While I agree with most points that have been brought up in this discussion (especially after a look at some more recent submissions), I can't help but feel a little bit touched in a negative way and discouraged, as well. Since I very rarely do fan-art (at least at this point), and am quite a far cry from pro (definitely can't compete with those that do commissions), and I did indeed order a green hat with my first quarter submission, in addition to my quite low amount of posts, I feel like I could end up filtered out. However, that doesn't change the fact that the submission took me three days to make, and that the reason for my choice of green hat can easily be understood by just taking a quick look at the character I ordered it for. Heck, before I read this thread I had no clue those sell for loads, and for now I'm not that desperate anyway.
So, while I see where y'all stemming from, I can't help but see that it might be unfair towards some. I tend to lean towards ending participation rewards or even the whole loading screen submissions thing altogether, but on the other hand I'm also all for loosening the borders to include more than drawings. I just see that certain quality filters could become problematic and it may become difficult and take time to weed out the bad stuff effectively.
Speaking of no participation rewards - in 2009, when I was 13, I submitted two artworks for the loading screen thread, which had no rewards back then. Both took about a week or so to make, and both made the cut. I recently dug them out and boy oh boy, they were baaaaad
Edited by Simona, 04 April 2017 - 09:53 AM.