The following is a list of new features added since SO7. This list is in progress. These are completed features. Outstanding features may be missing.
Starters Orders 8 features fully redesigned menu screens. New and improved simulation features. A Jockey career mode. Japanese and French game schedules. The PC version of Starters Orders 8 retains the 3D race sequence and racecourses from SO7 with some minor tweaks and improvements. The mobile game and Apple Mac game uses a 2D race sequence.
Release information:Starters Orders 8 (3D races) will be PC only. Starters Orders Touch (2D races) will be both mobile and desktop (inclduing Mac). Starters Orders Touch will be the most detailed mobile release to date and the desktop build will have extra features and be comparable to SO8 (but without 3D). There will be no jockey mode in Starters Orders Touch.
The current plan is to release the 2D mobile build (and possibly Mac build) around Christmas 2023 with the 3D PC build coming later in 2024. This may change.
Updated 13th November 2023. Scroll down for latest additions.
SIMULATION:
Jockey career mode. Start of as an apprentice and build your reputation. More info to follow.
New bets (win and place): Pre-race Doubles, Trebles, Trixie, Yankee and Lucky 15 multiple options.
Small schedule option. Mostly 1 meet per day reduces races. May use separate schedules (UK). Defaults to small schedule for mobile builds.
Japanese (flat) small game mode with schedule and new courses.
French (flat) small game mode with schedule and new courses.
Brand new GUI. All menu's have been redesigned to be easier to use and navigate.
New silk variations added. 3D PC.
New legends added with improved game integration and editor (not confirmed). Legends now also on mobile. Options to Breed from legends is being considered but can not be confirmed.
Schedules and races updated.
Hardcore mode. This is the SO7 breeding model. Turning OFF now attempts to compromise between the realistic breeding model progression difficulty introduced in SO7 and the older breeding model (pre SO7) which provided less of a challenge. Easy mode will be default on mobile.
Updated trainers and jockeys.
Trainer and jockey portraits used throughout. The game uses default AI generated faces but these can replaced (on all platforms) via an editor.
Editor for trainer and jockey names
Improved trainer AI regarding race entries and horse career progression. Fewer unraced horses and better, more realistic fields.
Graded Novice and Juvenile feature races.
Gallop invite option. Player may invite certain non owned horses to gallop trials (for a fee).
Global stable containing player bred horses independent of individual game. This stable is updated automatically and horses can be moved between different games and codes. Horses will be retained even if the game is lost or deleted.
Simplified auction with single, easy to use auction option.
More realistic prices for unraced horses at the auction.
Improved horse championship/rankings data. Various ranking options.
Top horses and categories reworked and notifications added for various category changes (notifications can be turned off).
Configurable notifications for top horse categories, trainer, jockeys, stallions, gallop winners.
New yearling 'score' at birth may give indication as to future potential.
No limit on save slots and option to rename saves (desktop only).
Stud fees now updated to consider dynamic AEI rankings.
New player score added. Score bonuses awarded throughout the game. Leader boards may be available depending on platform.
Occasional newspaper style summaries pre big group races (race menu).
Listed Handicaps gone. Premiere handicaps introduced. G3 Jumps handicaps also now Premiere Handicaps (as BHA rule changes).
Jockey new params. Fitness (may fluctuate due to profile parameters) and strength. Both parameters may affect riding usually in the finish. Jockey icon flashes during race when jockey is tired.
Jockeys may have mild injuries and fitness setbacks.
Option to choose (or remove) foreign supporting localities before game start.
Configure and specify different race commentators/voices for each locality from a pool. Currently iOS and Mac only
Improved memory optimisation on mobile. Smaller footprint.
Instant emails (for certain message categories).
Horse maturity model improvements.
Recent jockey and trainer stats for current racecourse displayed on race menu.
Auction horse directly from breeding barn or out to grass to correct auction.
US claiming race entry changes/fixes regarding horses with a single run/win.
Horse peak form age pattern and progression improvements.
Form hints for fancied runners (favourite) based on Collateral Form.
Improved global weather realism.
Jockey Rides Since Last Win parameter added.
Post race horse condition update code improved.
Option to move stable location.
More realistic betting limits and restrictions.
Auctions reserves take into account more breeding data.
