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merteazy — Guide to Alien Enough Designs
#alien #enough #oct #ref #xotiathon
Published: 2017-07-16 23:13:32 +0000 UTC; Views: 4721; Favourites: 42; Downloads: 14
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This is the guide mentioned in the Character References and Rules and Information journals.Related content
Comments: 82
Yes, that species fits our requirements!
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Awesome! thank you.
I will work on the character, giving them a few weaknesses, strengths and powers.
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Perfect; just link us in a comment or note once you've completed your reference.
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Would either of these be eligible for the tournament?
(Please note the multiple eyes on both, as well as the fact that all 'neon' parts are bio-luminescent; the first is a commander of a space fleet, and the second is her second in command. They are also telepathic!~ This is NOT however, the reference I would use for the tournament--I've had these characters for a while, so this is their simplified refs. I would make a new one if they pass~)
P.S. I am a little confused on your rules when it comes to anthros and animal-like aliens; it says as a general rule, if the base animal is identifiable, the design will not pass--but then, for some of the passing designs, I can easily tell the animal it was based upon, ESPECIALLY the canine ones. It seems really case-by-case and kinda unclear. Not to mention, in the comments, someone with a design far more complicated and unique than the 'passing' canine-like designs on this form (in my honest opinion) had to change the design multiple times to meet your standards, which made things even more confusing. Please clarify your rules a bit for me, when you can--I'd really appreciate it! <3
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The first design may be acceptable (I would need to review it with the others) but the second one looks a bit too much like a rabbit!
The rules are very much case-by-case! The rule about the base form not being recognizable is a good starting point. However, we will accept designs if there are enough non-earthly qualities to it, though they are very very borderline. Basically, we accept them because they technically meet the criteria, but it would be better if the base animal was not visible at all. Example in your cases here: the second one is basically a green bunny with a horn and fluffy neck. The first could be a fox or it could be a bunny, or it could be a bunny-fox. The addition of the eyes adds a quality to it that makes it very unearthly. Comparitively, if you took your second design and gave it a similar fox tail, it would instantly break it off from just being a bunny.
In the whole scheme of things, its really challenging to pass things as it's really all opinion-based. Your opinions differ from ours and, heck, the three of us judges often disagree on what is and isn't alien enough! I think your top design is passable, but the other two may not. If they don't agree with me, then I'm outvoted. This happens a lot with our designs and it can't really be helped since sometimes you simply can't get everyone to agree (this is also why OCTs generally have an odd judge count, because if we don't all agree it comes down to majority). Hope that helps!
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Ahh, okay! That makes a lot more sense, though it does indeed make things a bit nervewracking when it comes to sending in designs and such, since a LOT of love and care may be put into a design that you cannot be SURE will pass (especially given this guide, which clearly shows far less complicated/original designs, especially ones that still resemble animals, passing with no issue; I mean, the third one at the bottom is just a dog with sharp teeth, antennae, and a scorpion tail--the canines still are visibly canines, and have just about as many changes as my second bunny alien). It may be a good idea to formulate a far more specific base rule, or tweak some things, so there's something people can cling to 100% that will eliminate a great deal of those who are 'lazy' or not 'alien enough' with their designs. Plus, a more specific rule will also keep you guys from having to 'double review' designs--having people ask you about the designs, then having to review them AGAIN with the other judges. ;w; As of late, the way the visual examples are presented makes what you want seem WAY less specific than it actually seems to be!
Also, with the second one, I do personally think our opinions differ; while it does look a lot like a rabbit, it has eyes on its ears (almost exactly alike to the first, only in a different spot), eyes like a bug or 'grey' alien on its face, a horn, and spots of bio-luminescence--not to mention telepathy and abnormal body color/ear size. For human designs, 3+ alien features would help it to pass, and--well... you can see how it does get a little confusing/contradictory there, in reference to other design types! X'D Their overall 'species' IS meant to look somewhat like bunnies, this is true--that's their kind of 'gimmick', if you will. A cute little fluffy creature that is actually a highly intelligent, sapient being in a space fleet. I mean, after all, all 'alien' means is that it is not of this world, so... that's super debatable, unless it's literally just a grey wolf with wings, or something like that. Though, regardless of if either of them pass or not (this is your guys' thing, so what you all say goes), I do think both designs give off a very alien vibe, and due to attachment and using them for other things, I'm a bit unwilling to change the designs. I was really hoping that the second one would pass, since I like her design just a bit better (and it would be hilarious to see a telepathic, two-foot-tall alien bun competing against a ton of big, crazy aliens--Bea is a lot more than she seems, and big things come in small packages), but if you don't think it's enough for this competition, I understand! If the other judges also think the same (or, different, for the first one), I could always make a fresh design or something. Thanks for getting back to me, btw! <3
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Sorry, but we'll have to agree to disagree on this. The examples you pointed out aren't alien are very alien to us. But I'm not going to argue that with you because it's not going to do either of us any good.
