I’ve recently started working on **Horse Racing Lite**, a new mod project that I feel fits perfectly alongside **Animal Auctions**, **Realistic Livestock**, and the wider horse system.
The goal of this mod is to expand the horse system even further and give horses a much bigger purpose in the game. I want players to be able to own, breed, train and eventually compete with their horses through proper **race days, competitive events and major horse racing occasions**.
One of the biggest parts of the mod will be its integration with **Ritter’s Genetic System**. Genetics will play a major role in determining a horse’s potential, and the horses with the strongest genetics will have the ability to become some of the best performers and potentially reach the top of the leaderboards.
However, I don’t want the system to simply be about finding a horse with the best genetics and automatically winning every race.
A horse with excellent genetics will have a higher potential, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it will be the fastest horse. I want to create a balanced system where **genetics, training, feeding, progression and day-to-day management all matter**.
Players will need to constantly work with and maintain their horses if they want them to perform at their best. Training will be a major factor, as well as giving your horse the right foods, keeping up with its progress and putting in the time to develop it. The idea is that owning a top-level racehorse should feel like a real responsibility and an ongoing task rather than something you can simply buy and forget about.
This means that just because one horse has the best possible genetics, it doesn’t automatically mean it will outperform every other horse. A horse with only half the genetic potential that is trained consistently, ridden every day, fed correctly and properly maintained could absolutely outperform a genetically superior horse that has been neglected.
That balance is one of the most important parts of the project. I want players to be rewarded not just for breeding or purchasing horses with strong genetics, but also for the time and effort they put into actually developing them.
## Racing, Events and Betting
The mod will feature **loads of different races and race types**, helping create proper race days with different levels of competition and events for players to take part in.
There will also be a **betting system**, allowing players to bet on their own horses or on other horses that are competing. This should make every race more exciting, even when your own horse isn’t taking part. Players will be able to follow the horses they believe have the best chance of winning based on their genetics, training, previous performances and overall form.
Because the system is designed around more than just genetics, betting should also be a risk. A horse with incredible genetics might be the favourite, but if another horse has been trained harder, maintained better and is performing at its peak, there is always the possibility of an upset.
## Live 2D Horse Racing Simulation
For now, the racing will be represented through a **visual live 2D horse racing simulation**, which I have already built from scratch.
Players won’t simply see a result appear on a screen. You will actually be able to **watch your horse physically race against the other horses in real time** through the simulation. You’ll be able to follow the race as it happens, see the positions change and watch your own horse compete against the rest of the field.
The goal is to make the experience feel much more exciting and connected to the horses you have spent time breeding, buying and training. Whether you are racing your own horse or betting on another, you will be able to watch the action unfold and see exactly how the race plays out.
The long-term vision is to eventually expand this into a complete horse racing experience, including multiple **custom 3D-modelled racing venues**, different race types, major events and proper stadiums where players can bring their own horses and compete.
The racing system will also tie directly into **Animal Auctions**. A horse’s performance and reputation will have a real impact on its value. If a horse becomes a major winner, consistently performs well and builds a reputation on the track, its value at auction could increase dramatically. Some of the biggest winners could potentially sell for **over 250,000** at auction, reflecting their success, reputation and proven performance.
This creates a full system where the horses you breed, train and race can develop their own value and story. A successful horse could become a valuable asset, both on the racetrack and in the auction ring. At the same time, not every horse with good genetics will become a champion, and not every expensive horse will guarantee success.
Imagine starting with a young horse, developing its genetics through breeding, training it every day, carefully managing its diet and progress, entering it into races, watching it compete in live events and eventually seeing it become one of the best horses in the game. Then, if you decide to sell it, its history, reputation and success could be reflected in its auction value.
That is the kind of experience I want **Horse Racing Lite** to create.
We are still **a long way from the final vision**, and there is a huge amount of work to do before we reach the point of hosting major racing events in custom stadiums. However, I truly believe it is possible, and I’m excited to see how far we can take it.
I’m also looking for **modders who would be interested in helping with the project**. Whether you have experience with 3D modelling, scripting, map work, animations, game mechanics, UI design or anything else that could help bring Horse Racing Lite to life, I’d love to hear from you.
This is an ambitious project, but I believe the potential is huge. **Horse Racing Lite is about more than simply making horses race. It is about breeding, genetics, training, progression, competition, betting, reputation and creating horses that players genuinely become attached to.**
If you’re interested in getting involved, helping develop the mod, or just want to support the project, **hit me up and let me know**. Let’s take the horse system to the next level and build something really special for the community.
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