This week we go to South France and talk to TheCruellestFate whose had some issues with Twitter as of late. As his old account got shadow banned oddly. We discuss that as well as his thoughts about virtual photography and his views on 2077. Comment below with your thoughts;
First can you tell us a little about yourself, where you grew up and what attracted or inspired you to get into this art form?
Well, my username is TheCruellestFate, I currently live in the south of France. I started taking screenshots on Fallout 4 in 2017 (Under another name), and since February 2023 i'm on Cyberpunk 2077 actively. I really like the fact of being able to capture a character or a scene and to be able to share my vision of it.
How did you learn this form of digital art?
I learned on my own, I'm a little self-taught. But also people who helped me like Hyst and Subleader for certain technical aspects as for Cyberpunk 2077.
What drew you to Cyberpunk 2077 or/and the cyberpunk genre as a whole?
I really like this question, to begin with, I grew up with movies such as Blade runner / Judge Dredd / Matrix / the fifth element. I am a very big fan of the Dystopian Cyberpunk genre. As for the game, I've been waiting for it since 2013 with the first CGI trailer. So I followed the game closely until it's released.
What in your view is the best aspect of the cyberpunk genre CDPR got right with 2077 and what do you feel they missed the mark on?
To be honest, Cyberpunk 2077 is a bit of a disappointment for me in some aspects. Let's start with the negative one, I don't like the 80s side with Johnny Silverhand and his band, I find that it distorts the cyberpunk genre and makes it less accurate to what it should look like in 2077. As for the positive one, I really like the city and the "No man's land" that surrounds it, the megabuildings and the atmosphere in general.
What message, to you, does the cyberpunk genre imply or relay as a viewer, fan?
It makes me feel the despair, the sadness, the dirt, the total loss of humanity. But paradoxically, when I watch or play a work of the Cyberpunk genre, I feel like I'm at home.
What photo/GFX tools that are not in 2077 would you like to see in the sequel Project Orion?
I don't really know, and I don't yet know what to expect from this project, so yeah.
What keeps driving you to keep making 2077 content?
I would say I still have plenty of ideas for screenshots to make!
What about the 2077 characters specifically got your interest? All time favorite NPC in 2077 and why?
Jackie Welles without hesitation, I really like the duo between V and him. I would definitely appreciate seeing him longer in the story, and even the possibility of having a romance with him. I think that would have made his loss even more dramatic.
What tools do you use to make your art? How long does it take to go from idea to posting a pic?
To take a screenshot, I use the Camera Tools & Cyber Lit by Otis_Inf, I also use AMM and Photoshop. Usually when I go to take a screenshot I already have an idea in mind. I would say the whole process can take 2-3 hours, even more if I'm a bit too ambitious lmao.
How long have you been doing this art form?
I started taking screenshots in 2017 with Fallout 4, so 7 years.
What are your thoughts about AI art, cyberpunk or otherwise? Is it really 'art' in your view or just several 'stolen' images mushed together? What is your take?
It's not really something that interests me, but I would say nothing can surpass the artistic creations of humans.
What attracted you to doing the spicy side of digital art?
I really like the idea of showing certain parts of the body on a photo, doing full nude is not really my thing. The fact of mixing a badass character with a bit of nudity inspires me a lot.
I noticed you just created a new Twitter, claiming your old account was 'shadow banned' (your posts not showing up for anyone who doesn't follow you). I find this odd as Twitter who allows literal real life p0rn, nudity would come down on 3D spicy artists. Is this just a case of the continued hot mess Elon has made Twitter or is something deeper going on in your view?
Honestly I don't really know what to think, I still don't know why I was shadow banned. I only use twitter to post my content.
I've seen a lot of memes from artists that imply if you do vanilla art you will hardly get any notice, but if you do spicy art you'll get tons of attention. Do you feel those memes are accurate for better or worse? What are your thoughts on that?
I think it's something real, it's not a secret haha.
Fav couple (not necessarily official couple) you have done or would like to do art for and why?
Like I said, Jackie and V.
I have noticed on the Twitter and art sites a large amount of "futa" (female characters given male sex organs) or artists who do 'standard' versions and 'futa' versions of their female characters. I really didn't realize that was a thing, or how big it was until I dug into it. What's your thoughts on that whole subject matter and why do you think it has the following it does?
It's really really really not my thing, I have no opinion on that lol.
Do you think these are skills you'd like to make a career of on some level or you prefer it as a hobby?
I prefer to keep these as a hobby.
Fav 3 mods you use in the game and why do they make this list?
Definitely Cyber Lit / AMM / Equipment-EX. these are must have in my case.
And my most controversial question... Which of the following labels would you assign to whom (one each)? ;)
Marry, BFF, FWB(friend with benefits), Casual Friend, Indifferent, Hate, Kill
Evelyn: Indifferent
Goro: Indifferent
Johnny: FWB
Judy: Casual Friend
Kerry: Kill
Panam: Casual Friend
River: Indifferent
And finally what are the socials people can find you, and do you do commissions? Any final words to the readers? Thank you for your time!
My socials are Twitter and Flickr (Twitter
@TheCruellest666 and Flickr @TheCruellestFate).
I am not taking commissions.
Thank you for this opportunity, it was really fun answering your questions! :)