Bit Figs: Animal Series 1

Our initial brainstorming sessions for SSM Vending covered a lot of ground. Aside from the usual suspects from the Glyos System, Matt, Michelle and I started experimenting with our own take on classic vending toys. One of the ideas that came from SSM was to try some animals in the Bit Figs style, as they are a staple in the industry.

What seemed like a straight-forward task of creating popular critters in a 3D pixel style was trickier than originally thought. We knew the majority of these would be unpainted, and so all of the necessary detail had to be worked into the sculpt, as opposed to painting features like eyes and mouths. There was also the goal of giving these tiny guys personality. I remember collecting those ceramic figurines that came free with Red Rose Tea. They had a nice consistency throughout the line, but they weren't the most lively bunch to play with... Once we had solved the aesthetics of the eyes and sitting positions, we started to feel really good about the possibilities.

The other struggle was choosing which species to go with! We managed to narrow down a very long list into pets that we have had personal connections with- dogs, cats, bunnies and chickens. Like most people on planet Earth, we've loved and lost canines and felines, and wanted to pay tribute to these household guardians. My wife Heidi and I have also had rabbits for years, and as a result all of my nieces and nephews are smitten by our long-eared friends. The Doughty's also have chickens. A lot of chickens. After planning out the color palette that poor Bit Chick became a Duck, but she will not be forgotten.

Finally, the pig was a top choice because of our love for the color pink, and, well, Minecraft. That game is still played weekly at Onell HQ by the kids, and it's our tip of the cap to a property that helped propel the 8-bit retro style we love so much into the mainstream. One of my neighbors growing up also had a pet pig, and I'll never forget the noises he would make while scarfing down banana chips.

I promised this entry would be short (whoops), so I'll save more development chat for another post. Let's cut right to the good stuff:

Presenting Bit Figs: Animal Series 1! Five new 1" figures to search out and collect, in both painted and unpainted versions. These will also be popping up in vending machines across North America starting this weekend!!

Thanks again to the Dumphy family at SSM and for everyone's support so far. We have even more Bit Figs related projects nearing completion, one in particular that has a much deeper connection to the Glyos System...

Cheers!

Glyninja Are Go!

The new store is live!

Refresh: onelldesign.com/store

Note: Thank you, all limits have been lifted! Please place only ONE ORDER WITHIN THE FIRST HOUR TONIGHT, and be sure your Paypal cart is empty before you begin. We will lift all limits after the first hour. Thanks for your cooperation. Have Fun!

Curse of the Earthen Spawn

Bit Figs: Ninja Series 1

Ninja Mania continues!

It's with great excitement that we can finally announce the nation-wide rollout of Bit Figs! Onell Design has partnered with SSM Vending, a family-run operation out of Mesa, Arizona and one of the leading distributors of bulk capsule toys. Since reaching out to us a little over a year ago, the Dumphy family has worked closely with Matt and I to bring not one but TWO all-new Glyos compatible series of Bit Figs to the vending markets across North America!

The first set is Bit Figs Ninja Series 1, featuring 5 unique characters: Tana, Iken, Urai, Ku and Oni. Each 1" figure comes in a variety of colors, and in the classic "Quarter Muncher" tradition, will be offered in assortments of common monochromatic and rare painted versions. All figures feature a Glyos compatible fit function on the base.

When I was a kid, long before the term "blind box" was a thing, some of my favorite collectibles came in the form of mystery prizes. My twin brother John and I would typically fight over who would get the better toy from the cereal box, or we'd inhale Cracker Jacks until that tiny paper packet fell into our sugar coated hands. But good vending machines had an extra special appeal to them. Not only could you see your potential winnings, you could keep trying until you popped open a treasure (or emptied your pockets). Our trips to the grocery store with Mom always ended in excitement, as we knew once the food was being scanned, we could run over to the wall of vending machines and scope out the selection.

During those early years, there were 2 things that dominated playtime as we approached the '90s - Nintendo and TMNT. If we weren't crashing our mutant action figures into each other, we were smashing buttons trying to survive even 10 minutes of Ninja Gaiden. Throw in a handful of Lego sets and Monster in My Pocket mini figs and you pretty much have our childhood in plastic.

These innocent memories are what fueled the concept behind Bit Figs. To see this project now reach full production with national distribution is beyond what we ever could've imagined. The vending machine element, something that Matt and I have wanted to explore over our 9+ years of production together, is the clincher for this match made in coin heaven.

The Ninja Series is just one piece of what came out of our initial meetings with SSM Vending. The second series previously mentioned will be revealed in another (much shorter) post. Stay tuned!

