you will get each of our responses to our areas of the survey. Please note that, in a few cases, feedback was given in Blitz's section that fell under another admin's "umbrella". In those cases, I passed those along to their respective admin to have them address in their respective sections!

You are (obviously) welcome to respond to our feedback to your feedback on this thread. We just ask that it continues to be constructive feedback, and not turn into arguments. You are also welcome to ask questions based on our responses, and we will do our best to respond (although BV's responses may have to wait, as she is in the middle of moving and is sans computer for the next week or two!).

Thank you,

-Your admin team

(please note that while each of us wrote out our own responses, it is I (blitz) doing the actual posting, so it might take me a few minutes to get the replies on here and make sure they're properly formatted for HP forums! I will remove this disclaimer once everything is good to go.)

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I don’t usually jump into these kinds of conversations as i normally dont have much to offer, but I think it’s worth saying—this whole “mean girls” label that gets tossed around so easily? It can actually become its own form of bullying.

Not everyone who doesn’t vibe with you is being mean. People are allowed to have different opinions, to set boundaries, or to just not click—and that doesn’t make them villains. Sometimes it’s not personal at all, it’s just life.

We talk about kindness, but sometimes forget that kindness also means giving people the benefit of the doubt.

Let me ADD this is not in response to anyone in particular it is just a blanket statement on the term. 

Sorry - let me be more specific in when I use the term "mean girls". I'm talking about when you all side with each other and use certain emojis. It's all noticable on the discord chat. Its very obvious who you all are because you tend to say the same thing..

People are just being pushed away if anything. 

I hear you, but just to clarify—I literally said my message wasn’t in response to any one person. It was about the term itself and how often it’s used in ways that can be hurtful or dismissive. You weren’t the only one who’s used “mean girls,” which is why I addressed it as a general statement.

That said, the fact that you felt the need to call people out and point fingers kind of proves the point I was trying to make. This could’ve been a chance to reflect, not to further isolate or accuse. My intention wasn’t to spread any hate—it was just to share a perspective on how the term gets thrown around and how that can feel to people on the receiving end. That’s all.

discord isn't associated with HP and again, we need to be more kind to each other. So continuing to label people as "mean girls" and point out things about certain people(without naming names) is bullying, just as if we were to do it to you. We all have faults, I'm not saying we don't, but to blast them on the game from a source outside of the game isn't very forthcoming. 

This post is about the future of the game. Not about "cliquey" behavior or who did what to who. We are here because we want to see a change, not to determin that us "adults" are behaving like school children. Just saying. I'm not trying to start an arguement at all. I honestly just want to see the game succeed and go somewhere without all the negativity behind it.

Let me be honest about something - normally, i would just forget about it, but thats hard for me to do when in the past I've been treated like trash and ganged up on me time after time in the discord chat. It really doesn't make me want to come out and start interacting. 

Which is also why, I'm muted on the discord chat, because for the sake of my own mental health. All I want is to just see the game succeed and for everyone to be kind to one another! :)

I'm not going to be saying anything more, because I've said all that I have needed to say, so with that being said, Binx out. 

Binx, with due respect, Discord isn't relevant here because it's not affiliated with HP. However, when you're publicly rude to people when they try to help you, they see that behavior and tend to not want to try again to interact with you. We're all adults, and the general consensus should be to treat others how you want to be treated. 

I agree with Binx, but not to what she was gone thru or witness.  But this game has become a popularity contest of who is friends with who and who has the most money/tickets etc even if players don't realize it.  The fact that only certain players concerns are being heard and others are being down playing it is also a form of bullying. Binx has brought a real concern and instead of asking why she feels that way you all are bashing her and calling her out when she in fact didn't mention any names.  I feel the same as she but i havn't experienced what she has i been mostly ignored on this game like i don't even exist.  I want to say so much more on this, but im done, i have consolated my accounts and downsizing my animals because what the point of the game when no matter how much I try i can't get ahead?  the currancy on this game is atrocious; i understand that players set there own prices and there work is gorgeous...but it is out of the league of most players, including new players.  At one point Sam was trying to get the currency down but its the players that set the tone and those that are "rich" set the tone for the whole game. Doesn't matter if you allow new players "perks" what about the rest of us that can't afford anything, feels like being left out and ignored.  

So i have tried to write this numerous time and deleted it added to it deleted it as i am unsure what to say and because of my treatments my brain doesn't brain well anymore, everyone keeps saying this is a safe place, an inclusive space...but when players say they don't feel it, the reaction is negative.  so how is that safe space?  I havn't been targeted like some other players have, but being ignored can also be its own form of bully

I used to think the worst thing in life was to end up all alone. It's not. The worst thing in life is to end up with people who make you feel all alone. Robin Williams

Just know that you guys are pushing us away.. I used to actually really enjoy HP, but now not so much. Excuse me for bring up my concerns. 

I'M DONE, I am SICK of being treated the way I've been treated. 

So many yikes on bikes moments in these comments.. 

I'm lucky I haven't been targeted the mean girl squad (probably will after this post) but I've seen it happen to countless players. And this is with me coming back after a 10-year hiatus. If I didn't already know I enjoyed the game. I would have walked away with some of the behavior I'm seeing and have seen. 

If we want to worry about the future of the game, let's fix ourselves first.

I'm sorry, Binx, but it’s really frustrating when you play the victim after starting the drama. You often say things that are hurtful or stir things up, and then act surprised or upset when people respond or support each other. That’s not people ganging up on you—that’s what real friendship looks like: having each other’s backs. It's not okay to make rude or mean comments and then turn around and claim you're being bullied when people call it out. A lot of my friends dont even want to play anymore, and/or quiting and its not fair. You were rude lately to one of my favorite people saying her graphic design was bad, then you had gotten mad when you tried to guilt us all into having a pitty party with you about mascot when the results hadnt even been calculated yet. Its just, really sad to me and unfair that you're trying to make us the 'mean girls', because lets be honest, we know its us. Im sorry, I just needed to say it.  

When y'all spend decades learning and putting in the work to develop your art style, then you can comment on what people decide to charge for it.

Players are just justifiably tired of being criticized of how they choose to play the game, being expected to just accept rudeness from other players, and being taken advantage of. They're also sick of people dodging accountability when they make bad choices and hurt people.

Yet again, this became a thread that derailed completely from its original purpose because players insist on turning it into an "us versus them" dynamic. The conversation was productive and respectful until it wasn't.

This was not the thread to air out personal grievances, especially about a platform that is not affiliated with HP. Your own behavior got you muted on the server, Binx.

I've played this game for almost 15 years and never have I seen the community come to this, nor have I ever witnessed such entitled behavior. It's not a community I want to be part of and it's unlikely I'm the only one. 

That all said, Adonis/Mako/Lunarie, out.

Closing this temporarily so I can catch up.

Reopened now that I'm caught up and have been able to draft the following reply...

Regarding the part of the thread when it exploded like Mount Etna...

Holy fuck, people, THIS IS WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT. What did I say in my last post? I said we need to stop being assholes to each other. We need to stop with the pettiness, the drama, the Mean Girl clique crap. Then what do y'all do? Turn around on page 2 and do EXACTLY what I (and others before and after me...) said we need to stop doing. Being drama-filled assholes to each other.

This. Needs. To. Stop.

Not to mention this thread is about the Player Survey Results, and it turned into drama about player interactions.

I'm not defending or accusing anyone on this thread, however, I want everyone to take a deep breath, take a step back, then re-read this thread, specifically how two different players posted about their negative experience with another player and how it made them feel, and how subsequent replies handled those posts. One player had nothing but support from others. The other? Had two players who'd witnessed similar express support, while everyone else disagreed with her experience, defended themselves against her experience, and victim-blamed. 

