Beanbag Contest: Voting!

August 17, 2017 1:40 pm

Hello designers, voters and avid bystanders! We've had a good pore over each of your entries for the contest and we were absolutely blown away by your ideas and designs.

We've made a selection of 6 entries that we feel fit in with the direction we would like to take on the Beanbag Shop NPC. This doesn't necessarily mean that any of the entries weren't deserving or wonderful - they just weren't the right fit for Subeta at this time.

That being said, we got a clear idea of what kinds of characters users feel are being underrepresented on site, and we will endeavor to bring many more of the ideas given in this competition into the site's future lore-making. We hear you!

But for now, it's time to VOTE. You have until 11:59PM on August 20th to cast your opinion. Which of these designs (including backstories) would make for your favorite new beanbag NPC?

August 20, 2017, 1:29 pm by

Kanyin is the bomb. Has my vote.

I also thought my entry would be choosen, but now I see it wasn't what subeta team was expecting. I mean, he wasn't a minority :p but a stoner ha! I really liked his design tho, think i'm going to use it as a pet

August 20, 2017, 9:51 am by

I'm a bit late but I think all six of them are really awesome! It was a hard decision and I just ended up going with my gut on which one I liked most. Probably not the one that's going to win though. :P

August 20, 2017, 2:39 am by

would love to be able to view all entries once this voting is done

August 20, 2017, 2:08 am by

ah! i accidentally voted for the wrong person :(

August 19, 2017, 6:45 pm by

tbh, it weirds me out how many people seem to be voting based on "that's my identity/this minority is underrepresented!" rather than the actual fittingness of the characters. Two of the options are far and away the most well-integrated into Subeta lore, with the others being just... normal characters you'd see scrolling through Tumblr reblogs, mostly relying on Diversity Points™ for appeal and tacking on "+ friends with (SUBETA NPC)" as an afterthought. I'm a big dumb gay with mental disorders but wouldn't vote for a clinically depressed or lesbian keeper because of that.

(Then again, staff could delete Esther and Emma off the site entirely and I'd give exactly zero shits. I frankly do not understand being so starved for validation that people require every minutia of their personal identity be reflected on a virtual flippin' pet site, even if it is my favorite virtual flippin' pet site.)

That aside: Kanyin for prez.

August 19, 2017, 6:40 pm by

this was a hard one, i quite liked most of them! but it's shanti for me, as i also have chronic pain that makes walking pretty uncomfortable and even painful if i'm up long enough. i think march would be my second choice, even if she doesn't win it'd be nice to see an npc with autism in the future! good luck to all of the entries!

August 19, 2017, 12:23 pm by

"People different from me are scary."

August 19, 2017, 11:49 am by

Well, at least it was easy to pick one.

August 19, 2017, 7:05 am by

No NPC-character deserved to be a parody of Trump. I'm pessimistic for years far before that scary clown become the president of US. I'll still try to cure myself to become more optimistic. Anyway all candidates has got something greats. I will look forward to the character-devilopements.

August 19, 2017, 6:06 am by

I'm really liking Calliope's design and backstory so my vote goes to her. I wish I could see what the other entries were

August 19, 2017, 4:13 am by

A Muslim woman, a Transabled person (Transabled because I'm pretty sure being stuck in a wheelchair actually makes your butt sore and leads to Muscle atrophy, rather than helping a person with Chronic pain http://www.healthtalk.org/peoples-experiences/long-term-conditions/chronic-pain/walking-aids-wheelchairs-and-adaptations) and a nonbinary/gender fluid person and voila! Subeta is officially Politically Correct! Congratulations! (Just don't forget the Transpecies spokesperson or the victimhood society will be incomplete)

August 19, 2017, 3:33 am by

I first was going to vote for kanyin because I love pet shopkeepers, but I just adore how Charlize shouts her passion to all and is such a cute design. Im all for representation in terms of mental illness, as I have some muself, but I didnt expect to vote for one that had any. Ive kind of been meh on the whole 'internet shares all of the things about all disabilities and must vote for those because not represented' instead of just going for who you generally love most. But I actually didnt even notice the autistic aspect, if I had I wonder if I would have voted differently....

