I’ve read through this thread a few times now, so here are my small thoughts on the site, and some of the things that have been discussed in this thread (though not everything, because an overwhelming amount has been discussed). I'm just providing my own thoughts and perspective, so I'm genuinely sorry if it contradicts anyone else's.
Collectibles, collectible scarcity, and the TBT economy
I made a selling thread in January and reduced the prices a fair amount below what I’d seen them selling for previously or elsewhere, and I was able to sell (not all, but) much more than I expected. It makes sense to want to maximise the value of any collectibles sold, but I do think it’s worth considering reducing selling prices if you want to sell collectibles for TBT bells, since there continues to be some demand for them. Sometimes a collectible is worth more to us than selling, because we value it more than the TBT we'd receive for parting with it.
I know artificial scarcity has been mentioned in here. There was demand for re-releases of collectibles, and during 2024 we had re-releases of many collectibles, which has added to the pool of highly desirable collectibles like Star Fragments, Glow Wands, and certain eggs. I hope everyone can get the collectibles they want, though I do think that collectible scarcity (and particularly, having a range of collectibles with different rarities) adds to the collectible nature of them! I think 2024 was a pretty good year for re-releasing collectibles and generating TBT, since there were also a number of bell bonuses that presumably helped to generate TBT currency?
Since it’s also been mentioned, I don’t have any experience with "limited stock collectibles" during earlier events, but I suspect it wouldn't benefit the community for that to return. While it might increase the pool of certain collectibles (and decrease the pool of others), ultimately fewer people may get what they would like from events.
Rules
Use of AI
I think the rules on the use of AI in events is clear, as per the
Art Event Submission Policies and Guidelines, which already states that submissions
not allowed are those,
Similarly, the rules on selling generative AI imagery is also clear, as the
Rules and Guidelines state under 3.2 Prohibited Transactions, “The sale of traced or stolen artwork.”
I agree that generative AI imagery is awful (and often looks weirdly unnatural)! I completely agree with the existing ban of generative AI in event submissions, and in general, the use of it on the forums being highly discouraged. I’ve come across some, but not much, generative AI imagery on the forums, and so to me it feels like a total ban on its use might not be necessary yet (but again, remain discouraged). I wouldn’t like to expect staff to enforce a rule like this, since I wouldn’t expect all staff to be able to identify all cases of generative AI. Similarly, I wouldn’t want to expect regular members to adhere by the rule, because not all members may be able to identify generative AI, especially as technology is only advancing. We have a diverse range of people on the forums, from those 13+ to those much older, those without any knowledge about AI, and those without any knowledge about art. If there was a total ban, I’d hope that the rules are very forgiving of instances where people use AI-generated imagery when it’s likely they didn’t know it was such.
As a complete aside, I want to praise the addition of the Art Event Submissions Policies and Guidelines, since I think that provided some much needed guidance and clarity to art events.
Politics
Briefly, I’d just like to comment that I’m neither here nor there on whether political discussions are allowed on TBT. I’m not personally interested in participating in them, but I am all for respectful discussion and debate if it’s wanted (and limited to Brewster’s Café), though I am sure those discussions are/would be difficult and cumbersome to moderate.
I know that most of the TBT community is very open and inclusive, but I think it's worth reiterating that discrimination against LGBTQ+ people undermines the virtues of human rights, and I want everyone to be able to feel safe and comfortable being themselves here.
Rule enforcement
I saw there’s some concern about the consistency of rules being enforced. I think ultimately there are times when rules are very straightforward, and other times when instances are more nuanced. I don't have any experience with it, but I assume each instance has to be addressed on a case-by-case basis, and so it’s bound to look inconsistent at times. I’m sure at times when certain things are reported or incidents happen, the community doesn't necessarily get all of the information, in fairness to everyone involved. I’m not a perfect human, and I wouldn’t want to expect anyone else to be, regardless of whether they're a regular member or a staff member.
Events
I’ll be honest that I don’t agree with asking to limit which staff should be able to host or judge art-based event tasks, as I think may have been suggested. I don’t think it’s feasible nor necessary. Regardless, just looking quickly, I’ll mention that I know at least eight of the staff are artists, so around half.
