aelfheimerandrobots

[aelfheimerandrobots]

It's that time again folks!

You've got a week guys! Lemme know who I should draw next!

Finished corset pieces for Reference Decepticons:

Knockout (with bonus Breakdown)

Soundwave

Shockwave

Megatron

Starscream

Autobots:

Perceptor

Rodimus

Bumblebee

Rung

Ratchet

Commissioned Corset Pieces:

Transformers Animated Optimus smoking

Transformers Animated Optimus and not animated Megatron

Pole dancing Jazz

[aelfheimerandrobots]

Do not play InZoi [ A review

So I have been posting some Sims 4 content on tumblr for awhile and I will always happily admit that there's a lot that the Sims team and EA does wrong. Hell, I still actively think of EA as the literal devil of modern gaming. The Sims4 (beyond the free base game) is expensive if you want all of the content currently available (buying it during sales is better but you're still putting down quite a bit of change for a single game). That said, I've seen some things I really like from the Sims team when it comes to diversity, inclusion, and community engagement.

The Sims4 team has paid creators in the past, gone out of their way to work with POC for culture themed packs, and has been adding more inclusive details for disabled representation (far from perfect but the fact that there's options at all is an improvement over none). The Sims team also regularly listens to what the community wants when it comes to future packs. They're not the best at fixing bugs, that's true and some of those bugs are absolutely game breaking and absolutely should be fixed. But the fact that the devs are willing to listen at all is pretty impressive in the current gaming atmosphere.

How does this stack up to InZoi, the game touted as the Sims rival? Well... other than graphically? The Sims still comes out on top.

Granted, Inzoi is still in early access and thus some buggy aspects can be overlooked. But what can't be overlooked is Inzoi's reliance on Ai. The game doesn't mention it and you'll need to actually read the creative license to learn about it, but Inzoi (particularly now as of early access release) RELIES on player created content and that content WILL be used to train Ai models per the creative license agreement. Everything you make in the game and upload to it will be used to train Ai and can be reproduced and disseminated by the company behind InZoi. The license does state that you will own the creative rights to your work but they will also have the right to reproduce it, make derivative works based off of it, and again USE IT TO TRAIN MACHINE LEARNING MODELS AKA AI.

There is also generative Ai options in the creative modes of the game. Now using Ai has always been apart of gaming when it comes to certain aspects such as filling in spaces of loading graphics (Avowed), and npc/enemy actions (Sims and many many others). And I'm not objecting to InZoi using Ai for the Zoi's actions themselves or background functions. But using Ai for creative features in the game itself? That I object to. Using Ai to generate textures does not mean pulling a random texture out of a hat. It means using stolen image data to cobble together a texture that kinda looks different. Instead of, you know, paying an artist or developer to create more textures for the game (something the Sims actually does).

If you object to Ai taking away jobs from artists then you should object to this game. I certainly do.

If you object to a company relying on unpaid player created content to make up the bulk of your in-game inventory and content, then you should object to this game. Which I do. And I don't mean this as 'oh I don't like the base game options so I'll make some stuff myself that I like better' which is often the case with Sims players/modders (totally justified the Pet items are atrociously ugly imo). I mean that there is so little base game content in Inzoi that you are practically obliged to either create your own content or to use content created by other players. And that's the part that feels predatory to me, particularly in a game I paid $40.00 for. I paid $40.00 for a sims pack and I got far more content than is available in InZoi as it stands right now.

The graphics and Zoi creation is better than the Sims. Personally I don't like more realistic art styles like InZoi features but that's a personal preference (it hit uncanny valley territory for me and deeply reminds me of Second Life aesthetic [IYKYK]). But I can say that yeah, there's some more freedom in creating your Zoi than there is when creating a Sim. That said the options for Black hair are abysmal and while they state that they have LGBTQ+ play-ability that is not reflected in the actual state of play as Zois react negatively to same-sex attracted player Zois.

There are also functions that just do not work or are entirely missing from the game despite seeming to be included such as the ability to scale objects or the option to turn off the 'snap to grid' function [called 'snap on' in game].

A lot of these gripes may change over time as InZoi is still in early access. But the most egregious sin of using Ai and training Ai off of player created content I don't expect to change and that's the real problem here. Particularly as that is not advertised anywhere in the game, it's trailers, or it's advertising content. Which I suspect in intentional considering how much people dislike the use of Ai in creative spaces.

Maybe InZoi will get better and beat out the Sims. But based off of this start, I doubt it. And based on it's Ai practices I sincerely hope not.

