First of all im really looking forward to the new release, i've been playing the game since SO3 and think its a piece of class.
I have just joined the online league for the first time and think its great, had 2 runners so far... both stuffed(not at all surprised btw), got a full stable (of donkeys) now and it'll be fun to see how they fare.

Thing is i been reading through the forums the last few days and from what i can gather there definitely seems to be some cheating going on by some of the trainer/breeders, and i have to say this is very downheartening, not because i have any expectation of even winning a race.. i dont..i think i will do well to get 1 placed.
I know that some trainers have put a lot of time and dedication ino thier bloodlines in order to hit the times required to be competitive in the league, great stuff lads, well done really.

Now my bloodlines are nowhere near as strong, this is down to 2 things -
1. breaking up with my gf of 3 years(the game is'nt to blame for this, although it did cause a few arguements along the way) because all my best breeding was saved on her laptop.
2. my current laptop being a piece of s**t and does'nt really play the game properly.

So i've been struggling with time to get a team ready for the final season of SO4 online league, and im under no illusions about them being anywhere good enough to compete but im enjoying running them against other players nonetheless.

However, like any good sportsperson i enjoy the competition and will be hoping to compete with the big boys in the new SO5 online league, i figure we'll all be on a level playing field as far as breeding goes and it comes down to the time you put into it... you reap what you sow etc...

After reading through the posts on the 'cheats' i have to admit im wondering if its worth the effort, i know people on here will tell you not to worry about it, its only a game enjoy it and so on..and so on, but you cant help but lose a little motivation knowing that no matter how much time you put into it, it wont make any difference cos you wont win while people are able to cheat by changing/editing or whatever the hell they do to the horse files.

So i suppose my question is will there be anything specifically done on the new game to prevent this from happening?
Dont know who is best to answer this.. Mark maybe?? I'll appreciate any feedback from any of you guys.

There seems to be a lot of paranoia on the forum regarding this subject and id hate to see it ruin what is a great idea, which sadly, to me it seems to be slowly doing.

Again well done to all genuine trainers, hope you all get a winner (but not if your in a battle with one of mine in a lowly handicap)

I honestly wouldn't worry about it. Mark has security enhancements which check all uploaded horses to the league for foul play. There hasn't been a clear answer on what kind of "cheating" took place, but the accused wasn't setting the league on fire as he only won 3 out of 42 races in week 1. Cheaters will get caught.

i understand your concerns

i myself put alot of time in this time to build a competitive team so very very disapointed to hear about cheating.
anyone who cheats are pathetic IMO takes a very sad human being to cheat at a vitual horse racing league

i agree with nick driver makes my victories taste even beter if you beat a cheat through hard work and time put in

cheats WILL be caught and kicked out so dont worry about it Mark makes security improvments all the time

the league is great fun get involved you will find yourself screaming at your screen i never thought i would be doing that
but thats the effect the lge has on you if you put the time in you will be rewarded i have already been rewarded with 2 wins at maiden
level.

Don't worry about cheating. If anyone is editing the horse files they aren't doing a very good job as mine aren't that far off group class in one league season. Also Paul has some really nice horses too.

I am concerned you have only had two runners? Most trainers need to get all their horses into maidens over the first two weeks? After that there are no more maidens.

Pj id imagine your victories were much sweeter when u heard about the cheating well done mate..
I did find myself gripping the seat watching the last 3 furlongs of my filly Amazing way's race, she usually comes with a powerful run then, she is my best 2yo miler but she was'nt good enough in the end... maybe a step up to 1m1f will suit better, but definitely got that BUZZ from it.



I am concerned as well Keith, something came up the few days before the first upload window and i only had 2 for the first week, i managed to get the majority of the rest of them entered in week 2, leaving the 2 which have marks already out (thought you could enter 2 in the same race). Think i have 10 left to get a run in week 3... afraid they'll have to go straight into listed company to get a mark.

Thanks for the feedback regarding the topic lads, much appreciated.. and good luck in week 2!

I tend not to really put "effort" into my stables. I have so much fun just training and watching the race sims i could go 20 game years without exporting... mostly because i never tend to have anything good enough, but 20 years nonetheless. Hell, i have a game save which i am well over 300 seasons in!

Whenever i hear of cheaters; i try to give them the benefit of the doubt, after all it's best not to judge until all is certain. Even when things are proven; it doesn't bother me too much. All it does is show that i have more going on in my life than these people... which makes me happy as i have always been considered one of those "no life" individuals.

very well said mate

Welcome to the league. If you want me to have a word with your girlfriend I'm sure I can make her understand

Do not worry too much about the cheating, it shows how badly people want to win. You also have to realise that what people define as cheating varies a lot, some people don't like horses being gelded, the game being crashed and then continuing to breed from the 'gelded' horse. Now I personally don't see the problem with that, if a horse needs to be gelded for it's best performance then I would never breed with it but other people play differently.

I prefer to play the game like a purist, I have one save game, stick a standard schedule in there and play it accordingly. I never really worked out how the horse transfer pool worked and only completed 41 seasons. If someone wants to tweak the schedule massively, have multiple save games to find the best game horses then go for it, I've got enough hassle!

The thing I find most disappointing is the reaction to cheating, the mock outrage holier than thou stuff. This is just a game, we'll deal with it with no massive fuss and get on with things. Flouncing about like a diva is pointless.

Now I need to find a copy of excel asap or you boys aren't getting any races this week!

Some excellent points there guys. The whole cheating thing rares its ugly head in every aspect of life. I personally don't see why people would put so much effort into cheating on a non profit game to win. What's to gain? Nothing. People will get nowhere in life if they cheat, certainly not at this level. I don't think everyone has a right to know who cheats, they should be just banned for good and nothing said about it. When it comes out, it just makes some people paranoid and causes stupid arguments on the forum which are pointless. In the end, its just a game a great one at that. I don't know why anyone would cheat because it just takes all the fun away from the game. The last few years of my life have been pretty tough to say the least. I've had several near death experiences and multiple brain surgeries. Playing this game and taking part in the league has gotten me through some dark times. I don't need to come on here and see every discussion break into a full on argument, its off putting for me and new members. I just think people need to realize that at the end of the day its just a GAME. Some people don't know how good they have it. Yet they continue to put people off this game, the league and the forum itself by cheating or otherwise. Okay rant over. Rich I hope you found that copy of excel! Really looking forward to see how Eric Kelly does.

I am really excited for SO5. In fact i am so excited i have already selected my game colours!



40 runners in the National is gonna be sweeet!

Microsoft are a bunch of £*Q&*)£&^). Won't let me download Office 2010! Trying to sort, at least we haven't got handicapping to do otherwise we'd be screwed

is ck going to give handicap marks Rich

Yes, for most people's horses. All of yours will be getting 10lb penalties for being so good though.

ha ha only had 2 winners last week Rich