Solstice Sprites

[Slaskia]

I mentioned in the event thread that I liked both versions. Since I'm not much of a lineage builder, the change doesn't really bother me in that regard (if anything, it drove me to get two breed ones to allow to grow up ). 'Sides, the one lineage for them I did decide to start works better with the blue winged version anyway (Solstice x Falconform).

[Starscream]

I am disappointed as I was hoping to gather a load of solstices.

 

What appealed to me was their rich colours. Not over the top christmas but something more mature, yet warm, and appealing. The new colour feels too cold and lacks the warmth I was attracted to.

 

Needless to say it is still one gorgeous dragon, but the underhanded nature of the change and some attitudes that puts me off them.

[Odeen]

The original Solstice Dragon had blue wings. That was how I envisioned the breed, and the sunrise wings were only added very late in the design process on a whim and originally intended only to appear on the spriter alts. Jaz and I decided to submit both the colored and blue versions to TJ to decide which of them he wanted to release because I liked both equally; he liked both, too, so we came up with a way for both to be used.

 

I want to make it clear that the blue is not a "stripped down" version of the CBs. It is what the Solstice dragon was meant to look like: a wintry blue sky with creeping frost, snowflurry markings, and a crown of warm light promising an end to the cold. The CB version is not a souped-up version of the blue, either. I like both equally, or I would not have offered both.

[seshat1407]

I really like this idea, and Seshat I am not being disingenuous. A lot of the spriters are my friends and I get sick and tired of time and time again their talents being ripped to pieces by the majority because they are wonderful people who don't deserve it. and whats the difference between this and alt sweetlings just build lineages with the CB gen being the CB solstices and move on.

But you're assuming that people are angry upset and disappointed because they hate the sprite, which isn't the case.

 

People are disappointed because they didn't have any warning or any choice, and now have to wait a YEAR to breed something they could have bred this year instead if they'd been told that the Solstice sprites would look different.

 

ETA: And it really is disingenuous -- and rather patronizing -- because it's pretty obvious that the general players don't have any options and CAN'T just sprite something themselves if they're unhappy. That's why being given a fair warning about this change would have been the respectful and thoughtful thing to do.

Edited December 24, 2014 by seshat1407

[angelicdragonpuppy]

I really don't get what all the fuss is about this, its ultimately a collection of varied colored pixels to make something pretty. I think what TJ and the spriters decide is ultimately their decision and they don't have to report to everyone like a little kid to their mommy.  I like both kinds of solstices and I am sorry that not everyone's lineages are going to look as good as they hoped but at the same time if you want a say in how a dragon looks why don't you all go try spriting. Its not as easy as it looks and our spriters are wonderfully talented and TJ didn't have to even make this game in the first place.

I think our spriters deserve some credit for their talents instead of being slammed every time the majority gets something they don't expect.

While it's not currently true of the spriters (althought I sometimes wonder if it will be someday), TJ once stated that he'd like to someday make a living from just DC alone. To do so--to make a game successful--you have to listen to the opinions and critiques of your user base. People are worried that they might never get a sprite they really liked, that the site might be going the way of more exclusive dragons, that lineages they've been hoping to work on for quite a while might now, without warning, never be able to happen--and that this all might be setting precedent for more of the same. People have a right to be unhappy with how things have panned out.

 

I do appreciate what work goes into making all the beautiful art on the site. However, just as I would be sad if a friend unexpectedly took back from me a gift I'd long cherished, or if a beloved blog I follow suddenly deleted all their past content without warning, I am sad that now (seemingly, anyway) a very pretty sprite will not be obtainable to newer players nor usable in the lineages I was planning to do. Appreciating someone's work and being upset when that work is suddenly altered or made unavailable don't have to be mutually exclusive things. I like the sprites. I am glad the spriters made the sprites. I am just very unhappy that, without any advance warning, they were removed from ever being obtainable again--something that has never happened with any Holiday dragon before.

 

Odeen, if we're all very wrong in assuming the above--that blue wings are forever going to be the only thing obtainable now--could you please tell us? Even if you have some surprise in store that you don't want to spoil, reassurance that the pink wings will still be obtainable (even if we don't know how or when) would be highly appreciated.

