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Howrse is a free-to-play browser game created by Owlient, which is a subsidiary company of Ubisoft. It is a breeding simulation game with horses that has been translated into over 20 languages. Since the game is potentially appealing for young girls, the possibilities to spend real money on the game are often criticized. ==History== In 2005, two computer science students, Vincent Guth and Olivier Issaly, founded the company Owlient. Their first game, Equideow, which is the French version of Howrse, went online on the same day, being one of the first games to prominently use micro-transactions for funding. Guth and Issaly ended their studies in 2006 in order to devote more time to their company. Other versions in more languages followed, and Owlient currently has games in 24 languages according to their own company homepage. In 2008, the company partnered with Gut Aiderbichl, a German animal protection association. Players could donate in-game passes in Howrse to indirectly donate money to the association. Later that year, it was announced that over €7500 were raised that way.〔 In 2010, an additional €25000 was raised and donated to Gut Aiderbichl. During Christmas 2008, the company tried to sell not only in-game items, but also real collectible cards for the first time. These card were made available in three languages. Each card contained a code, which unlocked some in-game items. In 2009, it was announced that the company reached the break-even point.〔 In July 2011, Ubisoft acquired Owlient in order to expand their portfolio for free-to-play-games.〔 The game was approved by different prominent equestrians, who were displayed on the starting pages of different versions in order to advertise for the game. Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum advertised in 2009 for the international version of Howrse, while her husband Ludger Beerbaum advertised for the German version in 2008. The French equestrian Nicolas Touzaint advertised for the French version Equideow. In 2014, it was announced that Zara Phillips will appear in the British version of the game. Contrary to other prominent equestrians, she is not only displayed on the starting page, but as a figurine that gives advice to the players. According to the news article, this has made Zara Phillips the first member of the Royal Family to appear in a video game. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Howrse」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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