Retribution

[size=1][b]Sakurasuka[/b], your piece was absolutely stunning. To be honest, I've never seen a greyscale graphic done so well. The entire piece is smooth and clean, and I love the high contrast of it all. And in contrast with what other people are saying, I love your text to death. It blends well, it matches the mood, it looks soft, it's placed well. The only complaints I have are that (1) the big text up top is touching the edges of the canvas, which makes things feel contricted, and (2) that the ends of the small text has a blurry glow. I'm assuming it's because it's a white outer-glow on top of white, but it looks awkward. In any event, I would venture to say this is one of your best pieces compositionally speaking. [b]Kune[/b], your piece was good, but had a few more flaws. Well, to begin with the good, I like the blue effect you did on the flower petal. Unfortunately, they don't cover all the flower petals, only the ones in the foreground, and the color is 2D where the photograph is 3D, making for a confusing coloring. If you were using Photoshop, I would've recommended colorizing as opposed to filling it. The text is outright confusing -- it's grungy, it's too close together, and it doesn't really stand out amid the rest of the noise. The final note would be the brushes that you added. I can tell that you used the same one multiple times, perhaps rotating the canvas every now and then, but the effect is uneven blotchiness throughout. I think a more defined photo would've done wonders for this one. On the whole, I'm voting for [b]sakurasuka[/b]. Great job, both of you.[/size]

[size=1]You know, folks, at a certain point, your voting for the same person becomes overkill. If your favorite is winning by a shut-out margin, don't worry about voting until things become close again. It's just sportsmanship. No need to rub it in.[/size]

[size=1]Yeah... what Jay said... I only have two other comments. The first is the text -- the subtext feels awkward right next to the grungy, big, uneven font. I guess it's just a personal pet peeve of mine to have matching font and subfont, but whatever. The second is another minor qualm, the character you used. Her expression doesn't really fit any of the message. She doesn't look all that rebellious, which is what I'm gathering from the text, but maybe you wanted a passive looking girl. You're headed in the right direction.[/size]

[quote name='Shy][size=1]Having run both OA and Nifty Fifty in the past, I believe that Otaku Awards should remain an event where the person with the most votes wins. Bt continuing to vote for the [i]best[/i'] nominees, rather than the one who is your friend (or whatever) you ensure that the awards themselves maintain some level of objectivity.[/size][/quote] [size=1]Unfortunately, that won't happen... it rarely does. Having members vote for their favorite nominee is something I would equate to high school elections. The President isn't elected based on policy or what they've done, they're elected because they had more friends than their opponent. I fear OA and these user titles will be headed down the same path, even if we let the members vote for mod-chosen nominees. And you're talking about these titles as if they're the Otaku Awards... are they?[/size]

[size=1]I'm still adamantly opposed to letting members have a say in the decisions. It'll all boil down to a popularity contest (i.e. Otaku Awards...), and not necessarily who is deserving of the title. As for having one or two titles per month... that'd be a good idea - a nice way to spread things out.[/size]

[quote name='YellowBarchetta']Wow... they're all really awesome![/quote] [size=1]Sometimes I feel like a broken record... What about them makes them "all really awesome"? What do you like about it in particular? Is there anything that can be improved? Elaborate upon your post, as in its current state it's lacking quality and substance. Thanks.[/size]

[size=1]Welcome to OtakuBoards, Pryderi. Reading the [url=http://www.otakuboards.com/rules.php][b]Official OtakuBoards Rules[/b][/url] would give you information on what the site expects out of its members, and how posting works. Please do not hijack someone else's thread, even if it's for the same request -- it makes the forum cluttered, and your request does not get answered quickly. I've split your post into a new thread. Thanks for your patience. Enjoy your stay.[/size]

[size=1]Welcome to OtakuBoards, mogar004. If you would be so kind as to read the [url=http://www.otakuboards.com/rules.php][b]Official OtakuBoards Rules[/b][/url], you would notice that signatures for OB are restricted to 500x100 pixels. If you are requesting a signature for somewhere else, it's all well and good, but I'd recommend posting the picture you'd like to have on your banner. Artists are doing you a favor in the first place, so helping them out as much as possible will get your thread more activity. Enjoy your stay.[/size]