Edited December 24, 2014 by angelicdragonpuppy

[BlindWolf]

The original Solstice Dragon had blue wings. That was how I envisioned the breed, and the sunrise wings were only added very late in the design process on a whim and originally intended only to appear on the spriter alts. Jaz and I decided to submit both the colored and blue versions to TJ to decide which of them he wanted to release because I liked both equally; he liked both, too, so we came up with a way for both to be used.

 

I want to make it clear that the blue is not a "stripped down" version of the CBs. It is what the Solstice dragon was meant to look like: a wintry blue sky with creeping frost, snowflurry markings, and a crown of warm light promising an end to the cold. The CB version is not a souped-up version of the blue, either. I like both equally, or I would not have offered both.

It's not a matter of it being 'stripped down' or 'inferior', it's about this becoming another exclusive, something that new players cannot obtain no matter what they do and an unfair advantage to people with the CB. The fact that we had none (other than the Old Pinks) when I joined was one of the reasons I liked this place, and the fact that we have few is one of the reasons I stay. Becoming a site full of retired and exclusive sprites is moving in exactly the opposite direction from what I liked about it.

[angelicdragonpuppy]

It's not a matter of it being 'stripped down' or 'inferior', it's about this becoming another exclusive, something that new players cannot obtain no matter what they do and an unfair advantage to people with the CB. The fact that we had none (other than the Old Pinks) when I joined was one of the reasons I liked this place, and the fact that we have few is one of the reasons I stay. Becoming a site full of retired and exclusive sprites is moving in exactly the opposite direction from what I liked about it.

Yah. The new sprites ARE pretty. That's not the issue. I'm just annoyed that (it seems) the old ones I preferred will no longer be obtainable or usable in lineages. I do not like exclusives. I especially do not like ones that were planned to be that way for over a year, apparently, without anyone being informed.

 

This is the first time a version of a Holiday dragon sprite has become unobtainable after its release. Even black sweetlings breed true on scrolls coded for black sweetlings. I find it a very disturbing precedent... nothing is safe! :/

 

Edit: and if they ARE still going to be obtainable, somehow, sometime, someway--please stop toying with us and assure us of that, at least! I don't need details, but just confirmation that they'll keep being available...

Edited December 24, 2014 by angelicdragonpuppy

[LupaWulf]

Wow! I'm totally digging the blue!

Very pretty.

 

How fun to have something new appear!

[lightningsky]

I think it should of come down to picking one or the other, not both. Or having it be random in breeding, at least. Now the CBs are exclusive while the blues are the normal...

 

It's not fair to anyone who wants both and cannot get both now. Which is the most upsetting thing about it. It doesn't matter what the Solstice Dragon is supposed to be, it's about how it applies in the gameplay. -.-

 

I'm so sorry for those for who expected the blush-wings. I wish my CBs bred true for you guys. :/

[Guillotine]

It's not a matter of it being 'stripped down' or 'inferior', it's about this becoming another exclusive, something that new players cannot obtain no matter what they do and an unfair advantage to people with the CB. The fact that we had none (other than the Old Pinks) when I joined was one of the reasons I liked this place, and the fact that we have few is one of the reasons I stay. Becoming a site full of retired and exclusive sprites is moving in exactly the opposite direction from what I liked about it.

Precisely. They're still pretty, but removing the ability obtain the CB colors entirely is MASSIVELY unfair to anyone who didn't get them for whatever reason, as well as being unfair to people who planned lineages around the red tones. :/ Just springing this one people without warning is... ugh.

[lollipop00]

Yah. The new sprites ARE pretty. That's not the issue. I'm just annoyed that (it seems) the old ones I preferred will no longer be obtainable or usable in lineages. I do not like exclusives. I especially do not like ones that were planned to be that way for over a year, apparently, without anyone being informed.

 

This is the first time a version of a Holiday dragon sprite has become unobtainable after its release. Even black sweetlings breed true on scrolls coded for black sweetlings. I find it a very disturbing precedent... nothing is safe! :/

 

Edit: and if they ARE still going to be obtainable, somehow, sometime, someway--please stop toying with us and assure us of that, at least! I don't need details, but just confirmation that they'll keep being available...

This I highly agree with. I would like to have had something before hand before I went months planning lineages.

 

Heck I do not mind the blue, but a little warning beforehand would have suffice

 

Like "Hey the Solstice dragons turn blue and only the CB ones are sunset/sunrise colors" but no nothing.

