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Free Pony Package - Initial designs released!
11 years ago
General
After two years of designing and planning, it's finally here. I finished creating the designs for 6 original ponies, which are going be part of the free pony package project I've initiated. There is a bit to say before I get started, so I hope everyone interested will find the energy to read everything below. If not, skip to the character list.
Short story of what this is all about: I've been planning to create an original character set, which would be released entirely under a free license (Public Domain). Its purpose is to allow the brony community to create their own pony series (comics, cartoons, etc) in a copyright free environment, with content not endorsed by Hasbro. Copyright concerns weren't the only reason: I also wanted a character set intended to "live" through and for pony fans, not created out of obligation or for the profit of one man or institute. The overall aim is an idea which offers the things we love about FiM, but is completely different and unrelated to it: No references to any characters or stories, different ideas and a different setup, a different artistic style, and more. In other words, the package is NOT fan art of My Little Pony and has nothing to do with the cartoon except having been inspired by it, it will be composed of original IP only. There won't be any official show or comic, just a character database (images and descriptions) that any artist can create their own project with. While artists can already invent their own ponies, I'm intending a setup that a large community can gravitate and unite around, which might become a fandom of its own withing the brony community.
First of all, I apologize for the shameful amount of two years it took to get a few designs posted. There are two problems I had to tackle: First was looking into the legal side of things, trying to find how I can maintain the things bronies love while cutting any copyright ties from Hasbro / FiM and not making this seem like a ripoff either. It's not an easy task, and I'm still not 100% clear under what claims I should release the final project when ready. The second reason for my delay is that I wanted to make sure the first version I publicize is going to be on the right track. I wanted to create ponies that people would feel familiar with and could connect to, rather than randomizing some colors and mane styles. I've chiseled the design every few weeks / months, thinking the colors / styles / races over and over, and making sure they express what I think myself and others would like them to.
Even so, this is not even close to finished. The ponies included at this stage are only my initial designs. The true aim is to develop everything with the community, as this will not be something that's mine alone but something for everypony. I will be taking suggestions about changes to the characters, releasing updated versions now and then. Further more, the ponies have no names yet (just numbers) and I would like the community to be the ones who name them! Their personalities are also not completely decided upon, although I will be issuing some starting points. Then I'll need ponies who are knowing of copyright laws to clarify when we're out of Hasbro's IP, since this will not be final until it's confirmed a copyright free series. Lastly, after a stable version is released, we'll need to spread the word to those who are interested. Not much will get done if this stays forgotten in a little corner of a forum or blog, although I already have my own plans involving these characters.
The reference images so far were done with generalzoi's Pony Creator. Remember that the aim will be to draw this in a style different than FiM... such as shaded lighting, oil painting, 3D rendering, etc. Slight changes to the body shape might also be preferred. People can of course draw them in any shape and style they want, or together with MLP characters... this won't come with a label saying "draw me with smooth lighting and smaller eyes so I'm less Hasbro". There will however be recommendations, so it remains clear this isn't "FiM with OC's". For now at least, they are illustrated in FiM graphics.
Now a bit onto what the package will be like: So far there's only a group of 6 ponies with different personalities, similar to FiM's Mane 6. There were plans for 7 but I couldn't make the last different and appealing enough. There might be princesses or additional characters, though there are no plans for that yet. Races are still based on the concept of earth ponies, unicorns, pegasus and alicorns... but with even more variations. However, there will not be any cutie marks. I thought about neck symbols which would represent something else, but that's not a priority. The general environment ponies are designed for is not a blindly sunshiny world, but a more realistic fantasy world if you will. I was never into the "little girl's show" part of MLP, but always imagined ponies in a darker and grander setup. Think something like Lord Of The Rings or Samurai Jack, but still with some "magic and rainbows" in the mix. Artistically though, I see them in a colorful and vivid environment, similar to the amazing pony art on Deviantart. Ponies aren't meant to represent elements or skills, and my idea is to have each pony laced to a weakness (more precisely a sensitivity / trauma) which they will be skilled and compelled at healing others of. More ideas might come and go in the future.
Finally, we get to the characters themselves. I put the image and description of each pony below. Further more, I included the pony codes so you can import them and try out various edits (the pony generator can be found at the link below). Until the ponies are named, please address them by the numbers. Once again nothing is permanent, so post your suggestions about anything! Please however don't ask me to change something if a character happens to look like an isolated background pony in FiM or anything (unless really needed), since there's a very limited number of colors and mane / tail styles to work with, as well as few different personalities which are good. As for appearances, here is the image showing them all:
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/13035104/
Pony creator: http://generalzoi.deviantart.com/ar.....sion-254295904
* Pony 1
Description: #1 is an alicorn, but also part demon. Her body is of a dark blue color, while the tail and mane are of a deep dark blue, her eyes of purple color. Her tail and mane are long yet soft and tidy. Due to her demonic nature, she has a pair of two small horns apart from her slightly bent unicorn horn. She wears a short black cape similar to those seen on vampires.
Personality: She may seem dark and cold to those who aren't as close to her, and probably acts a bit too wise sometimes, rarely opening up entirely. She is however loyal and very caring to those close to her, sometimes acting as a protector warrior. On the dark side, she's capable of exerting revenge if someone or something she cares for is threatened or hurt. She seeks to fix what's broken in the world, fight evil, and defeat those who wrong others. She's smart and a good learner, often being the one who plans things and leads the group. She's a pretty powerful being, primarily in her magic.
Skills: One of her skills is being able to fight well... with swords or other short ranged weapons she wields by magic, or just magic attacks when no weapons are available. She's also able to make sense of things and solve mysteries quickly. Good with defending those she cares for. When from the heart, her magic can even fight death.
Create: 2S2S00031020487F0A3066004015500FEUN1837008000000G13333FE3355FE13107F3FCC004CB2
Accessorize: 066CC66066CC66520487F066CC66500000004E8FBAFFFF8C066CC66066CC66066CC66066CC66
* Pony 2
Description: #2 is an unicorn. Her body is of a pure white color, while her mane and tail are bright pink with black, her eyes orange. Her mane and tail are rather short but mildly styled in a modern way. She only tends to wear jewelery, usually two bracelets on her hind hooves.
Personality: Although she sees herself as a classy lady and often envisions herself a princess, she's not as panicky or afraid of things outside of her comfort zone as one would expect, nor is she one who tends to complain. She is the most social of the six, generally flirty with others, and sure of herself in everything she does. Perfectionist and enjoys everything being clean and in order.
Skills: Her primary skills are calm and smart thinking. Good at sneaking and deceiving others, as well as skilled at seeing through lies. She's also good at helping others relax and find joys and pleasures in everyday things.
Create: 2S2S000100F2F2F2FFC49D00201FE9500UN1837000000000N1E5006026001015107F3FCC004CB2
Accessorize: 066CC66066CC66066CC66066CC66066CC660000000F2F2F2066CC66066CC66066CC6632200CC
* Pony 3
Description: #3 is a pegasus. Her body color is lime, while her mane and tail are of bright blue and yellow, her eyes pink. Her tail and mane are styled in a nice spiral form. She only wears a pink ribbon in her mane.
Personality: She tends to be rather crazy and strange in what she does, arguably a little psycho but in a harmless way. If she's set on doing something funny, she succeeds at it most of the time... especially if it's being a gentle troll to some. She's usually hyper, quick and always very expressive... though her actions aren't really illogical, stupid or annoying. She is however the one you should be most scared to upset, and who you don't generally know what to expect from... even in a good sense.
Skills: Her primary skill is messing with thoughts. She can be considered a hypnosis, or (Celestia forbid) a drug pony in that sense. She's able to use this skill to stun people or give them specific states of mind, but sometimes to even calm those who are in pain.
Create: 2S2S00001059FEACFE808000001FE007FUN1837001000000L121D8C9F8FEA61Z10B3D9FE66B3FE
Accessorize: 2FE80D4066CC66066CC66066CC66066CC6604E8FBAFFFF8C066CC66066CC66066CC66066CC66
* Pony 4
Description: #4 is an earth pony. Her primary color is bright pink, with a bit of black on her mane and tail, as well as red eyes. Her mane and tail are short and punk styled, somewhat resembling the form of a flame. In regard to clothing, she only wears a pair of black bands on her front and back hooves. She also has a black spotted area covering her flank for reasons unknown to anybody.
Personality: She is a good runner as well as a good physical fighter. She's rather social, and enjoys parties or any gatherings as long as they're noisy enough or something dangerous goes on there. She tends to be caring in a "big sister" way to those weaker than herself. Although she isn't a cruel pony per say, she's often driven to kick and destroy stuff, and likely to get into a fight if someone gives her a reason. Also, if a thing such as good racing cars exists on her world, she'll be the first to be into it.
Skills: She is able to run / jump / parkour with an impressive skill, and is certainly the hardest to chase down or stop with a wall. She is however also able to bring total destruction if she wills to... granted she won't really rampage without a good reason. There's probably little she can't demolish, and she can lift heavier objects than most ponies too.