This is exactly what I'm talking about. You do not have to like each other. You can hate each other, find each other annoying, think that Koni smells bad...that is your right to an opinion. But you do need to be respectful of each other as players. If you have nothing kind to say to or about another person? Keep it to yourself. Or do what I tell my students at work. WALK AWAY. You do not HAVE to reply.

Consider this as well: Imagine yourself a new player joining a new game. Game seems promising, nostalgic to horse sims of your youth. You buy their starter pack, pick your breed, then go cruise their forum to try to learn more about the game. What you find is a bunch of stranger players arguing with each other, complaining, being negative of the future of the game, about other players, general drama. 

Now. Would you want to stick around? I know I'd be giving it a serious thought if the environment on the game was toxic. Which HP is becoming increasingly with all the pitchforking like what just happened on here.

All this said....Going forward. This is to stay ON TOPIC with the player survey results. If it doesn't, the thread will be closed. Consider this your warning to abide by the HP rule "Be respectful of others."

/grumpy blitz

Now to the rest of my responses:

Regarding Khal's suggestion on surveys/dream boards for newbies...

That's actually an intriguing idea. I'll have to think more on it, but it's not something I had considered before!

Also, Khal (almost put Kharl LOL), I'm glad to see you back and I really appreciate your input, even if it unfortunately has to do with game drama! ♥

To Amberellie...

Who's to say someone else didn't also want to request cows be added? ;)

Regarding the comments from people about cheap graphics (which I should have included on my last post)...

This is part of the reason why I was quick to add a new forum area a month or two ago for free resources (graphics, layout, etc). Someone suggested it in the Anon Feedback (that I have yet to post because I'm super behind on that and the survey had my suggestion focus...oops), and it was an easy add, because it's a great idea!

Regarding Tragedy's reply...

Well said about online communication. You're 100% right...tone of online voice is very hard to convey, and can be equally hard to interpret without tone of voice, facial expression/body language, etc. Even when writing a response, always best to re-read before you hit send more than once to make sure it makes sense, but also trying to see how it could be interpreted by whoever's on the other end.

Regarding the use of the term "Mean Girls"...

Mean Girls...seeing as I think I'm the first one to use that moniker on this thread, I will own it and explain what I meant. This is meant as an explanation, not a continued debate on the use of the term in this thread.

I'm big on pop culture references. When I said in my previous response "mean girl", I was referring to Mean Girls the movie, as I have observed there are some similarities on how some are treating others, talking smack behind their backs, etc. much like how Regina George & company did in the movie. It's the judgement of others, the ostracizing people who they don't like for whatever reason, "whispering" into people's ears about others, etc. That was why I used that term, because I've witnessed similarities. When I used the term, it was based on overall behaviour I've witnessed, not specific to what you then said, Tragedy, about competition. Have I seen it during mascot? Yes, however I've also seen it outside of mascot season as well. 

That's why I specifically used that term. I obviously can't speak to others' use of it, although Binx already explained her own use of the term.

Maybe what we need to do is have the big group apology session like in the movie to air out the grievances lol.

someone said:

• • Higher-priced upgrade option to allow one horse and one dog breed be specialty on the same account

It wasn't me, but I really like this idea! I'd love to be able to have a breed of horse and a breed of dog all on one account!

Also, someone didn't like my suggestion of a cash shop option to enter your animals in the lowest entered shows.. Not sure if it's even feasable, but it would be a perk that you'd have to pay extra for.. So it wouldn't just be everyone using it...

I've been on hiatus for... I don't even know 🥴 but I'm coming out of my lurking hiatus to comment a bit with a few ideas? (And blitzy boo I 1000000% realize that these are like dreaming big ideas and you can 200% shoot them down) 

1. RE social media - what if we got a marketing intern for like an unpaid/hella low stipend type internship? It gives them the ability to gain experience while working towards systems to boost our social media with proven methods. (BV this is not anything against you cause ya know I love you!! And your cute little shadow kitty) But having someone with marketing experience or social media management experience in that position seems like a need. And it may be something that Sam needs to think about investing in. I get it's a business and she wants to earn money / keep things maintaining but sometimes you have to lose money to make money - ya know? 

