Serendipities

When it comes down to communities, I think it really varies. 

Though I've only been really involved in a single community, I've had plenty of run-ins with other CS communities through Furaffinity and Deviantart. While of course, all communities have their bad eggs and sour apples, I found that one of the bigger issues, particularly in large communities with expensive memberships, is an almost pompous attitude. What I mean bu this is that members often think highly of themselves as "real members" because they were able to afford an adopt (think Grems, which can go for upwards of $600 each.) This is also a problem particularly in the Dutch Angel Dragon community, considering Telephone's frequent mentions of disdain for "fake members" of the community who did not purchase their way in. If I remember right, she doesn't allow anyone with unofficial DADs into roleplay communities or other official locale. This is a harsh attitude that many DAD members fall into, and it's hard to support their actions when many times, young people who make their own do NOT know where DADs originate or what their rules are.

On the note of purchasing your way in, I find it to be a stressful thing to talk about when it comes down to closed species. I am in absolutely no way shaming creators from wanting to make money! It's also a slippery slope I might be getting into here, but by keeping communities elite and for "official members" only is what breeds the high and mighty attitudes that's seen a LOT in the bigger ones. I've seen a number of users be attacked for breaking rules they didn't know about, which is another issue that I know circles back to the Dutch AD community(namely with Telephone's 'no copying this marking' rule.)

While my two cents on it is likely not needed, I think one of the best things creators do for their communities is make it possible to be an 'official' members through other means. Both the Nudragons and Catsune, as far as I know, allow users to earn points towards making their own official character through fanart and gifts, which not only allows people a way in without real currency, but encourages sharing and friendship among users.

 

Redlasunshowers029

I believe that from personal experience, the communities vary. One frustrating thing is the double-edged sword of creativity: on one hand, some species are indeed just winged cats or hybridized animals, but how do you define that creativity? And does it matter whether the species does or doesn't have lore, does that make it a better or worse species, assuming those questions are even ones to ask?

My personal experience with the communities is that creators are either idolized (like Sushi Cats / Dogs and Waterdogs) or clobbered (like so many others I've seen but can't seem to remember the names of). There is very little in between. I had some experience with the two species listed, and it seems some species adopts are, I don't mean to be mean to creators, but... A little much? Not the ones here on FV, but I've seen Sushi cats get snapped up for hundreds to nearly a thousand dollars, and as cute as the art / species is that seems surprising to me. I suppose it's up to people if they want to buy for that much though so that's not a huge hit to production I'd hope.
 

Vos

I'm relatively neutral on the subject. If something costs money, the creator has that right. If I think it's too expensive or it's not in my budget, I can either save up or drop it. It's not a big deal; I won't die if I can't get a particular design. Things like closed characters are luxuries, not necessities or even a basic right.

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Because of something mentioned above, I would like to clarify a particular piece of information. Dutch Angel Dragons are not a closed species. They are an open regulated one. You don't have to purchase anything in order to be a part of the Dutch Angel Dragon community. You can if you want to, and that's fine. You can also make one yourself, which is encouraged, and you can either contact one of the "archangels" (admins/moderators of the species) or post your Dutchie on the Facebook group and if the picture is approved, then your DAD is "official."

Some people may be young and not realize there are rules for the species, they just see something they like and reference it to some extent. Some folks can be harsh about it, there are people like that and much worse in every community really, but I at least try to be polite and helpful; directing new folks to the website, lore, and rules. It really shouldn't be a huge deal, in my opinion. There are definitely worse issues than "oh no, the person who created this species wants me to remove/change this ONE marking." Heck, one of my first DADs was based off one of my parakeets, but I referenced the head from Trico (The Last Guardian). I had to redraw the head to be more horse-like because that's what the species anatomy is. No big deal. I don't get offended if I have to be corrected on something I was ignorant about. I take things as learning opportunities and grow from them.

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I've seen other species communities that are pretty nice, and people who are really unsavory. There are all sorts of people no matter where you look. It's just how the world is; especially the internet where you can so easily dehumanize anybody else. I don't think about it too much, really.
 

Cute

so as a whole, i am pro-closed species
for one main reason

i hecking adore being able to jump into a creator's world and design that i would have never dreamt up in my wildest dreams.

I used to not even care much about any lore that went into the species if the species itself stood out enough by its design alone.

And now there are a few communities that just really stand out because of the combination of lore, community, and designs that just make it really fun to be a part of, and contribute back into.  On the other hand, there are definitely some closed species that either the community didn't interest me or the creator burnt out so fast that the "group" aspect never really formed, so I basically just treat my character in that species like any other adoptable I might buy.  I bought it because I love the design, but I might take it out of the lore of the species and just use it for my own enjoyment.

The community aspect is certainly more fun and motivating, but at the end of the day I don't care either way, because an artist created something that inspired me and I was happy to be able to support them and buy one of their designs!

I enjoy the MYO side of CS a lot more when I'm active in the community, because that lets me share my own designs, but again, it's a design I wouldn't have come up with if the creator had not first created this species that inspired me in the first place.

CS and their communities certainly have their fair share of problems, and the success of many groups has definitely made it look like a lucrative venture for others to try to break into.  I know I've certainly considered it, but then I'd get overwhelmed because there truly is a lot of work put into the most successful communities I've been a part of, and I know I simply don't have that time and effort to give.
 

arts-waifu

It really varies on the species in question, I think.

I'm in several closed species communities, but I'm really only active in a couple of them. And for the ones I AM active in, the communities are good. The mods are nice, the community (for the most part) is positive and supportive. However, other species have more elitist communities and there's a lot of favoritism and the like, and feel very unwelcoming to newcomers. And in cases where it's not the community itself that drives people away, sometimes it's the sheer price to own one and how unavailable the species is to anyone who isn't already a talented artist who can make mad bank on art commissions.

There's also the issue that some closed species don't really have a lot of lore or a world surrounding them, they're just high-priced adopts for pure aesthetic value meant to act as a cash grab, which isn't all that exciting. I like closed species that have an RPG element to them, it gives you more things to do. Levels, skills, elements, etc.

And this is also just my own personal opinion but some of the "closed" species out there really shouldn't even BE closed species because they're just... Not that special or even all that original. (Let's face it, nothing's ever TRULY original these days but you know what I mean.)