Create: 2S2S000003F285B310002600001FE0000UN1837203000000U1000000FE006A1B107F3FCC004CB2
Accessorize: 066CC66066CC66066CC66066CC66066CC660CC00001919196000000066CC66066CC664000000
* Pony 5
Description: #5 is a flutter pony... or a pegasus but with butterfly / fairy wings instead of feathered / angelic ones. Her body and tail / mane color is a vivid honey yellow, while her eyes are light blue. She has a soft and dense mane and tail, styled into a natural and modest form. She doesn't wear any accessories.
Personality: She tends to be rather shy and withdrawn, until she gets to know someone well enough. She's much wiser and more aware when it comes to things of the heart, and can see and understand things other ponies might not. Although she isn't very social, the thing she hates most is being alone. She tends to treat those close to her unusually motherly.
Skills: Her greatest skill is that of a healer... caring for those with a broken mind and soul, able to fix more than one would imagine. She's also someone very good to ask advice from, as she's also good at helping people off a wrong path.
Create: 2S2S0000G0FED966FFC49D002010095FEUN1837000001000Y1FED500FEFF590W107F3FCC004CB2
Accessorize: 066CC66066CC66066CC66066CC66066CC6604E8FBAFFFF8C066CC66066CC66066CC66066CC66
* Pony 6
Description: #6 is an earth pony. Her body color is a dark brown, while her mane and tail are dark red, her eyes of a similar orange color. Her mane and tail are short and pretty sloppy. She also has a few wrinkles on her face. Her occasional accessory are two rags she wears on her back hooves.
Personality: She tends to be a rather careless and withdrawn pony, usually doing things by herself but still a good friend. She isn't necessarily evil, despite tending to be power hungry. She's more of a city pony, but whom you often tend to find in the slums. She prefers getting involved in anything more or less OK that she can get something out of... up to a certain point that is.
Skills: Her biggest skills is mechanics and (depending on theme) electronics, as well as being able to solve almost anything that's broken. In a darker scenario, one could imagine her as the perfect silent assassin with a sniper... granted she isn't necessarily that evil to do such a thing.
Create: 2S2S000000D8A336A5292900001FE9500UN1837008200001T0A52929FF7FFF05107F3FCC004CB2
Accessorize: 066CC66066CC66066CC66066CC66066CC6604E8FBAFFFF8C0F2F2F20F2F2F24F2F2F20F2F2F2
Short story of what this is all about: I've been planning to create an original character set, which would be released entirely under a free license (Public Domain). Its purpose is to allow the brony community to create their own pony series (comics, cartoons, etc) in a copyright free environment, with content not endorsed by Hasbro. Copyright concerns weren't the only reason: I also wanted a character set intended to "live" through and for pony fans, not created out of obligation or for the profit of one man or institute. The overall aim is an idea which offers the things we love about FiM, but is completely different and unrelated to it: No references to any characters or stories, different ideas and a different setup, a different artistic style, and more. In other words, the package is NOT fan art of My Little Pony and has nothing to do with the cartoon except having been inspired by it, it will be composed of original IP only. There won't be any official show or comic, just a character database (images and descriptions) that any artist can create their own project with. While artists can already invent their own ponies, I'm intending a setup that a large community can gravitate and unite around, which might become a fandom of its own withing the brony community.
First of all, I apologize for the shameful amount of two years it took to get a few designs posted. There are two problems I had to tackle: First was looking into the legal side of things, trying to find how I can maintain the things bronies love while cutting any copyright ties from Hasbro / FiM and not making this seem like a ripoff either. It's not an easy task, and I'm still not 100% clear under what claims I should release the final project when ready. The second reason for my delay is that I wanted to make sure the first version I publicize is going to be on the right track. I wanted to create ponies that people would feel familiar with and could connect to, rather than randomizing some colors and mane styles. I've chiseled the design every few weeks / months, thinking the colors / styles / races over and over, and making sure they express what I think myself and others would like them to.
Even so, this is not even close to finished. The ponies included at this stage are only my initial designs. The true aim is to develop everything with the community, as this will not be something that's mine alone but something for everypony. I will be taking suggestions about changes to the characters, releasing updated versions now and then. Further more, the ponies have no names yet (just numbers) and I would like the community to be the ones who name them! Their personalities are also not completely decided upon, although I will be issuing some starting points. Then I'll need ponies who are knowing of copyright laws to clarify when we're out of Hasbro's IP, since this will not be final until it's confirmed a copyright free series. Lastly, after a stable version is released, we'll need to spread the word to those who are interested. Not much will get done if this stays forgotten in a little corner of a forum or blog, although I already have my own plans involving these characters.
