Why did Trent McEvoy leave?

[Te Akau Downs]

i started out with a productive and a few claimers, not one hand out from anyone and im still only just starting to get stakes TB's after years but ive done it from scratch and on my own, personally im not a fan of new players getting handed TB freaks and stakes because they are not starting from scratch and building their way up instead of entering a stakes race with a horse thats going to win at trial park, what did they learn from that?, my first allowance i bred myself

[Jack Meyer]

I started out by buying AJ horses and claiming geldings at first then fillies as I grew my stable. I think that learning this way will keep players around because it will teach them that what they get was their own doing and that they earned it.

Jack

[Nena Olson]

I started out with an absolutely awful barn. Sarah Chase gave me a decent turf miler filly but she was my only winner, Im pretty sure those first two years LOL

Y17 - 2 wins from 57 starts
Y18 - 2 wins from 49 starts
Y19 - 1 win from 54 starts
Y20 - 2 wins from 67 starts
Y21 - 4 wins from 67 starts

It wasn't until Battlenote (a Create A Horse) entered my life that I started doing well. I dunno how I stuck around so long at the beginning. Probably because of my TBC/FinalTurn horse racing forum friends LOL

[Kent Saunders]

I can still remember the excitement I felt when a veteran player put 2 productives for sale and I made an offer to her and instead she gave them to me! Trial Park then had about 8-9 races and I didn't know about it till I was halfway through my New Player status.
My take on all of this is sadness. Mostly because the real Newbies never got a fair shake and as above, rightly feel "cheated". And here is my policy before and now although I am happy to work with any player of any status. If all you want is horses I'm probably not the best guy to come to. If you want help/advice/strategy I have never turned anyone away. Would rather teach you how to fish than give you a bucket full of them.
Kent

[Lily Miles March]

Giving a new payer a good horse doesn't unfair;y take money away from another new player.

Well, there's only so much purse money at Trial park. If someone has been given free good horses they will take more of it than new players who are working off the sales page, auctions and claim races. The problem then compounds itself as they use the money to dominate new player races even more. This is how the cheat accounts were so successful every time.

[Ren Marston]

Whoa, this sucks! Although, part of me is like... Maybe the culture of helping new players with horses/money isn't actually that helpful? I was at trial park with James Ryan and Rochelle and I've been poor ever since because of their gift horses (ok, that's an exaggeration, it's mostly my own play skills) I did have one gift horse and I didn't look him in the mouth at all but he was an allowance and no stakes winner.

I feel like if people don't have time, or are in the wrong timezone to chat and socialise as much, they're at a major disadvantage. Ok, maybe the game is better if everyone chats and socialises? But I feel like especially as a new player you might feel unconfident or it might just not be your style. I think introverts can be as much of an asset to the game or at least have a chance of turning into a more talkative player once they settle in.

Yes help in terms of advice and problem solving for new players is hugely valuable but every good horse you give a new player takes money away unfairly from another new player who might go bankrupt and leave. Not to mention the beneficiary might be a cheat account Let the new people learn to shop for and claim horses and then compete with each other on their actual game play merits - it'll lead to a more knowledgeable play style later on with breeding and training and taking care of horses.

Personally, I disagree with this. The problem, imo, isn't in giving out freebies- its in being a hand holder of sorts. Let me explain; when my mentor would give me a horse or two, he would never link me to a race to enter them to or give me any real thorough instruction on how to actually use the horse (other than to use trial park); that was for me to figure out. This was immensely helpful, and taught me about the game while not babysitting me. I definitely would have quit without my mentors and I am of the opinion that any new player who doesnt mind reaching out for help deserves a few handouts. This game is freakin mind boggling at first; I didn't understand a single thing to do with it at first! Its so different; theres so many numbers and unfamiliar words and it'd be unfair to assume everyone can figure that out or even know where to look to figure it out.

I had my fair share of free horses from veteran players; both friends and people offering them in the new player section of the forum. In my new player season I finished out ranked 4th, and thoroughly addicted to the game. I definitely wouldn't have stayed without a helping hand. Does the trent situation suck? absolutely. Should we be wary of all new players in the future? absolutely not; you were a new player once too! Imagine getting turned away when asking for help navigating such a initially confusing game. I've been playing for awhile now and I still mess up or get confused!

Anyways thats just my my thoughts!

[Jack Meyer]

Personally, I disagree with this. The problem, imo, isn't in giving out freebies- its in being a hand holder of sorts. Let me explain; when my mentor would give me a horse or two, he would never link me to a race to enter them to or give me any real thorough instruction on how to actually use the horse (other than to use trial park); that was for me to figure out. This was immensely helpful, and taught me about the game while not babysitting me. I definitely would have quit without my mentors and I am of the opinion that any new player who doesnt mind reaching out for help deserves a few handouts. This game is freakin mind boggling at first; I didn't understand a single thing to do with it at first! Its so different; theres so many numbers and unfamiliar words and it'd be unfair to assume everyone can figure that out or even know where to look to figure it out.

