Why do you like, or not like, closed species?

I like some. But it's very rare I do like a CS. 99.9% are just... not original. They all look the same. Like, humanoid with horns, big ears and a tail or something, maybe some wings and voila, new species. Then again that is harsh to judge on the appearance rather than the lore. I mean, some might have a great story? But if they look the same as other CS then it's a bit BLEH. 

I have a few CS of my own (closed cause I cba) and have adopts by CS makers but they had to be damn unique to adopt. 

I don’t have a problem with people owning or liking closed species at all, I don’t really understand the hate they get tbh. A lot of the designs are really creative and cool, and I’ve seen some gorgeous characters that are from closed species. However, I’m not really interested in owning one ever. I like to have complete creative control over my ocs and closed species don’t really fit with the way I use my characters djfjdjd 

I'm more on the edge on this, because I prefer to create my own characters, and I don't adopt that much. I do own a few CS myself, but overall, I have mixed feelings about CS in general. Half of them are to me either cute or have interesting concepts, while the other half is a mixed bag of interesting or bland designs/concepts and good/poor executions. I only like/am interested in quite a few popular ones. I'll also have to say the same with Open Species, because imo they're also a mixed bag of interesting or bland designs/concepts with either good or poor execution.

Now, back onto the CS part, I feel like most CS owners tend to be rather overprotective about their own creations, hence the name "Closed Species" meaning that you can't create your own without permission. However, offbrands exist, and they're everywhere, with most offbrand adopts only made to go against the concept of CS. Also ngl I actually don't like offbrands since I feel like it disrespects the CS owners and their wishes. I've also discussed offbrands on my own thread nearly a year ago, with the majority saying that they're neutral with them. While I agree that most CS look unoriginal in terms of designs, I think to me, what matters is concept execution. If a species concept looks great, but the execution is poor, then the species may end up flopping into obscurity, but that's just me.

Overall, I'm not saying that CS are bad in general, but I actually like and am interested in a few of them! I just can't seem to click well with most species.

Edit: Oh yeah I forgot that I posted here in the past, but I'm glad that I (Kind of?) changed my thoughts about CS over a year later.

It REALLY depends. I do kind of have a CS, but I avoid calling them one, because I’m not sure if they are and also I don’t like the term. Overall I do prefer designing my own characters, by a long shot. I don’t own any other CS (mostly because I’m BROKE) but I do look in the forums sometimes for MYOs. I’ve never really been in the adopts community because I don’t really like how expensive some things are, when in reality it’s an extra fluffy cat or something along those lines, and this extends to CS as well. A few times I’ve been scared to use a design element because I’ve seen it in a CS and I’m worried I’ll get called out for copying and such.. I’ve seen bundles of drama and it’s not something I’d really like to get involved in-
I do like seeing truly original CS though with unique extra traits beyond “extra eyes” and “longer tail” (not that there’s anything wrong with those traits, I just love it when there’s a bunch more!)! I like seeing the genuine enthusiasm people have for their smaller and growing ones!
As for the lore part, I don’t really mind not having 100% control over the background lore. That’s why I have fan characters! As long it’s unique and interesting and the owner is kind and happy with what they’re doing then I’m happy too.
I don't have anything against people who own CS just because they own CS that you pay for. As long as they're a nice person then I don't mind!
I don’t currently own any CS characters (unless my own one counts) but if lore or design really speaks to me then maybe I will someday! But for now I’ll stay with what I’ve got.

for cs i think theyre useful if u want to make money off of a concept u can make it closed if u want to be the one distributing the designs or if u want to moderate myo designs

also i agree that it can be a career for some to have a mega popular cs, if they make lots of money from it then it can support the creators financially and they get to have a dream job basically

also i think its a valid career choice for professional artists too

i think its misunderstood like how being a youtuber or a gamer/streamer as a career used to be misunderstood

also to me its not that different from buying non-commissioned art (aka like at those gallery type things where they have a canvas and a price tag) from an artist

u  cant really do much with that painting u bought but u bought it bc u liked the design

Elissinia im not sure LOL, all i can say is that i was very confused to see a bunch of notifications on this.

eitherway i guess theres no harm in people being interested in this old thread haha   

I like closed species because it can give an artist a scene of "this is a thing I've made, and it can be a unique thing to me!" They can also make owning an adopt from a closed species feel more valuable if they're a popular species. I've made Algecaurs and BubbleFrogs and they make me feel a little good knowing I have something to call completely my own. 