Notifications for notable newly retired horses (group 1 winners).
Sales highlight notifications for key horses in today’s sales.
Meters/furlongs and decimal/fraction options during game and meters used correctly in form descriptions.
Improved bookmaker Legend odds calculations.
RACE:
Autotrack race view adjusts distance and angle depending on field. Player may adjust distance from field which snaps back automaticaly. Can be deactivated.
Improved race sequence generation code. Race realism and jockey AI improved.
Acceleration/deceleration sim model improvements.
Improved pace code + more jockey awareness of relative pace vs competition.
Gallops. new horse 'reserve' indicator giving feedback on unrealised potential during the run.
Option to use 'old style' Starters Orders 6 commentary retained on all platforms.
Commentary improvements.
Jockey AI pace improvements relating mainly to feature races resulting in less upsets due to poor pace.
Default 3D side race view now tracks leaders close up. Use down/up arrows to adjust camera. PC only.
PC Race sequence. Audio improvements regarding crowds and gallops.
PC: Jockey mode tweaks including better start/break effects.
PC: Jockey (first person) audio improvements (hooves and crowd).
PC: PC: Some minor visual tweaks and/or realism improvements to certain racecourses.
27th July 2023 update:
Global staff pool added. The three basic staff level options (from previous games) are gone and replaced by options to hire staff in a number of roles which have a positive effect on the running of the stables. There is a global pool of staff and both players and AI trainers will hire staff from this pool. Staff may move between employers and have a number of individual parameters (some dynamic) and roles which affect the running of the stables and in some cases provide options to delegate tasks. Staff also have an employment history.
Assistant trainer. Assisted training option. Assistant will attempt to keep horses fitness and condition balanced and ramp up the fitness before a race.
Head lad. Provide gallops feedback.
Gives initial details on injury symptoms.
Farrier. Reduces weekly stable vet costs.
Stud Manager. Required to allow owned stallions to stand in stud.
Allow pairings to be queued. Usefull for sending multiple mares to the same stallion.
Secretery. Activates notifications regarding quality G1 horse(s) in aution and top horse(s) retired to stud and G1 winner race entries.
Groom. At least one groom must be provided per meeting where trainer has a race entry.
Grooms may help calm horses at the start (depending on horsemanship parameter).
'Find a race' search option added to Diary and Legend editor.
Male/Female option for jockeys, trainers and owners.
Breeding queue option (Stud Manager must be employed). Queue mares with unavailable stallions. Breeding will be initiated when both horses are free.
Legends. Some career path updates and tweaks for individual horses.
Legends. Option to view legends schedule (if any) with valid race ref check (in case of user modded schedule).
Legends. Underperform flag for certain races to reflect real life poor performances.
Additional breeding data on rollover for horses aged <= 3 on race card. Sire/Dam + average breed dist.
13th November 2023 update:
PC Race sequence. Jockey mode first person wind/motion audio added.
PC 3D race sequence. Big screen resolution and some race texture resolutions increased. New sky textures added.
PC 3D race sequence. Evening races course fixes to improve harsh turf effects (bright green under lights).
PC 3D race sequence. Various course fixes and improvements.
Extra large pool option also increases number of meetings per day (desktop only).
Big schedule for Mobile (reflects desktop standard size with 2/3 meetings per day).
Non feature race schedule and sim realism improvements.
Game/sim health screen added (desktop). Details rating spread by age for horses and also flags any pool issues for race types and race horse age restrictions. Usefull for testing modded schedules.
Night racing. Floodlights added to Lingfield and Southwell.
New showcase tag added to limit fields: limit:xx (not the same as 'fixed' which specifies field size exactly).
FRENCH style race and horse ratings option added (via trainer menu). Can apply to non french games (via trainer menu).
French course fixes.
New in-depth French schedules (Flat and combined) added along with related changes.
2D race builds. New horse and jockey animations. Silks up to 126 from 30 (to match the 3D game).
Stable rating param added.
TTS commentary improvements.
Auto training option related to Assistant trainer (staff). Option to set globally or for individual horse(s) added.
Breeding with Legends allowed (not any league mode desktop games). May be removed! Breeding fees are very high.
SO8 Touch. Alternative Phone menu layouts complete.
This list is not complete and is subject to change and will be updated.
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