Nah. She is a cutie patootie. Plus she has awesome hair. Plus as much as Im not huge on the disability swaying people I know many do relate and it is good to have that. I just wonder how many are voting for specific chars just because of that, instead of how well they fit as a keeper of this shop type.

Idk. Im overthinking it. All of them are great art and I seriously am kicking myself for lack of time to enter this.

Will we ever be able to see all the entries? I would love to look st everyones ideas and let their art be seen after all the work they put in, even if it wont be used on site.

August 18, 2017, 9:03 pm by

Oh. I feel stupid now. Thank you for clearing that up. That makes much more sense.

August 18, 2017, 7:08 pm by

I was torn between March and Charlize --- love them both xx

August 18, 2017, 7:00 pm by

Shanti has chronic pain attacks, not panic attacks. The chronic pain makes it hard for her to walk.

August 18, 2017, 6:54 pm by

Interesting entries. I ended up going with Calliope. Kanyin and Shanti were interesting as well. I admit I don't understand why Shanti needs a wheelchair for panic attacks though? I'm uncomfortably familiar with those, but don't understand the need for a wheelchair? I think that having that having an NPC in a wheelchair is a fine idea, but the reason for it throws me. Kanyin was a close second, even if I'm not a huge fan of the breed. He's just too cute!

And, even though this is not going to be a well received opinion, I have to agree that the only group of people that this activity represented were those with artistic talent and either art programs and hardware or a working scanner. That is not a representative sample of the Subeta users.

August 18, 2017, 6:24 pm by

im in LOVE with shanti. she got my vote

August 18, 2017, 5:57 pm by

Kanyin is perfect! He has my vote

August 18, 2017, 4:28 pm by

Shanti ended up getting my vote but it was a very tough call between her, Kanyin and Fahimah for me!

August 18, 2017, 3:54 pm by

Kanyin was my vote, he's the bomb, really hope he makes it, he'd make a great beanbag... maker, ehe.

August 18, 2017, 3:04 pm by

August 18, 2017, 2:35 pm by

Calliope fits well into site lore, but I don't see her as a beanbag person. Charlize tho... I love her character and she's a PERFECT fit for the role!

August 18, 2017, 2:01 pm by

Shanti <3

August 18, 2017, 12:00 pm by

SO DIFFICULT! <3

August 18, 2017, 11:40 am by

Wow I love the story behind Calliope, this would have made for an interesting site plot! They have my vote :D

August 18, 2017, 10:32 am by

Kanyin is cute.

We really need more non-human characters.

Hope he wins.

August 18, 2017, 10:22 am by

These are so good; it was really hard to choose. Fantastic job everyone.

August 18, 2017, 10:17 am by

Calliope is my dream baby fab dollface lovely tea bumpkin and she is perfect.

But I had to give my vote to March. As a nonbinary individual on the spectrum, they hit home. The beanbags as a special interest is too cute. I just wish March had more sensory issues mentioned. That's a huge part of things. It makes SO much sense that Charlize wears gloves on the job!!!

(p.s. I so disagree with not being able to touch velvet. Velvet and silk are life. Pleather is freakin evil!)

Also shoutout to Shanti. You go guuurl. Keep doin yer thang. I can't walk on my own, either. I know the struggle.

And we need to take fashion tips from Fahimah and Kanyin.

August 18, 2017, 5:11 am by

So difficult to choose. I must have re-read them all, and changed my vote at least 3 times before settling on my final choice.

