In the past few months I ended up with the impression that pretty much everyone, be it established manufacturers (Greebo) or new ones (Sukubus Studio), with a bit of 3D modelling skills and access to a 3D printing service started putting team concepts on Kickstarter/Indiegogo. It's been a veritable deluge with at least one crowd-fund every month, or more. Market glut aside, competition is always good and it's good to know there is interest to develop products for this little hobby of ours
.However, some offerings are bound to be better than others and, while there are efforts that seem made of awesome (Greebo's Nippon rats), others simply derivative (the Sukubi being discussed in another thread) with others in between (Willy's Vampires...). So, to try to give this a bit more of structure:
Originality of concept
There are 24 "themes" in this game and all of them have been catered for by the original manufacturer directly or indirectly through adaptable products. Anything "new" out there could present a some variation on the theme. Greebo has the Nippon teams, Gaspez has the Nazi Orcs and a Vamp team with 6 different vamp archetypes, Willy has the 2 Halfling teams, there's a Arab/Desert Dogs team out there, etc. In other words, the possibilities are nearly endless and it's not impossible to come up with a fresh concept that e will find appeal among a large crowd.
Model Variety
While some manufacturers seem to actively research and develop a wide variety of models and options for a team, others left me feeling like a couple of suitable model templates were projected and then the team was developed from minor decoration and pose variations from those. While Greebo's Nippon Rats are, again, an example of the former, Willy's Chaos are, for me, an example of the later (ditto their vampires).
Technical Issues
Also known as "this elf has no fingers on her wide open hand" and "broken spike syndrome". Just because something looks good as a 3D model doesn't mean it will come out well in the printing. And then there's the moulding, which places stress on the printed model and adds imperfections, and the casting itself (resin contracts, metal contracts even more so you can forget about the final model having those finely projected and manicured nails). If you're an experienced sculptor you will be well aware of these issues; if not, please at least print some tests of the most ambitious models to have an empirical idea of what you're doing.
Crowdfunding
At its heart it's the ultimate risk-minimizing business/start-up tool. But it's not a "get-out-of-jail-free" card. In other words: if you're offering me a product on a crowd funding platform, I want to see it for what it is first. Unless you are an established manufacturer (and even then...), I will not open my purse on the strength of pretty 3D models alone (much less incomplete models and concepts). Simple as that. Please consider a bit more investment in showcasing what the models will look like - test print a couple - before opening the Kickstarter for business!
Cases in point:
- I enthusiastically backed Greebo's Nippon rats: great concept, variety and full line presented - most as casts/prints, several rendered and several concept drawings;
- I pledged for Impact!'s Dark Elf on the Kickstarter: it's a reputable company with proven experience, the miniature concepts were interesting and didn't seem to be prone to manufacture problems mentioned above;
- MK1881 pro elf (Hono) seem interesting but I need to see casts before buying (new company for me, delicate sculpts/renders). A bit generic but better than GW's and very dynamic poses.
- Willy's Vamps an Chaos left me "blah..."
- Sukubus Studio is a "please go back to the drawing board" (but I'll happily change opinion and retract my comments if they solve their failings).
Your thoughts?