I guess there are some people who think that having something to call their own is stupid and prevents creativity, but I think it encourages it! Just look at how many cool types of NEW closed species that are constantly being made! All because they gotta think of something new. We might not have such a variety of animals or "species" if it weren't for this limitation. I might still just be drawing basic reptiles if I didn't think to join the trend of making a new species. And maybe others think this way too, where they might still be drawing basic dogs or cats if it weren't for these new and unique creatures. 

Sure, tell me how wrong I am, but I support closed species because they encourage a new level of creativity and makes you think outside the box. 

Overall, honestly I hate them. Mainly because a lot of people claim the most generic things.  Now I can't make a cat with wings anymore without stealing from a closed species? Eh? (Yes I have seen someone claiming such a basic concept as a closed species , or even only as an "original species"  , multiple times). When I think about it.. there is not a single one that I'm a fan of. The ones which I sort of like art dutch angel dragons and Mochiraptors. (They're open /semi open) . I also don't like the pressure which comes with almost any closed species. All the strict damn rules. These are one reason why I have almost no interest in this stuff at all. It was never really my cup of tea but some even piss me off if I'm honest. 

Creativity is great and creating something you own is nice. But ehg. Overall closed species are dumb. Nothing is very original, pretty sure many species even exist multiple times and the makers don't know of each others species. 

I once got called a thief for something that I 1. Didn't even knew about and 2. Looked nothing alike. Hey , look.  Another reason why I hate this stuff. 

If I create a species , it's mainly a private thing. I absolutely have zero interest in having a public species with rules, a guide, a master list and all these other 946489926 things. 

like:

encourages character development and creation

encourages world-building

good leadership opportunities

teaches u how to be an entrepreneur

good way to support artists

often have games and events

dont like:

drama 

white knights/witch-hunts

Since I made my last post here my opinion has changed a bit because I joined two CS (that have both been super kind and welcoming!) and I'm also making my own. I basically just agree with above though, the sense of community is amazing, but all of the drama that happens to do with other CS stuff is Not Fun™. I'm also not a fan of CS that are SUPER restrictive with what you can and can't do. It just ruins what makes CS enjoyable for me

I support closed species if they’re completely original and aren’t 2-3 animals combined. You can’t put fur and ears on a snake and call it a closed species essentially. Also, closed species imo should be more than just looks, and should have a whole set up of lore and even a community market or point system to really be something eventful to me so that the community can be involved in swapping / trading / building their cs characters and making it something unique and not the typical run the of the mill designs. I’m not a fan of super restrictive CS’s but also it shouldn’t be loosely-goosey either.

My favorite part of some closed species or adopts is the story and customization like items and craftables! that's why I use my own form of currency for my closed species so they can earn more in exploring and in exploring they have a chance at getting a free rare type of that species or* item that gives rare takes when applied to it ^^

Too bad most aren't interactive though,,, 

Personally I like closed species mostly just cause idk, they're just fun to design and collect to me. And I especially like the ones with events or activities since it adds a little more to do in the group. (Even if I personally never have time to do them all hh) The only thing I probably don't like is just when the species is unobtainable without money. Like you can only buy them through adopts or auctions. Especially when those particular species tend to go WAY up in price.. maybe even hundreds of dollars for like, one fullbody. Like I understand wanting to make money off of the concept but come on.. just host a raffle or MYO event or SOMETHING (you wont even have to design them when it comes to MYO events anyways) And another thing that annoys me is when closed species just like to be super competitive with other closed species. Such as claiming others of coping the design and sending everyone else to witchhunt that person. And also how a lot of CS groups will probably ban you if you even mention another closed species since I guess that's somehow.. advertising or something?? (I got a mod warning once in a Discord group for mentioning a personal species once.. and I didn't even mention it by name so yeaah)

But other than that, I really do love closed species. Most of the communities tend to be very fun and welcoming and the stuff I stated above is only really a thing I've found with some groups, not all. But either way, that's about it.