August 18, 2017, 4:30 am by

teakettle noises Oh my gosh, guys, such a difficult decision! All the entries are amazing. It was between Charlize and Kanyin for me (Kanyin actually made me think of a sweetheart friend of mine) but I ended up going with Charlize because she's amazing. Well, they're all amazing, but I suppose I can only choose one! Good luck to everyone! I'm excited to see who becomes the next NPC. c:

August 18, 2017, 2:52 am by

Gonna have to agree with

Sorry, March and Charlize. Can totally relate to the fabric texture thing (just thinking about my hands rubbing against a velvet or flannel beanbag.... shudders Would gladly rub my hands all over a beanbag that felt like carpet or bath towels, though), but Calliope is just...everything about her is amazing and creative and fun. I imagine she'd be a blast to work into future plots/events and to interact with other NPCs.

I feel like there's a good chance of autistic NPC characters being released in the future should they not win this contest. I hope I'm right.

If it's any consolation, Liz and Nico (Food Market and Bits and Bytes shopkeepers) are both ace, which is awesome. :) Neither are chubby, though.

August 18, 2017, 1:40 am by

Dang... As much as I'd like to add an autistic NPC, I /really/ like Calliope's description. Think I'mma have to vote for her.

August 18, 2017, 1:12 am by

Rrrgh, why can I only vote for one? D:

August 18, 2017, 1:09 am by

jeeze i didnt realize when i made March that I used the wrong wording! as their creator i second for the change in wording if they do get chosen. thank you for bringing that to my attention!

August 18, 2017, 12:17 am by

A bunch of back and forth over representation (on a pet site) is ridiculous, but the same is going on in the world, so I'm not surprised... why do people get so upset when they see any difference reflected in a world that has differences, and which makes the world so great?

Anyway, hard decision to make a choice; congrats to the ones who had their characters picked!

August 17, 2017, 11:50 pm by

a squeaky shift to the left, a squeaky shift to the right. That'll do~

August 17, 2017, 11:37 pm by

It was a tough call, but I voted for Fahimah because I love her design and personality. I'd be happy with any of them winning, though, and I am glad to see so much diversity!

August 17, 2017, 11:36 pm by

I'm an autistic wheelchair user, so I'm loving all the representation!

I just wanted to say to that if March wins, can you ~~please~~ make sure they are referred to differently? As in 'March is autistic' as opposed to "March has autism." It may seem like a small thing to anyone who isn't autistic, but the wording is very offensive and calls to mind cure culture, eugenics, etc. We are not separate from autism, we are autistic. It's a developmental disorder that can't be cured, treated or removed and the 'has autism' phrasing is pushed by groups like Autism Speaks in order to fool people into thinking that we're separate from our autism and can be cured. Charlize has the phrasing right if it helps. It's nothing I would take into account for voting, of course, but I hope that wording doesn't make it onto the site if they win.

August 17, 2017, 10:19 pm by

Calliope seems awesome! Definitely voted for her :D

August 17, 2017, 10:10 pm by

Awww. Sad not to see my entry in the finalists after such a long wait, but I approve of these choices. The dilemma beanbag salesperson is totally awesome. MOAR PET SHOPKEEPS. o/

August 17, 2017, 9:55 pm by

That was in response to 's comment, to clarify.

August 17, 2017, 9:54 pm by

Is "users would like more diverse characters" a statement that really needs analyzed and split hairs over? xD Seems excessive to make polls or surveys to create a variety of characters.

August 17, 2017, 9:52 pm by

im so happy March made it to the finals!! im so glad people like them! I never got this far in a contest before ;-; good luck to everyone, all the other entries are so cute, I think it'll be great no matter who wins!

August 17, 2017, 9:36 pm by

Even though we already got Quentin as NB representation, I voted for March because she's so cute! I liked all characters though, wish all of them could become Subeta NPCs in a way or another! <3

(Now I wonder if Subeta has a transgender guy, though... I submitted one for the contest because I didn't recall any. I can always have headcanons, though!)

August 17, 2017, 9:25 pm by