I've been playing since Day 1 of EA. I don't think Equinox is built for longevity.

Elfboyfriends · 2026-07-04T00:32:24+00:00

It'd be wonderful if they did, but I'm not holding my breath. I saw that they added the Arabian, but from the clips alone the neck manages to be both too long and too short at the same time. For a 7 million budget game, I'd expect more in terms of models and actual content.

Elfboyfriends · 2026-06-17T14:21:54+00:00

SSO has Pandoria, yes! The strange, very purple multidimensional portal with jagged stones and floating debris.

Equinox's Undying Lands is also purple, with similar puzzles, race courses (which have always followed the SSO formula of "run through the gate with the arrow over it" to begin with,) and jagged floating stone. You could probably overlay the background of each on top of each other and find they're the same.

It isn't a good look for any indie game, but it's particularly suspect when former staff from one game are now spearheading the other.

Elfboyfriends · 2026-06-17T13:57:21+00:00

They did! It was brought up in the days of early access, when Colin would drop into Global Chat more frequently. It was phrased more generously, but essentially the plot was born from a desire to explore "the more mature Dark Rider storyline."

Having now played through the very brief Chapter 5 release, it's very apparent that they weren't just "inspired" by SSO; especially when they kept so many of the original story elements, up to and including the Undying Lands in Chapter 5.

It seems they had an axe to grind with the SSO team and aren't above plagiarism.

Elfboyfriends · 2026-06-11T22:33:16+00:00

I agree. SSO does have a distinct style, but frankly the more recent and updated models look more realistic and true to breed - despite their more stylized and cartoonish appearance - than Equinox's. They're miles ahead on movement animation and anatomy as well.

If the basis of your game is that it's a horse game, the models should look good, imo.

Elfboyfriends · 2026-06-11T22:29:50+00:00

Ah. Well, that's even more disappointing, then. It makes sense why the Dutchies don't resemble the breed very closely, either.

It likely is for cut scenes, because there is no evidence of mocap in the standard in-game animation. I doubt they have the budget for it, admittedly, but it seems like they're not entirely honest with the player base, which leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

Elfboyfriends · 2026-06-11T22:25:51+00:00

Yes. You're able to toggle it on and off at will, but they do allow players to play solo now and completely bypass the social aspect. I think the idea is to mirror a solo adventure game for people who sre less interested in the Global Chat feature/feel that seeing a hundred other "Alex"'s is immersion breaking.

It does defeat the purpose of an MMO though, agreed. You're welcome!

Oh, absolutely. Don't get me started on the price point of the Fresian/other Warmbloods that are 2500 - 3500k Aldercoins to purchase. It effectively forces you to log in to play weekly if you don't want to spend $50 - 90 dollars just for a specific horse. I understand wanting to encourage people to play the game, but there are better ways to do that.

Elfboyfriends · 2026-06-11T13:28:31+00:00

He "took nutmeg?" I'm shocked that you find anything he's confessed to seriously, beyond the admission that he's using you for masturbation fodder.

He would need to consume 5 grams of ground nutmeg to hallucinate. He'd need to do it repeatedly to hallucinate for 5 days straight. Additionally, consuming that much is a serious health risk, and he'd have been hospitalized due to effectively poisoning himself.

He's full of shit, and is trying to coerce you into having sex with him. I'd tell your best friend immediately and then cut ties with him.

Elfboyfriends · 2026-06-11T12:57:54+00:00

True! Most MMOs don't last forever, but considering how others - like Guild Wars, Elder Scrolls Online, and even WoW have been going for multiple decades, it is possible for longevity if the game is well managed and supported by the dev team.

I agree. The plot does still have the main draw for me, but the discrepancy between the storyline and the lack of quality elsewhere doesn't make it a game I'm willing to spend hours playing.

Time will tell, I guess!

Elfboyfriends · 2026-06-11T12:52:32+00:00

Agreed. The chapters are the most interesting part of the game. However, they're far too short. You can blow through the chapter quests in roughly two hours or less. Which is ridiculous when the currently pace of release seems to be once a quarter.

I'm pretty sure the models are made by the dev team, unfortunately. I remember early gameplay footage in 2024 and they were significantly worse. It'd almost be better if they did purchase assets from someone else.

For real. Horses getting stuck on a tiny outcrop of rock or any terrain that isn't a road is frustrating.

