[Custom Decor] Custom Decor System Needs Reform
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Posted 2023-04-04 11:32:46
I think Phyrric is right: If we are to keep requirements as they are, what we need is to be able to rely on the rejection system to be consistent. I think we can all agree that would be a major improvement to the system, and would relieve a lot of the frustrations that we are experiencing. Much of the currently available information about custom decors is outdated or lacking in clarity/detail, and there is no one readily available to get in touch with about it. The rules need to be clarified too. For example, this is a rule: Custom decorations which are already provided by the game in some way will not be accepted. For example: backgrounds, realistic markings, scars, dirt, minor modifications to features such as claws (adding a gradient, etc).Yet we have dozens of minor modification custom decors such as eye gradients and eye colors. Further, here is another rule: No bases, fur designs, or markings, unless they can pass as actual decors. Acceptable examples would be: body paint or tattoos instead of markings; fur extensions with extras such as expressions, ornaments, and scars; bases with body morphs, galactic swirls, etc.This is directly in conflict with the above rule. It says that scars and expressions are acceptable. It's all very confusing and needs to be clarified. |
 mercurie #35270 |
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Posted 2023-04-04 11:33:35
I'm not in the position to give too many points against that atm, I'll add some on when I'm less busy! But I believe keeping the game looking nice and put together ranks higher than the idea of some players wanting to make decor. Wolvden in the end isn't an art game. Art maybe a huge part of it but it shouldn't be on their shoulders to get more people into drawing. They should forefront think of how they can expand and improve the game and I think allowing much looser restrictions would make it look much more unprofessional. I can certainly see the idea of this post and I don't totally disagree; but I don't think the fix for this frustration lies in less strict custom decor policies. A challenge artists must overcome to see their art in game is the style difference. I think Wolvden is pretty minorly strict with the whole fitting the style thing. Even before the update to loosen acceptation, I was putting out companion decors that very clearly did not match the complete style of Wolvden. I just had to make general fixes of things such as, pixelated lineart, no colored lineart, removing shoulder line (referring to my coyote companion, one of my first where I had to learn these ropes. Will attach images later). Though rejections might hurt you can power through them, if you really want to see your art in the game you CAN, there's nothing stopping you because you get reasons for the rejection. And endless rejections. You can submit a decor and get it rejected until it works which is a very useful tool for improvement. |
 Phyrric #52536 |
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Posted 2023-04-04 12:08:59
 Anyway, here's what I'm thinking, and please let me know how folks feel about this compromise: Instead of loosening up on requirements... • Give us more consistency and clarity with the CD rules and requirements. • Give us an updated CD tutorial that is more clear and specific. • Give us a detailed codified standard for custom decors so we know what to expect. It doesn't make sense that some decors get rejected for being too sharp/pixelated and yet others are accepted despite being very sharp/pixelated. It also doesn't make sense that some decors get rejected for not matching the art style closely enough and yet others are accepted despite not matching the style very well at all. • Train the CD reviewers better. • Give us some people we can reach out to with our CD questions and concerns - Xylax, Ithiliel etc. don't usually respond to messages, and it seems silly to Modbox every single question. If the head artists are too busy with other duties, that's understandable, but we still need people who can respond within a timely manner. |
mercurie #35270 |
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Posted 2023-04-04 17:06:04
I've seen artists mass-produce low-quality decors, putting less than an hour or two of work into them. These decors lack texture, anatomical understanding, etc. I find it unfair that skilled, experienced artists get their quality work rejected while new artists can break the same custom decor rule and get accepted. I am not against inexperienced artists producing decor, however, they should be held to the same standard as every artist. I am also against decors that lack effort or time being created. It feels unfair to artists such as Phyrric who put hours of time and dedication into every piece. |
Koi (They/Them) #45041 |
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Posted 2023-04-09 14:11:16 (edited)
Also, I don't know if I've ever seen those exact rules you posted, mercurie. Those are almost nonsensical lol, yeah the rules and guidelines for CDs need to be gone over again for sure. |
 Thalath #2575 |
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Posted 2023-05-06 19:54:42
There's only 173 custom decors out there compared to a crap ton of players (most of them being awesome artists). This suggests that custom decors get rejected WAY more than being accepted. I really want to do a custom decor considering my artstyle is similar to Wolvden's but I truly do feel that it is inconsistent in every way. There needs to be a major rehaul of the system and there needs to be no double standards. And yes, I get that rejections happen and tbh they aren't bad but it feels like a considerably worse quality CD will get accepted and a higher quality one will get rejected either based on moderator preferences or something unknown. |
 8 Point Buck #113195 |
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Posted 2023-05-26 09:09:38 (edited)
