A Rant

trig • 2 September 2014 at 11:14 AM

The title may have prompted you to click to this thread. What I'm about to do is a quick mini-rant that has been pent up for quite some time now.

I remember EggCave used to be this fun site where there was friendly user competition regarding the plethora of cool creatures. You had the 500CC demented-goat thing called the Balrog (2009), an icy lion, the Armnmae (2011), the spooky, bony Abet (2012), the pompous Amma (2013), and the unique Aguaille (2013). Those are some of the creatures that make EggCave a pretty cool place - its where all those creatures originated in.

Recently, as in the past six months, I've seen a sort of decline in the "maturity" of new creatures. Of course, the Wahla and Duckbeak, among a few, are cute. Some others, Barthug and Borrox, are the opposite. Cute vs. ugly creatures: that's not my point. What I'm saying is that recent creatures are getting more "childish."

I'm not trying to criticize the artists who created the creatures, but merely pointing out that the vast majority of the creatures are childish. Don't get me wrong: I congratulate the artists who have their creatures made into real pets, but I also am not a fan of big eyes, a pool of exotic colors, and too-much-animal-based creatures. I'm not saying that all creatures must be completely original and not dinosaur/dolphin/bird rip-offs, but some can be unique like the Swornt (2009), Valgrun (2011), Ahjoon (2012), and Vecker (2013).

Does anyone share this opinion with me?

iceiceice • 2 September 2014 at 11:52 AM

@trig
I can see you point and I agree that the critters gave been getting 'cuter.' I would defiantly like some more cooler, scarier, or even amorphous critters. The new critters are atill nice though and I'm not criticizing them or anything, but I would like some more critters like the recent "mystics" (which I find quite unique looking).

However, i think it's just that's style of the artist who create these critters (not the creator of the creature, but the artist). Whoever had been doing the artwork (and, mind you, have been doing an excellent job) tends to embellish the suggested creature. I don't think they are intentially making them "leas mature"; it's just the style of the artist.

Then again, I don't know process of the creation/selection of these critter goes. Perhaps they -are- make eggcave more appealing to younger players. If this is the case, then...i would be somewhat upset. There needs to be a balance of cool/creepy/cute/etc.

Also, I strongly agree on the "animal-based" point. Although I don't mind it having based off a real life creature, there has to be more than "lets change the color, stick a random star on the forehead, and add an extra appendage!"


Sorry for any spelling errors or if it is incoherent. I am
On mobile.

crunchyoreo25 • 2 September 2014 at 12:27 PM

@trig
@iceiceice
Yeah I agree. The creatures nowadays are getting more immature. I mean, it's okay to have a few, but I find it disappointing that they're turning out this way every month now. They should be more original and sophisticated.

I also don't like the way how most of the creatures now only have 'likeable' 1st/2nd stages, thus making it necessary to freeze it. I understand that freezes (i.e. CC) help support Ian, but that doesn't mean that you have to make last stage creatures not very appealing.

iceiceice • 2 September 2014 at 1:40 PM

@crunchyoreo25
Yep. As a result as the critters becoming cuter," we end up liking the younger version. Cute things are always cuter when they are young.

(Sighsigh)

trig • 2 September 2014 at 2:36 PM

@iceiceice
@crunchyoreo25

I think the main problem is that the demography is younger...? The oldies are going into high school/college while the newer players, middle schoolers(?), are more appealed by these "anime-type" creatures (big eyes, bright colors, etc.).

Any other opinions?

@poe
@icedragon3000
@jrock

poe • 2 September 2014 at 2:45 PM

@trig
I feel ya. I'm sure it will continue getting cuter as you say, which is sad, because I like a lot of the not (intentionally) cute creatures. Like the dement is one of my favourite creatures out of all of them here on egg cave, but I don't think anything that came out recently has been similar. The aguaille is also one of my favourites, but I am trying to convince myself I don't need one because I'll never have one. XD

Being a bit of an artsy person myself, I find cute things rather boring to look at, so I personally prefer a mix of other things in with the cute. I mean, we all like cute things once in a while, but it's nice to have other ideas, too.

