Is it the same anymore?

[agigantorllama 258]

Way back in 2011/2012 (2-3 years ago?!), the community and show was in an outstanding position. Beautiful music was produced by amazing artists, art was created by amazing artists, episodes were rolled out in greater quality. YouTube offered all the episodes you could possibly ask for.

 

Now, artists are changing aliases to non-MLP related names. The population is moving away from the fandom, the series. Looking back at the older episodes and content created long ago, it was a breath of fresh air to me. Now, it kind of seems like Hasbro is doing whatever they can to keep the show alive. I wish they'd never tried to appeal only to the fandom, that's why Season 1 (especially more than 2) and 2 seemed to be much better than the new stuff. 

 

Anyway, there is a big question I have for the community of MLP - has the game changed negatively? Do you remember back when the fandom seemed to be more alive, or am I just naturally moving away from the show?

 

edit: i have no means to create this post in a disrespectful manner, i just need some constructive criticism to get me back into the community after a hiatus, thank you

Edited June 18, 2014 by agigantorllama

[Pinkamena-Pills 6,839]

Now, it kind of seems like Hasbro is doing whatever they can to keep the show alive.

 

 

Huh? We haven't got Equestria Girls 7: Return of the Prom Queen yet,so i think the show is much alive.

 

I have no idea about the other stuff you mentioned,but to me it seems like the fandom is going strong.

 

But maybe im just blind. 

 

If the game has hanged,its changed for the better imo,and ya perhaps you are naturally moving away from the show.

Edited June 18, 2014 by Pinkamena-Pills

[Ashen Pathfinder 16,161]

I honestly haven't noticed much a change personally; and I've been around since season 1. Really, while some of the fandom may move on from MLP-related works, that doesn't always have to do with the show. They may want to create their own original content (like JanAnimations or Silly Filly Studios have said) or they need another avenue for inspiration.

 

To me, it's only gottne bigger as we've had a number of new fans come in from seasons 3 & 4.

[Discordian 6,015]

If anything things have changed positively. The show is better than ever.

 

But you can't expect an artist to focus on just one thing their entire lives. How would they ever get better that way?

[Scootalove 10,689]

I think that the fandom has at least expanded from its beginning roots to now, where the community works on MLP related stuff and other shows or other projects. I'd say that it has gotten bigger in a positive way.

[agigantorllama 258]

I honestly haven't noticed much a change personally; and I've been around since season 1. Really, while some of the fandom may move on from MLP-related works, that doesn't always have to do with the show. They may want to create their own original content (like JanAnimations or Silly Filly Studios have said) or they need another avenue for inspiration.

 

To me, it's only gottne bigger as we've had a number of new fans come in from seasons 3 & 4.

Hmm, maybe it's just the motivation to keep up with you guys since the release of the Season 3 finale has got to me. Maybe I'm just misconceiving the fandom and probably need to start creating visual art again to get back in the game. Thanks

 

 

EDIT: I haven't seen a single episode after Ep. 5 from Season 4 yet (Hasbro preventing uploading of episodes onto YouTube again stopped me), has it improved since then? 

Edited June 18, 2014 by agigantorllama

[Zhortac 1,474]

I think alot of the internet fame people have either just run down, or are trying to distance themselves from the flood. I mean, we're still in the "bandwagon" stage, and people try to mimic or fawn all over people that have alot of attention.

[Discordian 6,015]

Hmm, maybe it's just the motivation to keep up with you guys since the release of the Season 3 finale has got to me. Maybe I'm just misconceiving the fandom and probably need to start creating visual art again to get back in the game. Thanks

 

 

EDIT: I haven't seen a single episode after Ep. 5 from Season 4 yet (Hasbro preventing uploading of episodes onto YouTube again stopped me), has it improved since then?

Season 4 is the best season yet. You gotta watch it when you can.