And that's not to say that the Sims team is faultless, as stated above there are a lot of issues with the Sims team and EA in general (seriously EA I fucking hate you, you have killed TWO of my favorite franchises and if I could get away with it and wasn't a pacifist I would be lighting stuff on fire). But as far as comparisons go, The Sims 4 is still far superior to InZoi and unless the InZoi team makes some serious changes I don't see that changing.

That's not to say I don't want other life sim style games either. I do! More competition is always better when it comes to breeding innovation and evolution in any medium. But I won't be playing InZoi or recommending it to anyone over the Sims any time soon. I still have some hopes for a few other life sim style games coming out that I'm eager to try and play. But I wasn't super enthusiastic about InZoi from the start and having played it (and then subsequently asked for a refund) I can say even the little bits I was interested in I was let down on.

TLDR; Don't buy this game it uses Ai to avoid paying artists and your original work will be stolen and used to train Ai models.

[aelfheimerandrobots]

Hey there guys! So I'm finally back to streaming! Today I'm playing Avowed and testing out all my new equipment! I'd love if you could join me!

[aelfheimerandrobots]

Sims Au: New Iacon, Arts District, Angled Art Unit 2| Dirge/Acidstorm/Cliffjumper

Hello there everyone, it's been awhile but we're back with another tour courtesy of New Iacon Reality tours! Today we'll be touring the lovely 2 bedroom flat of Acidstorm, Dirge, and Cliffjumper.

Starting, of course, with the foyer we're greeted by some lovely personal touches amidst the charming gothic inspired furniture. The dark and witchy vibes are complimented by antique and vintage art deco lighting as well as a few more modern touches to make the space practical as well as cozy rather than overwhelming.

The entryway leads into a charming hallway appointed with an antique runner as well as some fun vintage movie and advertisement posters as well as some classic picture frames of gothic figures. The well appointed paneling, brick, and wallpaper compliment the dark wood tones quite well.

Going into the door on the right we're greeted by the lively greens and soft warm copper tones of the well-appointed kitchen. With some lovely victorian style tile work on the floor as well as some lovely ceiling paneling this kitchen is practical, homey, and downright lovely while holding true to the gothic feel.

Across the hall from the kitchen is the laundry room which also provides plenty of storage for the three occupants as well as a cozy atmosphere so waiting on clothes can be passed in comfort rather than in boredom.

Going through the first door in the laundry room leads us into into the first bathroom that serves both as Cliffjumper's personal bathroom as well as the guest bathroom. The tub and shower are modern recreations of antique tub and pipe work designs and the eclectic but vintage artwork and wardrobe provide lovely accents to the warm tilework.

The washroom itself features some more lovely warm tile and marble countertops set against some dark woods and a vintage dark toilet. The artistic appointments of some movie posters as well as the classic curtains provides an intimate feel set well against the warm lighting.

Going back through the laundry room and through the other door we find ourselves in Cliffjumper's personal space which features a lovely walk-in closet as well as space enough for a desk. With his love for horror and action films on full display Cliffjumper's eclectic tastes are well set against the more classic and vintage vibe that thrives in the rest of the apartment. The warm reds and wood tones give the space a comforting and intimate atmosphere that suit the rather aggro man.

Leaving Cliffjumper's room we can find the man himself as well as Dirge hanging out in the small and intimate living room space which features a cozy and open atmosphere through the open walls that lead into the dining room. With enough space to game or cuddle up this space is perfectly set up for dinner parties or quiet nights curled up at home with your throuple.

The dining room itself features a lovely little bar space that leads into the kitchen as well a cozy atmosphere set against the built-in bookshelves against one wall and large windows against the other. While small the space feels open due to the various open wall spaces, well-placed vintage lighting, and large window space. With hanging planters and well-placed greenery the space offers a modern take on a classic cozy dining setting.

Past the hidden pocket doors we find ourselves in the home office and den space where Acidstorm and Dirge can relax, work from home, or curl up in front of the fireplace to watch a movie together. With a mixture of cute, cozy, and vintage pieces as well as modern glam this space feels well appointed and adult despite the cute additions.

Past the door in the den we enter the master bedroom suite which features a lovely sitting and drawing space to get dressed in peace while showing off and exploring every piece of an outfit. With antique dressers and wardrobes this space has a classic and nearly pastoral feel despite it's gothic vibes.