bribri1114845 • 2 September 2014 at 2:53 PM

@trig @iceiceice @crunchyoreo25
I was hoping I wasn't the only user who thought this... It's not that I hate or even dislike any creatures, I just feel they've been kind of... same-y? If that makes sense? Like, I love dogs and cats as much as the next person, but, spice up the doggish and cattish creatures and I'll love them more. x) 
I am guilty of suggesting a canine creature (corphex) but I submitted that idea way before there were too many... before even the nym was made, but then the corphex was made after the nym...
Anyway. *ahem* Just to be clear before I say this, I love love love daguu's (current artist) style! But I'm hesitant to suggest things because they do take a lot of artistic liberty and changing the design a bit. And every artist has always added stages... likely for freeze potion money. The corphex was supposed to have 2 stages, and the raskoon 1, and it makes me feel weird that they created other stages on their own... partly because they all look the same, just posed different. Same with other critters, too. This is turning into a longer rant than I intended. 😋 
The thing with last stages being less desirable in whatever ways than younger stages irks me a lot too... I think people should make each stage more unique, even just make each one a different colour or something. I hope I'm making sense, I'm on mobile, heh. 
Ive been batting around a loooot of creature ideas lately, (like at least ten) but I'm hesitant of submitting them for all those reasons... That there'll be more stages added, that it won't look how I intended it to, etc. Like, the corphex again, it's supposed to have spiraling horns, but they look like ears, and the front feet were supposed to be huge claws... Wow, that sounded really whiny, sorry, I love complaining. 😋 Not to bash qesque at all either, she did an incredible job, the creatures she drew are my favourites, honestly. 
Im very glad to have seen this post, @trig , because I looove surreal, weird, creepy, ugly things, but I was afraid no one else wanted that in a creature... I'm kind of excited to post my next idea now. 😃 And as a last note - I'm glad you like the Valgrun! Its definitely the best creature idea I've made so far. 😸 
/endrant

spiritkoi • 2 September 2014 at 2:57 PM

@trig As @iceiceice said, it's just the artist's style. As of right now there is only one artist that we've seen. I'm sure there will be more artists to provide a variety of different art styles for everyone to enjoy.

Ian • 2 September 2014 at 3:11 PM

Hehehe... if you're worried about cuteness/youngness levels, just wait until October. *shifty eyes*

spiritkoi • 2 September 2014 at 3:12 PM

@Ian Oo, you making me tingly. 😃

bribri1114845 • 2 September 2014 at 3:15 PM

I feel the need to clarify a bit, forgive me, but I realized I sounded a bit negative up there - The artists have all done a really great job, everyone has uniqe art styles and ways of doing things. I know I shouldn't fuss over small details, especially since submissions are done of all our own free wills, and we're not getting paid for them or anything. x) Though, just saying, if Ian's ever hiring creature designers I'd be more than willing to apply!

EDIT: @Ian IM ALWAYS PUMPED FOR OCTOBER CREATURES >:>

trig • 2 September 2014 at 3:17 PM

@poe

I read in a recent article that since the dawn of photography, art has become more and more abstract. Before photography, someone would have a painter paint a vase of flowers. With photography, anyone can take a picture of anything! That degrades the banalities and the boringness... That being said, artists took it upon themselves to create more stimulating pieces. I think EggCave needs more stimulating/interesting creatures given we have so many animal-based ones. Thanks for replying. 😊

@bribri1114845

I'm glad you saw this thread! I wanted an oldie to read this. 😸 I don't have anything against Corphexes - they're unique in the sense that they are two-colored and show a variety of stages (teddy-bear like to ... legendary pokemon?!). If you look at the recent ones, they just seem the same. I hate to call people out, but the Wahla looks like the same thing just in different positions. Same thing with the Purita and the new monthy, Sweesh.

I don't really care about un-cool last stages. It is an obvious, and worthwhile, incentive to get CC! And it is fair to make a less desirable stage to get CC. Don't have the money? OK, no problem. Get another one! xD Uniqueness on each stage is important... I should add that to my main post. Loved @qesque, too.

@spiritkoi

I agree. Just posting to amplify some users' concerns... I'm glad most of EggCave is liking the creatures (according to Site Blog) but it's also important to shed light on the other side.