[AppleJared 87]

I was writing a book in response, but everything I had to say could be condensed to this:

 

The fandom is different, but growing. If you loved the first and second season, you still like Season 5. You won't love it, but you'll like it. S5 finale is amazing, btw. Season 4 is solid. Artists (visual and music) are probably leaving because there's so much competition within the fandom concerning the arts, ie., there are so many amazing new artists that some of the old guard are leaving. To me, there's more of a focus on fan-work than actual episodes these days, which is far different from when we joined up in 2011. You might think that's bad, but again, some of these content creators are amazing. Some are better than Hasbro IMHO. (Some, but very few.) Hasbro does seem like they're struggling a bit and making some bad moves, but they still have Daniel Ingram for music which speaks volumes. 

 

As a guy who left the fandom for about a year, now is a good time to come back. 

[Jammo 986]

Shows that never change stagnate. Season 4 has evolved to stay fresh, but in a good way. The brony focused jokes are integrated well and don't feel like shameless pandering. The story's don't feel dependant on these moments. Marketing wise the writing style needs to adapt with a group that makes up a good portion of it's audience.

[agigantorllama 258]

 

The fandom is different, but growing. If you loved the first and second season, you still like Season 5. You won't love it, but you'll like it. S5 finale is amazing, btw. Season 4 is solid. 

 

lol there's a season 5? I'm so behind it's sad..

[Silver Letter 1,832]

Fandoms and people within them do change over time. I have not been around in it long enough to have seen a change but I respect your point of view and can see that you may be correct.

[Zhortac 1,474]

lol there's a season 5? I'm so behind it's sad..

 

S5 finale?

 

Alright, who built a time machine?

[M'aiq the Liar 5,804]

It changed. It most certainly did. It went from a small, relatively close knit group, who just ate slept and drew pony, to a massive fandom that has as much drama if not more than a reality TV show, from conventions were Tera Strong dressed in Twilight cosplay, and the voice of bender read Trixie's lines from boast busters, to massive multi thousand people conventions, with panels for animators, VA's, writers, and even fan panels. And the show kinda grew in scale as well. It went from a simple show about 6 small ponies in a massive world, were everyday life was often the focus, and the season finale was a party going wrong, to a show were the main character turns into goku for a bit and throws a goat man into a mountain. But this growth isn't all bad, but neither is it perfect like so many claim. The show had to grow in scale in order to remain fresh and new, we couldn't keep having the best night ever forever. And like the show they nearly worship, the fandom grew in scale almost in step with the show. Original artists will leave, to be replaced but numerous others as the fandom continues to expand, and fandoms often loose the members that helped found it as it grows, wether through becoming tired of the fandom, or wishing to move on with their lives and careers.

 

To say the fandom has not changed since the early days on /co/ is foolish. It has changed, it has grown, and expanded, and moved from simple small groups into the large 12 million strong fandom that it is today. Same applies for the show, it has changed, just look at the "stakes" from the s1 finale to the s4 one. But growth isn't all bad, it is needed for the continual survival.

[AppleJared 87]

S5 finale?

 

Alright, who built a time machine?

I did. Season 5 is fantastic. 

[sonicdude558 27]

I did. Season 5 is fantastic. 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eN-IPGM6kYg#t=302

 

You remind me of this guy.

 

But yeah it would be unbelievable for me and others if the show ends. I don't even know what it would be like. Even if the show does end or something like that, the community will always still be around.

Edited June 18, 2014 by sonicdude558

[Metemponychosis 1,259]

I think that the show is getting "old". It changed a lot from how it was in the beginning and it's just natural that people that were interested in stuff that is no longer here are moving away.

[Tigerpop198 696]

It's more like interests change over time. I see what you mean though, some people could, just be getting tired of it all.

[Cirrus. 1,089]

I can't really say how the fandom has changed, since i fell into this black hole COMPLETELY BLIND of it about 6 months ago (Thanks Tara Strong) :okiedokielokie:

JK, I'm glad I found out about the show. Anyway, In terms of the show all I really noticed is that the animators seem to be goofing around a little more than in the first seasons.