2. RE mini games - chat room makeover : I would LOVE to see HP 2048, Bejweled horsey version, or other type games added in. It would give players a reason to stick around the website even if for not training reasons. If other websites can host games, I don't see why we couldn't? (But like obvi I'm not a website owner and have 0 clue of those logistics... but could also just be a monetary investment thing again to have someone with that specialty involved.) 

3. RE graphic/coding prices. As someone who used to pump out codes left and right - I have also (when I had time/spots open) often made graphics for free, dirt cheap, or some sort of trade. I always make an effort for new players to get them pretty pages so they feel included. But at the end of the day.. price is up to the artist. Graphics, codes - they take time. A LOT of time, effort, research.. and we aren't teens anymore. A lot of us are adults with jobs, families, obligations. Each minute on this game is a minute we are pulling away from something else. Time is valuable so the prices reflect that time. Quality > quantity. I get that it's not super attainable for many, but that's just how the cookie crumbles sometimes. It's not meant to be fair. Fair is the HP photo album thingy that is free and available for all players to use. Fair is the numerous free resources from HP Helper and the Generator. Special stuff costs and sometimes that means you can't afford it. I have been known to quite literally bankrupt my account just to acquire a code or graphic because I'm a collector. It takes ages to save back up and that is what it is. (ADHD is kicking in so I hope this makes sense. Not trying to be mean in any way or flippant. Trying my best to explain.) 

4. RE embassies and clubs ... truly they are losing their purpose. I've voiced on many occasions that combining Clubs/embassies into 1 thing and greatly reducing the number of them would most likely help with the lack of interest. But I also understand that that gets told no because many players enjoy the shows/points,etc. 

I probably have more but I'm on vacation in Disney with my wife and son and I'm ready to curl up to watch our movie and hit the hay. I LOVE all of you so so much! 🥰💕💕💕💕

I have said my piece. So will not comment any further on anything unless im private messaged.  saying that: 

I also feel like clubs and embassies (which i haven't even used since being back) have lost there purpose; but unsure on suggestion on how to revamp...what if we merged the embassies with clubs?  LIke in R/L we have Minature Club, AQHA clubs, Gymkhana clubs etc, and my city we have Polocross club, Team Penning, Cowboy Dressage and Grasswood Fillies (a women group for horse minded older ladies)

I am unsure if adding more Cash Shop only items is the answer regarding a enter all buttom for someone comment regarding entering shows...If i want to spend time looking thru each show and adding my animals into the once with lowest amount of animals than i will do that - but unsure if we need a button for that?????? no idea???? (did i make sense, my ADHD CHemo brain is kicking in and i am feel like i am not making sense)  

Graphics i will say the players that can make such beautiful graphics i am envious off!!

I just feel we should have a chance to win HPP?  maybe the HP 2048?  or other games?  points and HPD is great...but be nice to win HPP. 

other than that i am unsure of any other ideas...besides COWS would be such a cool thing lol Just Kidding Blitz lol

I used to think the worst thing in life was to end up all alone. It's not. The worst thing in life is to end up with people who make you feel all alone. Robin Williams

ooh the merging of the embassy's with the clubs sounds like a really neat idea!! I love the idea of being able to win HPP :D

I also love the suggestion Keena and Sat mentioned! Y'all have some wonderful ideas, my brain doesn't like to work when it's 10:09 PM. xD

_{Due to my timezone and being fast asleep, I didn't get a chance to respond to the previous posts before this was steered back to its original purpose, so forgive me for rehashing the issue, but I deserve to be heard too.}

_{I will do my best to structure my post to focus on the purpose of this thread - the survey. However, many of these responses have left me angered, and I feel it appropriate to address them both as a player and moderator. Let me preface this by saying that no singular person/s are being targeted in this response. Everything I mention will be done so with broad, sweeping strokes. If you feel as though I am referring to you personally, then I encourage you to take some time to self-reflect, as it is not my intention, nor is it how I operate.}

