Suggestion - Allow new Authors Enter

Being an author that doesn’t upload too frequently, I do read the upload instructions thoroughly before uploading files to make sure I am still familiar with the rules/ guidlines. I think the same happens for each new author, so no doubt upload instructions plays some role on quality of files.

There is one additional guidance which also added in the upload instructions which is not related to quality and somewhat not helpful for potential new authors here. Or even it has a chance of making them to stop their entry into the marketplace. The first point on upload instructions contains a guide that says:
Files we do and don’t need and the list has following 4 categories on top of everything:

Need:
1. Unity 3d Files
2. Music templates
3. Flex files
4. Games

(All those are proven low sales categories if we compare obvious Flash categories)

Actually if a fresh new author (who is experienced well with Flash but not on microstock) sees something like this, chances are there for 2 of the unwanted things to happen:

1. Believing they are not fit for the marketplace as the “obvious” files are already filled the marketplace with lucky old authors and turn back to their usual work instead of trying with “easy” first file to test the water.

2. Fine, if they are ready to try the listed categories, that is actually a difficult task (to learn something new and unusual for a regular Flash designer/ dev) and moreover if they are able to upload files on those 4 categories, they will just end with comparatively low sales than “obvious” files. Another “shake” for their existence.

I understand those guidelines are there to motivate unique files and keep the value of library improving. But if we watch what actually happens, all the authors who exists here long time are making only “obvious” files with slight innovation for a reason. Actually everyone knows the unwritten rule that a top author should have atleast 3-4 files looking almost same. So this guidelines are not working on them that much and finally the expectation goes to new authors.

From a new author’s point of view, if they are able to see an “obvious” file uploaded by old author selling a lot while the new comer’s “obvious” first file got rejected that means we are actually closing the door for new ideas and possible new style from the marketplace.

So I would like to suggest keeping the “Files we do need / don’t need” as somewhere middle of the upload instruction, not as something 1st priority.

My personal experience:
Actually my 1st file was just a Rotating Globe made as timeline animation. I may not be here as an author if I saw that kind of file listed under “Files we don’t need”.

I remember Lance said that as long the new files have something innovative and fresh even if it fall in the “not needed” category it might be still accepted. My 3D Carousel was one of those items which might have been rejected, but it was still approved because it was made with care.

Despite that guide I’d encourage authors to push the quality of their files and dare to show new things, even if they are not needed. The worst that could happen is just a rejection.