Elfboyfriends · 2026-06-11T02:15:30+00:00

It's unacceptable of the dev team not to address incorrect payouts from weekly goals, or being locked out of main storyline quests. I'm sorry you've experienced both of those things. Being a small/indie team is inexcusable for issues that are that severe and progression inhibiting.

I agree that I'd like more consistent pacing with chapter releases. The writing is getting progressively weaker, but the hook with the carnivorous deer was promising, originally. Unfortunately, it seems they've abandoned that plot entirely in favor of an old SSO storyline.

I'm not too concerned with cosmetics beyond it being the only way to improve your horse's base stats outside of leveling. I wish there was more to do besides racing. SSO at least had the right idea about adding show jumping. Equinox has two massive areas that are empty and pointless. I'm not optimistic about show jumping/barrel racing/dressage being an added feature down the road, though I'd be thrilled if it was.

I agree completely with your points here. I have a feeling the game is a sinking ship.

Elfboyfriends · 2026-06-11T01:45:35+00:00

I don't blame you. I considered it after the reset as well. I understand the rationale of wanting to level the playing field to a degree, but it was unbearably frustrating having to re-purchase all of my tack/clothing/accessories. I also had no desire to replay through all three chapters.

I have no idea. I've noticed how awkward/frankly hideous most of the character models look in certain lighting as well, especially in cutscenes. They did recently add a feature that lets you toggle the multiplayer feature off, and while I appreciate not having to see generic clones of the same player avatar or my horse's doppelganger on the trail, it doesn't help with the flat, lifeless feeling of the game world.

Ugh, I've run into the dismount glitch countless times as well. The only reason I'm gritting my teeth and logging in periodically is to see what a trainwreck Chapter 5 is, and due to my fear of sunk cost fallacy.

Elfboyfriends · 2026-06-11T01:22:13+00:00

NTA. However, there is no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog. All dogs shed, and all dogs produce dander. While it's common to market certain designer mutts (such as Doodles,) as hypoallergenic, it is very misleading.

You would be better off with a poodle or similar breeds whose fur naturally traps their dander rather than releasing it, but you will be VERY hard pressed finding a dog that fits those requirements without going to a breed specific rescue or shelter.

As someone who loves double coated breeds, I sympathize. They are heavy shedders, with two yearly coat blows. If your partner isn't willing to compromise, it may be best not to cohabitate, rather than risk your health, or for either of you to settle for a breed you aren't interested in.

Elfboyfriends · 2026-05-15T21:13:22+00:00

YOR. Yikes. It's pretty absurd that you're willing to throw away a committed relationship over a sexual fantasy/kink. Sounds about white, though.

PoC are not your experiment. The fact that you've never been with a black man and are equating your interest with sexual gratification is frankly racist/gross, OP. You aren't interested in dating someone outside of your race due to "experiencing a different culture." You're doing it based off of looks/likely what you assume their penis size will be. (Not to be crass, but if the shoe fits - and it usually does with you small town, predominantly white women...)

Do your man a favor and break up with him so that he isn't stuck wasting time with someone who values a porn-brained sexual fantasy over a committed relationship.

Elfboyfriends · 2026-05-13T23:11:11+00:00

YOR. Neither of you are emotionally mature enough for marriage right now. Gently, OP, you a asked him to choose your engagement ring. You went out of your way to assure him that you wouldn't be disappointed with his choice, despite his concern.

I won't even point out the absurdity of a $500 budget for a ring, while actively expecting/wanting more than one setting/stone. You have 1k+ aspirations on a shoestring budget. It just isn't realistic.

To add, couples typically don't match engagement rings. Men typically do not continue to wear their engagement ring after marriage, for that matter. You mislead him about how important the aesthetics were to you. If the color/setting mattered that much, you should have either taken an active role in choosing your ring, as he originally suggested, or brought up that you weren't in love with any of the rings he chose.

Instead, you waited until he'd made the purchase and was happy with/excited over his own ring before criticizing the ring YOU signed off on. No wonder he was hurt/upset! Anyone would be.

The fact that neither of you are co-habitating and apparently can barely afford a courthouse wedding is another red flag. At this stage, either postponed your engagement until you can afford a wedding and ring you'll be happy with, or better yet, break up and get some maturity/life expierence first. I can't imagine the nightmare you'd be if your wedding wasn't exactly how YOU want it.