 

Mainly the show hasn't "Gone Spongebob" If it starts getting stupid I won't be watching it, but I'll probably still be a fan. I still will watch older Spongebob episodes if I'm just channel surfing.

[Frostgage 7,975]

I think I get what your saying. IMO, this is just what happens whenever something gets big, you get a lot more fringe fans and the overall quality goes down. Some could argue whether this is a positive or negative thing overall.

 

Although, I have to say I think the actual show is just as good as ever, which is the most important thing. I'm still absolutely loving it and I think I will for a while longer.

[Justin_Case001 4,881]

It changed. It most certainly did. It went from a small, relatively close knit group, who just ate slept and drew pony, to a massive fandom that has as much drama if not more than a reality TV show, from conventions were Tera Strong dressed in Twilight cosplay, and the voice of bender read Trixie's lines from boast busters, to massive multi thousand people conventions, with panels for animators, VA's, writers, and even fan panels. And the show kinda grew in scale as well. It went from a simple show about 6 small ponies in a massive world, were everyday life was often the focus, and the season finale was a party going wrong, to a show were the main character turns into goku for a bit and throws a goat man into a mountain. But this growth isn't all bad, but neither is it perfect like so many claim. The show had to grow in scale in order to remain fresh and new, we couldn't keep having the best night ever forever. And like the show they nearly worship, the fandom grew in scale almost in step with the show. Original artists will leave, to be replaced but numerous others as the fandom continues to expand, and fandoms often loose the members that helped found it as it grows, wether through becoming tired of the fandom, or wishing to move on with their lives and careers.

 

To say the fandom has not changed since the early days on /co/ is foolish. It has changed, it has grown, and expanded, and moved from simple small groups into the large 12 million strong fandom that it is today. Same applies for the show, it has changed, just look at the "stakes" from the s1 finale to the s4 one. But growth isn't all bad, it is needed for the continual survival.

Some say the show has gone downhill and the fandom is ending.  Some say Maiq is a liar.  Don't you believe either of those things.

[GrimCW 658]

At worst I think the fad followers are moving out, but the content creators for the most part are still around. Many though are skeptical about continuing after Hasbro's lawyers went ape on youtube and other sites a couple months ago though. So that may have something to do with a few things.

 

Other than that I haven't noticed a thing, but then again I don't go horrendously rabid and make every search Pony related, despite my excessive addiction to the show and things related.

I just don't get attached to fan content as easily, and will only gnab things I happen by randomly if they catch my eye.

[Guest90210 3,568]

You share similar thoughts to mine in terms of the fandom.

 

I can't figure out if the Brony fandom is on the rise or the decline. Google Trend numbers seem to fluctuate wildly. A few months ago when I checked, Search quaries and interest in MLP was consistently going up, but now when I check it says it's been declining since Late 2012-early 2013.

 

As you said, a lot of the more famous and popular Brony artists and video-makers are suddenly changing their names, phasing out pony content, etc. So it makes me wonder if this is a sign of things to come.

 

On the other hand, Con attendance has been up across the board from what I can tell, and episode ratings are increasing. My theory is that the "booming" phase of the fandom is over, and will likely never start up again. I can't see the Brony fandom gaining as many fans in as quick a time period anymore as it was in 2011-2012. Maybe it's been "evening out", so to speak, and the popularity and activity among the fan base will stay roughly the same or grow at a much slower rate than before.

Edited June 19, 2014 by Rivendare

[KoGy 187]

I miss the old days.

The show was nice, the fandom was small it was a really special thing.

I still remember when I was confidently a pony fan back in the day.

I even consumed fan made media and stuff like that.

 

I still lack an escape strategy. Wish I had any.

Edited June 19, 2014 by KoGy

[Magical Anarchy 177]

Keep this in mind, while others may have left the fandom, others join everyday (just look at the Welcoming Section), and many of them are artists and musicians, who may become the next big thing in our fandom, just like, say, Tombstone was. So while we have lost some, we are gaining more everyday! I don't think we'll die our anytime soon