Originality. Especially lately, where every species is so similar in looks. (IMO)
Lore coming in a close second. OTL.
I'm really curious as to what draws different people to a closed species~
Is it complete originality? Colors? Markings/pattern? Quality?
Feel free to comment ^^
nothing that's a neko/angel/demon/galaxy/whatever like the main design is all human and then 2 or 3 traits inhuman
Lore often doesn't interest me unless the species interests me but it can also turn me off. But really if it looks like a human with ears and a tail the lore can be amazing but i still wouldn't be able to get past the visuals
mostly lore/a lot of thought behind the features of the species and why they are that way! a lot of cs (not all!!) aren't something so unique visually that owning the cs is the only way you'd ever have a character with those features, especially in human based cs where it's a person with wings/animal traits. it's really the story behind the species/the world you're buying into that makes the species unique!
I actually did a poll on my DA about this http://jiggyjaggy.deviantart.com/journal/poll/5858605/
The results I got (as of right now) were:
- 65 said designs (69%)
- 12 said anatomy (13%)
- 9 said community (10%)
- 8 said lore (9%)
Interactive communities with interesting lore and activities OR just ...I guess you could call it a connection?
Its mostly the lore for me, design/anatomy is a really close second cause I wanna have fun drawing them too since I don't do stories or RP like a lot of people here.
Design+Anatomy, how easily I can reclothe them, then lore (specifically with magic use or disuse). I generally avoid humanoid/clothed adopts because I want multiple outfits and a specific style with the clothing.
I think what draws me in to notice a CS is a mixture of quality/art/design -- but I won't use something solely cuz it's pretty. The most important aspect for me, when I choose to go after a CS, is the concept/anatomy--like, does it make sense? I mean it doesn't have to get levels of realistic like, 'in real nature these traits are only seen on these types of animals and it makes no sense for them to be on something of a different category yada yada yada'--but like, uh.... being born with items and accessories a part of them (how do u give birth to that???), or having really clashy themes that don't add up to make the design make sense/have a purpose. Bottom line, if it doesn't feel believable to me, I'll pass it up.
So I guess that also goes a little hand in hand with lore since it can be responsible for explaining the traits and why they're there -- and I know a lot of lore is optional, but I prefer to keep to it as closely as possible. So if the lore absolutely does not fit into my world, I may pass it up too cuz I feel like it'd be... idk, kinda a shame to get an adopt and completely ignore what the creator had in mind for them--not that there is any problem w/ ppl doing this. I don't care if ppl ignore my lore and whatnot, I just mean for myself personally cuz I really like following lore where I can.
On the other hand, I have a very specific world setting in mind so a lot of really cool stuff just won't fit it and I have to pass it up _(:3/L)_ Sometimes this hurts...