I already announced this on Instagram, but I wanted to say it here as well and add a few things.
I’ve decided to step away from the fandom and stop creating public content. Over the past few months I was already only active sporadically, partly for health reasons, but also because of developments within the fandom that often aren’t openly talked about.
Below are a few things I’ve personally experienced that led to my decision to stop making public content for the time being.
To be clear from the start: I generally have no problem with my screenshots being reposted with proper credit, used for content, or saved privately.
But: My Tiktoks were downloaded, reuploaded with the watermark removed, and presented as someone else’s work (videos that took me weeks to create.)
My screenshots (which also involve a huge amount of work, learning, and even money for tools like Otis and specific ReShade presets) were taken, had their watermarks removed, and were spread without permission.
When you politely ask for credit after your own images are used for someone else’s content, you’re often met with insults or immediately blocked. This doesn’t just affect me, it happens to many people in the community.
Overall, I have the impression that many people who don’t create this kind of content themselves don’t realize how much work goes into each single screenshot. For example, even Sebastian is fully modded by me in my screenshots—his face and skin are altered, and I created his tattoos, clothes, and hair. On top of that come poses, expressions, lighting, filters, and more. It’s not just hitting one key and done.
One of the main reasons the fandom has become increasingly negative is the growing flood of AI-generated images. What makes it even worse is that creators’ screenshots are being used without consent to train AI models in order to generate new images or videos. This massively devalues creative work and pushes many of the few remaining dedicated and genuinely creative people to step away. Something that’s especially damaging in an already small and dying fandom.
(Everyone can do whatever they want with their own screenshots, but please don’t use other people’s work for this.)
On top of that, there are ongoing tensions and conflicts between members of the fandom, whether caused by misunderstandings, personal grudges, or private disputes. These dynamics have created an environment where constant monitoring and control feel normal. Even blocking or ignoring doesn’t really help, since posts are still being watched through fake accounts or certain tools.
For me, this increasingly felt like stalking and created a constant sense of discomfort.
I originally joined this fandom to share content with people who love the game and the characters just like me, to express my creativity, connect with others, and simply have fun. Instead, it has turned into a space that feels increasingly disrespectful, tense, and unappreciative.
All of this negativity has eventually started to affect my own health, which is why I feel forced to draw a line—at least until I’m doing better again or something within the fandom changes.
I hope the people who remain active here can continue to enjoy what they do and don’t lose their passion. I might still publish a few mods I’ve been working on over the past months, but I‘m not sure yet.
Despite everything, I’ve met truly wonderful and kind people here, and for a long time it was genuinely a lot of fun 🖤