I'm honestly not really sure what you're trying to say or how it would work since, as said, everything here is very very opinion based and there's physically no way to put a hard-fast rule on it. Designs are just WAY too varied to put a stamp on it, and if we did it would be a mile long. We feel our current standards are simple enough and clear enough. I'll definitely link this comment to the other two, though, and have them see it but I can guarantee we likely won't change how we review this late in the game! Feedback is never a bad thing at all though ^^
In regards to people putting a lot of care into their designs, while I understand that, it's just something you gotta get used to in OCTs. People HAVE to change things sometimes. It's a critique and if you're too sensitive about a character to change it then you shouldn't put that character into something like this. 
In reference to the parts added onto the bunny design, the fact of the matter is the design choice are way too small to be noticeable. The ear-eyes I didn't even register at all, which might just be your art style (which is gorgeous!) but if it's unclear to us then it'll be unclear to others. The luminescent markings can't count because you could put glowing spots on a dog and call it an alien at that rate. Telepathy is irrelevant to a visual design. If someone took a human, made it green and gave it spots and eyes on its hands we wouldn't accept that either.
But yeah, this rule and everything is very tricky in general and it's not really possible to explain it stead-fast. So it's completely up for individual debate. But I appreciate you trying!
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Oh nono, I wasn't trying to argue! I simply like to discuss things like this, because it's the only way I can truly come to understand. See, I've never really come across an OCT, so my experience with it is limited--and, I think one of the largest sources of our disagreement is that I am also taking literary elements of my design into consideration. I see their whole alien society, abilities, and how, well, *alien* it is. How unique it is. Maybe, since literature is also allowed in this competition (that's what I planned to do in this--I love to write, and didn't plan to use the visual element), the literary element should be given more attention and taken into consideration as well to determine qualifies as 'alien'? I mean, there IS a literary portion to the application form--just a suggestion, though! X'> I know this is, mainly the visual part, just ramblin' while I try to get a grip on this!
In reference to the character criticism, it's not that I'm sensitive to the criticism you're giving--I do understand what you mean, and I recognize your opinion on my design(s)--but my unwillingness to change the design comes moreso from the fact I had them BEFORE this OCT (I did not create them for it, and have never been in an OCT before), and therefore I simply don't feel like taking the suggested criticism. It's nothing against you or the others, and like I said, if I would like another crack at participating, I will simply make a new design specifically for this competition more in line with your standards. I was only curious, see--I wanted to know if I could use characters I already had and liked to draw for a competition~ That's all. Our standards for what is alien and not are very different, and I have no issue with that. I did not mean to insult if I did! I would just suggest--AH! I have an idea~ Instead of using these visual examples, perhaps you could ask others who have already made designs if you can use theirs on an official design example page like this? Point out SPECIFICALLY what makes the design pass--and, do so with a rejected design as well. That may help, as they would be actual entry examples. Maybe, you could even snag one before and after changes were made--one that was rejected, but then passed after changes, to visibly SHOW what was altered to make the design viable. I think it may be a lot more clear--especially since these were made with bases, and thus are vague ideas rather than specific examples of what would actually be used in the tournament itself. Just a suggestion, though! I know tone over text is difficult to discern, but please know I mean no disrespect in any way towards you or your tournament!
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It's all good, I understand ^^ You at least thoroughly explain yourself which is more than what some people do! I've straight-up had people tell me I'm a moron for having rules they don't agree with and fight me tooth n nail to get me change them. Like force it almost. You aren't like that at all!
