Discussion Thread for Maxis Tab Recommendations

I noticed that a lot of people seem to be concerned about popularity/exposure and those who just upload without promoting their work quickly get buried and go unnoticed. It's kind of frustrating to sort through the tons of uploads to find things you like but like it or not chances are if a lot has a lot of downloads/favorites or Maxis favorite it most likely is going to be something more people want. Having that to narrow a search parameter is nice. That being said it is sad that amazing talent does get buried. So here was my thought:

"treece01;13061832" wrote:
I wonder if some sort of "Best of the Gallery Graveyard" recommendation category or thread would be helpful? One where people can nominate creators that have, say less than 100/150 followers. I follow a few creators that I think are awesome but apparently are not well known and have a surprisingly low amount of downloads & favorites. I don't know these people and just found them by browsing or their showcase threads but would love to see them get appreciated. (I was happy to see that Maxis did happen to notice butch14's "Castle Drachenburg)
Nothing is ever going to give everyone their due and every idea has it's benefits and drawbacks but it was just a thought I had.
BTW; I like BryonyRae's suggestions.

Good call to create a new thread.

"BryonyRae;804078" wrote:

To me, there is value in a Maxis favorite from two perspectives: 1) it's nice to think that they noticed and liked our work, and 2) the Maxis favorite grants a lot more visibility for our work. That said though, I've wondered to myself for a while now if it doesn't cause more harm than good because many people have such strong emotional reactions to the whole thing. I hate to see people getting so disappointed when their work isn't chosen or bashing other works that do get chosen. I personally wouldn't mind if the Maxis tab disappeared altogether. They could still spotlight builds via social media (which they already do without favoriting them) and via this web site.

As far as criteria for recommendations, I personally will only nominate something that is completely finished (exterior, interior, and landscaping) and that really wows me. I don't care who created it. As I said, I do go scouting for unknowns, but if I find an amazing build, I'm going to nominate it regardless. I just think that great work should always be acknowledged.

I think we share similar feelings regarding the Maxis tab. But it would be a little sad to see it go.

Mostly because I have found some really interesting and beautiful things through that tab :)

About the bashing - this is something that happened to me a while back after Maxis picked one of my lots for their tab.
It wasn't too serious though, mostly very passive aggressive but still totally disrespectful and not to mention uncalled for.
I would hate to see this happen to other people as well because there are those who gets really hurt by that kind of behaviour.
I stand by what I said on the other thread - I see no reason to question Maxis choice for their tab unless it is a case with bad
CC attached or plagiarism. We can all have opinions, but that doesn't mean we can't keep them to ourselves.

I think it's enough that we can all have our own criteria when it comes to nominating builds. Like you said yourself.

And it kinda is a problem when people starts talking openly about Maxis not picking "high quality" work for their tab.
Imagine how that must feel for many people who has been selected by them. Especially those who has just started creating.
These are the ones who really needs all the support they can get. Because let's be honest, we all started from scratch at some
point and I think one of the things that kept us going was indeed the support from others. At least, that's how it was for me.

I have always loved the Creative Corner because it holds some of the most kind and supportive simmers in this entire community
and I don't want it to turn into a place where some people are feeling left out because they can't please everyone with their work.

for me the reccomandations thread is mostly fine; the only thing dragging it down at the moment is that some people manipulated others in nominating the stuff that person creates and since the person stopped asking for nominating; the people she asked at the start are still doing it; this brings in unfinished rushed builds in this topic and makes the person look like the best builder in the world. This whole issue is bringing the thread down when you see these amazing finished and well thought builds; and then a few people upload nominations of builds that are somethimes rushed or unfurnished; aka; theyre not finished. There should be a critique added to the list. Your build must be finished to be able to be nominated.

I think the build and share group challenges have done a few things right which could add to the "legitimacy" of Maxis favorites. In particular, I have a great deal of respect for how they have three different tiers of competition, depending on the experience of the builder. I really appreciate how it encourages newer and less experienced builders to continue becoming better. Mind you, they're also dealing with a much smaller pool of builders than the entire gallery, where it is easier to keep track of these things. But I like how it encourages people at different levels, and how transparent the group is about the judging process. They're extremely clear about the fact that the final scores are, in the end, all based to a certain degree on the personal taste of the judges, and there's never any way to take personal bias out of the equation. But if a person wins a competition at a lower level, that same person might be held to a higher standard next time.