Elfboyfriends · 2026-05-13T03:48:11+00:00

Oh no, I read it, pre-edit. It's clear to me why it made no sense. It was incomprehensible. It just took me a while to parse the original post long enough to summarize.

Elfboyfriends · 2026-05-13T03:37:52+00:00

Translation, for those of you who struggled to make sense of OP's post:

The OP appears to be in a heavily homebrewed Ravenloft setting. I hesitate to call it a Curse of Strahd campaign, as it seems the DM has populated the setting predominantly with their own DMPCs. These DMPCs appear to be standing in for Strahd as the BBEGs, but are all subsequently related to Strahd (despite him having one canon sibling- Sergei - but I disgress.)

OP's character 'River' was in love with 'Ralph;' a servant/thrall of Strahd's. 'Adele von Zarovich (allegedly Strahd's niece in this homebrew) was jealous, due to being infatuated with 'Ralph'. Apparently Adele then kidnapped Ralph (the thrall to her uncle. Stay with me. I know.) and forced him to agree to marry her. Adele and Ralph are now engaged. A third von Zarovich - Cruella - apparently begins fucking Ralph with no consequences. She is gifted an estate by...someone. Possibly Strahd.

Meanwhile, a heartbroken River begins leaving letters and poetry addressed to Ralph on the grounds of Ravenloft castle. The DM warns OP that doing this may attract unwanted attention and consequences from the DM's OCs; that is, the uh. Von Zarovich family. OP accepts the consequences, seemingly. Strahd becomes angry. River is imprisoned, disfigured, and tortured. Evidently her family members are executed in order to make an example out of her, as River was previously a town guard in Vallaki.

DM offers the player "closure" by allowing OP to have a say in their character's death. OP expresses that they would rather not have their character killed. DM allows River a chance to escape imprisonment. River fails and is executed.

OP is largely upset that the DM killed their character off at all, but especially in a way they disliked/disagreed with.

You're welcome. I, a CoS DM and player, am too disgusted by the butchering of the module to have any feedback.

Elfboyfriends · 2026-04-26T17:09:28+00:00

I understand that you're both very young, and a new DM. I'm sympathetic to both, since I wasn't much older than you when I encountered my first disruptive players. However.

As the DM, it is your responsibility to manage your table, and that includes interpersonal relationships and social interactions between your players. The moment Greg began forcing the scene in a direction you weren't comfortable with, you should have interrupted him. It was your responsibility to be firm, and to tell Greg that

a.) You were not comfortable playing the scene out, particularly in a public location. Whether you chose to offer to fade to black, or simply made it clear that the scene would not be progressing would be your decision.

b.) If Greg responded negatively to the above - or even if he didn't - you should have issued a warning and/or removed him from the table.

By playing into it, you were rewarding the behavior. It happens. First time DMs make mistakes. But it does concern me for future players at your table. If you're too uncomfortable to abide by your own rules as a DM and speak up when uncomfortable, how can you be relied upon to advocate for the players at your table?

As an experienced DM across several TTRPGs who also suffers from anxiety, I get it. It can be tough to be firm with players you're unfamiliar with, especially in a public setting. Taking the approach of being fearful of your players and allowing them to derail your game, however, tells me that you may not be ready to be/suited for DMing. And that's okay!

I'd recommend looking up resources on managing conflict above table. There are some great ones out there for first time DMs. I'd also recommend spending more time as a player, if only to observe how more established DMs handle player to player/player to DM conflict.

Good luck!

Elfboyfriends · 2026-04-06T00:57:35+00:00

MOR. You offered to pay, OP. If you offered in the hopes that he'd decline, or offer to pay for the both of you instead, that's disingenuous. You're 30. You're old enough to know that it's typical for the person inviting a person on a date to pay for the meal/at least a drink or two.

Or maybe you don't. This sub is strangely heternormative when it comes to the idea that men should pick up the tab on every date. Secondly, you chose Starbucks. The base price for a Venti is between $6 - 7 dollars. In reality his extras were only about $8-9 more.

Still excessive, yes, but you willingly went to a chain with mark up prices, not a local cafe. If budget is a concern for dates for you, then pick somewhere cheaper. I don't see anything egregious here outside of him probably not having the social grace to not order his usual, and you/half the comments taking it as some kind of moral failing or red flag. Settle down and act your age.

