Story highlights
Zara Phillips to star in online equine game "Howrse"
Phillips to become the first member of the royal family to appear in a video game
The Olympic equestrian will offer advice in the game
Phillips expecting her first child this month
It’s a royal first.
Britain’s Zara Phillips, Queen Elizabeth’s granddaughter, will become the first member of the royal family to appear in a video game.
An electronic version of the 32-year-old royal will be featured in an online game for horse lovers, ‘Howrse,’ in which the Olympic equestrian will mentor and guide players in the UK.
Some of her own horses, including her Olympic mount High Kingdom, will be included in the game for players to “own” themselves, game maker Ubisoft said in a statement.
The horse breeding game, which has 50 million players worldwide, allows players to raise horses and ponies, take care of them, train them and enhance their skills and abilities.
Players can also set up their own stables.
Philips, who won a silver medal at the London 2012 Olympics, will guide players through the opening phases of the game and help them complete tutorials through interactive prompts and feedback.
“It’s great to be involved with a game that lets children and adults alike interact with horses, horse breeding and stable management on a daily basis, meeting like-minded enthusiasts through the game’s social features and sharing experiences,” Phillips said in a statement.
“Not everyone has access to ride or care for horses regularly and Howrse provides a great opportunity to really understand more about how horses are raised and bred in an easy-to-access and fun way.”
Phillips and her England rugby player husband, Mike Tindall, are expecting their first child this month.