Honestly, I can agree with you on an alien being alien in its biology and world but not alien on the outside! I very very much agree, in fact! I have alien species that aren't passable by our standards AT ALL but I still call them alien! It's simply that in a group with a heavy reliance on visuals, we kinda HAVE to have visuals take priority in some sense, at least with the initial character (not in the stories). Especially since your competitors may NOT be writers and will create comics with them or something else. It's a sacrifice, I guess!
Oh yes yes no worries!! The character criticism wasn't directed at you so much as a general "you", like people in general. Cause MAN have I gotten people fighting me heavy on that in the past. It's really not a good experience having people try to get me to bend the rules for them and putting up a big fuss about it :[ Very UNLIKE you! You've been respectful ^^ Sorry if my words come out a little harsh sometimes! I don't intend it to.
Ooh, the idea of a before after would actually be a workable idea, though! I might have to pitch that as an example!
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Cool!!~ Thanks for stickin' with me--I'm really glad we were able to formally talk, because I cannot tell you how many times something descends into something crazy because my intentions were misunderstood! I'm really glad you understand, about the alien in biology and world thing, too--it helped me to recognize that it's not that my designs or aliens in general aren't GOOD, but simply because this is a visually-based tournament, so even if you understand its alien, or I understand its alien, it has to be alien ENOUGH for even the lowest common denominator to look at it and go 'hey, that's an alien!'. That's why the designs on the sheet have the elements they do (though I think the before and after is still a super good idea!); it's not necessarily that they're 100% what would appear IN the tournament, but the number of alien things they have, and the KIND of alien things they have (sharp teeth, scorpion tails, tubes, etc.) are all super obvious 'alien' things that EVERYONE can recognize as alien or futuristic, even if the designs as a whole may not personally appeal to me. I super appreciate you taking time out of your day to bring all of this info to my attention, and I hope I'm understanding everything correctly! Hopefully, if I have time, I'll be able to create an all new alien character for you guys to see--a really, really good one that's fit for this tournament! ^^ May the best alien(s) win!~
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Same here ^^
Very very much so! I have two of my own species in particular that I feel are extremely alien, but I wouldn't post them into this tourney because one is simply an anthro raptor and the others are technically passable but they just look like giant kitties with many tails aha So at least we aren't hypocrites!
I really, really like the idea of a "before after" sheet, though. I definitely might try to whip that up as a sample sometime!
If you do, I wish you the best of luck!! ^^
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Unfortunately, this design looks a little too much like a fox. Sorry!
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would this character be alright? he can mildly morph and shift shape, but this is his base form.
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Yes, he is passable! While we'll have to review his shapeshifting abilities once you create the written ref to make sure they're passable, the design itself is fine.
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Would I be able to enter with this species?
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Yes, you can! That design is perfectly all right.
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Would this be alien enough? :00
Im not super used to alienish designs so i hope its somewhat ok x'D
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Unfortunately that doesn't really suit our standards, as it looks very similar to an Earth canine with different colors! I recommend blending it with a different animal species such as a reptile or insect for greater variation. It's a good start.
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Do you have any recommendations to anything i could add on or get rid of? :00
And thank you!!
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You don't need to get rid of anything! You have a good base to start with.
I recommend blending some traits of other animals into the design, like giving the character a different facial shape (such as that of an entirely different animal, like a crocodile) or changing its tail to something different like a scorpion's or pangolin's. You could give it spines, antennae, spurs, suckered feet, or any other number of traits - it just needs to look like a new, unique species.
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Oike!
I added some antennae and you caught me while i was working on a
better ref so maybe now you can fully see them and tell me whats ok and whats not!
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That's a good start! He could still use other altered features like physical body part changes, but the antennae definitely help bring him up to speed!
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Oike ghjk How bout this? :'D
Sorry if im not getting a good idea of what you want me to add gfhjkl
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That design passes our standards, thanks for sticking with it! We look forward to seeing your reference.
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Aaaahhhh thank you ghj < 33
Sorry but just wondering i kinda dislike the antlers on his arms would they be ok to remove or should i stick with them? :00
If i need them its fine < 33
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You may remove those as long as you don't remove anything else, and it will still pass!
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Oike !!
Thank you so much fdghj < 33
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Would my characters not be alien enough? They're a lot like lizards, but with stuff tacked on.
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This is alien enough to work! We would require that the details be optional, though. For example: "You can draw less spikes, scales and spots to make drawing them easier."
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Hm. Never had to simplify my characters before. I'll see what I can do, I guess.
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