ruaidri
patreon
Question- Character Cooldowns?
🕑 Added 2023-03-02 18:55:59 +0000 UTCHey all! If you haven't caught it yet, the animation for February is finished and up in the usual places; the painting is still being worked on (apparently I didn't plan my time well!) but should be finished by the end of the day.
But, I have a question I've been thinking about asking. I'm starting to notice more and more complaints about the lack of variety in the characters being chosen for these monthly artings, and you have to admit it's hard to argue, especially in the animations... we see an awful lot of BFCT, dragon, wolfguy, over and over, and while I do like working with all those characters, it wouldn't hurt to see some of the others pop up more often. Is it time to shake things up and introduce a cooldown on characters chosen for the animation and painting?
Note that this is info gathering rather than a strict poll. If it overwhelmingly goes one way or the other than I'll probably just follow the results, but if it's fairly balanced I'll more... "take it under consideration", if that makes sense.
The exact details would probably be worked out over time, but should be fairly simple; something like, any character used in an animation can't be put forward in suggestions for the next month, or maybe two. It would take some trial and error to get things feeling just right I think.
I don't know if this will actually solve much, but it's an easy place to start at least. Think carefully before you vote, because if this does go into place it would mean that characters you want to see more of could never go on a lucky streak either. Anyone used would always be out for the next cycle or two.
So, what do you think? Cooldowns, yes or no? Is this a serious problem, or a couple of squeaky wheels? Only one way to find out!
Also feel free to voice thoughts or other ideas in the comments if you wish!
Comments
Ruaidri
Aw, well thank you. :D With the way things are set up here I'm a little beholden to whatever the suggestors want me to make, but I retain enough creative control over things to keep it fun and interesting, so we're mostly still getting the full Ru experience, hah!
Justin Carpenter
I want to see you, creating what you love to create. I want you to feel free to go wherever your own inclination takes you, and speaking purely for myself, I'd be happiest if you felt completely and utterly encouraged to create whatever you felt like creating, from day to day. I don't like the idea of standing between you and your creative process. You do you. You *keep* doing you. You doing you is why I'm here in the first place.
Ma'Jeera
I think its fine, but, variation is good, every character deserves a moment in the spotlight :3
Ruaidri
Perhaps! Gonna start with the simplest case of just a simple cooldown, and then fiddle with it from there if necessary.
Sentharn
I like the idea of looking back at old polls for good ideas! The suggestion thread just opened so imma go browse back for inspiration 👀
Harry_Hirsch
Maybe some sort of rolling cooldown? Like a character can't be more than 2 times in the last 4 animations or something like that?
Ruaidri
Hah, well thank you. :P Yeah, let's give it a try and see what happens.
Ruaidri
Well, it's pretty clear -something- should happen given the comments in this post, hah. I'll start with this idea, a simple cooldown, and adjust from there if it seems like it's not doing much.
Jaye Ventus
Honestly, going through with implementing something like this gives you the chance to go back and revisit old polls. I know there's a lot of great ideas in there that I'd like for to have a second chance (And I do agree with Knelt. While I do love ho you've developed the Failed Hunt setting, it might also need to be given a cooldown of sorts)
Jan B.
I think some form of this is needed as the recent themes / characters have been a tad too repetitive and I miss the creativity and variety of the earlier animations. However as have been noted above, strict rules might backfire and you might end up in a repetitive cycle or facing unhappy people. If you can influence what topics do get picked for the voting, by just "filtering" this selection would allow you to influence the direction while allowing people to have their say.
knedit knedit
yes, please, and please allow a break from FH stuff too, it just writes off the image poll every time its submitted
Fal Chavamee
Yes, but I don't think characters should be limited too strictly. If a character is used for two cycles in a row that's fair I think. Especially if they are new. If they do go for two cycles or show up in both the animation and painting, then remove them from the vote to cooldown for a few cycles to allow variety. Also, I think it's fair to say that the people here enjoy your flavor of ideas so if you personally feel something is being overdone you should make executive decisions without fear of backlash. Chances are your gut feeling is right. Voting is nice but mob rule is not. You can employ reason to break up the mob. And why not take it a step further. What if there is an animation idea or drawing idea that you really want to do for yourself. Maybe do one for you on occasion and share it.
Caerdwyn
I'd definitely like to see some variety. As good as it is to put up ideas from Patrons (especially the high-tier), it's the same people. They're going to ask for the same kinks, the same characters, consistently because it's their favorite.
N.B. Eskerata
The only crime an artist can ever commit is the crime of being boring. Most of your animations, for example, are a mile above 99% of the boring grot that I see on E621. Give characters like BFCT a break and let's see the Ferret and the Gryphon get busy.
Iridius, Trash Dragon
definitely yes, I joined the patreon because of one of your lesser-known characters. still hoping to see that gryphon again someday 👀
Gamer Vane
Totally fine idea, variety is always fun! even if the characters or scenarios aren't my "faves" I still dig your style and appreciate the heck out of it.
Jackson triggs
Cant wait to see some of the lesser known characters again.
PsyMar
Maybe a smaller change to start, like no character in more than two animations/paintings in a row?
TheFleta
I joined to vote on the cute birb, i'll be happy to see him in some stuff at last.
Steve
Still waiting for the purple lizard to get hypnoed by birdie, but dragon and amethyst kept winning.
Sentharn
I'd love to see more Original Ruaidri IP (tm) work in the future, so direction/themes would be really cool to see!
Sentharn
I take back what I said. It's not characters so much as scenarios/topics that I get tired of. But that gets real nebulous real fast. "Failed hunt" is the perennial example and that's concrete. "Character X getting stuffed up the butt by Y in [insert scenario here]" is vague but popular, and locks out Nidhala. (Obligatory mention that failed hunt basically locks out ALL of your more interesting characters.) No idea where to draw the line. Good luck though. :P
Bloudin Ruo
I think it's a good idea! I've stated previously that I think more direction on content is a good thing, like introducing themes for the suggestions or character requirements. This idea approaches it from the other direction, but accomplishes a similar goal--To spread out character usage and content suggestions from month to month. This has my support!
Sentharn
that's a really good point...it's usually the scenario that i dislike more than the chars
Lavan
You might do some polling on why different things did/didn't get chosen, I know alot of times there are characters that I wouldn't mind seeing but I wasn't a fan of the scenario that went with it.
Dakgnol
I'd say it's worth trying out. It sounds like you want to have the chance to use more of your cast, and if you're vibing with the idea, it wouldn't hurt giving it a go and seeing the results. Nothing's stopping you from not going forward with it if its causing issues. Plus if you end up making a new character or updating a model or whatever and you yourself really want to use it more, nothing's stopping you from breaking your own rules ;3
Ratatosky
Maybe you could have a rotation of what characters can be used each month. Just save up the suggestions, and put them up when its that character's turn. More popular characters can show up more often.
