Horses of Hoofprint Bay Early Access Journey and Full Release Guide

Horses of Hoofprint Bay made its way from initial announcement to full release on Steam, capturing the attention of horse game enthusiasts throughout its development. The 2D stable management game developed by Germany-based Thogli Studios represents a modern take on classic horse gaming, inspired by the 2003 title My Horse Farm (Mein Pferdehof).

From Announcement to Release

The game was officially announced in October 2025, with developers planning to open playtesting opportunities in the following months. The initial timeline indicated a 2026 release, dependent on funding opportunities and community interest levels. The development team successfully met this goal, releasing the complete game on Steam on November 4, 2026.

During the announcement phase, the developers indicated their intention to release sometime in 2026, with the exact timeline varying based on several factors. This approach allowed the small two-person team to maintain quality while gauging community response and securing necessary resources.

Playtesting Phase and Community Access

Thogli Studios planned to open the game to playtesters during the months following the October 2025 announcement. This playtesting phase provided early access to community members before the official release. The contained scope of the 2D format allowed the development team to focus on core features and gather meaningful feedback from horse game enthusiasts.

According to publisher statements from The Mane Quest, even in its playable state during early testing phases, the game offered approximately 30 hours of gameplay in a single playthrough. This substantial content baseline demonstrated the game’s depth before reaching wider audiences.

Game Features and Core Mechanics

Horses of Hoofprint Bay centers on transforming a piece of farmland with ramshackle sheds into a prestigious stud farm. Players engage with multiple revenue streams and management systems:

Revenue Generation:

• Show jumping competitions
• Riding lessons
• Selling home-bred yearlings

Management Systems:

• Building construction and upgrades
• Staff hiring and management
• Horse breeding programs
• Herd expansion

The game targets both family audiences and adult players seeking challenge. While maintaining family-friendly content safe for children, it offers depth for players aiming to perfect horses across generations and succeed in difficult competitions.

Meet the Development Team

Thogli Studios consists of two equestrians who bring authentic horse knowledge to their work. Software engineer Theresa Thoma handles programming, while illustrator Anna Glinsmann creates the game’s visual content. Both developers played horse games during childhood and rediscovered the genre as adults.

Theresa Thoma’s background includes working at an Antarctic research station, where horse withdrawal led her to seek out horse games and discover The Mane Quest community. Her day job involves creating educational app games for Funline Media, and she cites Zoo Tycoon as a major influence. She describes the project: “I really enjoy working on HoHB because both the tech side of things and the horsie things are well inside my comfort zone.”

Anna Glinsmann moved to a city for university and found herself craving horses and nature, leading her to The Mane Quest community. Without regular riding opportunities, games became increasingly important. Her art style aims for a “playful and touchy-feely” approach, imagining she can pick up and touch what she’s drawing. She draws inspiration from the northern German countryside architecture where she grew up.

Art Style and Visual Design

The game features hand-drawn 2D graphics that prioritize character and atmosphere. Anna Glinsmann’s artistic philosophy emphasizes creating buildings that look friendly and lived-in rather than sterile. Her approach includes preserving natural elements, stating “I don’t like when progress means destroying trees.”

This visual direction creates a distinctive aesthetic that sets Horses of Hoofprint Bay apart from 3D horse games. The 2D format allowed the small team to maintain consistent quality while implementing the depth of management features the game requires.

Inspiration and Community Origins

The game draws direct inspiration from Mein Pferdehof (My Horse Farm), a 2003 title by Limbic Entertainment. That classic focused on mechanics and management rather than realistic 3D visuals, creating what some players found to be a more satisfying experience than contemporary 3D alternatives.

The development originated from The Mane Quest community discussions. When Theresa posted about prototyping a Mein Pferdehof-like game, community member SartorialDragon connected her with Anna based on Discord activity in the Horses & Video Games server. Their collaboration grew from this community connection, eventually leading to the formation of Thogli Studios with The Mane Quest serving as publisher.

This community-driven origin story reflects broader trends in indie horse game development, where passionate players transition into creators and build projects around shared enthusiasm for equestrian simulation.

Modding Support and Player Customization

The developers designed Horses of Hoofprint Bay with accessible modding capabilities. Theresa Thoma expressed enthusiasm about what players might create: “I can’t wait to see what players will make of our game, the horses they breed and the tack items they might add with our very accessible modding setup.”

This modding support extends the game’s longevity and allows the community to contribute content beyond the base game. Players can create custom tack items and potentially expand other aspects of the game through the modding framework.

Technical Scope and Development Philosophy

The team chose a 2D format specifically to maintain manageable scope for a first independent game project. This decision allowed them to focus on core features rather than becoming overwhelmed by the technical demands of 3D graphics and animation.

Theresa describes the scope as “contained enough” to be reasonable for a two-person team while still delivering substantial gameplay. The team has “tons and tons of ideas for additional features and content,” but prioritized launching a complete, polished experience over feature bloat.

Steam Release and Availability

Horses of Hoofprint Bay released on Steam on November 4, 2026. The game represents Thogli Studios’ debut title and The Mane Quest’s first publishing effort. The Steam platform provides the primary distribution channel for the game.

The development path from October 2025 announcement through playtesting to November 2026 release demonstrates a focused, community-engaged approach to indie game development. The timeline allowed the team to gather feedback, refine mechanics, and ensure quality while building anticipation within the horse game community.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Horses of Hoofprint Bay still in early access? The game released in full on Steam on November 4, 2026. It had a playtesting phase before release but is now available as a complete product.

Who developed Horses of Hoofprint Bay? Thogli Studios, a two-person team in Germany consisting of programmer Theresa Thoma and illustrator Anna Glinsmann, developed the game. The Mane Quest serves as publisher.

What platforms is the game available on? The game released on Steam for PC.

Does the game support mods? Yes, the developers designed an accessible modding setup that allows players to add custom content including tack items.

What is the gameplay focus? Players manage a stud farm, earning money through show jumping competitions, riding lessons, and breeding horses, while upgrading buildings and expanding their operation.

Is the game suitable for children? The game is family-friendly and safe for kids while offering challenge for adult players who want to perfect breeding programs and compete in difficult events.