EDIT: Just took a good moment to write the post above that I didn't see @Ian's comment -- I've been asking my sister to save her CC till October. #justsayin

spiritkoi • 2 September 2014 at 3:26 PM

@trig I understand. Sometimes it gets a little repetitive. I'm sure some more artists will come. ^^

bribri1114845 • 2 September 2014 at 3:27 PM

@trig Oh, certainly, if it was me getting money for the freeze potions, I'd be making wonky last stages intentionally. 😉 I think I'm just personally annoyed that I cant afford to spend money on this site. 😊 I definitely see all sides of every point here, though! (And saying the corphex is like a legendary pokemon is the highest of compliments... youre a gem 😃)

Deleted • 2 September 2014 at 3:34 PM

@trig
As I've been reading this, I can't help but to nod my head. XD
The past month's creatures are yes... kinda filled with cuteness, I have to admit that I was attracted to the hulae because it looks so fluffy O.O I was disappointed with the bug and fish month though. Mostly because I'm not a fan of bugs but then, also because it doesn't look quite appealing.. to me (this is only my opiiniioon XD)

And you know, I really want to be an artist here but I'm not 18 yet ☹️ And I have to buy my own drawing tab so I can draw faster XD But yeah, when I turn18. Oh I'm so gonna buy myself a drawing tab. (well, I already have one but I want the one with stylus) And, I think the artist as of now has done her job greatly. 'Cause all she have to do is like finalize what the chosen creatures for next month is, render it a bit, color it then poof! it's done! It sounds easy but it really doesn't, it takes quite a time for it to be finished <- this is based on my experience, but in my case I draw people XD

I'm really excited for October though! I don't know if you've seen my Gaskarth suggestion but it was originally for this month, but I'm still hoping it'll get made, I have lots to suggest for October though. You know, like the Abet but more intense. This time I'm going Egyptian XD

P.S
I'm really so happy you like the Abet! I thought only a few like it X3

spiritkoi • 2 September 2014 at 3:42 PM

@shun-m I don't know why, but I feel like that the artist who did the Mackatron and Muska is coming back for October.

Deleted • 2 September 2014 at 3:47 PM

@spiritkoi
OH. I'm not much a fan of the art for those two ☹️

spiritkoi • 2 September 2014 at 3:51 PM

@shun-m It's just a feeling. It might be an entirely new artist, the artist who did the Invernut, or the same artist taking on a new style. We don't know yet.

bribri1114845 • 2 September 2014 at 3:52 PM

@shun-m You're right, in that it is a lot of work to draw the creatures, or at least I'd imagine it is. And it's definetly aprreciated, and the end result ends up looking great, even if it does look different from the suggestion. 😸 I guess I'd do the same thing if it were me drawing them! (I wanted to apply for being an artist too but then the Hiring thing went away, heh.)
(And I still love your Gaskarth, because despite its being canine, the mecha qualities give it its own uniqueness (and i love mecha/robot stuff 😋) I cant wait to see something Egypt inspired, that sounds like a really cool idea!)

@spiritkoi To be honest, I really hope daguu stays... especially if my Nyryk gets made, I could see it looking really good in her style... ah, well, we'll see. 😋

Ian • 2 September 2014 at 3:53 PM

@crunchyoreo25

I re-read your earlier post and LOLed. I find it absolutely hilarious that some people think we intentionally make the last stage of creatures "ugly" to warrant CSP purchases for freezes. That really made my day.

Guys. We're busy trying to make fun features. Not busy trying to be diabolical and rip off our users.

Unbelievableeee

Deleted • 2 September 2014 at 3:56 PM

@bribri1114845
See? it was heart breaking right? (the hiring I mean XD)
And yes I agree, I can already see your Nyryk but hey, if it gets made and turned into a csp creature. I HAVE TO GET ONE! XD Yeah, I just noticed that there aren't really Egyptian based creatures aside from the Chimera, or I might be wrong XD but oh well.

@spiritkoi
I LOVE DAGUU'S STYLE*^* like really really love it! but yes, sometimes her style makes the creature look too cute. but nonetheless, she's such a great artist *^*

trig • 2 September 2014 at 4:10 PM

@shun-m
@bribri1114845

Yup, artists must face multiple drafts and ideas and such. What a hard job! Art is really hard, especially when it has to cater to such a wide audience that may or may not pay...

poe • 2 September 2014 at 4:15 PM

@trig @Ian
I actually just laughed so hard reading Ian's post! We assume the worst too often. 😋

@bribri1114845 @shun-m
Being an artist for something like this would be so cool! I am over 18, but I do traditional art, so...

