For most content creators, CGSociety should be familiar. It is a valuable resource for digital artists as well as an important community for like-minded individuals to come together and share their passion for computer graphics.
The online platform has been running over two decades. It gained popularity, expanded to include a variety of features such as tutorials, contests, and a jobs board for the computer graphics industry. Over the years, the CGSociety has become a go-to destination for digital artists around the world.
However, in an email sent to all subscribers, the CGSociety stated that it would be permanently shutting down in January 8th.
In the email, the CGSociety expressed deep gratitude to everyone who contributed to the platform's success, and encouraged its members to download data like "images, artwork, or content that holds personal significance for you", as well as "conversations and contacts you wish to retain."
Although the exact reasons for the shutdown were not disclosed, it's not hard to take a guess. With the rapid development of new communities (such as ArtStation, which has quickly grown into the first choice for displaying works and content of artists), many old communities such as CGSociety have been greatly impacted and abandoned by many users.
Not long ago, 3dtotal.com Ltd, the large-scale 3D resource website founded in 1999, announced that: due to "times and the way the internet is used have changed, and social media has rapidly developed into the primary channel for emerging artists," starting in September, it will "no longer be accepting new submissions to the Gallery" and instead "refocusing our organization and concentrate on our publishing operations."
In just two months, two large websites shut down similar businesses. While the shutdown of is undoubtedly a blow to the computer graphics industry and its community, it is a reminder that nothing lasts forever. As we move forward, it will be interesting to see how the industry and other platforms adapt to fill the void left by the CG Society's departure.
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