[quote name='sakurasuka][size=1']I do suppose that's why I respect Retribution's work so much. He has always been good with simple text.[/size][/quote] [size=1]Thanks alot for the shout-out, and it's cool to see you turn over a new leaf. I personally think they're headed in the right direction, however these are a bit [I]too[/I] simple. It's a complaint I got for several of my works, and I see the same elements in here too. Perhaps try adding smaller text that can't be read in a dynamic place or varying up the fonts for emphasis (but perhaps less so than "A Kiss"). You've got all the design know-how, now it's a matter of you getting used to using text to decorate, versus using filters, stock, etc. Good luck with it.[/size]

[size=1]That was plain awesome, DW. Your humor knows no bounds -- continue to produce such quality work, and all the [strike]fangirls[/strike] devoted fans will keep begging for more. I'd recommend making the frame borders a bit thicker, as it's easy to lose the frame's definition when the edges are colored (like the bottom of the frame being blue).[/size]

[size=1]I'll post what I did up until the point where my computer became inoperable in a few days, just to show off. Congrats on the win, Boo.[/size]

[size=1]My computer's power supply is fried, and I have to order a new one. It just so happens that out of the two computers I own, the one with Photoshop CS is the one that's dead. I'm ordering a new one on Monday (Sunday's not a business day), and it should arrive Tuesday. However, I won't be able to finish up my image and post it (the thread was created at 7:28 AM EST) by the deadline. So I'm dropping out. Very sorry.[/size]

[size=1]I'd probably say that it's an "all of the above." Not only those attributes, but that the member is friendly and civil even in the hottest debate thread. I also think contributing ideas such as Awarded User Titles would be deserving of a User Title in and of itself.[/size]

[size=1]Tournament presider as in ... you? I'm confused, and any speedy explanation would be appreciated so that I can meet my deadline.[/size]

[quote name='Shy][size=1']Apparently you haven't read the Otaku Awards' threads in a while, have you? I'm not naming names, but it became obvious that leaving the nominations up the regular members turns everything into a popularity contest. At least doing it with staff we can hide behind our titles, and pretend that we have ethics.[/size][/quote] [size=1]Precisely my point -- members having say in these awards would boil down to what would essentially be a popularity contest. And of course, hiding behind our titles is the way to go. Say something about it, and we've got a warm, toasty IP ban waiting for you. Big Brother's watching. A suggestion I want to throw out there would be, why not have representation for each forum based on the amount of activity is going on there? It'd be like the US House of Representatives -- smaller, poorer states like Mississippi and Manga Workshop (kidding...) would have fewer people picked than say New York or Otaku Lounge. I guess the frequency of the votes would vary, so the Manga Workshop might have a biannual appointment, whereas Otaku Lounge might have one every three months. Yes? No? Maybe so?[/size]

[size=1]Does our character history have to end with us becoming incapacitated? Do we need to include any information at all on this great exodus to West France? Thanks.[/size]

[size=1][b]Name:[/b] Alexander Crowne, prefers Alex [b]Age:[/b] 35 [b]Gender:[/b] Male [b]Place of Origin:[/b] Westminster, Inner London, England [b]Known History:[/b] Alexander was born into a middle-class family, his father being a public official and his mother being a part-time journalist for [I]The Economist[/I]. The oldest brother of three boys, a great deal of responsibility and freedom was given to him at a relatively young age. Alex attended Oxford after receiving superior marks in secondary school and graduated with a degree in Law. After several nerve-wracking years of shuffling around England looking for work, he finally found a comfortable job as a prosecutor for the government. Once life had finally quieted down in the calm of routine, he found a delightful woman (previously known as Julia Ashford) and married her. Prior to the Second Faction threat, Alex and Julia had thoughts of starting a family. However, due to the uncertain nature of British national security, they agreed to hold off until more stable times. But after a national announcement given by their Prime Minister that "Britain shall not fall -- Churchill prevailed and so shall we," the couple thought times were more accomodating to children. They had one daughter, Sarah, before Second Faction overran the country. [b]Personality:[/b] While confrontational and charismatic in the courtroom, Alex tends to be considerate and compassionate in day to day life. He has been fearful of challenges and ultimately, failure, but has managed to surmount the obstacles presented to him thus far. From his mother he inherited an interest in politics and a humanitarian, liberal mind. From his father he received an iron will, a willingness to argue, and knack for playing the odds. [b]Appearance:[/b] [url=http://hyung-taekim.org/displayimage.php?pos=-352][link][/url] A passionate lover of formal attire, Alex can be seen almost always wearing a newly pressed suit and matching tie. Standing at 5?10? with platinum blonde hair, piercing green eyes and medium build, he is a relatively mediocre looking fellow. [b]Animal Genes:[/b] [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peregrine_Falcon]Peregrine Falcon[/url] [b]Hybrid Abilities:[/b] Alex?s primary and most dominant trait is his shockingly keen eyesight, rated many times sharper than that of a conventional human. This heavily attributes to his second trait, being his heightened reflexes, which are only faster due to his ability to perceive almost everything happening in any given situation. When faced with physical danger, his senses are increased to their limit due to adrenaline secretion, which triggers his growing talons. These talons can only partially develop, and are not as sharp as conventional ones.[/size]