I had my fair share of free horses from veteran players; both friends and people offering them in the new player section of the forum. In my new player season I finished out ranked 4th, and thoroughly addicted to the game. I definitely wouldn't have stayed without a helping hand. Does the trent situation suck? absolutely. Should we be wary of all new players in the future? absolutely not; you were a new player once too! Imagine getting turned away when asking for help navigating such a initially confusing game. I've been playing for awhile now and I still mess up or get confused!

Anyways thats just my my thoughts!

I tend to disagree a little here as offering advice is 100% a great way to help noobs, and would never turn away anyone asking for advice EVER. Where I disagree is when I started that's what we got was advice on how to play the game, what to look for, what claiming races to look in to and things like that. I never really received gift horses except maybe one or two that were just there to get me OTB money which is what noobs need to do. I remember how competitive it was when I started and none of us, to my knowledge, really received gift horses. It was more us asking for advice from vets who were ALWAYS glad to help. I know there is bullying and the sorts, it isn't just with noobs either, I've seen certain players get bullied who have been here for years upon years so it isn't just one group I assure you.

[Robert MicJee]

My two cents: I wasn't given any horses, not even one by my mentor and it did feel a bit unfair to me to see new players winning multiple stakes races while I was grinding to a sub 10% win rate. I could see people quitting the game due to that for sure. That being said it's not in my nature to cold call for help and I don't know a single person here so i didn't get the helping hand horses, even though the advice given by the mentor team was to get out there on chat and the forums to get horses. Also not really in my nature as I'm a bit of an introvert. Even as an intermediate player I'm still grinding with claimers, auction buys and my first crop of 2 year olds to a sub 10% win rate. But I like the game enough to hope my breeding will even the playing field eventually.

[Craig Mcgee]

I was and still am a stubborn horse hoarder. When I started this game I bought and ran anything I could get mostly $1 types. I raced everywhere but Trial Park as I was and still am 90% stock mixers. I was not gifted horses and really did not get involved in the forum or chat until I felt comfortable with my barn. That being said having ADHD really helps to play this game lol.

[Te Akau Downs]

quoted from Ren.
Personally, I disagree with this. The problem, imo, isn't in giving out freebies- its in being a hand holder of sorts. Let me explain; when my mentor would give me a horse or two, he would never link me to a race to enter them to or give me any real thorough instruction on how to actually use the horse (other than to use trial park); that was for me to figure out. This was immensely helpful, and taught me about the game while not babysitting me. I definitely would have quit without my mentors and I am of the opinion that any new player who doesnt mind reaching out for help deserves a few handouts. This game is freakin mind boggling at first; I didn't understand a single thing to do with it at first! Its so different; theres so many numbers and unfamiliar words and it'd be unfair to assume everyone can figure that out or even know where to look to figure it out.


Ren thats it right there, u can enter anywhere with a good horse when u start out, how did u learn anything?, u learn more with a battler on where to run etc, having a mentor doesn't mean getting free good horses it means learn from that mentor from the bottom up and truly appreciate the game, it was mind boggling for all of us but if your truly dedicated u dont give up u strive to build your stable up from ground zero

[Ren Marston]

quoted from Ren.
Personally, I disagree with this. The problem, imo, isn't in giving out freebies- its in being a hand holder of sorts. Let me explain; when my mentor would give me a horse or two, he would never link me to a race to enter them to or give me any real thorough instruction on how to actually use the horse (other than to use trial park); that was for me to figure out. This was immensely helpful, and taught me about the game while not babysitting me. I definitely would have quit without my mentors and I am of the opinion that any new player who doesnt mind reaching out for help deserves a few handouts. This game is freakin mind boggling at first; I didn't understand a single thing to do with it at first! Its so different; theres so many numbers and unfamiliar words and it'd be unfair to assume everyone can figure that out or even know where to look to figure it out.


Ren thats it right there, u can enter anywhere with a good horse when u start out, how did u learn anything?, u learn more with a battler on where to run etc, having a mentor doesn't mean getting free good horses it means learn from that mentor from the bottom up and truly appreciate the game, it was mind boggling for all of us but if your truly dedicated u dont give up u strive to build your stable up from ground zero

I'm a bit confused, but I'll give replying to this a go.

I don't mean that they threw horses at me and said 'figure it out.' I mean that, they gave me a horse, a few base pointers and let me sort of study things and then ask questions based on what I discovered.

I feel like this thread is starting to turn into 'well, I didn't get any handouts so I don't think anyone should, try harder.' type thing

Of course, one can grow their stable from the ground up, and one can also learn from gifted horses. Both can be 'truly dedicated.' One will have an infinitely harder time. I think its also fair to say that the quality of horse has obviously gotten better over the years. I think maybe being a new player ten years ago may have be different but obviously I wouldn't know since I joined fairly recently. This game is huge and expansive and frankly, intimidating. I've tried and failed to get friends into it who quit purely because it is such a complex and realistic system. The free horses and help a veteran can give new players is invaluable, yes, but it doesn't make said player less dedicated or skilled than someone who built themselves up from nothing.

note: I hope that for everyone this is being taken as a friendly discussion! <3

[Lily Miles March]

the advice given by the mentor team was to get out there on chat and the forums to get horses.