In response to the revised version: I HIGHLY agree that we have barely no one to contact about questions after rejection messages. I've had to go to the head artist and wait for days, weeks, or a month for them to respond to one question. I even have a modbox about one of my decors that is STILL OPEN and has not been responded to despite it being picked up by a mod MONTHS ago. Because of the frustration of waiting for that modbox to be answered, I eventually said screw it and had to abide by the rejection message suggestions. I was complaining in the modbox about why my cd was rejected when there were others that were accepted that were doing the exact same thing I was. There 1000% needs to be a team of cd people solely there to answer questions in a timely manner. The rules definitely need to be reworked/clarified and, in conjunction, enforced by all the artists reviewing CD. I had a conversation with the head artist who was responding to me about a question I had about my CD and from what I gathered, it's not just them accepting the CD, it's a team of artists, with different views on the rules, accepting or rejecting artwork. So not only are the rules inconsistent, but the way in which each individual artist understands said rules. So one artist can have a completely different view on what's acceptable while the other disagrees and would have rejected that same decor. My biggest hurdle was pixelated lineart on one of my decors. I was new to doing more detailed decor, as I had only done small decors that didn't require as much detail. I was so proud of the decor but because there was no way to really ask questions about what I'm doing wrong, I ended up going through a TON of rejection for this one decor which really hurt my motivation and pride in the work. I eventually was able to get it accepted and it's one of my favorite decors that I've created to this day, but the headache I had to go through to get it accepted ruined my want to come back to it to make versions of the decor for other poses. I only just recently built up the courage to come back to it and at least make a default version (the original was relaxed only), but only because I wanted it on my new lead who was in the default pose. I agree that the order in which they accept/review decors is very inconsistent as well and needs to be worked on. I sent two decors out for review at the time and while one got accepted within a few days it took the other decor 2 weeks to get looked at DESPITE the two decors being sent out at the same time. It's not discussed much in this forum but I wanted to bring up the 5gc purchase fee wd puts on the cd prices. If people have opposing opinions on it, please let me hear it! I want to hear why you think differently. The 5gc fee, I also have a problem with, in my opinion. Not when paying 5gc to buy a copy for yourself, but the 5gc fee on the price of the actual decor that other's purchase from. We, as artists, put a lot of time and effort into our creations, and yes, we are using wd assets as a way to make those creations profitable. Them as a PDF alone would have no profit at all (outside of wd), as opposed to the art being put on top of a wd asset (aka the wolf art). But in my opinion, we've already paid them to be able to use them without having to put a fee on the purchase price as well. What I mean by this is we've bought their 10gc custom decor creator to be able to upload our art into wd, and we have to pay a fee to buy an additional copy if we want it. I'd say we've paid the fair share without having to then put a fee on our part of the income for our own creation. At the least, I think it should be lowered from 5gc to 3gc or 2gc. At the most, I think there shouldn't be a fee at all. Like for example. One of my cds are purchasable at 10gc or 5gc and 2ksc. That's already somewhat expensive for a public decor but I only priced it that much because I compared it to similar decors and priced mine fairly to what other's have put out. However, my profits whenever someone purchases that decor are only either a 5gc profit, or a 2ksc profit. Because the other 5gc in the 10gc or 5gc and 2ksc purchase price, has gone to wd, not me. In response to the original post: Like some of the comments on here, I surprisingly also agree with the strict rules of cd having to be close to wd art style. I honestly, agree with what Phyrric says on this matter. Even though rejection it annoying, especially if you're receiving a lot of it for one decor, I don't think wd should let up on that rule to make our decors as close to wd art style as possible. If anything they should clarify on it more because I believe there are decors that have been accepted that don't look remotely close to wd style. I've gone through headache after headache with this rule, HOWEVER, it's what made my cd what it is now and I'm honestly more proud of what it looks like with the revisions than what I original had sent out for first ever review. Since that learning curve, I've had no issues with cd's being accepted for the "pixelated lineart" reason. But have run into other issues because wd artists aren't even on the same page with each other on the cd rules. All in all, I support the revised version of the original post. |
 Sigyn #14227 |
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Posted 2023-05-26 09:30:58 (edited)
Another thing I just realized: The custom decor tutorial thread says something to the effect of "there is no lineart!" Which is plainly untrue. All wolves, items etc in the game have clearly visible off-black outlines, therefore all custom decors have them too. A specific hex code is even given for the lineart color so this just contradicts itself all in all. |
mercurie #35270 |
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Posted 2023-09-06 11:45:04
There are very few players who even bother offering custom decor commissions anymore. I feel like I see another custom CD shop shut down every week. I feel that we as a community of artists have been neglected and ignored, and now that Modbox refuses to handle anything related to custom decors, it really feels like we have been kicked to the curb. It's honestly really sad and discouraging. I hate that my customers often have to wait several weeks or even several months sometimes just to get one single decor approved. That's my feeling on it, anyway. 
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mercurie #35270 |
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Posted 2023-09-06 12:19:40 (edited)
Maybe hire some custom decor approvers/rejectors. Idk. Seems like a helluva waste to do a custom decor. Especially since you not only have to pay 10 gc for it, you have to wait months/year for it to get approved. And really, you are doing the site a favor by submitting a high or mid quality decor. You should GET 10 gc for doing it and waiting forever not the opposite. Point is why do custom decors anymore ? |
8 Point Buck #113195 |