I'm Not Sure What Simblr's General Opinion On This Is, But Peeking Back In After My Long Hiatus, I Have

I'm not sure what simblr's general opinion on this is, but peeking back in after my long hiatus, I have a lot of thoughts...

In my opinion, Patreon killed all of the momentum that ts4 simblr had pre-2020. I think we all know a lot of the bigger issues- permanent paywalls, creators doxxing and bullying, cliqueing up and sharing info- but I mean even besides that. I mean specifically early access, two to three week delays for releasing cc, the version of paywalling that most people (including myself) accepted.

It's good that creators were able to get paid for their work, especially during the pandemic. But I think, unfortunately, it had other effects too. I remember back then, being disappointed at how much was eacc, and that was only like 25% of the cc coming out, and it (almost) always was popular creators with high quality work. But slowly but surely, nearly everyone moved to patreon (which I've noticed has caused a lot of cc to be forever lost once patreons were closed/deleted) and 99% of the time it was early access or even exclusive. Many people started blogs with early access cc from the get-go, without having a presence beforehand, and those blogs seemed to be some of the most focused on blocking anyone that shared their cc. The cc varied in quality- it could be simple mesh edits that were still mostly ea, or recolors, or even just patterns sourced from other sites. It didn't matter what it was, it was just content for money, anything to pad out the month and keep patrons. Creators would do early access and then link the cc through adfly or to TSR or simsdom/simsfinds, one by one, even if it was supposed to be a pack. It wasn't bad enough to call out, but it was purposeful.

CC on tumblr became a business in a way it hadn't before, even with other paysites in sims history. And while some people are happy to donate to creators they like now and again... most people either can't or won't. Many simmers are children, and many simmers are adults with strict budgets, especially during the pandemic. And truth be told... they probably got bored. Because it's all terribly boring. CC shopping isn't fun anymore. It's the briefest serotonin seeing something interesting on your dash and then instantly flying away when you see you'll have to wait almost a month for it. And if it wasn't a creator I really liked, I forgot about it instantly after that... sometimes even if I really liked them. Motivation dropped. People stopped being excited, and stopped playing.

Nowadays, it seems even worse. Because the amount and variety of cc and creators has dropped drastically. I'm shocked to see 2-3 cc posts per day, if that, most of them paywalled. It isn't just cc posts either- used to you couldn't look in the s4cc tag for cc, it would be so crowded with non-cc sims posts, but now it's depressingly easy... and empty. Lookbooks, edits, gameplay, cc, it all seems more sparing. And you don't see the same creativity, the same fun random little items, stuff that was interesting even if it wasn't necessarily perfect. Or wild ideas or cc that would appeal to certain small niches. Because that isn't profitable, is it? When you need to create a certain amount of items per month at a certain quality to keep patrons and therefore income, you have to strategize, for good or for bad. Some people are able to do that, and while good for their business model, it limits what they can create and how much energy they can spend on each item. Some people aren't able to do it, and burn out and leave. Either way, creativity suffers. Enjoyment suffers. Creators leave from the passion being sucked out of their hobby; non-creators leave from frustration and boredom. And you're left with a handful of creators still going by their cc business playbook, month by month. But how long can those few sustain themselves?

It's natural for communities to ebb and flow, or even completely die out, but ts4 simblr had been going strong for years before this overall, even if it was in waves. In the pandemic, it should've flourished the way other many other communities did, especially gaming focused ones. But, it didn't. Instead it slowed down, more people left than the amount coming in, the engagement died down, and it seems like as a whole custom content hasn't advanced at all. Maybe it would've happened anyway, but I honestly think patreon contributed a lot. Also, ts2 and ts3 communities weren't affected in the same way, afaik, which makes me think it was paywalls even more.

Can it be fixed? Maybe. If paywalls weren't as much of a thing anymore- and I don't mean completely gone, but just a fairer ratio- I think it could. But now that it's become a standard, I doubt that will happen. I think most people have moved to other places where they don't have to deal with it, like discord servers, and simblr will continue to lose momentum.

It's good for creators to have the option of getting some income for their work, but I guess I'm just saying... at what cost? Beyond the monetary? If you're not super popular, are you even making enough for the added stress to be worth it? If you are, is this going to be satisfying and maintainable long-term, without burn-out/effects on your mental health? Who will pay for it when the number of players keeps dropping? And will this continue on to the Sims 5 community in the future? I honestly hope not.

More Posts from Anich17 and Others

anich17

1 year ago

Wizards (1977)

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anich17

6 years ago

I request Yamori surviving his fight with Kaneki, coming back at some point and meeting Naki’s nine children. Also did Naki get sex Ed from Tsukiyama or something? Because last time I checked this cinnamon bun didn’t know how to write, never mind sex.

- Oh Tsukiyama 100% gave Naki sex ed. But the Gourmet probably used Touka and Kaneki as an example to lead into this discussion.

- this resulted in innocent Naki asking Touka about it and Miza nose bleeding, until pregnant Touka still beat Tsukiyama’s ass with her kagune.

- When he returns, Yamori is stunned to see Naki a) alive and b) married and c) married to Miza.

- Miza is not thrilled with Yamori - she never has been - but she accepts him for Naki’s sake.

- Naki tells Big Bro how he always buys presents on his kids’ birthdays for them ‘just like you did for me.’ Big Bro definitely doesn’t feel a lump in his throat, or a prickle in his eyes. Nope. Definitely not.

