see you space cowboy

[k⁄⁄eternal]

I'm out of here. (<- tl;dr)

Over time it became obvious to me that the poison in the theming community wasn't SM4, wasn't even the public we like to blame, but rather something in many themers themselves: the notion that your work requires some type of mass approval to be worthwhile.

First, SM4: I was initially against it because I thought it was the source of the problem, as it divided the themers into discrete groups, and the public audience as well. In a sense it's a contributor, but I recognize now the effort to create a solid new engine and if people want to use it, that's cool. I think people should keep both versions on hand so that we don't forget the rich history of 3.9, but feel free to do whatever you want.

Second, the public: I was convinced, then, that the public's failure to recognize the potential of certain themes and themers was the problem. But it became clear that it wouldn't be an issue if, to themers, their opinion was largely irrelevant.

Which brings me to the core problem: the need for mass approval.

It's something I've never really cared about. For one reason or another, though, I've been one of the more attention-drawing themers around. This led to a fair amount of jealousy on the part of other themers, and that in turn to a perhaps-unconscious smear campaign to paint my themes as simple, unoriginal recolors and therefore unworthy of existence in the public domain.

Now, even if they were, the baseline is my work from scratch, so there would be nothing unethical about it if I really did just recolor everything and release again. It's one thing to modify others' themes, but your own--there's really no (moral) issue.

But perhaps more importantly--you're really ignoring the fact that a lot of work DOES go into these. You're labeling innovation as new features, cramming tons of information onto every screen, using aspects of the SM engine previously unseen. And yes, those things are innovative. But it doesn't mean that innovation doesn't exist within the realm of pure aesthetics, and if you think my work has remained the same quality visually over the years, you have got to be blind.

But enough of that. It's obvious that this notion is incorrect and that it persists despite that implies to me that clearing my name is impossible. Add to that a single previous unethical action and it's cemented, k//eternal is a crappy themer for life.

And you know what? If people want to think that, go ahead. I just don't want any part of it. The notion that a good theme is one that panders to the masses is incorrect and causes all the problems you see now. Everyone should just be making the theme that they themselves would want to use. That's really the best kind.

AJ, I hope you finally make something you like someday, and stop beating yourself up when stuff is underappreciated.

Katze, I hope you become the respectable themer that I remember again, because I can't stand that asshole who's taken his place.

Everyone else, well, I'd like to say it's been a fun ride, but really, this whole ordeal sucked the fun out of theming, or I'd still be going at it.


If you think saying something will change my mind, well, go ahead and delude yourself for a while. Honestly, it's just not a fun thing to do anymore, and with my recent workload, it's irrational to spend so much time on something that's become a simple chore. Given that, even if it sparks my interest again someday, I'll just keep it to my site, away from both the slander and the generic compliments.

And if you're one of those themers who's secretly fapping to this, thinking "Good riddance", well, congratulations. You're the cancer that's killing the SM theming community. Open your eyes and see that there's more than one way to skin a dancing game.

I'm not really the drama queen type, so yeah, this is it. See you, space cowboy.

[shakesoda]

There is not a single part of that post I can truly argue.

Also, thanks, I've been thinking "PEOPLE ARE JUST GONNA BITCH ABOUT [x feature I like personally]." I've been wrapped up too much in crap to remember that was never the point.

I'm still planing on porting XII with what it's worth (likely will only be about 60-75% accurate, I can't theme accurately worth a damn.)

[Hideki-Motosuwa]

Since I've been away from the SM theme-scene for 4 to 5 years, I've never looked into how the community has gone up to now so I can't really say or comment on anything k//eternal has said but nor can I deny anything neither after looking around a bit after coming back.

It's sad that themes need to be "branded" or "approved" by the masses just to be recognized. Those themers who put their heart into a quality work know this all too well.

Anyway, I can pretty much say that this is one of the major reasons why Xatnys never finished Sakura Obsession and why he left the SM Theme scene as well. Now with k//eternal leaving, its making me think if I should stop doing Revival Serenade since his works was inspiration for my own.

[k⁄⁄eternal]

Originally Posted by Hideki-Motosuwa

It's sad that themes need to be "branded" or "approved" by the masses just to be recognized.

I think you missed the point.

It's more like "It's sad that themes need to be recognized by the masses in order for the authors to feel like they're worthwhile."

Bottom line, don't drop your projects if they're still fun to you.

[Hideki-Motosuwa]

Ah, ok. lol

Anyway, since my last update, I haven't done nothing as of yet. Playing too many MMO games right now while thinking of how to do stuff.

[AceJay]

Originally Posted by k⁄⁄eternal

And if you're one of those themers who's secretly fapping to this, thinking "Good riddance", well, congratulations. You're the cancer that's killing the SM theming community.

Fucking lol'd.

Anyway, I can't see what brought this about, as SS has some good popularity.

brbsoup

[k⁄⁄eternal]

Uh, yeah. If it wasn't popular, my point would be drastically weakened by the possibility of hypocrisy.

For anyone who's unable to read the big block of text, just focus on the first sentence and ignore the rest so that you don't get the complete opposite of the point, m'kay?

EDIT: if it's not obvious, the big block is directed at themers, not the general public

[dieKatze88]

Originally Posted by k⁄⁄eternal

I think you missed the point.

It's more like "It's sad that themes need to be recognized by the masses in order for the authors to feel like they're worthwhile."

Bottom line, don't drop your projects if they're still fun to you.

Lets talk about Ultramix.

More specifically:
Lets talk about how nobody gives a real shit.

Every time someone (Be it me, that kid on DDR Freak, DJ Elite, or AJ) tried to release an Ultramix theme, nobody really cared. There were a few people that cared (See Current KatzeUltramix thread), but no real caring was happening. So, If this notion is so correct, than why the fuck have I made 4 silent efforts to push a new version of KatzeUltramix out the door for the past 3 years and then do This? Yes. I worked on KatzeUltramix four times since I last released a version of it. Theres a lot of stuff in my version not in any of yours. So why do I care? I care because I like how Ultramix looks.

Why haven't I released anything up until now? (Very broad anything here) Because I didn't feel like It was up to my fucking standards.

and on a side note, the Katze you like will be back in 2 weeks when 2 papers and his finals are done.

[k⁄⁄eternal]

Originally Posted by dieKatze88

Why haven't I released anything up until now? (Very broad anything here) Because I didn't feel like It was up to my fucking standards.

and on a side note, the Katze you like will be back in 2 weeks when 2 papers and his finals are done.

This is reasonable, and that's great to hear.

[t3hSurge]

I recently started theming for BePachi, and in addition to learning that I have to take it slow waiting for updates from alis, I'm totally satisfied with the responses I've gotten here.

I'm sure there's a bigger theming community than what I see, but from what I'm reading here it seems that you're aware that good themes and popularity are two separate things. So, your themes get attention. I don't understand the "problem" that's leading you away from theming. Quite honestly having one of the arguably best themers for sm3.9 leave isn't going to reinforce the quality of the community at all.

I know my wording is wierd but bottom line:
-you make good themes
-you don't care about others approval of your work's quality
-THERE'S SOME MISSING STEP IN HERE
-k//eternal leaves sm theming

I'd also like to point out my current work is focused on bringing the most accurate theme possible, deferring from the point of OMG FEATURES (LR2) and way too much CPU usage. I would like to create something so good that a currently updated, american made iidx simulator can compete on the level of japanese made simulators.

[k⁄⁄eternal]

the missing step is obviously "k//eternal becomes naket coder"

[shakesoda]

bullshit I am naket coder

[hooky -i- vanisher]

No, I am.

[k⁄⁄eternal]

nonsense if you rearrange the letters of naket coder you get "keterna" and "cod" and "//l" is fisherman's code for "cod" mmkay

so it's me, duh

[Midiman]

bullcrap I'm obviously NAKET coder.