Are adoptables(MLP) a good thing?

I wasn’t sure If I Should say anything about this but, does anyone else think that adoptables aren't always such a great idea?

Before I begin this journal I just want to make something clear. I will NOT tell anyone to stop making adoptables nor will I petition or request them being forced off of galleries.  I believe that we, as artists, have the right to draw and create whatever we want; Even If I personally don’t care for quite everything that’s out there. Still, I can’t help but skip over the “favorite” button whenever I see a price tag attached to a character deviation.

I suppose this is because of the reasons that I became a brony. When I was sucked into the fandom (against my best efforts, I might add) it was because the fanart I came across reflected a friendly community that supports the random ideas that come from spontaneous inspiration. Even artwork that I considered junky was loved and encouraged by the commenters. Everywhere I looked there were people posting characters and stories that were interesting and unpolished. Though I was trying not to get into the MLP world (it’s difficult breaking out of the macho-culture mindset) I couldn’t help but want to be a part of that community. Growing up, my family had, for the most part, four artists with nearly identical tastes. Being siblings also meant we were rivals so you wouldn’t believe how many times I heard (and said) those venomous words “Don’t draw that, you got that idea from ME!” The brony community seems to be the opposite of that. I see slight variations of the same design, but with COMPLETELY different stories and everyone is okay with that! It blows my mind sometimes.

One of the first episodes I watched was the equestrian girls movie. I couldn’t help but make my own character when I asked the question “What if it had turned out differently?” and since then I’ve made the decision to cut up my man-card and take the dive into this creative universe (I even made a DA account focused on it). I haven’t regretted that decision.

However, soon after I joined my first group. I started to notice the frequency of adoptables. For every original character I saw with a name, backstory, a personality of its own. I saw ten or more nameless, characterless OC’s drowning out the rest like an M&M mixed into a bag of skittles. Whenever I saw a unique character with cool features I would check it out, only to find that it was for sale and there was nothing else to it besides its beauty. Disappointed, I just moved on. I’ve joined more groups with less of a focus on adoptables since then but I still see more than I’d care to.

I love alicorn OCs. I know a lot of people have a problem with them but in my opinion; the MLP community has always been about making whatever crazy and out-there idea comes into your head and watching other people get inspired by it to do the same; Even if that idea shatters existing lore and standards. When I see a pony with horns, claws, an obscure color scheme, or any abnormality my first question is “why?”. I want to know why this pony has horns, Are they some kind of freak? Are they monster-pony hybrids? What’s their story? Who are their parents? Are they outcasts or perhaps part of a whole race? Where did this Alicorn come from? Can they be fit into the existing story by the use of some creative story-telling? I really want to know, It think these odd characters are amazing and I want to learn all about their bizarre history and their emotional struggles that comes from their extraordinary appearance. Unfortunately I rarely see such an interesting creature with ANY kind of backstory. They’re name is usually “Starting bid is…” and I can’t help but feel as though some actual OC’s have been cheated out of the unique features that are no longer as rare and precious.

There are some very good arguments FOR adoptables though:                              

Not everyone with the love of characters and stories are able to create OCs that they love. Like me, they struggle to come up with original designs and having such a vast and easily accessible plethora of options to pick from is a serious blessing.

They fund some very talented up-and-coming artists. What a great way to make money doing what you love without the need for big-name sponsors.

They also provide motivation to find something new. With the competition making all kinds of interesting ideas, these artists have to really reach far to gather unique traits in order to make their own products stand out. That brings some amazing concepts to the table that I’m genuinely impressed by.

Still, with these viable points in mind, I can’t help but feel like there’s a large portion of real potential lost when these characters are given such intriguing features with no story behind their existence. I’d rather these unusual ideas came slowly; over time, as artists think up their stories and personalities. To me, characters should be passionately loved by their creators and not just a product that belongs on a shelf; to be bought and sold as casually as a can of beans.

That’s my opinion. If you like to make adoptables or are considering taking up the trade I won’t try to talk you out of it. That’s your choice and I will not condemn or judge you for it. I really hope for your success. Just don’t be surprised if I don’t pay them any attention. It’s nothing against the artist or their ideals. It’s the practice that doesn’t interest me. Don’t let my opinion discourage you to make art. Just do me the favor of considering these points before you start. Maybe you can invent a new system of adoption that even a stickler like me can appreciate.

What do you think? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments. Am I right? Or is there something that I overlooked?