- He totally does.

- Yamori has fun play-wrestling with the brood, though he’s slightly unnerved by their cunning natures and sheer numbers advantage.

- The Nakimiza brood likes climbing “Mount Yamori.” This has resulted in many photos and videos that Miza savors. And distributes, to Yamori’s dismay.

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anich17

2 years ago

why does this whole scene look & sound like a YTP

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anich17

2 years ago

I have forgotten to share what I’ve been up to lately…

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anich17

5 months ago

"Vi was the real Jinx" "No Hextech was the real Jinx" "No Jayce and Viktor were the Jinx for creating Hextech"

Arcane fans are all so fucking stupid and y'all deserve this stupid ass show. If this show had even a modicum of intelligence its thesis statement would have been that institutional oppression enacted by Piltover against Zaun was the real jinx and rot of show, finally giving rise to a monster coming to Jinx them back and be the reckoning for all their sins. Instead they give us that fuckass idiotic episode 7 that attempts to pin all the blame on Hextech and pretends like the horrible conditions of Zaun and cruelty of Piltover didn't already exist long before Jayce and Viktor cranked that damn crystal. Not only that, they go and martyr Vi which just gave the lowest bottom of the barrel members of this fandom a chance to accuse her of being the "real" jinx. This show is unserious garbage and its moronic fans deserve it.

Snippet - A Monstrous Suitor - Forward, but Never Forget/XOXO

“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a nation, must be in want of a wife.”

Just, y’know, don’t let him anywhere near your actual family….

Forward, but Never Forget/XOXO - on AO3

During brunch, Chross—the old prankster—sits Silco beside fashionable matrons and their eligible daughters. One by one, Chross makes a show of asking Silco about his private life, and the privations that go hand-in-hand with his seat of privilege. A farce worthy of the Demacian Bard. Silco plays his own part impeccably; half the game is being a good sport.

During a lull, he leans towards Chross and whispers, “Digging an early grave?”

They’re old allies; Chross can take a joke. Even if it’s only half-playful.

Chross offers a yellowing crescent of a grin. “Come now, Silco. One can do worse than choosing from such colorfully-arrayed dolls.”

“Shall I take them home to Jinx?”

“Jinx is young and has her whole life ahead for dollies,” Chross chides. “You, on the other hand, must choose one on the shelf. It will be a political statement. A symbol of inner stability. Our leader can’t have a reputation as a hot-footer.”

Silco circles a fingertip across the rim of his teacup. Pomegranate tea. An offshoot of a successful Ionian trade deal.

“I’ll survive.”

“Take it from a shriveled old relic. Many a gentleman survives the gilded halls, only to be gutted in the ladies’ boudoirs.”

“I do enjoy a good gutting.”

“Don’t tempt fate, my boy.”

“Nor should you.” Silco smiles, mouth a slash of serrated ivory. “Otherwise I might propose a union.” At the look of bemusement on Chross’ face, he unhurriedly corrects, “Oh no, dear friend. I don’t mean between old vipers like us. I mean with one of your charming daughters.”

Chross laughs—a horrid faux-cheerful whinny. “Would you? Delightful!”

Pecking a sip from the edge of his teacup, Silco kisses the red droplets with his teeth. “No less delightful than they. Candidly, it’s hard to choose. Marlene is so fiery. But I’d burn out for her in no time. Bianca is sweet, but a romantic. She’d end up disillusioned at best, heartbroken at worst. The best would be your eldest. Esmée. She’s the most patient. That’s what Zaun needs.”

Is that a glint of dread in Chross’ rheumy eyes? "She’s fond of you, too.”

“Of course. We share a common perspective.”

“That you are an inveterate monster.”

“Precisely.”

They trade practiced smiles. The subject is dropped, as it always is.

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anich17

5 years ago

My favorite part about the Venom movie is when people tell me how Carnage/Cletus Kasady, a character I have had passion for since the 90′s, is wrong from what I know. Like, brah, I know everything there is to know about him. I’ve bought every appearance since issue Amazing Spider-Man 344. I know this character more than you do. Red isn’t different from Cletus.

Cletus is literally Red. Every host from Maurice “Moose” Mansfield to Silver Surfer to John Jameson to even Norman Osborn act like Cletus Kasady. Why? Because Red has Cletus’ personality. They are one in the same. A symbiote picks up all of its first host’s traits. Carnage is Cletus. Cletus is Carnage. It’s why they say “I” instead of “we” like Venom. Hating Cletus is hating Carnage. Hating Red.

Red was only called Red in issue 362 of Amazing Spider-Man. Only reason I roll with it is because Cletus alone isn’t Carnage. His symbiote bonded to anyone else isn’t Carnage. Only together are they Carnage. Just like how Venom is only truly Venom with Brock and his symbiote.

He only mentioned Red ONCE as a female (I can live with this and kinda like it honestly), and that was Carnage USA where he referred to Red as his wife. The other was a Deadpool book that was non-canon to which the symbiote appeared as a woman. (Again I like it. It makes it more interesting). My point is, this is a character that defined who I am since day one. You are entitled to your opinion, but when I spout facts, don’t assume I am a liar. In fact, change my mind on it. I hate coming off as a self righteous guy, but to have people shame you for knowing a character you loved since the first appearance feels like shit.

To those who read the entirety of what I said. You rock. Here, have a Carnage Family Portrait.

I’m over thinking this and I am drunk. But damn does it still mess with me.