Edited December 24, 2014 by lollipop00

[Auriene]

I think our spriters deserve some credit for their talents instead of being slammed every time the majority gets something they don't expect.

Who says anything about spriters? I appreciate the work of spriters and I think that blue-winged Solstice Dragons are really nice - I just don't like the manner in which they have been introduced into the game. And I think that some players have every right to feel disappointed. I agree with MedievalMystic, that's not an Armageddon. We have blue-winged Solstice Dragons - maybe no one was expecting that, but we have them. Nonetheless, for some players that's not a pleasant surprise, that's not something they would expect as a Christmas present from DC.

 

The original Solstice Dragon had blue wings. That was how I envisioned the breed, and the sunrise wings were only added very late in the design process on a whim and originally intended only to appear on the spriter alts. Jaz and I decided to submit both the colored and blue versions to TJ to decide which of them he wanted to release because I liked both equally; he liked both, too, so we came up with a way for both to be used.

 

Thank you for your explanation, but I'm still confused... Is every 2nd gen. Solstice going to be blue-winged? Is there a chance to get a 2nd gen. with sunrise wings...?

[SilverQuetzal]

I like both the sunrise and the blue variation. I will hoaring them by any chance.

[seshat1407]

I thought Odie had already commented on the matter, which wouldn't really leave much for me to add.

 

But yes, this is on purpose (and has always been the intention since they were made).

Then if it was the intention for a whole year, you don't think you could have mentioned this anywhere? In the threads about Solstice breeding plans, or in other discussions about Holiday breeding?

 

That's a pretty underhand and thoughtless thing to do, especially at this time of year.

 

I guess I'll be ditching a bunch of unwanted Soltisce sprites then, and then closing up my scroll for good.

[RecycledHeart]

I admit not telling us anything about this for a whole year basically was a pretty bad move imo. But still I love the blues and reds so much equally.

[Fuzzbucket]

The original Solstice Dragon had blue wings. That was how I envisioned the breed, and the sunrise wings were only added very late in the design process on a whim and originally intended only to appear on the spriter alts. Jaz and I decided to submit both the colored and blue versions to TJ to decide which of them he wanted to release because I liked both equally; he liked both, too, so we came up with a way for both to be used.

 

I want to make it clear that the blue is not a "stripped down" version of the CBs. It is what the Solstice dragon was meant to look like: a wintry blue sky with creeping frost, snowflurry markings, and a crown of warm light promising an end to the cold. The CB version is not a souped-up version of the blue, either. I like both equally, or I would not have offered both.

If that is what you intended then that should be an end of it. We are lucky to have an artist who created such a lovely thing. I think both are absolutely beautiful, so no quarrels from me

 

I am very sorry to see the rather unpleasant things being said here. Please accept my whole hearted support.

[Spyridon]

The sudden change in sprites for the Solstices makes me thankful i don't plan on holidays lineages as I do it based on whim.

 

From the sound of it or rather lack of, 2nd Gens and Higher will have the blue winged.

 

I personally love the sunset wings as while 'cold' due to the blue background, the little warm colors reminded me of the warm fireplace in the winter. The total blue is way too cold for me.

 

either way, both solstices are beautiful. Thanks for putting the effort into making them for last year!

Edited December 24, 2014 by Spyridon

[SilverQuetzal]

If that is what you intended then that should be an end of it. We are lucky to have an artist who created such a lovely thing. I think both are absolutely beautiful, so no quarrels from me

 

I am very sorry to see the rather unpleasant things being said here. Please accept my whole hearted support.

Same here.

[beautifuldragon5000]

If that is what you intended then that should be an end of it. We are lucky to have an artist who created such a lovely thing. I think both are absolutely beautiful, so no quarrels from me

 

I am very sorry to see the rather unpleasant things being said here. Please accept my whole hearted support.

I completely 100% agree with this

[AnanoKimi]

I still think the hubub about them being 'exclusive' is uneccesary. If you have the warm sunset colored one great, if not, great. I've missed out on plenty of holiday dragons and if I cant get the one originally distributed then oh well. The problem is we try to avoid things like this because we dislike them so when they start to happen we get bothered because it starts to mimic real life. The problem is exclusivity happens everywhere sadly even in games like these. They will continue to happen in this game and honestly I really deslike the idea of "If they have one, I want one too and should get one too!" If they have one because they were lucky to be on that day then they have one. If for whatever reason you did not manage to get one due to being busy, being sick, being homeless, not fast enough, no internet, no computer, etc, etc, they you missed out. I'm sorry. I empathise because I have missed out too, but thats life. It happens here, it happens at work, it happens in video games, it happens in give aways, it happens (again) everywhere. We need to learn to accept the fact that we will not have everything everyone else has especially if its limited amount or a sudden change of plans.