The reference images so far were done with generalzoi's Pony Creator. Remember that the aim will be to draw this in a style different than FiM... such as shaded lighting, oil painting, 3D rendering, etc. Slight changes to the body shape might also be preferred. People can of course draw them in any shape and style they want, or together with MLP characters... this won't come with a label saying "draw me with smooth lighting and smaller eyes so I'm less Hasbro". There will however be recommendations, so it remains clear this isn't "FiM with OC's". For now at least, they are illustrated in FiM graphics.
Now a bit onto what the package will be like: So far there's only a group of 6 ponies with different personalities, similar to FiM's Mane 6. There were plans for 7 but I couldn't make the last different and appealing enough. There might be princesses or additional characters, though there are no plans for that yet. Races are still based on the concept of earth ponies, unicorns, pegasus and alicorns... but with even more variations. However, there will not be any cutie marks. I thought about neck symbols which would represent something else, but that's not a priority. The general environment ponies are designed for is not a blindly sunshiny world, but a more realistic fantasy world if you will. I was never into the "little girl's show" part of MLP, but always imagined ponies in a darker and grander setup. Think something like Lord Of The Rings or Samurai Jack, but still with some "magic and rainbows" in the mix. Artistically though, I see them in a colorful and vivid environment, similar to the amazing pony art on Deviantart. Ponies aren't meant to represent elements or skills, and my idea is to have each pony laced to a weakness (more precisely a sensitivity / trauma) which they will be skilled and compelled at healing others of. More ideas might come and go in the future.
Finally, we get to the characters themselves. I put the image and description of each pony below. Further more, I included the pony codes so you can import them and try out various edits (the pony generator can be found at the link below). Until the ponies are named, please address them by the numbers. Once again nothing is permanent, so post your suggestions about anything! Please however don't ask me to change something if a character happens to look like an isolated background pony in FiM or anything (unless really needed), since there's a very limited number of colors and mane / tail styles to work with, as well as few different personalities which are good. As for appearances, here is the image showing them all:
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/13035104/
Pony creator: http://generalzoi.deviantart.com/ar.....sion-254295904
* Pony 1
Description: #1 is an alicorn, but also part demon. Her body is of a dark blue color, while the tail and mane are of a deep dark blue, her eyes of purple color. Her tail and mane are long yet soft and tidy. Due to her demonic nature, she has a pair of two small horns apart from her slightly bent unicorn horn. She wears a short black cape similar to those seen on vampires.
Personality: She may seem dark and cold to those who aren't as close to her, and probably acts a bit too wise sometimes, rarely opening up entirely. She is however loyal and very caring to those close to her, sometimes acting as a protector warrior. On the dark side, she's capable of exerting revenge if someone or something she cares for is threatened or hurt. She seeks to fix what's broken in the world, fight evil, and defeat those who wrong others. She's smart and a good learner, often being the one who plans things and leads the group. She's a pretty powerful being, primarily in her magic.
Skills: One of her skills is being able to fight well... with swords or other short ranged weapons she wields by magic, or just magic attacks when no weapons are available. She's also able to make sense of things and solve mysteries quickly. Good with defending those she cares for. When from the heart, her magic can even fight death.
Create: 2S2S00031020487F0A3066004015500FEUN1837008000000G13333FE3355FE13107F3FCC004CB2
Accessorize: 066CC66066CC66520487F066CC66500000004E8FBAFFFF8C066CC66066CC66066CC66066CC66
* Pony 2
Description: #2 is an unicorn. Her body is of a pure white color, while her mane and tail are bright pink with black, her eyes orange. Her mane and tail are rather short but mildly styled in a modern way. She only tends to wear jewelery, usually two bracelets on her hind hooves.
Personality: Although she sees herself as a classy lady and often envisions herself a princess, she's not as panicky or afraid of things outside of her comfort zone as one would expect, nor is she one who tends to complain. She is the most social of the six, generally flirty with others, and sure of herself in everything she does. Perfectionist and enjoys everything being clean and in order.
Skills: Her primary skills are calm and smart thinking. Good at sneaking and deceiving others, as well as skilled at seeing through lies. She's also good at helping others relax and find joys and pleasures in everyday things.
Create: 2S2S000100F2F2F2FFC49D00201FE9500UN1837000000000N1E5006026001015107F3FCC004CB2
Accessorize: 066CC66066CC66066CC66066CC66066CC660000000F2F2F2066CC66066CC66066CC6632200CC
* Pony 3
Description: #3 is a pegasus. Her body color is lime, while her mane and tail are of bright blue and yellow, her eyes pink. Her tail and mane are styled in a nice spiral form. She only wears a pink ribbon in her mane.
