I'm writing this as an alternative to leaving hate and negativity in a review on an artist's work. I find myself very frustrated with particular artists whose body of work consits predominantly or entirely of fan-based creations. There's nothing wrong with having a healthy amount of enthusiasm for other people's work, but after I see a trend of only creating fan-based work I begin to suspect that these artists do not create for the love of creating, but rather for the success that those creations bring, however they may define that.
In layman's terms, these types of artists are tryhards. A tryhard is someone who participates in an activity with the express purpose of finding the easiest path to success. It is the success that matters to them, not the love of the activity.
What already exists and is massively successful? Popular media, the stuff that you see saturating the internet and newgrounds. Mario, Undertale, One-Punch Man, Minecraft, Splatoon, etc. Then there are sub-cultures that exist mainly on newgrounds that these artists also pander too, like: Meat Boy, Castle Crashers, Bitey, Tankman and so on. All these IPs with their pre-established fanbases require only moderate effort to pull in massive numbers.
When these artists saturate our web space with pre-established content, it makes it very difficult for original content to be recognized or discovered. Everyone only has a limited amount of attention to give each and every day, and the more they funnel their attention into a single creation the less they can offer to everyone else. Other artists who are working very hard to create something new and fresh are being ranked at the same level at best as those who exclusively make fanwork. You know who you are, and shame on you.
I'm trying my best not to let this get too heavy-handed but the more I write about it the more passionate I get. With the recent Pico Day and all the self-fellating newgrounds has done I'm just a bit over it. Again, a healthy amount of homage to great works is fine but when that's all you seem to be capable of doing, then I start to call into question your integrity as an artist. This isn't helped by the fact that Newgrounds likes to promote work that is instantly recognizable and attention grabbing (could it have something to do with... money?) as well as its own culture.
I don't know why Newgrounds doesn't promote more art teachers or streamers. Works under judgement are all the way at the bottom with no way to move them up. The site doesn't sort fanart and original work, so people end up giving their attention to the fanart more. It's all very upsetting to me, but it's an important criticism to voice.
Cairos
I understand your frustration but as I've learned, it's best to know the artists as individuals rather than judge them by their work at face value. Majority of the time, these folks genuinely have alot of enthusiasm for pop culture and are great to converse with. They absolutely love making the things that other people love. It's a different type of recognition but it's still recognition.
You work hard dude, I know because your stuff is frikkin' good. I want to see alot more original stuff be recognized here more too, but as of right now, any content that brings up the views and interest is what's stabilizing this place.
Luckytime
That's why I don't want anyone feeling singled out, because I know they work hard on what they do. I'm more trying to spread a value that I hold while using others as non-specific examples. I also feel like they're perpetuating a culture of copying instead of creating.
I want newgrounds to be the most badass place for artists because it promotes a sense of collaboration instead of individual success. I can't say much about the business side of things because I don't know enough about that, but If more people put as much effort into their fan work as Alvin Earthworm for example, then I would have no problems.