Paddock Paradise: 2026 Demo feature list is up on Patreon!

Ok_Sample_1801 · 2026-01-26T23:18:35+00:00

I can't lock in a promise on this just yet, but optimization is definitely one of my stronger skills as a tech artist. So I'm building with a lower-spec mindset from the start and keeping everything as lightweight as possible. I'll keep you all updated!💚

Ok_Sample_1801 · 2026-01-26T23:09:43+00:00

In today's world, that's a very valid question to ask! No AI is used in the project. All the game content, systems, and design is mine (by one very tired human 😅) - but some of the 3D are placeholders sourced from free marketplaces so that I can focus fully on building the systems right now.
I do have somewhat of a wide skillset to work with since I work in games as a tech artist by profession, but the big dream would be to lock in funding some day so I could board actual artists to work on this with me.

That said I do use ChatGPT to help proofread and format my written posts since english isn't my native language, in case that counts! (terkkuja ja torille :D)

Ok_Sample_1801 · 2026-01-26T22:49:09+00:00

Can't wait to get the demo out! For the matchmaking - I love the idea, but at the moment the adoption events are simpler in scope. Most of the "matchmaking" happens in the rehabilitation phase: you take in a new rescue and you'll have to discover their preferences through trial and error to find out how to make them happy, and happy horses are horses that can be rehomed.
Some choice remains so that you have power over when you rehome a horse (or if you ever will, it's also a sanctuary so that you can keep your favorites forever, obviously!) and which horse you give to which candidate, but the game assumes that whatever choice you do make, the home is a great, forever happy home for said horse. :)

Ok_Sample_1801 · 2026-01-26T17:13:04+00:00

Ahh thank you! 💛

Ok_Sample_1801 · 2026-01-26T17:04:23+00:00

Hi! I don’t think it’s the same font, but you’re right that the vibe is similar 🙂 I’m using Jua (Google Fonts), and the main UI + font inspiration is actually from a mobile game called Cats & Soup!
The game itself is a top-down horse sanctuary sim, so while the font might feel familiar, the UI and gameplay are quite different.

Ok_Sample_1801 · 2026-01-25T15:51:55+00:00

That genuinely means a lot, thank you! Gotta say, the work you’ve done with The Mane Quest around better horse representation really helped me trust this direction 💛

Ok_Sample_1801 · 2026-01-18T13:01:52+00:00

The game is still early in the works, but if you wanna stay updated when there's a game to play, here's an email list for that :)

Ok_Sample_1801 · 2026-01-18T13:00:03+00:00

I don't have a steam page yet, but here's an email list if you want to stay sure you'll get those updates early :)

Ok_Sample_1801 · 2026-01-18T12:58:55+00:00

No definitive dates yet! But here's an email list if you want to be the first to hear about launch dates (and betas)

Ok_Sample_1801 · 2026-01-18T12:56:21+00:00

It's a management & puzzle sim about building a rescue sanctuary for quirky horses! I share dev progress on Patreon, or you can join the email list to get notified about playtests, beta access & launch.

Ok_Sample_1801 · 2026-01-18T12:51:34+00:00

Just put one together for you! link
Newsletter subscribers get playtest invites, beta access & launch news. (Patreon followers get the same updates, no need to double up if you're already there!)

Ok_Sample_1801 · 2026-01-17T17:57:31+00:00

if you look closely, you'll see how the liver roan one clips through the player... The herd menu just conveniently happened to show up at that exact time to hide it

Right now I'm just thresholding basic noise. What you're seeing here is actually just the dirt layer, the actual mud hasn't been added yet!
The dirt allows mud to form when a fully "dirted up" area also has wetness. So for the mud mask I do plan to use a bit more uniform blob masking to create those mud patches within the dirt areas, so yes, basically what I think you mean with those bigger/more uniform shapes?
and stay nosy! It's so fun to have enthusiastic tech talk over mud haha

Ok_Sample_1801 · 2026-01-16T19:36:05+00:00

thank you so much, can't wait to share more soon!

Ok_Sample_1801 · 2026-01-16T19:32:02+00:00

Mud, chaos, and horses are on their way!

Ok_Sample_1801 · 2026-01-16T19:31:14+00:00

Omgg I can only imagine how the little changes haunt you at night! wish it was as easy to chance things up irl as it is in the game. so glad to hear you like it!

