MagiStream Creatives?

[sparkpaw]

So, I have a few points for this thread.

First: Have there been any updates on the writing applications? It's still on the front page and closed over a month ago, but I haven't seen anything posted even verifying that things are being considered, so just curious about that. But I had another question and suggestion...

Second: Are creatures ever going to have Side Art added again? I LOVE the creatures that do have it, and while I know all the sprite artists and such that are here are pretty busy, which leads me to an idea that I had:

What if MagiStream had some contests amongst the community for community-made critters, art or writing? Or, if artists or writers wanted to submit something specifically for the site to use, could they do that? I know we have creature suggestion threads and the like but if someone made some pixel pets and wanted to "donate" those to MS could we have a new store maybe where people can purchase these unique creatures for gold?

Thoughts?

[Reima]

There has been some creature contests before, and item contests
Stuff like fully original and hybrids. And I've liked those a lot, I wouldn't mind a new one
I don't think we've had one specifically for side art, but that would also be cool, even if they've been pretty specific with that stuff for a while

[sunsprite]

side art contests would be very interesting! If there was a contest like that, I might participate in it.
But aside from that, more hybrid contests and the like would be neat to see! it's always interesting how people get creative with drawing their designs like with the amagnae sweater contest.

I can't really put my two cents in on writing, though.

[Xenomorph]

Things are still being debated in the background over all the entries--hopefully there'll be a final say on the results soon enough about writing contest.

As for the side art--Glass did all the current sideart for the creatures, but the day she left/became inactive, nobody else in the art department could match Glass' side art skill. I too wish to see more side art on the many creatures we have as I can only imagine how awesome they'd be in a more realistic setting. However, seeing as they aren't a necessity and are just added as more flavor content, nobody really pushed to offer to be the next side art artist. I think a community contest for new side art would be pretty fun--though it would be up to the staff if any of the art in the winner slots gets used--certainly rewards would be given out to the said winners in any case. With as many creatures as we got on the site--there's certainly enough creatures to make many contests for a good long period of time--especially if we have the contests based on a single creature each time.

The downside to that however, is that only the really skilled artists would make their way to the top each and every time. While that's what we'd be looking for in terms of side art, it wouldn't really be fair to the average player in a site-wide contest. That's how I'd understand it anyway but for more deeper thoughts on the topic, it'd have to be spoken about among the staff should this be brought up.

[sparkpaw]

Things are still being debated in the background over all the entries--hopefully, there'll be a final say on the results soon enough about the writing contest.

Yay!

As for the side art--Glass did all the current sideart for the creatures, but the day she left/became inactive, nobody else in the art department could match Glass's side art skill. I too wish to see more side art on the many creatures we have as I can only imagine how awesome they'd be in a more realistic setting. However, seeing as they aren't a necessity and are just added as more flavor content, nobody really pushed to offer to be the next side art artist. I think a community contest for new side art would be pretty fun--though it would be up to the staff if any of the art in the winner slots gets used--certainly, rewards would be given out to the said winners in any case. With as many creatures as we got on the site--there are certainly enough creatures to make many contests for a good long period of time--especially if we have the contests based on a single creature each time.

Yeah, I've been told my art would be good for pet sites, but even I admit Glass had an uncanny skill with side art. I think having contests for some of them might still be fun, especially with any special tokens/items or badges for those who participate- regardless of winning.

The downside to that, however, is that only the really skilled artists would make their way to the top each and every time. While that's what we'd be looking for in terms of side art, it wouldn't really be fair to the average player in a site-wide contest. That's how I'd understand it anyway but for deeper thoughts on the topic, it'd have to be spoken about among the staff should this be brought up.

Very true. I think for the side art, quality would be favored, but I must have missed all of the fun contests for hybrid and clothing design. Those sound really fun and I'd love it if they were semi-frequent! Have been active on the site for about three years (long hiatus between haha) I'm sad I never happened to catch any of them, and anything to increase community involvement might also help with people loving MS for more than just the adorable pets and awesome community. :3

[Reima]

If for the side art contest stuff, maybe each time you'd pick a batch of creatures
Say, from 400-450, 200-300, or 600-800 or what have you, and let people choose which creatures they draw from there, you'd limit the creature pool, but not to just 1 or two creatures. Of course, the entries wouldn't have to necessarily be made into official side art if you don't want to, if there's standards then that's that. Glass' art is amazing and I love looking at it, there's no doubt that that sets the bar super high. But seeing as the side art is just a nice fun little bonus, I wouldn't mind a little contest and variation of art styles and looks there
But that's just my own little take on it~~
You could add rules/standards like
- realistic style only
- no lined work
- if you take 1 creature that's part of a set you'll have to make a version for all the color variants (ex. Male & Female / Serendin variants for each shop / Day & Night forms)
And point out that participants accept the fact that while their art is appreciated it may not become official