Take Responsibility, WildWorks

Hey Jammers! Eeee... I know I have a big line-up of post ideas that I want to write, but new stuff keeps coming up and it's hard to know what to focus on >.<

I wasn't originally planning on posting today because I feel kinda sick, but Popcorn called something to my attention lately that I strongly feel should be addressed. It's not a nice topic, but I'm hoping that every effort to spread the word counts toward putting pressure on AJHQ to do the right thing. 

So, there was a period of time earlier this week that I was considering writing a post on internet safety. I know; not the most interesting topic, but it's something important to me so I had thought it might be good to repeat.

However, it's also important to know that internet safety shouldn't just be all on you. With content aimed at all ages, adults need to do their part to make sure the online spaces they facilitate are safe for everyone. 

I'm writing this post because WildWorks has not fully been taking responsibility for the actions of certain users who may be compromising the safety and wellbeing of others. The full situation may be triggering for some of you, so I'm choosing to leave out all inappropriate details and focus mostly on AJHQ's response. 

So, even separate from this more recent situation, Hyenine1's art has always shown that AJHQ is very inconsistent when it comes to approving Masterpieces. 

Even though people have gotten their own Masterpieces banned for really small reasons...

...Hyenine1 has gotten tons of Masterpieces approved that, while detailed, can be pretty borderline inappropriate for a kids game. 

AJHQ's Masterpiece approval rules also aren't that clearly defined:

It seems it's mostly up to the personal decisions of individual moderators... but the Animal Jam rules also need to be considered:

Many people think that AJHQ is playing favorites with Hyenine1's work and is bending the rules, just because it's detailed looking and Hyenine1 is well-known. Meanwhile, less well-known artists get their work rejected for seemingly no reason...

Likewise, tons of people get banned or put on Bubble Chat for seemingly no reason. Without going into detail, this reflects the current situation with this person– from what I've read, there is plenty of in-game evidence to ban Hyenine1's account before things escalate even further, BUT WildWorks is holding back on it because they imply there isn't enough evidence.

Here's the most direct statement AJHQ has made so far:

All of these are fair points. 

But from what I know, plenty of other Jammers get banned because of little to no evidence and don't know why..?

If those instances aren't all glitches in the game, then given that logic, AJHQ should ban Hyenine1's account just to be safe. 

But they're not... which isn't fair, and isn't smart. I know AJ is an important part of my life and it may be a big part of yours, but having your account banned is not as bad as the consequences that are already unfolding. 

People are leaving the game because they don't feel safe, people who may have been hurt are feeling silenced, and it just isn't good for the Animal Jam community at large. 

I know with issues like this, it's sometimes difficult to figure out what actually happened and what actions AJHQ is really taking, so I'm not going to say I 100% know everything. However, AJHQ should not be bending rules with some people just because they're well-known in the community. 

I want to stand with everyone who has been hurt by people involved in this, and everyone who has been impacted by similar things in their life. It's hurtful when spaces that should be safe end up causing pain. 

No matter what, I'm here for you.

Entry for Popcornpizza25's Spring Graphic Contest :)

 Hey Jammers! I have about two more final papers to do as well as an internship to apply for, so I'm not back to actual posting just yet ^^;

But because I have a small break and Popcorn's Spring graphic contest is nearly wrapping up, I thought I'd take some time to make and post my entry today! 

The in-game screenshot I chose to make transparent was this flower in The Lost Temple of Zios:

I thought the dark pinks were pretty, and had just enough contrast with the background to erase easily in Mac Preview.

And the final product is...

...this thing!!

The leaves ended up getting somewhat reduced in places, but overall I'm happy with it :3

Anyone wishing to use these transparent blossoms for editing purposes– go ahead! It's not my original illustration anyways; it's owned by Wildworks.

I'm going to eventually add a disclaimer at the bottom of AJ Stream clarifying that 98% of the graphics I use belong to Wildworks... cuz it's true! You don't own a piece of art just because you edit it. Thankfully, AJHQ seems to be fine with edits as long as you don't put them on a T-shirt and sell them or something.

So that's all for now, Jammers! See you in Jamaa, hopefully soon c: