SilverComet

This is a myth. The only variation in the budget happened between Season 1 (plus The Return of Harmony two-parter) and season 2. The reason we got "improvements" overtime [besides the FLASH software and DHX computers getting better]; is because part of the budget was always dedicated to "research and development" of new assets and techniques that get either incorporated or discarded for the "mass production". Some early examples is a "dynamic shadow projection" used for a single scene in S1E02 [Rainbow Dash spooking the rest of the mane six in the Everfree Forest]; that was only reused 50 episodes later in S4E03 (since it required as much work to do it right as making a new asset/animation from scratch just for that scene); getting superseeded by another more flexible one by season 5.

Think of it this way... For (whatever reasons) you become a greek demigod and move to Mount Olympus to enjoy your inmortality. Since now your body is both inmune to the elements (you always feel comfortable no matter what) and a symbol of perfection; it is expected [yet not enforced] for you to show it with pride (naked) all the time. Since you have still the choice to wear any clothes, would you? Twilight feels exactly the same about the "Princess Regalia". Rarity would digress, but she is a weirdo (for pony standards).

A backstory about their deaths ? Nope. Never. Everything else about them before ? Maybe. -> There are "other worlds" in MLP:FiM; so we may even get a meeting of Applejack with the dopplegangers of her parents.

By creating a completely disconected universe with different rules and history. Counter-example: MLP:FiM and Equestria Girls are NOT "different generations" (technically speaking, each one is a diferent franchise; it is just coincidental that the first 3 EQG movies are also a CROSSOVERS with MLP:FiM). It is common on MLP to "recycle" names and color schemes of characters into the new generation [nothing from the "original" one carries over]; because HASBRO is a toy company that keeps making some of the same toys even years after "the tv show" that promoted them finished. For example, the G3!Scootaloo has G3!Cheerilee as her sister (both are sold well on Europe by colectors), but that did not influenced the current show at all. The "CMC" Scootaloo was not even on Cheerilee´s class at the school until after they met Applebloom [who is a G4 original character]; as there was no relationship between them other than their models and names being "required to be" in the current tv show so HASBRO would not lose their eclusive TRADEMARKS (like how it happened with other ponies like Surprise).

(Technically speaking) That episode of the "digital series" only requires "Friendship Games" [EQG3]; since nothing from EQG4 is referenced in it [he could be just a random love interest for Sci!Twi, just like Flash with pony!Twilight]. -> In that case, the only "spoiler" would be he does not suffocate under the vines in the 4th movie (or maybe he was revived? xD ).

It is "technically" better on multiple aspects (but so was the case for Friendship Games). About 4/5 of the "votes" on popular brony sites like this forum are splitted between Rainbow Rocks and Legend of Everfree (with opinions about what is the "best" being varied). Good songs on both. - - - - - - You should check the "prequels shorts" for Rainbow Rocks (how they formed their band), the "encores" of Rainbow Rocks (there are MORE than those 3 videos liked by CiberHoof). Also check the "BLOOPERS" and deleted scenes (DVD) for Friendship Games. "Legend of Everfree" only has a blooper reel as "extra".

In my opinion, it is unfair to compare a would-be-for-DVD-movie like Rainbow Rocks [that also depends of EQG1 for continuity]; with the longer teathrical "pony movie" (that was in principle ment to be seen independently from the FiM mother series). -> Maybe if you compare the combo EQG1&2 as a whole then... (ignoring the visual/music money update, storywise...)

It is a Josh "blame him" Haber movie... it is understandable =P

You should always check the credits (usually with good music), because at the middle of them (or just after) there is always a final "extra scene" or animation added "for the fans" [the DVD versions of Rainbow Rocks and Friendship Games had those plus deleted scenes on the extras].

The next 3 "Equestria Girls Specials" (Dance Magic, Movie Magic, Mirror Magic <- In that order); are losely inspired on episodes of Season 4. If you do not care for the "imported spoilers" from Equestria´s seasons 5/6 of FiM coming through the mirror; you can watch all "Equestria Girls" content as soon as you finish Season 3 [that is a half season with just 13 episodes anyways]. -> Then you can "get the references" when you watch S4 of pony =)

Few had done this "sync route" between the girls and the ponies [since it was not available until 2016]... Since you do not care about spoilers... I would like to ear (read) about your experience with both "series" [Equestria Girls & Friendship is Magic] by the time you finish with the content of the former and the season 3 of the latter [currently "half" of the content].

Some notes: The "hu-mane" versions of the ponies in the Equestria Girls alternate world are relatively underdeveloped (as they logically had less adventures than the ponies); so if it were not for the spoilers for the FiM series I would actually recommend all 4 EQG "movies" and specials alongside the first 2 seasons of FiM [since on Seasons 3 & 4the "mane" ponies start to change internally]. Through the last year (2017); a lots of small "Equestria Girl shorts" (some musicals, other just 3 minutes mini-episodes) were released; with some happening chronologically after EQG4 (Legends of Everfree); while others "inside" the previous movies [plausible "deleted scenes"]. About "My Little Pony: The Movie" (2017) <-- Actual title While it has a lot of characters from seasons 5 & 6 on the backgrounds; none of them interact with the mane six (or had any significance to the plot or sequence of events). Since the script of the movie was done in the middle of season 4; you can watch it after season 3 of FiM.

Technically speaking, that happened on S3E01 [holo-flashback combo].

It can. Pinkie Pie brought back from "Maretropolis" some cupcakes ("Power Ponies" [S4E06]).

Gloriosa Daisy has her pony counterpart living/working on the upper levels of the Castle at the crystal Empire (seen looking down after Flurry Heart destroyed the ceiling in S6E01).

I think the actual "idea" of the challenge is to face ridicule (and expose yourself publicly in real life as a brony) for $10000 For example: Since I live in Argentina; I should sing the spanish version of the jingle for the toy´s comertials instead of the tv show. Otherwise most of the diners (who probably do not even understand english), would not recognize the "pony" part of the song as related to the HASBRO´s franchise [they may even think I am promoting a new mascot, as part of the Ronald McDonald´s crew].

Are you from Devon, UK? [It says so in your profile...] You should be able to get all of the specific and "rare" merch you want in one of the many brony conventions [as they have in their stands toys, plushies, clothes and much more made by fans, not just toy companies]. For example, the UK Ponycon 2017 on Leeds, UK (still without a definitive date, the last one was on the 22-23 October 2016): http://www.ukponycon.co.uk/ Another one (much bigger) is GALACON 2017 ; already confirmed for July 29-30th, 2017 in Ludwigsburg, Germany : https://www.galacon.eu/ Of course, it is not necesary to fly there to physically aquire most of the merchandising; as it is usually re-sold at better prices on Ebay (or other online websites) a few weeks later.

This is the official tag on derpibooru: derpibooru.org/tags/stellar+gleam

I think I figured out from were this rumor may come... It is not a secret they are experimenting with ToonBoom for the animation cycle of the tv show (based on the experience gained from the movie). They should not change yet fully for the episodes themselves [as season 7 is being done with the classical FLASH); but maybe they are recreating the opening with the new tools.