With an elegant lounge chaise couch, large staple windows, and classically gothic pieces Acidstorm can nap in peace, surrounded by a space set aside for intimate and quiet moments. With his and her nightstands and plenty of antique pieces this space has a wonderful take on a modern gothic design.

Finally we end our tour in the master bathroom. Featuring lovely modern features against victorian tile the bathroom is serene and classic, bringing to mind a rich victorian garden with it's well placed flowery pieces and indor planters. The dark tub and toilet are lovely pieces that stand out against the lighter tile and bring a bit of classic inspiration with modern thinking. With a water feature this bathroom ensures a relaxing space for any who use it and makes for an excellent last stop on our tour!

Be sure to join us next time!

[aelfheimerandrobots]

Somebody pointed out to me that it's the year of the snake and now I've got a whole series of pieces planned dedicated to my oc Redstrike...because he's a snake and I'm weak. I'm gonna be starting off with this piece that I've sketched out above. I plan on doing a final lineart and then fully coloring and rendering it but it's also just nice as a sketch. ... I also have plans to do a nsfw version of it lol.

Also, ngl, my favorite part was the snake. I love Redstrike's alt mode lol.

[aelfheimerandrobots]

Finally finished my latest corset piece! Took me awhile because I kept getting sick and I really wanted to try out a couple new things with this piece that I THINK came out pretty good. Trying to go back to a bit simpler backgrounds so I don't get bogged down in THOSE details and can instead focus on the details of the main subjects lol. But yeah, nice two-fer in this piece as we get both Knockout and Breakdown.

And hey, if you guys like this go ahead and check out my commissions page to get something similar for yourself!

[aelfheimerandrobots]

So I'm getting back into the swing of things art wise. I've been having a rough couple of months so it felt nice to get back to working on something and finishing up a project so I could move on to finishing others or starting something new.

This was a commission for a friend on Discord who wanted a design for a crab that appeared like a skipping stone (and could even be used as one). She also requested that the stone used be a Red and black agate which I was all too happy to accommodate. I fucking love crabs. And if you'd like to commission me for something similar you can check out my commission page here!

[aelfheimerandrobots]

I've been working on a few projects lately and needed to take a small break so I did a quick sketch of a redesign I've been thinking of for my OC Codeblue. I wanted to pull him away from looking like Ratchet as I want him to be a lighter, smaller model ambulance. More sleek van than the armored trucks a lot of ambulances are here in the states and which most Tranformers ambulances tend to be based off of. I think I'm almost there but this was just a quick sketch and I'd like to refine it a little bit more.

And hey if you're interested in getting your own transformers oc sketched out or if you're looking for some Transformers One art I'm happy to say that my commissions are open and you can check out my commission sheet here. Or you can see it on my pinned post on my blog!

[aelfheimerandrobots]

artwork by @ qhsg3 on X. Link to their page here

[posting this because it's relevant to my interests and because an rp friend wanted it but didn't want the notifs lol ]

[aelfheimerandrobots]

Had to take a break from my corset series for a bit to work on this commission for a discord acquaintance. This is her wild life cleric, Bejih. She's a florist and she's been helping to direct the reconstruction of her romantic partner's family home. I was a little bit nervous working on this piece just because it's my first time doing stuff with any mechanical tools (even if they're medieval ones lol). And I'm hoping that the brushes I picked up to help me create natural curly hair came out looking better as I'm still working on my personal skills in that department. But the natural hair brushes really are a life-saver.

And hey if you'd like something like this for yourself my commissions are currently open! You can check out my prices on my pinned post here.

[aelfheimerandrobots]

I stayed up until 4 and then had to have my roommate assist with some needlenose pliers but the boy is finished. And with only one sticker used. I'll go in for some clean up later when I'm not running on 5 hours of sleep and about to go get and EEG done. But I think he looks pretty great! The legs have a tendency to pop off but that's true for basically the entire furai line of model figures so it's fine lol. He and his boy Drift are chilling. .... and I'm just now realizing I need to apply markers to Drift and remove the stickers as they don't...sit...great. Like the insignia stickers are fine but a lot of the other ones are frustratingly annoying or like...fine. and I want to do better than "fine".

I just hate touching Drift because anytime I do at least five parts break off. 😑

[aelfheimerandrobots]

Finally. I have The boy.

Don't get too excited seeing this. It was way cheaper than you think. I still have to put him together.

[aelfheimerandrobots]

So, as happens on occasion, I had a really impactful dream that has kinda hijacked portions of my brain and has now cemented itself as a 'do later' project. The dream itself was basically a cross between a heist movie and a battle-royal anime arc with some biblical allegories. I'm not even particularly religious I just like parallels lol. But I did enjoy the snake/devil figure being an anti-hero who offered up a digital file full of 'forbidden knowledge' in the shape of a fruit. I needed to draw it out and now it's a whole thing lol. So here's my latest project's main character, The Maskmaker.

And hey if you want to see your own character drawn up in my style, my commissions are open! Just go ahead and check out my pinned post for details!

[aelfheimerandrobots]

Open commissions

Hey, I've been seeing a bit of traction on some of my pieces lately and I just wanted to remind everyone that my commissions are open.

I could also just really use the boost to help pay my rent as my health issues leave me unable to pick up work and making money in other ways has kinda stagnated for me at the moment so I'd really appreciate the work. Plus you get some awesome art as a bonus! Win-win right?

Also if you've seen any of my polls and thought to yourself "Aw man, the character I want didn't get picked!" This is a great way to jump the queue and get your character done up!

[aelfheimerandrobots]

I'm still alive, I swear. Kinda. Anyway, I managed to finish the linework for the Knockout/Breakdown corset series installment. I'm looking forward to rendering this. I've been testing some new pens and brushes that I got from a humble bundle pack so I'm really looking forward to getting to test out more for the rendering process. I've been testing out some stuff and I think it's really been working for me lately.

[aelfheimerandrobots]

... Oh god damnit! I just realized why I keep associating Rung with mid-century design and fashion. First of all, it has to do with his holoform.

(( courtesy of transformers wiki and reddit respectively but taken straight from the comics))

Now you might be thinking, "Freyr what are you talking about? The first image doesn't look anything like pictures of men in the 60s and 70s and the second one looks victorian!" And you'd mostly be right but also, WRONG! Mid-century design started as early as the 30s/40s! At least what we actively refer to as mid-century design got it's start then and really came into swing in the 1950s before dropping off right as the 80s hit. And even then, Rung's first holoform wouldn't have been too out-of-touch for the 60s in some academic circles. And then there's the side-burns! Sideburns were HUGE in the 60s and 70s!

But the real problem is Rung himself. Look at this bastard!

(( comic cover)) Look at his color scheme! Look at that specific shade of orange that he is compared to the light blue/teal of his optics and spark window! Look at it!

Then look at this!!!

This is just an example but that same fucking shade of orange is all over mid-century design and mid-century revival! EVERYWHERE!! And it's especially paired with that same shade of lightblue/teal (they're complimentary colors so it makes sense but the point stands). I am hip fucking deep in interior design these days while I try to build a portfolio for an interior decorating business and mother fucker every time I look at Rung by brain goes "Huh...why do I feel like Rung is/would like mid-century design?"

*gestures emphatically above*

THAT'S why! It's the sideburns and outfit and his fucking color scheme!! It's like it's hard-wired in my brain to associate the two! Fucking hell! Why the fuck didn't I see it before?!

[aelfheimerandrobots]

... Oh god damnit! I just realized why I keep associating Rung with mid-century design and fashion. First of all, it has to do with his holoform.

(( courtesy of transformers wiki and reddit respectively but taken straight from the comics))

Now you might be thinking, "Freyr what are you talking about? The first image doesn't look anything like pictures of men in the 60s and 70s and the second one looks victorian!" And you'd mostly be right but also, WRONG! Mid-century design started as early as the 30s/40s! At least what we actively refer to as mid-century design got it's start then and really came into swing in the 1950s before dropping off right as the 80s hit. And even then, Rung's first holoform wouldn't have been too out-of-touch for the 60s in some academic circles. And then there's the side-burns! Sideburns were HUGE in the 60s and 70s!

But the real problem is Rung himself. Look at this bastard!

(( comic cover)) Look at his color scheme! Look at that specific shade of orange that he is compared to the light blue/teal of his optics and spark window! Look at it!

Then look at this!!!

This is just an example but that same fucking shade of orange is all over mid-century design and mid-century revival! EVERYWHERE!! And it's especially paired with that same shade of lightblue/teal (they're complimentary colors so it makes sense but the point stands). I am hip fucking deep in interior design these days while I try to build a portfolio for an interior decorating business and mother fucker every time I look at Rung by brain goes "Huh...why do I feel like Rung is/would like mid-century design?"

*gestures emphatically above*

THAT'S why! It's the sideburns and outfit and his fucking color scheme!! It's like it's hard-wired in my brain to associate the two! Fucking hell! Why the fuck didn't I see it before?!