Custom Edits: Becoming Too Much?

Before I begin, I just felt the need to state that I am bad at writing any type of introduction to anything, blog entries included. My apologies if this makes any of my articles look "funny" to begin with! A proper introduction would enhance my entries, no? With that in mind, you'll notice that my blog posts just jump in to whatever subject we'll be discussing. I have a feeling that you'll get used to my writing style with time, though. Several of my friends have told me that they enjoy reading my blog., so I hope that the same applies to you.

Also, Stormgayze, thank-you for posting a link to my blog in your latest entry. You certainly have more readers than I do (after all, your blog inspired me to create mine) and I'd like mine to be read by multiple people on Wolf-Haven. I certainly do enjoy writing, but if I felt that only five or so people were reading this blog, I wouldn't feel so inclined to do it. Thanks, buddy. *huggles*

Anyways, you visited for WH-related content, not blog-related content... so, let's get onto that! Today, we'll be discussing our current generation of Wolf-Haven customs. I have many things to say, so I'll make an attempt to keep this as organized as possible.

Where to begin? Ah, perhaps with the new custom lines created by Innocenzia (AKA Kenzy)? Though I prefer the regular Wolf-Haven lines better, I have to admit that Inno did a fabulous job with the new lines that she has created. The only problem that I have with the new lines is... well, they're new. I tend to hate new things and changes. Since they are new, and we still have the old lines, we have four different "official" custom wolf lines. However, they are two completely different pairs of lines. Being OCD about perfectionism, having the two sets that are so different annoys me to no end. I love them both, but I'd rather have one or the other.

Here, you can compare both lines. Seasonal belongs to me, and Blaez belongs to Blaez.

They're very different from each other. The legs are placed differently, the heads are held at different angles, and the new lines already have intense shading. I would probably like the new lines better if they were the original lines; again, I dislike changes. They're both great linearts, though, and I applaud the artists of both of them. I just wish that they weren't mixed together.

Ugh, I just granted myself a headache from staring at both of the lines against the white background of the box that I'm typing in right now. Plus, our air conditioner won't come on because the temperature in my house is two degrees under when the AC is set to turn on. My room rises to a good 90 degrees (Fahrenheit) in the summer, so it's hotter than the rest of the house. Heat + headache = disabled writing skills.

Next, let's discuss the Custom Rules and how often they are ignored. Wait, did you even know that we have rules regarding how we can design our customs? If you didn't design your custom or don't read things that could become potentially important, you may not have knowledge of the limitations located on the Custom Wolves page:

- Using pure black (#000000) on the majority of your wolf.
- Bright colors used tastelessly. If it looks like a neon rainbow vomited on your wolf, chances are it will be rejected.
- Excessive editing of the base. Additions like wings or small items like jewelry are fine, but anything more than that and you start running the risk of having your custom rejected. Keep in mind, we are more likely to accept an edited custom if you do it yourself. If in doubt, ask a staff member if something is acceptable.

Also, while it isn't located on there, shading on your emotes is prohibited.  Now, you're wondering how often these rules are ignored...? I can provide an example from each category.

1. Using pure black (#000000) on the majority of your wolf.

Put this image on MS Paint and use the Paint Bucket tool on the largest black part of this wolf. The lines will change colour as well because they are all the same colour.

2. Bright colors used tastelessly. If it looks like a neon rainbow vomited on your wolf, chances are it will be rejected.

Karl already told me that my new custom is fine. But, yes, it does appear that a neon rainbow has vomited on my wolf. And, yes, I just insulted my own custom. Total sparkledog.

3. Excessive editing of the base.

...I'm pretty sure that those lines are unique. Very, very unique.

 4. Shading on any of the emoticons.

As you can see, none of the custom rules are actually enforced or followed. Now that we have had rule-breaking customs, though, what can you do? Like the RP forums, heavily-edited customs have spread like a virus. It's now unstoppable, and you can't stop allowing it now that it's started. If a custom with line edits is denied, the user will become upset because there are other customs with line edits, and it would be unfair to give privileges to one person and not the other.

What's "in" and what's "out" for customs now-a-days, though? Wings aren't very popular anymore, but edits of the emotes have taken their place. We've moved from edits of the bone on the Fulfilled emote to adding text on the emotes to making completely custom emotes. To be honest, I think that emotes like these:

end up looking silly on the Users Online list. They look out of place because they're custom. Yes, I know you want to share your wonderful artwork skills, but your emote looks like it doesn't belong because it isn't the same style. Not to mention the howling wolf emotes... I'd LOVE if we all had them, but they're custom. When only one person has it, it looks silly.

The last thing that I want to write about it the amount of custom auctions in the Art Board. Like, I understand if you want to sell Custom Wolf designs, but you don't need a new topic for each auction. And they're literally flooding the forums; I can barely find an actual art shop anymore! I have no problem with you selling your designs, but I wish we had a separate section for it. Or perhaps a new website for it like that one Kyprus generously made. Unfortunately, nobody ended up using it, but it would be nice if it were used.

Adding onto this, I have seen some designs go for extremely high prices. Teanna paid 800 Points for two separate designs. I mean, come on... that's 80 GBP, which is about $125 in US Dollars. If you had a design in mind, you could technically get a custom coloured for free... but 80 GBP? You could probably buy a 48 by 48 (inch) print of a custom art piece made by a famous artist, along with a frame, for 80 GBP, and you're spending your money on... pixels? It's not just Teanna, either; other people are paying large Point amounts for designs. I'm pretty sure that Karl has easily made over $1,000 of a profit from Wolf-Haven, and most of it is coming from people who pay ridiculously high prices for their customs. Do you know how many Points I paid for my new custom? Zero. I sold some of my ChickenSmoothie pets for 80 GBP, and I gave Meikaji a 10 GBP donation to give to her friend in return for her work. I kept the Points. Since the donation would have just gone to waste, I practically paid nothing extra for my custom. Yet, people manage to make 60 GBP on one design.

I don't know about you, but the thought of paying that much for something that will (probably) be gone in 30 years from now makes me shiver. Who knows... maybe Wolf-Haven will be open in 2041? Then, it will have gone to good use. I can only assume that some other website will have taken its place, or Wolf-Haven would have simply shut down. Who knows?

That's all for now... Rikkah is begging me to finish. xD As always, feel free to leave your opinion in the Responses. I love getting feedback!

*Please note that all of the artwork in this entry belongs to Wolf-Haven, and all characters belong to their respectful owners.