Personality: She tends to be rather crazy and strange in what she does, arguably a little psycho but in a harmless way. If she's set on doing something funny, she succeeds at it most of the time... especially if it's being a gentle troll to some. She's usually hyper, quick and always very expressive... though her actions aren't really illogical, stupid or annoying. She is however the one you should be most scared to upset, and who you don't generally know what to expect from... even in a good sense.
Skills: Her primary skill is messing with thoughts. She can be considered a hypnosis, or (Celestia forbid) a drug pony in that sense. She's able to use this skill to stun people or give them specific states of mind, but sometimes to even calm those who are in pain.
Create: 2S2S00001059FEACFE808000001FE007FUN1837001000000L121D8C9F8FEA61Z10B3D9FE66B3FE
Accessorize: 2FE80D4066CC66066CC66066CC66066CC6604E8FBAFFFF8C066CC66066CC66066CC66066CC66
* Pony 4
Description: #4 is an earth pony. Her primary color is bright pink, with a bit of black on her mane and tail, as well as red eyes. Her mane and tail are short and punk styled, somewhat resembling the form of a flame. In regard to clothing, she only wears a pair of black bands on her front and back hooves. She also has a black spotted area covering her flank for reasons unknown to anybody.
Personality: She is a good runner as well as a good physical fighter. She's rather social, and enjoys parties or any gatherings as long as they're noisy enough or something dangerous goes on there. She tends to be caring in a "big sister" way to those weaker than herself. Although she isn't a cruel pony per say, she's often driven to kick and destroy stuff, and likely to get into a fight if someone gives her a reason. Also, if a thing such as good racing cars exists on her world, she'll be the first to be into it.
Skills: She is able to run / jump / parkour with an impressive skill, and is certainly the hardest to chase down or stop with a wall. She is however also able to bring total destruction if she wills to... granted she won't really rampage without a good reason. There's probably little she can't demolish, and she can lift heavier objects than most ponies too.
Create: 2S2S000003F285B310002600001FE0000UN1837203000000U1000000FE006A1B107F3FCC004CB2
Accessorize: 066CC66066CC66066CC66066CC66066CC660CC00001919196000000066CC66066CC664000000
* Pony 5
Description: #5 is a flutter pony... or a pegasus but with butterfly / fairy wings instead of feathered / angelic ones. Her body and tail / mane color is a vivid honey yellow, while her eyes are light blue. She has a soft and dense mane and tail, styled into a natural and modest form. She doesn't wear any accessories.
Personality: She tends to be rather shy and withdrawn, until she gets to know someone well enough. She's much wiser and more aware when it comes to things of the heart, and can see and understand things other ponies might not. Although she isn't very social, the thing she hates most is being alone. She tends to treat those close to her unusually motherly.
Skills: Her greatest skill is that of a healer... caring for those with a broken mind and soul, able to fix more than one would imagine. She's also someone very good to ask advice from, as she's also good at helping people off a wrong path.
Create: 2S2S0000G0FED966FFC49D002010095FEUN1837000001000Y1FED500FEFF590W107F3FCC004CB2
Accessorize: 066CC66066CC66066CC66066CC66066CC6604E8FBAFFFF8C066CC66066CC66066CC66066CC66
* Pony 6
Description: #6 is an earth pony. Her body color is a dark brown, while her mane and tail are dark red, her eyes of a similar orange color. Her mane and tail are short and pretty sloppy. She also has a few wrinkles on her face. Her occasional accessory are two rags she wears on her back hooves.
Personality: She tends to be a rather careless and withdrawn pony, usually doing things by herself but still a good friend. She isn't necessarily evil, despite tending to be power hungry. She's more of a city pony, but whom you often tend to find in the slums. She prefers getting involved in anything more or less OK that she can get something out of... up to a certain point that is.
Skills: Her biggest skills is mechanics and (depending on theme) electronics, as well as being able to solve almost anything that's broken. In a darker scenario, one could imagine her as the perfect silent assassin with a sniper... granted she isn't necessarily that evil to do such a thing.
Create: 2S2S000000D8A336A5292900001FE9500UN1837008200001T0A52929FF7FFF05107F3FCC004CB2
Accessorize: 066CC66066CC66066CC66066CC66066CC6604E8FBAFFFF8C0F2F2F20F2F2F24F2F2F20F2F2F2
