As we approach our 8th anniversary this July, I keep thinking about how incredibly lucky we are to continue operating, and the genuine life force that all of you have given to this small thing we call Glyos. I could put up a thank you post a dozen times a day for the rest of my life and it wouldn't come close to conveying how deeply our entire family appreciates what your collective support keeps alive.
Over the years the landscape of independent manufacturing has changed dramatically, with design trends and delivery methods shifting at a rapid rate. These days it seems bananas to think about funding a new project without a stacked Kickstarter, a social media blitz, and some serious financial commitment from supporters and makers alike. I've seen the pros and cons debated on both sides, but when you take a look at the current state of collecting, the KS "preorder" structure may well prove to be the only viable way for a new project to ever see the light of day for many companies and individuals.
I bring this stuff up because I want to share a little bit about why we roll things out the way we do. For the most part, I believe our system of "releases" or "drops" keeps things moving at an exciting clip, and still holds a bit of mystery in regards to what will appear, especially in a presale universe that basically eliminates the experience of discovering even the simplest of surprises. Our way is far from an exact science, and absolutely has its downsides, so we are constantly tweaking things behind the scenes to help improve our performance. But what is the right balance? When is something too abundant and something else too scarce? Do folks like to receive their goods within a week of ordering from a stocked launch? Or is waiting months to possibly even a year after a crowdfunding campaign ends acceptable to guarantee a certain item? The answers literally shift with each collector's personal philosophy.
We'd love to hear your thoughts on the matter.
Thank you once again for keeping the doors on this bus, and for navigating another oddball mind maze of words!
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I've supported a few kickstarters, mostly from friends of yours, and they've worked great. Personally, though; I prefer not knowing what's coming next in the glyos universe.
ReplyDeleteIf there is something planned that really needs a preorder system put in place, then I like the way Dr. Kent handled his Maxx Zero figures and Robo Force club.
Kickstarter seems to work well for getting stuff off of the ground. I have backed a few and been more than satisfied each time, but the waiting kills. I really do enjoy the way in which all of the glyos related drops happen currently. It does keep an exciting energy going with the products. I also love ordering a bunch of figures on a Sunday/Monday and receiving them the next Monday. Every glyos company is amazing when it comes to shipping.
ReplyDeleteI'm in favor of the current model over a pre-order/kickstarter model, even if it means I may miss a drop from time to time. Thanks for continuing to make awesome stuff, keep it up!
ReplyDelete"If there is something planned that really needs a preorder system put in place, then I like the way Dr. Kent handled his Maxx Zero figures and Robo Force club."
ReplyDeleteI agree, Glyos drop method is my preference too; but to assist a special project that might otherwise stay in your sketchbook...might help the decision if a pre-paid threshold is met.
I think what you're doing is on point, however, I do understand the kickstarter method. It's a big risk producing these little things nowadays. If you make something and it doesn't sell, that could be the end of the company and hurt you financially for years to come! I think you've established enough of a rep and a foothold in this industry that that shouldn't need to be an option for you. However, if you'd want to run a Delphi kickstarter, I'd understand and would probably be your number one backer. Just sayin. ;)
ReplyDeleteWhy not have the best of both worlds? Keep doing things the way you have, allowing for surprises and excitement in a way a Kickstarter could not create but dream up some bigger or more bizarre projects that would be overly difficult to produce using your current model (playset, piece of animation, larger figures, Glyos full length album etc.) and hit Kickstarter giving us fans the chance to back that shit into existence. I would personally love the hell out of some bigger more insane Glyos products that add to the fandom. I think we would all throw our wallets at the screen for some Glyos books or comics. Make it happen Matt and Michelle!!!
ReplyDeleteI agree with what some of the others are saying. I love the surprise aspect and the excitement of not knowing whats coming and also being able to get them quickly. But I also understand that to create a new mold is very expensive. I think you should consider Kickstater to get new characters/toys/ideas off the ground that can then be put into the normal drops. The Kickstarter version could be a colorway that would never be reproduced to give the collectors more incentive. I think that way you could get the molds made easier and still have the drops.