Wow. Is that realistic? BRB, just off to Godolphin to ask for a thoroughbred or two, pretty please!

[Cleo Patra]

Without the help I received early in game life I wouldn’t have ended up with In Pursuit who was my first SC winner and I probably wouldn’t still be playing over a decade later. So I’ll keep doing my leases and hoping I am a small part of keeping someone in the game for the next decade.

I also think that having one or two consistent money spinners is just as good an education as running a stack of fillers and claimers. The latter teaches you how to run smart and make money but having a better quality horse teaches you race placement, campaigning and circuits which you need to know for when that G1 superstar comes along. I’ve also added the possibility of a nice foal from a nice mare to my lease program. Chances are few of those foals will be any good but one or two of them might create a dynasty.

I also think being a junior and intermediate player is WAY more challenging than being new. It’s a weird sort of cross roads and easy to stall out and go broke and it can be as much bad luck as bad management. I’d invite any player who gets stuck at this point to contact me, especially around the season changeover, because I might have some things laying around the barn to boost you or some spare cash so you can hit up the auctions or whatever.

And finally, I think there are many methods of game play and I admire everyone who manages to survive a year. Whether you grind it out on your own, or get social, or use the forum or chat to strike up useful deals. It’s all valid. My method of game play has made me international friends and one time I even hung out with simsters at Disneyland (best day!). It’s also been escapism over the years and kept me sane or distracted through some tough times. So I’ll keep trying to help out where I can in the hope that somebody else gets as much out of the sim as I do. But also I’m not going to give all my allowance and stakes to one player or something because that really would disadvantage other players in the same level group. That’s why my leases are always one or two horse limits. There’s definitely a balance and every concern I’ve read in this thread has a point but let’s not swing towards never helping each other at all hey?

[Kelly Haggerty]

the advice given by the mentor team was to get out there on chat and the forums to get horses.

Wow. Is that realistic? BRB, just off to Godolphin to ask for a thoroughbred or two, pretty please!

I used to work for them in RL and there were a couple colts....had you asked on the right day...

[Kelly Haggerty]

Without the help I received early in game life I wouldn’t have ended up with In Pursuit who was my first SC winner and I probably wouldn’t still be playing over a decade later. So I’ll keep doing my leases and hoping I am a small part of keeping someone in the game for the next decade.

I also think that having one or two consistent money spinners is just as good an education as running a stack of fillers and claimers. The latter teaches you how to run smart and make money but having a better quality horse teaches you race placement, campaigning and circuits which you need to know for when that G1 superstar comes along. I’ve also added the possibility of a nice foal from a nice mare to my lease program. Chances are few of those foals will be any good but one or two of them might create a dynasty.

I also think being a junior and intermediate player is WAY more challenging than being new. It’s a weird sort of cross roads and easy to stall out and go broke and it can be as much bad luck as bad management. I’d invite any player who gets stuck at this point to contact me, especially around the season changeover, because I might have some things laying around the barn to boost you or some spare cash so you can hit up the auctions or whatever.

And finally, I think there are many methods of game play and I admire everyone who manages to survive a year. Whether you grind it out on your own, or get social, or use the forum or chat to strike up useful deals. It’s all valid. My method of game play has made me international friends and one time I even hung out with simsters at Disneyland (best day!). It’s also been escapism over the years and kept me sane or distracted through some tough times. So I’ll keep trying to help out where I can in the hope that somebody else gets as much out of the sim as I do. But also I’m not going to give all my allowance and stakes to one player or something because that really would disadvantage other players in the same level group. That’s why my leases are always one or two horse limits. There’s definitely a balance and every concern I’ve read in this thread has a point but let’s not swing towards never helping each other at all hey?

Cleo has written a post that seems to strike a good balance. I had several stakes horse leases from one player. Instead of running these at TP, I instead chose to use them to learn about racing on the international circuits. I put one in Japan, a couple in Europe, etc. This experience was invaluable when it came time to graduate from TP, plus I learned more about how to manage a better horse. I just learned a lot from them, period.

One thing I didn't count on is a certain level of resentment about new players having horses like this, or having it easier in general than it used to be, etc. I've read a lot of negative feedback about new players wanting to win stakes, but if a vet has leased you a stakes-quality horse you are kind of in a pinch. In my case I had been told that he wanted to use the horses as stallions when they retired, so I put myself under a lot of pressure to try to place them well, get earnings, etc. This was instrumental in my decision not to run them at TP as well, because I felt victories there wouldn't carry the same prestige and might hurt the horse's stud value. Looking back, I doubt I was intended to feel this way by the lessor but still, you don't want someone being worse off just because they helped you along. So I had shade from haters if I put the stakes horses in stakes races, but felt like it was what I needed to be doing to do the best I could by the person helping me.