The 7 Custom Sins

With so little going on around the site, it seems the past year has been a real 'who can have the most amazing custom EVAR'. This has caused some changes to the site and how it runs (competitions for such customs and auctions have gone through the roof in popularity, as well as cost). The fact of the matter is that this craze has caused some real beautiful customs to come into play. And of course, a few that make us blink a couple times and question how in the world it was ever accepted.

So where did this whole craze start? Originally, line edits were used to make small changes: a longer tail, collar, etc. Crazes have always had a start though (changing the bone in the prepared emote was all Hlao). As far as I know, the first user to make a fully edited custom, emotes and all, was Tsavo.

Since then, customs have evolved in some crazy ways. The real issue I want to discus is how they are being accepted. As far as I know, the admins do this (though whether Chesh does or not, I'm not 100% sure). Somehow multiple customs have slipped by the system, getting accepted and uploaded despite not following the rules. The problem with this? If someone's custom is accepted which violates a rule, it automatically becomes unfair to those who have been turned down under the same rule. Then staff are stuck between a rock and a hard place, as removing the custom is just as unfair to the owner of said custom. Such issues have been getting better, but it seems that on occasion customs that fall below par are still being uploaded from time to time, despite anatomy issues and the like.

Now, for simple amusments sake, I'm going to go and see if I can't find at least one custom that breaks each rule put in place. Have we uploaded an improper custom for every single rule? Let's see why don't we. Some of these customs may of been uploaded before such rules were in place, but its beyond my knowledge when each rule came around (and none the less, should they not have been replaced?) (DISCLAIMER: I do not claim these customs in any way to be bad, only that they violate rules in place on WH)

1. Line edits must be functional, in other words semi realistic. Correct Anatomy is important.

Well we all know this has been broken numerous times. We've had customs with incorrect anatomy since time began. I won't bother even trying to post them all, but rather just point out two which break this rule differently.

...well if you weren't around for the drama this custom created, don't ask. None the less, the fact that this custom was ever accepted is beyond me, as the anatomy is clearly WAY off. Yes, I know, this is an easy one to pick out.

Hon's custom is great, but the fact of the matter is that it is extremely cartoon like compared to every other custom on the website. It breaks the first part of the rule, to be semi-realistic.

2. Solid Black #000000 is not allowed as a base color. IF it looks black, even though it isn't, it's still not allowed!

A lot of customs are coloured darkly, but none that are the #00000. However, this one here really seems to come too close to the 'looks black', and for the most part has no other markings that make up for it.

3. Customs cannot be based on copyrighted material this includes but is not limited to movies, books, tv shows, games, etc. This also includes items, weapons, markings etc. You wouldn't like it if someone ripped your character, so be more creative! 

This rule seems like it should be the most strictly enforced, as it could come around to bite WH in the rear. We really don't need any more accusations concerning copyright ever again.

Despite how ridiculously sexy this guy is, he is indeed in violation of this rule. Though the actual character may not be a wolf, the design is based of a character from a copyrighted television show. 

Though I know little about the actual show this guy is from, I do know that he's based of a dog character from an anime. I'm more concerned about this fellow, just because it's so similar to the actual character. Look.

4. Customs must have distinguished colored lines, meaning the lines do not have to be black, but they must be present and a darker shade from the rest of the custom.

Woohoo! It seems we don't have any uploaded customs I can find which break this rule. There are a few who have lines which are a little light to be outlines, but none that are so much so that they could be found to break this rule.

5. Fully custom dog lines are not allowed! However minor edits to appear like a hybrid are allowed. Also wolves may be colored to look like dogs. 

If those aren't fully custom dog lines, I don't know what is. The tail, ears, and body have all been changed to look like a dalmatian. Even the person's profile states she's a pure-bred dalmatian.

The lines and colouring on these two fellows is fantastic. But once again, how in the world are they not custom dog lines? The tail, muzzle, ears, body...they look much too similar to pit-bulls than any hybrid.

6. Emote edits should not be cut off! A little here or there is fine, but every emote, should not be cut off. Either make it fit or cut it out.

There are a few emotes around that are cut off, but no single custom seems to have multiple cut offs. Yeehaw, two rules haven't been broken! (at least that I know of of course)

7. No Anthros! Quad customs only :)

Beautiful edits, great colouring...but quite clearly violates the rule here. Nothing else to say on the matter.

So, 2/7 rules have not been violated...that's not too bad...right? The mass majority of customs accepted follow all 7 rules, but the fact that so many slip through creates a fairly flawed system. Why are some accepted, while others are properly denied? It's a fair bit beyond me.