Frawn, you are completely right that challenging can be fun, it's the reason I'm an achievement grabber on Steam. I doubt I'd know half as much about traits or Vorps had I not begun my own themed project. I love the difficulties and the satisfaction from precise breeding manipulation, and I hardly call myself more than a keen amateur.

Your focus and attention to detail is fab. Whatever you set your mind to, you'll get there.

I think I've started to enjoy smooshing more since I started more serious projects. It's a different kind of fun. :D

I for my part need a goal I can work towards, otherwise I'll get bored very fast. I tried a lot of virtual pet games and Sylestia was the only one that stuck, because you can spend months trying to make a 6vis of a certain theme and things like that.
But I totally get, that not all people are like me ;-)
And I think maybe those special genes like valentine lace will make none themed pets more popular again. If there's a special gene for every other festival now, that you can only get through generating pets, then there'll be more people breeding none themed pets. And maybe more smooshing too.

I wonder sometimes if the whole "Purebreds" thing took Faiona and Krinadon by surprise. The first Themed weren't Tagged, after all. Perhaps their idea was that people would mostly use Themed pets to create better non-Themed projects. Some of the traits that have turned up recently kind of look like gentle nudges in the direction of "You know, you players can come up with your own designs!"

Well, I guess Krin and Fai want their want their game to be used in as many ways as possible. But I wasn't there, when the thing with the themes started, so I don't know, how it was before.

Mohya, I'm the same! I need long-term, harder goals to keep me coming back every day. I like that this site can be enjoyed on many levels: from the casual to the hardcore dedication. Both offer fun and rewards. I do find that the further I delve into the site, the more I'm impressed with the depth of thought that's gone into the build/design.

I hadn't thought about the Valentine's Lace in that way, but you have a wonderful point. It's good to have traits that are not available to themed pets. I vaguely remember a thread (or possibly just a post) asking Admin to find a way to make non-themed pets viable again. Perhaps, Spelf is right in his guesses. I have no idea.

I'm currently smooshing pets to try and get some of the new traits into non-themed Vorps. It's a slow process, but a fun side-project.

One major thing I've learnt since becoming more involved with themed/trait breeding, is that a lot of my smooshing starters were rejects from very precise and selective breeding by others. I know I had no idea how much work/cost went into those things before.

So guys... I just had a big culling of my herd (released over 100 critters), which means I have some new things for sale and whatnot.

Also, the "Nightmare Before Christmas" Zombified Sylvorpas are doing well. I've got my main stud and his little harem staying busy. Same for my "Jin Chan" Black Toad project. I should be seeing some 3- and 4-vis offspring in the coming month from both projects.

Additionally, I'm working on breeding some new traits into my PB Halloween stock, so stay tuned! ^.^

Link: https://www.sylestia.com/forums/?thread=27977&page=79#787 Author: Frawn Time Posted: 2/18/2016 at 12:24 AM So guys... I just had a big culling of my herd (released over 100 critters), which means I have some new things for sale and whatnot. Also, the "Nightmare Before Christmas" Zombified Sylvorpas are doing well. I've got my main stud and his little harem staying busy. Same for my "Jin Chan" Black Toad project. I should be seeing some 3- and 4-vis offspring in the coming month from both projects. Additionally, I'm working on breeding some new traits into my PB Halloween stock, so stay tuned! ^.^

*squee* *dives over to Frawn's Stables* Oooh, Halloween offspring. Thanks for the shinies, Frawn! :)

I'm loving your Black Toad progress. Encroaching Seaweed and Water Sprite is a lovely combination. I can't wait to see your Halloween idea. Blue Tang and Mystic Fins? Yay!

Oh no, thank YOU Celuwen! ^.^

And this little boy cropped up in my hatchery the other day. So exciting. He's going to be Prime Stud when he gets older.

And SpaceElf, I'm lovin' the cape, crown, and scepter today. So fly.