While gameplay mechanics and loops are often more critical than graphics, a visually appealing game can make a big difference, especially for first impressions. Over the past few months, I’ve dedicated time to enhancing EQUIRE’s core visuals to reflect the quality I envision for the finished game.
First, I upgraded the horse model itself. Alice from The Mane Quest highlighted a model she described as “the best game-ready horse model I’ve seen to date,” and her praise wasn’t misplaced—it brings a new level of realism to the game, even though there’s still room for improvement. In addition, I’ve created new English tack and refined rider animations, both of which are a big step up thanks to your feedback. I’ll showcase these improvements in greater detail soon, especially as I continue to implement more refined movement types.
Having multiple different models and a variety of breeds in the game is still something I will consider in the future and would love to have but would likely need outside financing through crowdfunding or a grant.
Another area I’ve focused on is customization, a key element of EQUIRE. Player customization has been a strong request in feedback on other horse games, so I’ve introduced a customizable main character, replacing the previous static one. This not only gives players more self-expression but also allows for unique appearances among guests and potential staff members, enhancing immersion.
Similarly, I’ve improved the in-game building tools to give players greater creative freedom. You can now interact with placed obstacles to adjust details like stand type, height, and bar color or pattern. In the future, I plan to add even more options, such as the ability to switch an obstacle from a vertical jump to an oxer.
As for the riding gameplay, I’ve been experimenting with different systems and mechanics to find the right balance. I want riding to be engaging and obstacles to present a satisfying challenge. Courses should be easy to understand but difficult to master, giving players room to showcase their skills. Horse stats and personality should influence gameplay in a meaningful way—enough to add depth but without reducing player agency. There’s a lot to consider in designing this core aspect of the game, and it’s still a work in progress.