_{Alrighty. So as most of you probably notice, I tend to sit back and observe when these kind of issues arise. It's not because I have nothing to say or simply don't care - I do. Very much so. However, I often feel my position both as moderator AND active player makes it tricky to offer my honest opinions - balancing my duties and loyalties as moderator, with my loyalty to the player base who have become some of my closest friends. I often feel pulled both ways, and thus find it easier to say nothing at all - sit back, observe, and act once the dust has settled.}

_{I am in a position where I am able to see both sides of the equation. I see the struggles faced by players with a lack of engagement, an increasingly dwindling player base, a feeling of being unheard, and persistently being accused of actions that they rarely - if at all - commit. I see the frustrations with having the blame placed upon their shoulders to essentially "fix" or correct the game to ensure its success moving forward. It is not the responsibility of the player base to ensure the game's success - they contribute to it, absolutely - but at the end of the day, the players are customers paying for a service. When that service fails to satisfy, the customers express their frustrations and ultimately leave.}

_{I also see the struggles faced by admin, who work tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure this ship keeps sailing. Many are completely oblivious to the immense amount of work that is done to ensure the game's day-to-day functionality; being oblivious is not a crime, it is simply the nature of things as they operate. It's not easy, and although it is a paid position, you simply cannot put a price on the mental and emotional strain it takes to keep a player base happy, a game functioning, all the while knowing your own limitations and endeavoring not to push yourself too far while you navigate the trials and tribulations of real life alongside this. I am only a wee little content moderator, but the few times I have had to deal with difficult players who refuse to comply with simple rules has often left me reeling and wondering why I put myself in this position; is it for the money? No. It's because I love this damn game, I love this community and every single person within it, and I feel a sense of responsibility to endure the untoward behaviour of others for the 'greater good' of HP. But what I endure is nothing compared to what some almighty admin have to deal with. I am constantly left shaking my head in disgust as they ask for advice on how to approach icky conversations with grown adults who should, quite frankly, know better.}

_{Now on a personal level. Within this survey thread, I have become deeply angered by the complete lack of understanding when players express their frustrations at others who instigate the anger and conflict that they themselves are complaining about receiving. I know it has been stated that this is not the place for emotional responses, however seeing as the instigators are not being reprimanded for their actions, I think it unfair to reprimand others for their responses. This is a community that is deeply passionate about the game, the product, its success - that they are paying for. To alienate them further by disregarding their grievances is extremely divisive, driving a wedge between the player base that I fear is irreparable. This is not victim blaming. This is accepting the consequences of your words and your actions. We all have our shit. Some of us are neurodivergent, some of us struggle to interpret tone over text, and some of us struggle to convey it, some of us are quiet and observant, some of us are outspoken. Regardless, everyone should be held to the same standard. Failure to do so is unfair, and fosters distrust and resentment within the community, making important conversations such as this immediately derailed and utterly ineffective. It promotes grounds for conflict – it needs to be addressed, or no conversation moving forward will achieve any other result. The point I stand to make is not a ‘nice’ one – certainly it can be seen as callous and uncaring – but that is not my intention, nor does it make it any less true.}

_{With that said, the reason I bring all of this up now that the dust has settled is because it ultimately relates to the survey and its results.}

_{Iri said it best when she stated that people have feedback fatigue. This survey is enlightening, well thought out, well-illustrated, with exceptionally well-crafted responses, and overall - extremely illuminating. I am deeply grateful for the amount of time taken to address each issue, offer in-depth feedback on aforementioned issues, and outline reasons as to why/why not these suggestions will/won't work. Not many other games have a team that will take the time to address results with such fine detail, it truly is a rarity in gaming these days, and an absolute credit to staff - displaying dedication, transparency and commitment to the game and its future.}

