Thoughts on the new ETBs

Star Stable released the trailer for the new updated English Thoroughbred. It will be released June 19th and will cost 850 SC.

So far the community has the same reaction. The animations are weird and glitchy, the coats look unfinished, and the mane style looks really weird.

As for myself, I totally agree. I definitely do not plan on getting one unless they look much better when they are in-game. There's a couple weeks left for them to make final changes so I hope we see some differences when they do release. 

I'll be back here Wednesday or Thursday to give my thoughts on this week's update. The sneak peek was:

"We can't wait for summer to start, so be ready for some summer activities!" 

 I hope whatever they are are better than the Gold Mining. 

 -Ruby S.

Update Day Thoughts: Gold Mining, Western Tack and Apparel, and my American Quarter Horse!

First of all, I started to write this the week of the May 20th Update and am now finishing it two weeks later. Oops!

Anyway, let's get to my thoughts on the week of Wednesday, May 20th update day. Then we'll do the May 27th update day and finally June 3rd.

The main thing released is a new gold mining minigame. It is available until June 3rd, so two weeks of mining. 

The game is basically riding around Firgrove, clicking on rocks, and following arrows to where the gold is. You can only get five gold filled rocks per day. I'm going to give this minigame a four out of five. It's fun and you earn Jorvik Shillings but unless you're on the correct side of the rock you don't see the arrows pointing in the direction of the gold. I have a few days of doing before I figure out what the prize for it is.

June 3rd UPDATE: I'm not too happy about the Gold Mining prize. However, despite it being stat-less, I tried it on my AQH only to discover that the blue of the bridle matched my blue saddlepad (Pro dark blue blanket from the Jorvik City Mall). Now if they only had a nice saddle and a mane/tail item in same shade of yellow.

Next is my thoughts on the Western tack and apparel from the month of May...

I bought the dark colored bosal hackamore bridle and it looks great on my black splashed white AQH. I don't have the rest yet but I'll rate each item 1-5 stars on each category (Looks: How it looks; Price how expensive it is [less stars = more expensive]; Stats: if it has good stats.)

Bosal Hackmore Bridles

They look really good and the price is decent for both Jorvik Shillings and SC. All but the cheapest one has stats. Which makes sense. The Sagebrush set seems like a "buy to see if you like it first then buy expensive with stats" thing.

Looks: ★★★★★

Price: ★★★★

Stats: ★★★★★

Western Saddles

Looks: ★★★★★

Price: ★★

Stats: ★★★★★

Western Saddle Blanket

Looks: ★★★★

Price: ★★

Stats: ★★★

Open Front Boots

Looks: ★★★★★

Price: ★★★★★

Stats: ★

Halters

Looks: ★★★★

Price: ★★★

Stats: 

The halters would totally get 5 stars from me if they had reins for a "lead rope." I mean, we'd only ever use the halters for leading our horses, not riding, especially for RRPs. 

The new Western boots and hats? Not a fan of the colors. None of them go with anything else in game. The only one I'd get is red and orange to go with my Toy Story Outfit. The Purple and Turquoise and Green & Yellow ones aren't on my list.

Thoughts on my American Quarter Horse.

I bought the black splashed white one and I love it!

The reining spin and the sliding stop and backing up animations are super fun and well made. I will definitely add another to my stable in the future. 

They come in the colors Bay, Black Splashed White, Flaxen Chestnut, Fleabitten Grey, Grullo, Palomino and Red Roan to purchase in-game and a Blue Roan on the Star Stable Horses app. They cost 950 SC. They have three newly created animations: Reining, Sliding Stop, and a funny dance you'll see if you bring your AQH to Fort Pinta Disco.

Finally let's talk about June 3rd's update and the release of Tellina and Kampos. 

I will not be able to get one as I only have 299 sc and since they are only here for two weeks I don't have enough time to save up. I do think they are beautiful horses and if they ever return I will get one. Unfortunately, I think buying SC is out of the question as I currently need to spend on useful physical objects and not virtual currency. 

They also released new pets to go with Tellina and Kampos. They are called Panda Rays because they look like the rays flying in Pandoria. 

Not convinced on the name. Panda is a 🐼 so why not just call them Pandorian Rays? Pandas have nothing to do with the ocean theme of them. 

However, since they are 450 sc I might buy one if I really like it ingame when I see it and that's the one with the starfish on it's back. Although I kind of want to save my SC for the next batch of horses to come as saving is not easy for me. I do need to mention though through June 9th you can buy 5000 star coins plus both "Panda" Rays for $64.99 USD. 

-Ruby Skywalker 

Thoughts on Character Update and More.

Recently several people have mentioned SSO starting work on updating our main characters. Considering this started back in August 2019 and will take a while my guess is it won't happen until next year in time for the 10 Years of SSO Celebration. People are also considering a new area opening for the 10 Years of SSO Celebration. We definitely know something big must happen for a milestone, right?

They are still working on the updates to the areas already in game They still need to do:

~Jarlaheim, Jorvik Stables, Paddock Island, Goldspur Farm, Sunfield Farm, Seahorse Point

~Forgotten Fields

~Silverglade Village, Marley's Farm, Barney's Silo, Will's Mill.

~Silverglade Manor/Vineyard, Riding Arena

~Valedale, Hollow Woods

~Valley of the Hidden Dinosaur

~Cape West Fishing Village, Jasper's Pumpkin Farm, Goldenleaf

Now, back onto the new area topic. There's only these two options on which could be the next one that seem reasonable.

1. Mistfall Lake / North Mistfall. Mistfall was supposed to open in parts, and being the newest area it'd make sense to add to it.

2. Cape Point / Northlink. There's been mentions of Northlink, Cape Point, and Pine Hill Manor in books and quests. If this doesn't come next I think it would eventually.

I know Ashland, Devil's Gap, and Fort Maria aren't open, but I don't have any proof that points to them possibly being next. SSO said a while ago they don't have plans for Ashland; Devil's Gap is probably to do with main questline, and Fort Maria hasn't been mentioned much. 

What are your thoughts on the topics?

-Ruby S.