What exactly is this "adopt" thing?

[Chochmah]

I've seen it elsewhere, and here too, but I didn't really "get it" then and I still don't now. I have the most basic idea but no real understanding. Someone makes a character, presumably for the full intention of selling it. Then they basically option off the right to... own the character? Why?

Let's say, for instance, I bought an adopt dragon. What am I going to do with this dragon now that I have it? Draw art? I could have done that for free - file off the serial numbers and make another dragon that looks similar but for a few differences and call it an inspiration or just say we came up with them independently, and I would have plausible deniability easily. Do I then get to say I "made" or "own" my adopted dragon? Well, the first is frankly objectively wrong, and as for the latter... "own"? They're a made up character who has not ever appeared in a commercial work. I'm not getting any sort of royalties from owning the brand or the rights or anything. And again, if I wanted to use such a character in a commercial work I could just make a similar character but who is more directly in line with what I would want.

And indeed, that's another thing that confuses me. If one were to buy an adoptable you are locked into that character as they were bought. If you create your own character, either wholly independently or "inspired by" another, you can make them however you want. If my hypothetical dragon is what I would have wanted but I didn't like the personality given and wished for a different wing shape, I'm out of luck. Or, perhaps, the terms of the adoption would let me make such changes... but then I could have just made my own similar yet distinct character, for free.

So, put another way, there's obviously something I'm missing. As it stands the whole idea of this "adopt" thing is opaque to me and I don't understand the philosophy or intention behind it on the part of the buyer or seller (well, getting some money is an obvious benefit, but besides that). Could anyone please try and clear this up for me? Thanks.

 

[timetodie]

I think it's just for fun lol.

 

[Frank Gulotta]

I've seen so many threads asking what the point is, on multiple platforms. No, there is no point. You could just design your own character and it probably wouldn't be as much of a nightmare to draw again, because unlike the person who sells that sort of things, you don't have to come up with multiple designs on short notice.
Then again as the old saying goes, everything is worth what its purchaser will pay for it.

 

[Borophagus Metropolis]

It's a good way to support your favorite artists without commissioning.
That's all I got.

 

[TR273]

What @Borophagus Monoclinous said.

Plus you get a character without having to come up with the design yourself.
Personally I've only got two, one was a freebie from on here for a character I was working on but was struggling with the design for.
The other is (admittedly) a fairly bland white cat with green eyes. Could I have come up with this myself? Probably, but possibly not since I wasn't planning anything, but the artist was new, the price was cheap and something about the character got my creativity working, giving me a new storyline to explore.

 

[TyraWadman]

Some people use these artworks to have as a reference for role play. Some people respect artists enough to not use their art without their consent.

Some people lack the creativity and a cheap purchase of a simple character is enough for them.

I personally pay (rarely) for adopts that have inspired me. Basically showing my appreciation for something I probably never would have thought of without it. And for me, that means a lot, especially since my work requires a lot of research for things I don't have a name to.

 

[Glossolalia]

I've never bought an adoptable, but I can sort of see the appeal. Sometimes a character can feel more "real" and novel when it comes from an outside source instead of your own head. This is kind of an abstract example, but I think it's kind of like the difference between intentionally looking up a song you like on a streaming service, or hearing it randomly on the radio.

 

[Ziggy Schlacht]

You know, given how many of them are 20 versions of the same body with different markings, I questioned the same thing. Ooh, brown deer, brown deer with tan highlights, brown deer with white highlights... So many of them aren't unique enough from existing characters to seem worth it.

However, I also realized that I'm most likely not the intended market. If I'd never buy one and didn't really get why anyone would, but people keep doing them, obviously someone does. That point's been covered.

That being said, it seems like there's a strong unofficial honor system in the entire community, between adoptables, "closed species" and all that. It's kind fascinating from that standpoint.

 

[Deleted member 82554]

It's an easy way for artists to exploit the fandom for money for as little effort as possible.

 

[Chochmah]

It's an easy way for artists to exploit the fandom for money for as little effort as possible.

Is it really exploitation, though? I mean, sure, I think it's silly and I don't rightly understand why someone would put the money down for it. But it seems to me like the buyer has a pretty good idea of what they're getting, there's not really any fine print or manner in which they are being duped. I don't really see it as anyone being exploited.

 

[TemetNosce88]

What a few others have said- I bought a few adoptables mainly because I got to throw a few bucks at an artist I like, and also because I'm generally bad at coming up with ideas on my own. That said, I do find the really expensive ones to be kind of silly, especially since most of them seem to all be from a base anyways.

