Possible Crossover 'Mutiple Man'

[fergal]

I want to pick the brains of the crowd here, you seem like a level headed lot with some great ideas.  I’ve got a kickstarter coming up in the near future.  Some recent conversations have my interest stirred up to create a ‘multiple-man’ figures.  But I have some doubts as to the financial viability of doing this. 

I think it’s quite well known that Crossover is a very small deal.  One major mistake and the whole venture is over.  So I’m wondering if the minds on this board have some suggestions that I haven’t thought of.

I’m a huge fan of Flashback from Omega Flight and I’d like to make a more generic version of him.   But in keeping with the ‘multiple-man’ theme, there would need to be multiple versions of the same character.  So, I’m thinking 3 poses would be a compromise between representing the multiple nature and economics.  Without getting into the specifics of the economics, sculpting is costly for a single figure, but let’s think that between sculpting 3 figures and masters and molding we are looking at close to $800-$1000 to make these guys happen. 

At the moment I can’t figure out how to make this happen.  I’ve thought about offering it as a stretch reward figure if the next kickstarter does as well as the past one.  We’ve used ‘custom figures’ to help raise money for a few extra heroes in the past, but it slows down the production of the entire project to an unacceptable level. 

I’d kicked around a separate kickstarter for these specific figures, but can’t see that happening in a vacuum. 

Any ideas?  Do you guys think they would be viable?  Would you be interested? Am I just in outer space on this one?

[Amalric]

First off, I was not familiar with the multi-man notion until I read this thread and to be honest, I usually don't need multiple variation/ figures of the same character. But I am a big fan of your minis and especially love the many different heads available from Crossover as I love converting. Maybe if you were to not put the heads attached to the figure, it would makje your multi-man mini more economical to produce, plus allowing you to sell just the head sprues seperately which might help recoup your costs.

As for Kickstarters for individual minis, is the a minimum Kickstarter?
I think small ones might be easier to do/get funded and be less of a risk.

Just my 2 cents.
Best of luck and I look forward to see what you come up with.

[fergal]

Hi Almeric,  by milti-man I mean a hero/villain that creates more versions of himself.  So during a game you'd start with one figure on the table but he might produce 3-4 more versions of himself. 

[Kieron]

As far as I understand it, a Multiple Man would essentially be the same model in different poses; much like your Goons, with a more heroish feel.

Perhaps you could also market four Multiple Man models as a 'Super Team' - all the same heads for Multiple Man, different heads for the Team?

Might this make it more marketable and less of a risk? I confess I have no idea. But thought I'd chip in anyway.

[fergal]

That's great feedback Kieron.  Thanks.

[styx]

Rusty,

Been kicking this idea around and I am going with what I think is the best option and suggestion.

Since you already have the head swap, why not make sockets in the arms for "arm swaps". Think of it like an evolution for Crossover.

When you  make a sprue there would be two in this kit. One with a set of 3 head options and one with a set of maybe two sets of arms. Thus you would have two left and two right arms to mix around to yeild the apperance of poses by the variation of left and right arms.

In theory you could just build a torso for plug in points for head, arms and legs to even give more variety and dynamic of motion. The options can help you better figure out mold options vs cost to balance the two into a result you can use.

*other thoughts* You could also build two lower sets of legs and a central torso with a sprue of 3 legs with a set of two arms for each side. Very multi kit but hey fitting for a multiple man.

[fergal]

Hi Styx, Unfortunately I've considered adding more 'variability' in the models and haven't yet found a good way to do that for humans, HOWEVER I do have some more variable robots coming out SOON.


Thanks for the feedback you guys.  Though I have to say that with over 200 views and very little interest, I'll consider a 'multiple-man' super to be a personal 'flight of fancy' and direct efforts elsewhere.

[styx]

Hi Styx, Unfortunately I've considered adding more 'variability' in the models and haven't yet found a good way to do that for humans, HOWEVER I do have some more variable robots coming out SOON.


Thanks for the feedback you guys.  Though I have to say that with over 200 views and very little interest, I'll consider a 'multiple-man' super to be a personal 'flight of fancy' and direct efforts elsewhere.

Well that sucks, I happen to like Multiple power generating characters (whoo, good thing I reread my post, I almost said I like multiple guys!) The arm option to create variety would be too much? I was just thinking how you did Wiskers with the tail and several companies have arm optoins for models.

[Doomsdave]

What about not making separate poses?  What I mean is casting the same figure in acheaper material like differnet resins or clear plastic?  Something that approximates multiples of the same figure without the expense of various poses?  The consumer could doll one up in the heroes colors and leave the others in their colored plastic form.  It might also eliminate the confusion that would result from tracking hits to multiple identical figures. 

[proditor]

I liked the two different heads; one for a team, the other for multiples of the same guy idea.  I also like multiple characters like Flashback and Maddrox, but I can see how logistically, they can be a royal PITA.

[obsidian3d]

My suggestion would have been almost identical to styx's. A common upper body, two or three different hips-with-legs and a few different arms. They could be marketed as a customizable trooper set, or a multiple-guy figure set.

I'd love to see one happen because I need a Flashback!

[styx]

What about not making separate poses?  What I mean is casting the same figure in acheaper material like differnet resins or clear plastic?  Something that approximates multiples of the same figure without the expense of various poses?  The consumer could doll one up in the heroes colors and leave the others in their colored plastic form.  It might also eliminate the confusion that would result from tracking hits to multiple identical figures. 

*waves* Used to live in Georgia about 7 years ago before moving to Florida...

[Doomsdave]

*waves* Used to live in Georgia about 7 years ago before moving to Florida...

Hey.  Usually it's the other way around.  Lots of Floridians up here.