These events are all created for fun and to generate interactivity in the community, the prizes are virtual, and the events should hopefully not be taken
too seriously! While not everyone has advanced knowledge of art, most of us can appreciate art, drawings, and craft for what we see of them. Sometimes event entries go to community polls, and they are voted on by both people who are very experienced and others who are very inexperienced with art, too.
There’s been a lot of mention of categorising art further during events, to increase the diversity in winning entries. I think having the three categories for the recent Valentine’s Party task (2D, 3D, sweets) was really nice! I’m certainly open to the idea of experimenting with more/different categories (though I’d honestly be ok either way)!
That being said, I’d like to think that some of the elements mentioned are already considered during Staff Favourites. I think it’s likely some entries are chosen because they’re executed extremely well, others because they are funny, some because they resonate with someone, the entry is particularly cute, the theme or idea is really original, or the medium used is unique. I think a blend of these elements is (probably?) often accounted for.
Lastly, I think categorising based on skill is problematic and impossible to execute well. Artistic ability is a gradient, rather than two or three categories. And those categories would change for different types of art. I don’t see this being implemented due to its subjectivity, difficulty to implement, and the upset it would inevitably cause when opinions varied on someone’s skill level.
One suggestion I have, that I think might be helpful (?) is maybe some sort of staff policy on how to address event entries that may not meet requirements. Maybe it could be standard to PM someone directly, or, standard that it’s always addressed within the event thread, since it seems like there is currently a mix of both, and I think it could benefit if there was one standard method.
Event Awards
There has been a sentiment recurring in this thread along the lines of the “same people winning” during events. I have collated some data (all from 2024), which I leave for everyone to ponder themselves if they like, free from my personal opinion:
* As the person who compiled this, for transparency on any bias, I’ll note my own wins were 7 total, across 3/8 events. I won’t share data for anyone else, though it’s all available to find yourself.
* The data was compiled from the 2024 closing ceremony original posts for Lunar New Year, Farewell to New Leaf, TBT's Fourth Egg Decorating Contest, Earth Week, Celebrating Diversity, Bell Tree Fair, Return of the Haunted Carnival, and Season of Giving.
(Please note, I compiled this myself, so while to the best of my knowledge it is accurate, I’m only human and it hasn’t been cross-checked!)
Admittedly, it would be interesting to determine the number of people who did not win in a creative event, but I don’t want to invest the time into that, nor do I think it would be beneficial. I say that because
not everyone who enters an event, enters it competitively, so it’s not entirely informative about the number of people who are trying their best yet missing out on event wins. To the people who are trying their best to be competitive, I wish you the best.
My personal thoughts on the site
I’ve been a member since March 2021. I originally came looking to trade Amiibo cards, and nearing four years later, I’ve only traded Amiibo cards once! I thoroughly enjoy the site, and depending on how much is going on in my life, I spend a lot or a little time here. It’s certainly within my daily routine.
I understand the sentiments people have on a fear of missing out during events, since I’ve experienced this before. I enjoy participating in the events, but I’m much less concerned with participating in every task these days. As for collectibles, I enjoy collecting them, but I’m satisfied with what I have, and anything I don’t have that I’m interested in isn’t a priority. I do prefer collecting them through events rather than through trading!
I enjoy the community here, and I’ve met a lot of great people on the site. While I occasionally drew traditionally pre-TBT, it was genuinely all of the art on TBT, particularly in The Museum, that encouraged me to pick up drawing. It has been a place of learning, inspiration, but most of all, a safe place to learn and share art. The community was really supportive of it, and I think that’s really awesome. I enjoy the AC discussion as well as the general discussion, the events, helping people in ACNH, and playing multiplayer game sessions!
Overall, I’m happy TBT is here. I missed the hype of starting ACNH as part of TBT, so I’m thoroughly looking forward to enjoying a future AC game with you all.
I hope you are all happy and well.
perhaps making a consistent “honorable mention” section? I know we’ve done that in the past and it’s nice! It’s like, a step above participation, but a step below entirely winning staff fave.