Ultimately, though, it's a hobby just like any other and there are many ways to enjoy it and find value in it.

 

[Bababooey]

A lot of people who dislike adopts have a false perception that most or even all adopts are crappy, recolored bases. That is not the case. Many are original works of mid to high quality. Many do not have strict rules on what you can do with the character after purchase. Most just ask that you don't claim the art as your own and don't resell it for more unless you actually increase its value by getting art of it.

I'll use characters I've bought myself as examples.



Does this look like I've been exploited?
The artist made something quality, and they had very loose rules as to what I could do with the character. I can pretty much do whatever I want. I chose to buy these characters. Nobody scammed me or pointed a gun to my head.

Edit: I don't care for base adopts either but that's just a personal preference. People almost always know what they're getting.

 

[Tendo64]

A lot of people who dislike adopts have a false perception that most or even all adopts are crappy, recolored bases. That is not the case. Many are original works of mid to high quality. Many do not have strict rules on what you can do with the character after purchase. Most just ask that you don't claim the art as your own and don't resell it for more unless you actually increase its value by getting art of it.

I'll use characters I've bought myself as examples.

View attachment 102560View attachment 102564

Does this look like I've been exploited?
The artist made something quality, and they had very loose rules as to what I could do with the character. I can pretty much do whatever I want. I chose to buy these characters. Nobody scammed me or pointed a gun to my head.

Edit: I don't care for base adopts either but that's just a personal preference. People almost always know what they're getting.

Thank you--and also not even all base adopts look bad. Most of them have a lot of line edits and still use unique designs and aren't just "here guys purple wolf $50"

I personally think the whole "adopts bad" thing is stupid and ridiculous. So you can design a character easily? Good for you. But when I try to do the same thing, I can never come up with a defined idea of what I want and tend to never use designs I make, despite the fact I'm not even that bad at making designs. I buy adopts because I bond with them easier and I can more easily tell what I want when I'm looking at it. And then there's the fact many people aren't good at designing and prefer to look to an artist with much more experience with color theory and whatnot.

I also dislike the notion that people can't design a unique design and claim to own it. By that logic, I don't own my own art and people should be allowed to steal it, too. Why do you think people like companies copyright their characters? For no reason? Because, partially, they copyright it to avoid people looking at their character designs and stealing it and taking credit. Just like your average adopt artist. I sat down and spent the time to create something, should I not be against someone taking credit for my hard work? And should that work I spent really cost nothing in people's eyes?

 

[Bababooey]

Thank you--and also not even all base adopts look bad. Most of them have a lot of line edits and still use unique designs and aren't just "here guys purple wolf $50"

I agree. Some are so nice that I don't even notice they're on a base. I'm not against base adopts myself and I've gotten a few that were on bases the seller made.

I personally think the whole "adopts bad" thing is stupid and ridiculous. So you can design a character easily? Good for you.

Sadly many people assume that people who buy adopts simply lack creativity. Many people are perfectly capable of creating their own characters and designs, but many other people come up with characters/designs they haven't thought of that they think are amazing. You can look at an adopt like an official cartoon character you really like. Would you buy them if you had the chance? If I could buy the rights to The Lich from Adventure Time, I definitely would. No question.

Some people tend to bond more with characters they've made, and others bond more with adopts. Some people, like me, bond with both just the same. There's nothing wrong with that. It's not about a lack of creativity.

I also dislike the notion that people can't design a unique design and claim to own it. By that logic, I don't own my own art and people should be allowed to steal it, too.

Exactly. You can say that about anything. Like hey, I bought this house, but I didn't make it, so do I really own it?

 

[Deleted member 82554]

Is it really exploitation, though? I mean, sure, I think it's silly and I don't rightly understand why someone would put the money down for it. But it seems to me like the buyer has a pretty good idea of what they're getting, there's not really any fine print or manner in which they are being duped. I don't really see it as anyone being exploited.

That's only if the buyer knows what they're getting. Most people new to this fandom don't understand the difference between an adopt, a ych or the other various art styles. A lot of people might think they're getting a really good deal when they put money down for something that's already half done, when in reality they are getting ripped off, especially if they don't understand the minutiae of the details.

I, for one, will never pay for an adopt or ych. If I'm putting down money for a piece of art it has to be drawn from scratch, where I can work with the artist and flesh out exactly what I want.