Maybe that's impossible to keep track of on the scale of the entire gallery. However, we, as the people who can nominate work in the recommendations thread, might apply a similar standard to our own nominations. For example, if I nominate BryonyRae for her latest build, and she gets favorited, maybe I shouldn't nominate her again unless she really brings it to the next level (because I know she will, some day).

The fundamental point I am trying to make is that I'd love to see people get recognized for improvement, whatever level they start at. I certainly won't claim, though, that I have a perfect answer for that yet.

Great idea and thread Bryony.
Let me start by saying I have a lot of time on hand to build and create and I am also a very fast builder. This is what I love doing, every single moment I have to spare. An idea will spark at times, then I rush to a lot and quickly build a frame of what I had in mind, This normally leaves me with a couple of lots that looks like a construction site. :) I then work on 5-7 lots a day. A little bit here and then a little bit there. This way I can easily manage to upload 3-4 builds to my gallery a day. For me (like every build should think of their builds) beautiful and finished. What is finished 4 me (example) is maybe not finished 4 others. But then again we all have active opinions and that is fine o:)

What really annoys me is the plum comments and the bashing to OP's on the forum and threads, and it always seems to be the same odd little group :D They just never let go..and it just goes on and on and on...suggesting they rather focus this wasted energy on something positive rather than bash other OP's. The only other alternative is the apply the ignore button - which works fine btw. :D

May I also thank you BryonyRay for all your postive feedback on my gallery and constructive advise. I do appreciate it tremendously and know I have so much more to learn. Step by step, day by day <3

typo <3

My 2 cents worth.

I am finding that the thread is becoming more of a popularity thread than anything else. At times, it seems that people have made numerous accounts to ensure their builds are nominated at least once or more times on each page of the thread. Most of these accounts are still "new members".

There are people that never visit this forum, or rarely upload their builds, or that may not build the biggest lots that are being overlooked. There are numerous smaller builds that would be great to see Maxis favourite however they never are.

I would love to see Maxis limit their favourites at this time to 5 builds per person. That way the tab isn't overloaded with the same people's builds all the time and it will give the chance for some of the less popular builders the chance to have their lots favourited.

In addition, it would be nice to see Maxis add this thread to each nations forums. This way if people in other countries visit their own forums and not the US one, they have the same chance of having their lots favourited.

This used to hold a comment not worth the topic anymore.....

Let's have a :cookie:

Also, just for the sake of clarity. Some builders enjoys creating shells, and leave the decoration part to the ones who downloads.You can have this as your own rule when it comes to nominating, that it has to be furnished. But I don't think it should be an official rule for the reason I already mentioned. And again, it's really up to Maxis what they want to add to their tab.

"Manssom;13063674" wrote:

Also, just for the sake of clarity. Some builders enjoys creating shells, and leave the decoration part to the ones who downloads.
You can have this as your own rule when it comes to nominating, that it has to be furnished. But I don't think it should be an official rule
for the reason I already mentioned. And again, it's really up to Maxis what they want to add to their tab.

The BEST builds should be complete lots including decorating and furnishing. If you want Best Shells, then there should be a different thread for that. In my view, Best builds are completed lots with all the trimmings, not half ass lots that people can't be bothered finishing.

I honestly think some of the builds that are recommended look terrible and shouldn't be nominated. Quite a few look rushed and don't deserve to be favourited by Maxis.

Another point I would like to make. People who create threads whining that Maxis hasn't favourited any of their builds should not be favourited. All Maxis is doing is giving into these precious little souls who think they are Gods gift.

"kamb1403;13063714" wrote:

"Manssom;13063674" wrote:

Also, just for the sake of clarity. Some builders enjoys creating shells, and leave the decoration part to the ones who downloads.
You can have this as your own rule when it comes to nominating, that it has to be furnished. But I don't think it should be an official rule
for the reason I already mentioned. And again, it's really up to Maxis what they want to add to their tab.

The BEST builds should be complete lots including decorating and furnishing. If you want Best Shells, then there should be a different thread for that. In my view, Best builds are completed lots with all the trimmings, not half ass lots that people can't be bothered finishing.

Best Shells, not a bad idea. I kinda agree. I haven't seen any shells on the Maxis thread though,
just pointed out that there are in fact builders who builds shells. Just like there are people who redecorate :)

Edit: I just noticed that they added this on the Maxis thread
Please only nominate finished builds. If a build is unfinished, we would prefer not to review it.

So I guess they do prefer to have furnished builds, at least that's how I read it.