Post by Lady Whimsy on Oct 29, 2008 11:00:33 GMT -5
*G* If that topic doesn't attract a few eyes, nothing will ;D
Now before I get people way too excited, I'll state that next Breeding Season is still a long ways off (at least, not before the Ulysses RP finishes, and seeing how long these things take to play out, January or February is probably a hopeful projection). But before we get there, I thought I'd share what was in the works and see what people are thinking.
A few things to know about the next breeding season:
1. First, yes - we will have a new stallion. But he's a very elusive sort of fellow, so will only be available to a very limited breed per season. Breeding slots will be won through the RP, though we will probably save one or two to dally up through other means.
2. Breedings this time around will be capped. This means, each of the regular stallion will be capped at a certain amount (but not to worry - there will be enough slots available for everyone to have a fair shot!) The down side to capping is that I know some people very well might not be able to get a breeding slot; as much as I hate to do this to anyone, I think it's a very necessary measure. I've seen far too many great adoptable die during/or right after breeding season because the owner(s) have given themselves more work then they can chew. I intend to keep Kalidore thriving for a good long while, so even if you don't get a spot this time, rest assured there will be many future opportunities to do so!
I'm not sure what the total breeding cap will be at... because whatever number I do, remember I'll still be colouring 3x that many pretty unicorns. It can get a little exhausting, lol. Last season we had about 25 foals born, and that was a very comfortable amount. Probably a little more then that for the next round, but not *too* many more - I'm still only one person
Thoughts, insights anyone?
3. Unikorès and Re-breedings. While each foundation mare came with a free breeding credit, there are a lot of you now with older foundation mares and young unikorès & are eager to breed them. This means we're going to have establish that pesky re-breeding fee
There are two simple ways that re-breeding fees can be handled. One is to have a "stud fee" placed on each stallion. Not exactly elegant, but practical. Then comes to question what that cost should be, and should it differ depending on the stallion? The logistics start to become a little mind-numbing, in practice...
The second way is to simply have "re-breeding items", which can be given/bought/gifted in the same manner as Stones. These would probably have a set price, regardless of stallion, though could offer "specials" with these as well (ie, this item ensures colour, that item allows you to choose the adult pose, etc). The one draw back to this method would be that though you might now have your item, you're still left to vie for what stallion slot you want on top of that, which might not be guaranteed.
4. Lastly, there are the actual *costs*. I hate coming up with prices, and I never feel comfortable setting them. I think that's why so many of the unicorns get auctioned, because that way I figure people will only pay what they want to. But auctions do have a way eluding a lot of people, who are too busy or poor to participate. I've always wanted the Unicorns to be as inclusive as possible, but of course wouldn't mind some credit in return for the work put into them It becomes a tough balance.
I suppose with breeding items we can do the same as we've done with the Mares in the past - offer some to auction, and hold flatsales as well. That way, we hit as many different people as possible. And maybe after we've officially "sold" the items in this way, it would give us a good idea what to "stock the shop" with, so to speak. But I am always eager to hear what the rest of you feel about prices... after all, these are your unicorns, too!
* * *
I think I've hit everything for the moment. This thread might be a little early, but I think it's good to get working on it now (especially if I'm drawing up new items & things). All thoughts, insights, and questions are most welcomed and encouraged, so don't hesitate to pipe up. The more feedback I have, the better a position I'm in to make a decision that works for everyone ;D
Thank you for all your support!
Lady Whimsy ~
Now before I get people way too excited, I'll state that next Breeding Season is still a long ways off (at least, not before the Ulysses RP finishes, and seeing how long these things take to play out, January or February is probably a hopeful projection). But before we get there, I thought I'd share what was in the works and see what people are thinking.
A few things to know about the next breeding season:
1. First, yes - we will have a new stallion. But he's a very elusive sort of fellow, so will only be available to a very limited breed per season. Breeding slots will be won through the RP, though we will probably save one or two to dally up through other means.
2. Breedings this time around will be capped. This means, each of the regular stallion will be capped at a certain amount (but not to worry - there will be enough slots available for everyone to have a fair shot!) The down side to capping is that I know some people very well might not be able to get a breeding slot; as much as I hate to do this to anyone, I think it's a very necessary measure. I've seen far too many great adoptable die during/or right after breeding season because the owner(s) have given themselves more work then they can chew. I intend to keep Kalidore thriving for a good long while, so even if you don't get a spot this time, rest assured there will be many future opportunities to do so!
I'm not sure what the total breeding cap will be at... because whatever number I do, remember I'll still be colouring 3x that many pretty unicorns. It can get a little exhausting, lol. Last season we had about 25 foals born, and that was a very comfortable amount. Probably a little more then that for the next round, but not *too* many more - I'm still only one person
Thoughts, insights anyone?3. Unikorès and Re-breedings. While each foundation mare came with a free breeding credit, there are a lot of you now with older foundation mares and young unikorès & are eager to breed them. This means we're going to have establish that pesky re-breeding fee
There are two simple ways that re-breeding fees can be handled. One is to have a "stud fee" placed on each stallion. Not exactly elegant, but practical. Then comes to question what that cost should be, and should it differ depending on the stallion? The logistics start to become a little mind-numbing, in practice...
The second way is to simply have "re-breeding items", which can be given/bought/gifted in the same manner as Stones. These would probably have a set price, regardless of stallion, though could offer "specials" with these as well (ie, this item ensures colour, that item allows you to choose the adult pose, etc). The one draw back to this method would be that though you might now have your item, you're still left to vie for what stallion slot you want on top of that, which might not be guaranteed.
4. Lastly, there are the actual *costs*. I hate coming up with prices, and I never feel comfortable setting them. I think that's why so many of the unicorns get auctioned, because that way I figure people will only pay what they want to. But auctions do have a way eluding a lot of people, who are too busy or poor to participate. I've always wanted the Unicorns to be as inclusive as possible, but of course wouldn't mind some credit in return for the work put into them
It becomes a tough balance. I suppose with breeding items we can do the same as we've done with the Mares in the past - offer some to auction, and hold flatsales as well. That way, we hit as many different people as possible. And maybe after we've officially "sold" the items in this way, it would give us a good idea what to "stock the shop" with, so to speak. But I am always eager to hear what the rest of you feel about prices... after all, these are your unicorns, too!
* * *
I think I've hit everything for the moment. This thread might be a little early, but I think it's good to get working on it now (especially if I'm drawing up new items & things). All thoughts, insights, and questions are most welcomed and encouraged, so don't hesitate to pipe up. The more feedback I have, the better a position I'm in to make a decision that works for everyone ;D
Thank you for all your support!
Lady Whimsy ~
If you did this though, I'd be more interested in this being for select stallions - perhaps uppity ones that "require" a limited-offer gift to even think of breeding with a past bred mares. New foundation mares get a pass, because well ... they're new blood. And that whole male-conquering new blood, needs no extra gift to catch their interest. >.> Maybe that's a bit chauvnistic tho. Haha.
So in that kind of scenario, a stud fee might be more reasonable. However... how do we go about setting those? Should it be one standard fee per stallion, or would different stallions cost different amounts? I mean, dun is much simpler to execute then say, appaloosa, in the grand scheme of things (not that in any way is less effort put into one verses the other!). But then again, colour isn't guaranteed with any breeding, either...