It's hard to slow down at times and write something logical without emotion involved.  So now I try to do that. :)  I've been a member of Renderosity since 2002 starting with DrmzRmyne which I keep around due to purchases.  I have seen so many things in the 20+ years.  I actually started with 3dcommunity but quickly made Renderosity my home.  I was hooked and there were so many amazing artists of different skill levels, genres and categories.  There was an excitement to be here and be a part of ALL of it and members left thoughtful and constructive comments behind.  They actually took time to look at your image instead of the fast-paced consumption that is so prevalent these days.  I remember when ToxicAngel and even Blackhearted helped me out with an image I was working on....now that's community!  However.....

Since then, it HAS become about popularity and not art. Whether you're in that inner circle or not or wait, if you've stepped on someone's toes and/or they simply don't like you how the basically go through the community and blacklist you to where no one has anything to do with you at all.  No matter what you think, it is NOT about the art here anymore. :(  It's like high school drama and it's enough to drive anyone who wants to make Rendo their home away.  Heck, I'd love to make Rend my main home again because it's where it started, and it was my first love.  I'd love to engage more with the community but anything that's not blowing roses up someone's arses is considered to be against what the community wants, including the devs and will be reprimanded or your comments removed.  Like some have said, a witch hunt.   Everyone here seems to want to hear how amazing they are and their art and  will only comment and like your work if you do so to theirs.    I mean come'on really?  Where is the growth in that.  Nothing is perfect.   Oh fudge, I could go on and on and I feel like it's almost pointless.  So instead of continually talking about the issues, I would like to give my two cents worth on what could help?

1. Get rid of the trending charts and popularity contest in the way it is now.   All this does is foster what has been a core problem with this site for years.  You get to the top if you're in a click or you spend your days running around liking commenting on everyone's stuff.  

2. Implement a non-partial person to the artists that will select images to be showcased in a Trending kind of way where it isn't based on how popular you are.  This way it IS about the ART.   It could be due to just how creative the image is, or how good the lighting is, or how clever, cute, epic, unique and so forth.  It could be a lot of fun.  Make artists think more and help diversify the site.  Let Rendo not be only known for Nudies and promo art but for it's diversity in different areas.  I've seen many great artworks go completely ignored on this site by not just members but Rendo as well.  Favoritism is heavy here.

3.  Contests judged by outside parties that are not connected to Rendo or a part of the community.  No community voting (which fosters them to log on to their kazillion accounts or run around behind the scenes getting their friends to vote and again letting it become about popularity instead of ART.

4. Creating a promo image only gallery.  No promos period in any category except that.  If I or anyone else wants to see what a product looks like by members that are given these items free to promote, then we can go to that specific gallery to see.  It really is a turn off to see the gallery filled mostly with promos.  Maybe even a gallery for risqué art, and yes I know I can select the filter nudity but not all nudity is offensive.  Most of what I see here, is.  

5.  Also, I would loooove to see a "traditional art" gallery only as well.  I love traditional art but when I go look at the 2d gallery....honestly it's a hot mess.  wow.  I just want to turn and run away.  So that would also bring to the forefront of moderating....

6. More moderating of galleries.  By this I mean really looking at what people are posting in selected galleries.  i.e. 2d gallery, I will see 3d images in there and many things I would not think to be considered truly 2d.

7.  Rewards or badges for contributing members/community leaders.  What I mean by this is say someone in the community takes the time to give THOUGHTFUL/CONSRUCTIVE comments on art or in forums.  (If someone marks on their posted image that they are open to constructive feedback, then they should be.)  Or they take the time to help a member of the community with something they are having issues with possibly an image they are working on.  This kind of thing encourages community and a place where EVERYONE wants to be because it's healthy, encouraging, hopeful, exciting and bam! tons of growth happen.   Having a special badge for true community leaders that go above and beyond the "omg, you're amazing" sets a standard that Renderosity can and once again will be glorious.  

Do you know I have all the beginning issues of ImagineFX where Renderosity was touted as the place to be for digital artists and your site was even featured in their magazine?  Maybe or maybe not you can be that again.  Placating bad spoiled child behaviors will not get you there.  There are so many artists out there that CRAVE that kind of community and need it.  That's why they get frustrated here and leave.  Over the years I've heard the same thing over and over and over why they left.  Because it wasn't about the Art.

Most things were covered by everyone else, and I feel I'm just repeating some of those sentiments.  I would definitely be more proactive in the community if I truly saw change.  I hold hope but no breath. :)