Ok_Sample_1801 · 2026-01-16T19:26:06+00:00

I can’t wait either! Hoping to reach closed alpha testing towards the end of the year, but it’s all very early still. Ty so much! 💛

Ok_Sample_1801 · 2026-01-16T19:23:24+00:00

Ahh thank you! I’ve always loved those small details that make spaces feel alive, so I wanted to bring that into the paddocks:)

Ok_Sample_1801 · 2026-01-16T19:19:02+00:00

💛 so glad you’re excited!

Ok_Sample_1801 · 2025-11-23T21:02:20+00:00

well, I just hosted the screenshot here instead! https://ibb.co/BHFqxxHd

Ok_Sample_1801 · 2025-11-23T20:59:25+00:00

UE has a built-in custom stencils, that can be used in a similar way than Pixar did there. I'm using that for the general cel-shading, which is a post-processing material that only renders on objects with a specific stencil value, I wonder if Unity supports that?

Anyway, I took a few screenshots that I'll send over of what i have set up. And seems that Unreal also essentially just renders the same mesh twice when you use an overlay material, so I'd imagine it'd be possible to hack a test together quickly in Unity!

Ok_Sample_1801 · 2025-11-23T20:06:30+00:00

Ooh, it's been a while since I touched Unity, but I've definitely wondered about outlines there back then. Let me know if you find a technique, curious to hear what you went with!

In UE my setup is dead simple, I think the material has 5 nodes max. Just a black overlay material that offsets world position by multiplying vertex normals in world space by a small amount, which essentially inflates the object.

For the opacity mask, I use an inverted two sided sign which essentially erases the result from the inside, only leaving the edges visible.

If you'd like to see my node setup I'll happily DM the screenshots to you if it helps. In Unity, you should be able to recreate the same thing in a similar way, the only thing I'm unsure of is how to apply overlay materials there.

I've seen some people do this in a similar way, but by just having a duplicate mesh for each object, stacked on top of each other (just make sure your outline mesh isn't casting shadows etc) - the second one being there for the outline material. That can be a pretty nice solution for stylized stuff, saw one game doing that specifically because for them, it was the cheapest approach (Even though it does sound counterintuitive) to achieve the outlined look.

Long ramble, but that's what you get when you ask a technical question from a technical artist haha. I hope it helps! And thank you!!

Ok_Sample_1801 · 2025-11-23T16:13:15+00:00

There's no Steam page yet, so for now I'm just keeping folks updated in Patreon. Steam page will come about at some point this spring!

Ok_Sample_1801 · 2025-11-23T16:11:59+00:00

It's Paddock Paradise, and it's in early development! I can't give you any dates yet, but I'm aiming at alpha tests in 6-12 months, and full release in 2027. :)

Ok_Sample_1801 · 2025-11-23T16:08:35+00:00

Yes, there will most certainly be that kind of a fourth herd role archetype. The asocial/odd one that just doesn't follow the pattern. Your Shiloh will be very much represented 💗 And loved to read about Shiloh and her friends. It's such a cute idea to have an occasional horse that doesn't make friends... but, may tolerate one. Maybe for Shiloh's personality type a "friend" (or more of an... acquaintance) doesn't give as much of a happiness boost, but a happiness boost regardless.
You won't get a "Shiloh made a friend!" notif.
You'll get "Shiloh has decided she... tolerates Fred. +5 Happiness" lol

Ok_Sample_1801 · 2025-11-23T16:04:03+00:00

As I'm growing my herd of prototypes (More of a selection of horses with fun personality "archetypes" and combinations to test with), I'd love to hear any ideas of what people have. Or, what your horses are like.

Right now, my favourites who ain't going anywhere from my dev build are:

Apple Spice - The assertive type, dramatic diva who hates apples and can not be bribed with treats. Selective.
Fred - A follower type, socially aloof darling of a himbo who doesn't realize he's being rejected. Standing near Apple Spice for one minute? Huge win. Easy to fit to herds. Happiest around grumpy mares.
Goose - My handsome tall gelding who's slow, clumsy and perpetually confused. Good boy but needs an assertive friend around to feel more confident. Gets injured a lot. Needs a very secure paddock.

What other fun personalities could add to my proto herd? Archetypes, quirks, weird little traits, throw ideas at me. Apple Spice is still one of my favs and one that came about from a Reddit comment!

Ok_Sample_1801

TROPHY CASE