 

[rekcerW]

adopt me, i'm a upside-down version of kelsey grammar. i'm pretty much the same kelsey grammar as the upside-up one, but it's a constant battle of trying to find a way to circulate blood when it all pools in my head. i've had a couple aneurysms and strokes, but i've gotten through the most of them. i am looking for a good home to help me figure out how to live an upside-down life in an upside-up world.

 

[rekcerW]

er wait, is this the wrong post?

 

[MosquitoBeest]

Quite a few of my characters are adopts. I think "what sort of story could I create around this character" if I'm looking at an adopt that's caught my eye (for me the adopt has to be unique in some way. I don't really go for base adopts either). I'm better with words in general and since I don't draw it's great to find characters that fit with a story outline you have in your head!

 

[SolDirix]

I remember when that adopt thing began around 2010 on Deviantart, right after the sparkle-dog craze began. Never saw the appeal.

 

[Stray Cat Terry]

Nice point, sharp. I like it.

For me personally, both as a buyer and a seller, the points are as the following:

Buyer:
1. I can't come up with the idea for some reason. (My brain stopped working, I don't have spare time to focus on designing, etc)
2. I discovered a better idea which I never thought of, but wanted--from the adoptable characters. And I want to reward the creators' creativity.
3. I have too much cash rotting in my wallets, feeling the urge to spend. So why not help out some fellow creators?

Seller:
1. I find no use on what I already created, and feel like the characters could be treated better on other's hands.
2. In need of cash (regardless of my budget) and I discovered some characters in my gallery covered with dust without nothing remarkably meaningful.

Other than that, well... right. I can simply make the similar/same stuff if I somehow don't wanna engage on adoptions. But you might notice--some population out there may flick some arrows at you.

On the contrary, also, you may end up creating similar/same stuff as others' even when you never intended or knew. But even then, you got limits on proving that you didn't 'steal' them. So...after all, it's simply your choice, whether to make your own or adopt one.

Should I say... It depends on person?

 

[CrazyDragon]

It looks like it's been mentioned before, but some folks see a design and they want it. It's either really pretty and they want to own it, they immediately think of a backstory... Some people are into shoes but NEVER wear them, some folks have diecast model car collections that sit in boxes or on shelves... it's the same principal; a collection because it means something to that individual.

I personally don't take part in the purchasing of characters, I get it, but I have no interest. I do create them though! For me it's more personal, I am trying to explore character designs and thinking of unique combos, markings or patterns, weird species and simply selling them because I have no need of them.
If someone enjoys it, and I can make side cash to go towards life? Why not.

 

[KimberVaile]

A refuge for the creatively challenged

 

[Bababooey]

A refuge for the creatively challenged

Sometimes.

 

[Rayd]

i think a lot of the people in this thread are misunderstanding most people that get adopts, cause out of everyone that i have talked to that has adopts, none of the negative closed-minded reasonings were ever the case for them liking or owning adopts. 9 times out of 10, the reason was in the realm of not everybody knows what artist to go to to get the design they want done, nor is everybody going to know how to convey their idea to said artist, and would rather go the easy route of looking for an adopt they like to make their own.

and i can relate because the entire process of commissioning is a panic attack waiting to happen for me because on top of the long, trial-and-error process of looking for open, affordable, acceptable artists to commission, you don't know if they're actually as great as you thought they were, and you don't know how well they are at communication, and a whole bunch of other things you can't possibly know before commissioning them, and the frequent disconnect between expressing an idea to an artist and what they produce is demotivating as fuck. it's as chomby said before -

Sadly many people assume that people who buy adopts simply lack creativity.

to which i agree, and i could really say the same about YCH's. it's not a case of lack of creativity at all in most cases. there's lots of people like me who just don't want the extra heartache of going through the process of commissioning, so they settle for things that are predetermined and entirely reliant on the artist. it's saddening that they're often more expensive than normal commissions, but it's the price i need to pay to avoid stressing the hell out over drawings of animals.

in other words; adopts and ych's all the way baybee

 

[Connor J. Coyote]

Well..... sometimes people create things for adopts just so they can share a character that they've created with others - for the purpose of the recipient being able to create a Fursona for themselves later on.

And thus - the "creatively challenged" can (on the one hand) have a nice character, whilst the artist (on the other hand) can supplement their income - at the same time. And so, adopts can be a "win win" for both parites, a lot of times.
-----------------
*Some adopts are absolutely lovely, btw; and are certainly worth "taking a look at" and purchasing on occasion.