Who We Are

Flying Change is a new SIM game founded on old principles in fall 2009. In the spirit of its predecessors, from Horse Country to Winner's Wreath, Flying Change combines horses, technology, fun, and friendship in a SIM game new and old at the same time.

Flying Change is different. It is a throwback to the "old school" SIM games of rich imagination and emphasis on learning and knowledge. Flying Change members don't just want to be better SIM players. They want to be better horsepeople, and they love being in a community of people who are interested in the cross-breeding among warmblood studbooks, the proper combination of Western disciplines, or the average time a Thoroughbred racehorse gallops a furlong.

Flying Change is what its players will make it. Our rules are simple for a reason. Though our staff is full of long-time SIM players, our collective wisdom is no match for your ingenuity and passion for the game. We have tried to set up a reasonable structure in which all great ideas can run wild. We cannot promise you a set Flying Change experience because you are the one who will create it.

Game Guidelines

How to Begin. You join Flying Change by creating a forum account and submitting a short form. Once you are accepted, you will recieve three horse creation credits and a bank account with $200,000.

Finances. Send all checks through the Bank of Flying Change. You begin the game with $200,000 and can earn more each month with player salaries based on game activity. Keep your finances in good order. If you go into debt, you could be forced to sell off your assets (facilities, tack, horses, etc.) to return to a positive balance.

Horse Care. You may only as many horses as you can properly care for by supplying stabling, food, tack, and appropriate veterinary and farrier care. At minimum, horses need monthly board and feed, annual vet exams, and bimonthly hoof trimming and shoeing. No one will be keeping tabs on you, but we will perform checks at random. If you fail a check, you face a fine at best or losing your horse at worst.

Breeding. Horses must be three years old to be bred. Mares are in foal for two weeks, and may not show for two weeks before and after foaling. You may do embryo transfers through a licensed vet. Speed-aging is also allowed, but foals must be at least three years younger than the youngest parent. Keep in mind that mares can only have one natural foal per real life year.

Businesses and Associations. You may open a business or association at any point in playing Flying Change. To do so, you must submit a website for approval. New associations begin with $5000 to fund association activities and must have one type of event each month.

Game Guidelines

Stable Ownership. You can open a stable after one month in the game. To apply for stable ownership, complete a stable website and purchase the necessary facilities. Once approved, you will be a "training" barn for one month, during which time you may not accept boarders, but you will operate as a real barn in all other respects. Training barn owners who break any game rules will immediately be returned to boarder status and may not reapply for two months.

Competition. You may host an event anytime once you find a barn (or have a barn) to host it. Post an event for approval on the Upcoming Events board, and complete the results as promptly as possible as a courtesy to others in the game. Once your results are a week late, we reserve the right to divvy them up across the game for play.

Show horses may show in a maximum of three disciplines, but the top level of only one discipline. The maximum number of classes a horse may compete in on each show day is up to the show host; however, all horses must have two days of rest between shows. For their performance, show horses earn points (10/1st place, 9/2nd place, 8/3rd place, 7/4th place, 6/5th place, 5/6th place, 4/7th place, 3/8th place, 2/9th place, 1/10th place) and then earn titles at set point levels.

Racehorses cannot be bred or compete in another discipline while they're racing, including halter. Horses must have five days of rest between races. For races, they are ranked based on their earnings, not by any point system. After they retire from racing, horses can begin competing in any other discipline after a minimum of one month of retraining, though more is recommended.