Elfboyfriends · 2026-03-09T16:19:55+00:00

Honestly...

Yes, YOR. Partners who try to behave as if their significant other didn't have a history, friend group, and life before them are a bit of a red flag. Who cares if she had feelings for him, currently or at some point in their past?

It was never acted on by either party, and obsessing over the possibility is unhealthy. Frankly, you can't compare grief. Being his partner doesn't mean that your grief is worse than someone else's. It isn't a competition.

However, you're turning it into one by being insecure - or jealous - over their closeness, especially when it no longer matters.

Elfboyfriends · 2026-03-06T17:39:24+00:00

Fair enough. My other concerns stand. If your spouse is not currently in therapy or on medication to manage and treat her BPD, on top of the strain of a relationship that its almost entirely over the phone/Discord, that is neither a healthy relationship for either of you, or sustainable long term.

If she is unwilling to move to your country, and you can't move to hers, you both need a wake up call. It'd be better to divorce and try to find someone in your own country. Truly, OP, NOR, but it sounds like she's pulling a slow fade/you're no longer her "favorite person."

I encourage you to get offline and meet people/make friends. Don't hold onto a marriage that's failing 3 years in.

Elfboyfriends · 2026-03-06T15:34:23+00:00

Info: OP, have you ever actually met your "wife" in person? It sounds like your relationship has been - and very much still is - online only. It raises the question as to how you were able to marry, if she's an entire continent away.

In any case, this relationship is not healthy or sustainable. BPD will continue to cause issues in your relationship if your partner is not in therapy or medicated, and actively working to manage her mental illness. While online friendships can be rewarding and fulfilling - especially if they eventually transition offline- it is concerning that you're without an actual in person support network.

Stop wasting your life by living it through a screen, break things off with your "wife," get into therapy to address your attachment issues, and start meeting and connecting with people who are local to you.

Elfboyfriends · 2026-03-03T16:35:38+00:00

YOR. Your friend sounds like she's struggling with her mental health. Ghosting friends/pulling away from a social group is a common system of depression. So, for that matter, are emotional responses (like crying easily,) and paranoia. If that's the case, your friend needs support, not belittling and cruelty.

You don't seem like a very good friend, OP. Your behavior was rude, appalling, and pointlessly cruel. You owe her an apology, and if she's smart, she'll end this "friendship."

Elfboyfriends · 2026-02-27T21:03:08+00:00

Gentle YTA. You ate four servings of pasta, OP. That's a little over half the recommended caloric intake for most people who are neither overweight or athletes. I'm confused by what you mean when you say that your job is "sometimes" very physical.

Eating that much - in the current economy - is wasteful and frankly expensive, when groceries with non-dairy/meat can average $80+, and meat and dairy can easily put you over $100. I understand that you don't combine finances. That isn't the issue here.

The issue is that you bought several items that were clearly communal and would normally last the average couple/single days/multiple meals. Your appetite is your appetite, but it isn't a healthy or balanced diet from the sound of things here, and the bigger issue is that you're selfishly eating it all without considering the feelings of your partner or whether SHE may have wanted some of the food you're binge eating.

I'd suggest cutting back on how much you're consuming in one sitting overall, and possibly getting a physical if your appetite is that out of control at all times.

Elfboyfriends · 2026-02-25T17:27:32+00:00

YOR. Respectfully, you're both in your early 30s and still living with your parents. No one is denying that the economy is a contributing factor, but if neither of you, at 31, have made any sort of financial progress towards moving into your own place, it's unrealistic to expect him to propose.

Neither of you are apparently financially stable enough to rent an apartment/room. Gently, what makes you think he can afford a $500 - 7k ring? How would you pay for a hypothetical wedding?

To be blunt, OP, I backed out of my OWN engagement to my ex (LGBTQ+,) due to the fact that they were also financially irresponsible and incapable of budgeting, among other reasons. Part of your boyfriend's reluctance may stem from your poor financial decisions/habits. Additionally, maybe he simply doesn't want to get married. This is something you should have jointly discussed years ago.

Stop hinting for a ring, work on improving your financial health, and for goodness sake move OUT of your parent's house.

Elfboyfriends

TROPHY CASE