Red Box Games goes plastic!

[eMills]

I've asked on the Kickstarter for some clarification on what type of plastic is being used. I suspect it's the same sort of plastic used in all the other sprue based kits. I like my Bloodrage and Zombicide BP miniatures, but I just don't see that material translating into multipart kits.

It's PVC, says so right in the KS Campaign description.

It turns out he is using the same manufacturer as Privateer Press.

As far as it being suitable for multipart models, the Wrath of Kings stuff all looks real good. The weapons on those (WoK) are a different material though (ABS plastic).

~Eric

[The Red Graf]

Yes, this was his response. "Plastic type.... This will NOT be HIPS. This will be cast in HARD PVC similar to Wrath of Kings, and Privateer Press for example. Not bendy plastic or brittle restic."

I have a box set of the Wrath of Kings figures and they seem to be quite nice.

[kaiser]

So tempted by this..

[dieselmonkey]

I like Tre's stuff, but looking at the proposed sprue designs, it just doesn't give enough variation, in my mind. 5 body variants and 6 head choices is going to give a bunch of near-identical figures, especially when the shields/arms are cast on.

That sort of thing works fine in uniformed units, but not so much when you want individuals. I'd have preferred separate arms, shields and even a split at waist level to give more posing opportunities.

[Cait Sidhe]

I like Tre's stuff, but looking at the proposed sprue designs, it just doesn't give enough variation, in my mind. 5 body variants and 6 head choices is going to give a bunch of near-identical figures, especially when the shields/arms are cast on.

That sort of thing works fine in uniformed units, but not so much when you want individuals. I'd have preferred separate arms, shields and even a split at waist level to give more posing opportunities.

Yeah that pretty much sums up my thoughts. They look really good as per Tre's usual sculpts but it's not really a warband so much as an infantry unit with a handful of identical archers thrown in.

[mcfonz]

I would sort of dread that sort of multi-part miniature in this material - so many iffy variables.

I certainly think separate shields would have been better. He could then sell shield sprues as add ons and in his store afterwards and allow a little more customization.

I know there is a target sum involved but I also wonder if a smaller warband would have been better. 10 miniatures and instead of an additional 5, a character maybe, which he could have produced via normal methods - at around $35 maybe?

However. if he wants what he is asking for 3 sets of 5 miniatures then I agree there should have been a little more variation.

Another issue with multi-part miniatures is that you tend to have to compromise on something with the cuts unless you make the poses mono-pose still. For example, how many multi-pose multi-part miniatures suffer around the waist and arm joints because of this? Too many.

[Duncan McDane]

I think it's safe to say this project will not be funded. Less then 2 weeks to go and still only about 30% on it's way with even the people who don't mind the plastic have some sensible criticism ( the fixed shileds e.g. , I would prefer them to be loose too ) I think it's best Tre would pull the plug and rethink his strategy.

[Cubs]

If he reveals full models with heads before the end I anticipate more backers.

[Dilettante Gamer]

Have looked at Redbox now and again. How do they scale against Perry and Fireforge historicals?

[Cubs]

They're surprisingly delicate. Height-wise I'd say they're comparable with Perry, perhaps even a little smaller. But they're sculpted in 'heroic' proportions, which means the head is small compared to the body (it's often used in comics, to make the torso look bigger). I don't have any Fireforge, but I do have some Gripping Beast models (which tend to have quite large heads by comparison) and they look a little odd next to each other, but not enough to make me swoon. To compensate for the height, I always stack the base with a couple of slate chips or use lipped bases.

[FionaWhite]

Have looked at Redbox now and again. How do they scale against Perry and Fireforge historicals?

Fireforge, part-painted Red Box and Perry, in the usual poor quality my camera provides - note that the Fireforge and Perry have their integrated bases so without those they'd be a bit shorter.

[Dilettante Gamer]

Thank you Fiona and Cubs!

I like his work and would like to find a place for it in my Westerosi project.

[ZeroTwentythree]

Why does it seem like there a move away from HIPS lately? Is it an issue of material cost, or mold cost, or a bit of both, or...?

[rwwin]

I don't think it's a move away from polystyrene (HIPS) as it has never been the lions share of the market.  I think PVC is filling the roll that metal would have in the past. 

[Vermis]

I just read the update email from 40 minutes ago:

Hey everybody,
Well with great regret I am announcing the end of this campaign today. As much as I would like for it to succeed I just do not think it can as it is planned and presented. Things such as they are I would have to remake the existing figures and use more mold space which may or may not exist. Trying to introduce the back catalogue as rewards will only undermine my relationship with retailers and further dilute my regular income source but worst of all would actually undermine the overall goal of this campaign by destroying the margins.
  I want to thank everyone who backed this project for their support and encouragement. I also want to say that I do very deeply regret the disappointment the cacnellation of this campaign must surely cause. I wish things were different but such as they are this campaign will not be able to succeed and I desperately need to get to work on a project that will succeed and start moving forward. I have spent the past year designing, redesigning, sculpting, and resculpting these same figures over and over again. I just do not have the will to do it again right now on the off chance that I will get it right and possibly attract enough backers with interest to fund the project.
 I have not given up on the effort of plastics production. I will find a way to fund a test run on my own to prove the process and my ability to produce great plastic minis. Right now however I am just going to try to fund these offered miniatures in metal and move on to the next project.
Again I thank you all for your encouragement and support and I deeply apologize for the disappointment of this cancellation.
Cheers,
Tre'