 

What I do not like is that The change was made suddenly and without warning. As I've stated before, that is deceit. As such only those who wish to replace one or all of their blue wing solstice for a sunset winged solstice should be able to. BUT only thoes who want it changed. I do not agree to a mass purge of a sprite that is beloved by quite a few users, me included. That or another fix is to have both sprites alternate every year. As such lineage breeders know when to breed for linage and when to not breed. Either solution works so long as those who want to keep their blue winged solstice can keep them.

Edited December 24, 2014 by AnanoKimi

[lilacamy931]

Hmmm they are pretty but personal preference is for the originals, there is just more impact that way with the sunset in their colours. They were the first dragons in a long time that just had me squeeing endlessly at their beauty.

 

The blues are still pretty but unsure how I feel now continuing solstice lineages as not true checkers (its new I love the sprite nonetheless and I definitely don't dislike them).

 

I haven't had time to read the thread as yet but am sure there will be spriters/TJ comments etc, which I will as ever respect to the fullest given that without them we would never have had the likes of solstices.

[seshat1407]

If that is what you intended then that should be an end of it. We are lucky to have an artist who created such a lovely thing. I think both are absolutely beautiful, so no quarrels from me

 

I am very sorry to see the rather unpleasant things being said here. Please accept my whole hearted support.

If that's what was intended, then it should have been common knowledge.

 

Not some random, unpleasant surprise when it's too late to do anything about it.

[lollipop00]

I do not mind it and I do think the sprites are very beautiful.

 

The thing that bothers me is that we got no warning for a whole year. It does not bother me that much but it kind of makes my angry, knowing that anything could be changed without warning. Looks like I should stop making lineages beforehand then cause we will never know if colors will change.

Edited December 24, 2014 by lollipop00

[Guillotine]

If that's what was intended, then it should have been common knowledge.

 

Not some random, unpleasant surprise when it's too late to do anything about it.

This is what we have a problem with. Not the fact that the sprites are blue, but the fact that we went a year without being told that this would happen when it was planned from the start. It's petty and deceitful and is not a present so much as a slap in the face to anyone foolish enough to plan around the red wings (myself included in this) or who liked the CB sprite but didn't get a chance to grab them.

[BlindWolf]

I still think the hubub about them being 'exclusive' is uneccesary. If you have the warm sunset colored one great, if not, great. I've missed out on plenty of holiday dragons and if I cant get the one originally distributed then oh well. The problem is we try to avoid things like this because we dislike them so when they start to happen we get bothered because it starts to mimic real life. The problem is exclusivity happens everywhere sadly even in games like these. They will continue to happen in this game and honestly I really deslike the idea of "If they have one, I want one too and should get one too!" If they have one because they were lucky to be on that day then they have one. If for whatever reason you did not manage to get one due to being busy, being sick, being homeless, not fast enough, no internet, no computer, etc, etc, they you missed out. I'm sorry. I empathise because I have missed out too, but thats life. It happens here, it happens at work, it happens in video games, it happens in give aways, it happens (again) everywhere. We need to learn to accept the fact that we will not have everything everyone else has especially if its limited amount or a sudden change of plans.

Videogames are not life, for one. And while you may not have CBs, nothing is stopping you from getting Christmas sprites. Besides, of course, the ill-fated decision with the Snow Angels (ugh, tri-colors), and now these Solstices. But even with the Snow Angels at least, no unfair advantage is being given to older players as far as getting the dragon goes, it's random for everyone. That's true for everything, in fact, outside of Frills and Old Pinks which were only removed because of other circumstances. With all of the drama over those, you'd think they wouldn't make the same mistake again with these sprites.

 

It's also a mistaken conclusion to think that everyone here who doesn't like this decision hates the blue ones or wants them gone. I would rather it be alternating than have them removed entirely, I just don't like the red ones being exclusive.