_{Despite this, I find myself asking: Does it even matter?}

_{Is it too late to save the sinking ship? I want to believe it isn't. I want to believe HP will grow, prosper, thrive. But right now, the community is totally fragmented. Morale is at an all-time low. Contest participation is dwindling. Even if HP is still financially sound, many big players with big personalities, big numbers of active accounts and high levels of engagement have pulled the pin. Numerous overnight actually, as evidenced by my private Discord messages. Even if the player count looks healthy, the game is a ghost town. It feels empty. Change MUST happen, however almost every forum post relating to changes/growth/community becomes a bloodbath. I have been sitting back and asking myself: Why is this happening?}

_{The only answer I can come up with is this: Frustration. When we feel frustrated, we shift blame. Communication and trust is undermined. When communication fails, we feel unheard. When we feel unheard, we get angry.}

_{So how do we move forward from this?}

_{While I understand that HP simply does not have the capacity to engage with the kind of high-calibre coders required to implement many suggested changes, it does have the capacity to implement some of the more simpler ones. Even if these changes haven’t worked in the past, I feel we are at a critical point in the game’s life. Why not throw everything we can at it? I don’t think we can afford to sit back and keep talking about it – lets get moving. Give the people what they want. We cannot afford to do otherwise. Dramatic? Maybe. But the plethora of Discord messages coming my way are deeply concerning.} 

_{To play devil’s advocate here: The HPP glitch for example. If after so many years a glitch has not been rectified, it would be fair for the players to assume it exists as a feature and partially tailor their gameplay around it. If people are using a loophole to circumvent the payment for upgrades using the HPP gains – so what? It kept players here. It kept people engaged in the core gameplay. It kept accounts active, making shows and selling tickets, ultimately impacting the economy. It kept animals breeding, which in turn keeps players interested, keeps them upgrading other accounts, keeps them active in community events, keeps them actively achieving goals and provides them with a purpose in the long run. Surely the business could absorb these real life $ losses – as it had for so many years prior – in the interest of keeping players involved. The removal of this glitch has been detrimental to community morale. People have shed accounts – I just can’t see how this benefits the community and the long-term game success. Sometimes, a shitty win is still a win. I am not suggesting it be reversed, as it was clearly not intentional, however meeting the community halfway would speak volumes.}

_{With all that said, I do sincerely hope people’s suggestions are heard, but more importantly, they feel heard. Change must happen, and it needs to happen soon. This is one of the best little communities on the internet, and I am extremely proud to be a part of it. I adore each and every one of you, as I’m sure you’re all aware, and there is not a single person here who is deserving of being called names, or deserves the implication of being a bully, an elitist, or anything less than wonderful. If you feel you are guilty of this, then pull your damn head in, or refrain from commenting at all. We were given two ears and one mouth for a reason – use it wisely.}

_{Enough finger pointing, enough conflict. We have a solid foundation here that would see great success if we throw our cute little brainos together and forge a new path forward. We have something unique here, a group of angels with a fierce love for a game that despite its aging genre, still sees some success, and I believe it is worth fighting for.}

_{For the sake of focusing on the survey, I ask that any responses to this be directed to my inbox or discord. Thank you.}

A really great way to get people back interested in the clubs is giving the club president the ability to give away like 1-2 HPB or HPP a month.. Would be cool if they could add 1k points to 5 animals all of these as rewards.. The only thing is, people could abuse this right and award their own acconts and animals.. So if there could be a way to make it so that they can't award any account assosiated with their email. I wouldn't abuse it, but I could see it as a problem eventually in the future.. I mean if the clubs gave out this stuff.. How attracted would we become! Think about it..

I actually agree with that Keena! I think giving clubs a set limit monthly of rewards to members for entering contests etc would be a great way to have more activity in clubs, if there was say 5HPP or so to hand out monthly or even additional HPD, instead of players having to use their own money to give out better rewards, it would be pretty cool if presidents could 'claim' weekly or monthly allowances for their clubs, same way as ordinary players can? That way it helps increase the amount a president can give out as rewards without them having to use their own money for it