[size=1]I don't like the idea of members voting in the selection of these members. I think that if the staff were to get together and decide, anyone could get it whereas if we were to have votes, only older, more popular members would recieve the award, regardless of merit. Sure, 'apppointing' these members a title wouldn't be democratic, but they'd be most deserving, I think.[/size]

[quote name='Dooxy']kickarse pic, but isnt cloud blond ?xD[/quote] [size=1]Welcome to OtakuBoards, Dooxy. Your post is not up to par with OB's post quality standards, and you can get a basic understanding by reading the stickies at the top of the forum labeled "Read this before posting." In short, your post should be lengthened so that your comments help out the artist. Saying it's a "kickarse pic" is all well and good, but [i]what about it makes it good?[/i] Please describe the positives of it, as well as mentioning any room for improvement you see.[/size]

[size=1]Fortunately, I have no friends, so there is no need to worry about favoritism in my forum. ;) I think this idea is great, however, I would like to see the titles awarded perhaps once every two months -- it makes the award that much more precious. Have twelve people flaunting the same title for different months would also get a bit hectic, so you might just want to have like ... "Master Musician #1" and of course the numbers would range from 1 to 6.[/size]

[quote name='Boo][size=1']I'm pretty sure it might be an annoying job, but PM'ing the people too would probably work a tad better. Just as an idea, no cricism intended d:[/size][/quote] [size=1]Duly noted, however I haven't noticed any real repeat offenders. Seriously, thanks for the suggestion... why hadn't I thought of that myself? In any event, I'm noticing an increase in post quality anyway.[/size]

[size=1]It looks much, much better now. The only other complaint I have now is that the bottom left corner feels empty. Try filling it in with some extra text, right above the "20+ REVIEWS" but to the left of "ONE GRAND DEBUT WITH". The background could also be darkened a slight bit... it draws your attention a little too much. But as it stands, it could definitely be a magazine cover for say, Nintendo Power if you changed the heading title. Very well done.[/size]

[size=1]Good on the whole, but the boxes don't seem unified with one another. In short, the right side feels lacking. I would guess that is because Snake is standing in space, and there's no continuing background. I don't really feel like articulating my point, so just look at the example below: [IMG]http://www.wishlist.com.au/images/Products/NM03/Rollingstone_L.jpg[/IMG] See what I mean? The background sort of continues throughout, and the text is on top. And as a sidenote, the "History Lesson" really, really confused me. I was reading "The past, present and of Final Fantasy," which really didn't make sense at all until I saw "future" underneath. Revise! And you've really got a flare for this type of stuff, no?[/size]

[size=1]I'm inclined to close this thread outright, however I think it can be saved. On OtakuBoards, quality threads that foster discussion are wanted, and unfortunately this thread will result in one-line replies and image posting. If this thread is to remain open, everyone can only post their desktops if they've made it rather than just downloading it. Then the next poster would critique the wallpaper, then post their own. Basically, follow the "Rate the sig above you" thread and you'll be heading into the clear. I will ask that everyone follow the paragraph above. If not, I'll just close it. Thanks for the cooperation.[/size]

[quote name='PWNED']Quite an interesting conversation piece though, wouldn't you say.[/quote] [size=1]I can't tell if you're being sarcastic or not. If you're not, you must be crazy. There's really not too much to say on the subject except "Oh, how terrible" and then list off some relatively pointless information about brain development. Does anyone have any like ... stories involving feral children? I think that'd be more interesting.[/size]