We would like to thank our good friend Josh Dumphy and his entire family at SSM Vending for believing in this line and taking this journey with us. None of this would be possible without their knowledge and expertise within their unique market.

Thanks to ALL of you for the continued support. Every year we are more amazed by how tight this community of friends and fans remains. Truckloads of Bits in capsules are currently en route to neighborhoods along both the East and West Coasts, and should span the US within the coming weeks. Parts of Canada and Mexico should also see some upcoming action. We'll let you know here (and on the Bit Figs networks) where to start looking.

Happy hunting!!  -Marcus

Note: This first round will be available strictly through vending, but we have some super limited edition colors coming next month - sign up here to get on the list.

Glyninja Urai

Glyninja Iken

Glyninja Tana

Clan of the Glyninja

During the darkest days of the Old War, many unnatural scientific experiments were performed in desperation, justified by those in power as a means to hasten the end of the violent conflict that held all of Glyos in its tightening grip.

Horrifying bio-mutations and genocidal machines of mass destruction tore into existence from the rampant abuse of long guarded secrets thought securely hidden by the passage of time.

As each planet's government pushed for total system-wide domination, many of these abominations began turning on their creators, indiscriminately spreading devastation wherever they roamed. Standard countermeasures proved ineffective, as these ultimate weapons of war were specifically designed to be nearly unstoppable by even the most lethal regulation hardware.

Sensing this growing danger from afar, an ancient order of warriors known as the Satraku Clan, who had operated in the shadows for generations safeguarding Glyos against deadly threats, moved into action.  Utilizing unorthodox tactics and skills that could only be executed by those born and raised within the practice of the Satraku Clan, small groups of Satraku "Glyninjas" began a silent mission to eliminate these vile monstrosities with extreme prejudice. 

This clandestine task lasted longer than the Satraku Clan anticipated, and many honorable Glyninjas fell across countless battles. By the time the Old War came to an end after Planet Metran's legendary treachery, the Satraku Clan had been nearly wiped out of existence...but so had almost all the cursed beasts of war they had originally set out to destroy.

With the rise of Capital Planet Metran, the Satraku Clan once again faded into the shadows, awaiting their next call to arms.

Until now.


A new wave will be ready to roll out on Wednesday night, July 27th, at 9:30PM EDT. We will have some very special announcements coming this week that focus on a Bit Figs project over a year in the making. So get on your tabi boots and sharpen your hockey stick katana, it's going to be Ninja Mania this week!

 

Follow the Code

Void Union

Digital Deception

Honor Bound

After regenerating for a spell, we're ready to mark our 9th year anniversary in full production with a "Bit" of new blood and an homage to a genre that we haven't really covered too much around here, but one that we've each absolutely loved since the 80's.

Marc, Michelle and I are really psyched to share this wave with you!

Pics, some specifics and the release date (currently on track for early next week) coming soon.

A Distant Call

Traversing the Past

Tanglewood

Banimon Desert Dogs

Supreme Commander of the Banimon Forces, Boris Savic, has his second release of 2016 ready for action right now over in the Banimon Shop!

The new "Desert Dogs" themed sand colored sets feature some crossover combination builds that Boris has personally configured for the occasion, utilizing a special exclusive Hub Set in conjunction with his classic Banimon figure. Supporting these heavy armored soldiers is a brand new edition of the Glyos compatible vinyl Banimon Tank, decked out in colors that also match right up with our Esedeth releases from earlier this year.

We're pretty fond of anything desert related around here as far as PVC goes, so this round is a definite house favorite. Boris always puts a unique spin on things and the results are consistently surprising and exciting.

If you get the chance, spend some time reading through the story content found throughout his blog entries, lots of cool insight into the Banimon mythos awaits within!

Love this wave, B!


*Photos shown above courtesy of Boris himself.

Solitude In Exile

Battle Tribes: Wave 2

Returning from beyond the arena of combat for another night of mayhem, Spy Monkey Creations has a fresh assortment of their new hit figure line, Battle Tribes, ready for action! Be sure to check out their store tonight, July 1st at 9PM EDT!

The mix of colors available for this second wave does not disappoint, drawing inspiration from a number of classic lines and swirling those influences into a top notch round of selections. The DX Livid Dracosaurian and DX Oozarian Warrior (shown above) particularly hit the mark for me, combining just the right balance of crazy 80's maniac color choices with a great series of subtle detailing to bring them to the next level.

Another barbarically awesome rollout!

Congratulations to the Spy Monkey Creations team for continuing to ramp things up!