Deleted • 2 September 2014 at 4:18 PM

@poe
I DO TRADITIONAL ART TOO *^*
CAN I SEE SOME OF YOUR WORKS? ❤️

@trig
I agree ❤️ but I think the best artist was the one who did the encalop and the rest of the csp for that month. IDK why, it's just, vibrant I guess XD

promise • 2 September 2014 at 4:19 PM

This is just my opinion of eggcave it general, this is not directed at or intended to bash anything or anyone.


I personally love eggcave, it has kept me addicted for over 2 years. Between the beautiful, scary and cute creatures I love them all. I do agree that there has been a towards "cuter" creatures but that doesn't mean there wont be a different artist coming soon. I do not think eggcave is greedy. No offense but most people who call eggcave greedy are the ones who don't necessarily spend money on the game, again not directed towards any user. Don't get me wrong, if eggcave had all free creatures it would be fabulous but it does cost money to run a website. I can't imagine the cost of devs and artists. Eggcave NEEDS money in order to say online, and release new creatures and updates. I 100% understand this, that is why I buy CC is to support the website. CC is a choice, I have seen people with stunning coves who have never bought any CC.

EC isn't perfect and I could think of things to be improved but those things are minor. If you think about it nothing is perfect.

Back to the purpose of this forum, I would LOVE to see a different style of creatures, I personally am not a huge fan of the "cute" art style but as Ian said, he has some new creatures planed and I can't wait to see them!


@Ian, I am loving the new features. I had a wonderful time collecting all the items and I made some new EC friends along the way! I love the item trade center 10/10. Keep up the good work!

bribri1114845 • 2 September 2014 at 4:48 PM

@Ian Oh gosh, now I'm lol-ing at your response. x) I think that means either you or I misread the meaning behind crunchyoreo25's statement... I didn't think it meant you guys were diabolical (but I'm glad to know you're not! 😋) I personally am just often frustrated that I want freezes, but can't afford them. That's my problem, though. And yes, we're all cynics. 😋 

@trig Yes, omg making money from art is much harder than just making the art - I've made like, 40-60 dollars on pieces, which is nice, but I cant live on my own with just that and my part-time paycheck. SUPPORT ARTISTS, PEOPLE! ❤️

@promise I am absolutely in agreement with your points as well. I don't mind at all when I don't care about a creature, because theres always more coming! All I was saying is that I'm hopeful for more unique designs. I've been addicted to this site for four whole years and don't plan on leaving, so I'm sure I'll love future critters, too. And of course money is needed to run the site - I'd gladly buy 45$ worth of CC to revive all my dead creatures if I could!
I speak for myself, but I don't think anyone was bashing the site, just criticism and ranting, it happens. I love this place, and I certainly dont like that the people who run it seem to think that all the hard work is unappreciated or that everyone thinks theyre being diabolical, because I dont.

I love you eggcave, thanks for being there for me when I was an antisocial child who needed an escape place. 😉 ❤️

spiritkoi • 2 September 2014 at 4:51 PM

@bribri1114845 @shun-m I think she's staying for good. 😊 I love her style, and so do A LOT of people. OF COURSE SHE'S STAYING! If she wasn't then a lot of people would miss her like qesque.

bribri1114845 • 2 September 2014 at 5:00 PM

@spiritkoi I really hope so! Her style is perfect for adoptables, honestly. I'd love to see how she handles creepy creatures as opposed to cute ones, though.... but creepy-cute is always good anyway. ❤️ If she tries to leave, we'll just have to cling to her legs until she changes her mind! >:^)

Deleted • 2 September 2014 at 5:07 PM

@bribri1114845
I'M GOING TO CLING ON HER LEG LIKE A KOALA IF SHE TRIES TO LEAVE XD
OH I CAN'T WAIT FOR NEXT MONTH'S CREATURES XD

spiritkoi • 2 September 2014 at 5:09 PM

@bribri1114845 Ya, I went on her deviantart and found that she did another adoptable site before coming here. I don't think she'll leave any time soon though. If she does we'll drag her back. >8D