ReplyDeleteA re-run of the Gears Edge comic or an exclusive t shirt would be a great incentive if you decide to go the KS route. Oh the ideas going through my mind of what could be put into production is sending my brain to Overload status!
ReplyDeleteI'd support Glyos no matter what, but I definitely agree the drop method provides that fun little edge to the chase. I also agree if there was a Delphi KS, we'd be all over it! I'm still seeing those ancients from time to time and am quite envious of the lucky ones who get to call one their own!
ReplyDeleteI think a number of drops (say, 6) a year paired with 1 or 2 kickstarters for new items and larger roll outs is the way to go. Additionally a fans choice wave with reruns of a few very popular and hard to get figures once in a while would be top notch. Encourage people to sign up for the forums and get the initial votes in, then take a poll to the blog and knock it down to 4 or so figures. Make it an annual thing and everyone but scalpers will be happy :)
ReplyDeleteI love the surprise and short delivery times of a Glyos drop.
ReplyDeleteKickstarter typically disappoints... particularly with the longer than planned delivery times on the majority of projects. But it has its benefits.
For example, the Stryker Lock series would have been/is an excellent fit for Kickstarter. It's different enough from Glyos that it feels natural to introduce as a new toy line. A Kickstarter stretch goal system would be a fun way to introduce different head and/or arm pieces. It'd be super fun to have extra heads and/or arms unlocked the more financing the project received.
The same would be true of an alternate universe Glyos line. I see a lot of potential for a weapons & armor based Glyos spinoff based on the beautiful Skeleden figure. You could do something more fantasy/medieval that completely removes the sci-fi/military Pheyden character from the concept.
All in all, LOVE what you do. Keep it up. It's a pleasure to support your work!
I like the system as it is. It's the closest thing to how you used to be able to walk into a toy store and see that brand new something hanging there on the racks that you had no idea was coming. However, like Shiggy mentioned, Kickstarter would be good for your more ambitious ideas like a playset, larger ships/rigs/vehicles, art album, comic, graphic novel, etc.
ReplyDeleteI personally am okay with how you're doing things so far (Though I am always chronically late to the drops), but I'd love to see a KS for some more ambitious projects or to get new stuff made faster than it'd normally be, especially the Lost Projects like the Villser Soldier, the Vinyl Villser you sculpted, the Renegade Gobon, the Repoclaimer, some Glyos-peg versions of the Bendiron designs, the list goes on!
ReplyDeleteHell, I've been waiting for a female-character-fig for ages, so maybe you could make her as one of the things you get for pledging to a hypothetical KS, done as a new head on a Traveller body. Or, if Toyfinity wants to get in on it, maybe you could use it to get that vinyl revival of Rocks Bugs and Things I've been dying to see for ages now!
I am new to Glyos and am just now finding out how this works. I am by nature rather impatient and Onell is great on getting stuff out to you. The surprise of not knowing what's next is, I think a major reason for the excitement. I would personally like to see a revival of some older designs that we noobs missed out on, particularly the Armorvor (wolf)(lion)
ReplyDeleteI would propose to do both. Keep doing what you guys been doing but try for a big crazy item for kickstarter or preorder system that Toyfinite did. I rather roll the dice to see if it's possible to get a dream project done now instead of 10 years down the line.
ReplyDeleteI think Rez up above is on the right track. Your ninja style drops really stir up a frenzy and add excitement to the event, but a Kickstarter or 2 a year would be a great way to infuse some cash while possibly expanding your fan base. The new-ish social element of Kickstarter really helps spread the word in a way that wasn't possible a couple of years ago.
ReplyDeleteAn established company such as yours would be silly to pay kickstarter a percentage of any investment funds for a new project. I am sure there are hundreds of GlyoHeads who would willingly give you funds directly to realize any new project you dreamed up.
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