Statues & Figures Thread - Any & All Game Related

[garybarth]

See responses below

Originally Posted by flatout

Sorry I have to ask... there seems to be a logic mistake here. If the beard was going to be an issue why wasn't the very similar "wormy" coat of Atreus's changed as well then? Seems to not makes sense to be worried about one so much you change it but not worry about the other (which is the same "wormy" type section... and much more of it to boot).

<<Not sure on that one as I'm not a moldmaker. Maybe it was the direction, or the way it was sculpted. I can only tell you that the it had to be changed>>

Gary I just think to justify that price for a statues of this size... you need the details you were promising with the prototype (or very close to that... honestly if reaching near prototype levels is not realistic you should never release the prototype images to the public). I am predicting some unhappy pre-order buyers just from those changes.

Actually, I think $350 is a very reasonable price for a two character diorama with an ornate base. As with all statue collectibles, there's a reason a "Prototype- subject to change by vendor" disclaimers are put on the bottom of the picture. Sometimes, changes have to be made during development, and at this point, I don't think the changes to the beard detail take away from the overall quality of the statue. I certainly hope that the collectors who pre-ordered don't feel that way. There was no insidious "bait and switch". If that were the case, I wouldn't have posted the picture of the production sample.

Also Barran is right about the eyebrow change... his expression looks soft now instead of somewhat fierce and steadfast expression like the original did and it seems to be the new shape of the eyebrows that does this (also the beard change changed how much of his lower mouth shows too... maybe intentional but that might also be part of what is changing his expression). I also agree that Atreus's face took a major detail downgrade in some way (paint, detail, not really sure but it is a pretty big fall based on the comparison). The prototype looks very close to a real little boy's face but in mini statue form... the revision looks more like a bland doll (looks zombie like... like his pupils are too bland/dull). EDIT: Went and saw some images of him, he is kind of that way and his bright/light eyes don't help... I think the only way to fix this would be to add shading to darken around his eyes a bit.

<<Sorry, but I disagree. you're comparing DSLR pics in a lit environment from a one angle to Iphone pics in a fluorescent top down lit office in another angle. Trust me, Kratos still looks angry. As I said, we're still working on Atreus. Heck, he doesn't even have pupils at the moment.>>


Sorry Gary... just being honest as I feel that is always best in these situations (but I am SUPER fussy about statues so not all will agree I am sure... I am sure a lot of people wont mind, but the really serious detail based collectors will not like these changes).

<<Understood and we'll do our best to address your concerns>>


Now with all that said... I like everything else about it. The detail on the armor and weapons looks really amazing, same goes for the base. Just those glaring face issues with that revision sample in my eye.

<<Whew, I was starting to think you hated the whole thing ;-) >>

[flatout]

Originally Posted by garybarth

<<Not sure on that one as I'm not a moldmaker. Maybe it was the direction, or the way it was sculpted. I can only tell you that the it had to be changed>>

Fair enough.

Originally Posted by garybarth

Actually, I think $350 is a very reasonable price for a two character diorama with an ornate base.

Did not say it wasn't (please don't read into what I say... take it at face value please). Just said people want the detail they saw to justify it and some may not like the changes (and I think this has great detail... just the couple potential issues i saw and was sharing is all).

Originally Posted by garybarth

As with all statue collectibles, there's a reason a "Prototype- subject to change by vendor" disclaimers are put on the bottom of the picture. Sometimes, changes have to be made during development, and at this point, I don't think the changes to the beard detail take away from the overall quality of the statue. I certainly hope that the collectors who pre-ordered don't feel that way. There was no insidious "bait and switch". If that were the case, I wouldn't have posted the picture of the production sample.

I would never infer intentional "bait and switch". I promise that was in no way my intention.

You said this "You can't expect the production unit's paint job to match the prototype perfectly. I'm sorry but that is just not realistic. One is painted over the course of 10 days by a master painter in the U.S. for $1000-1500, while the consumer version is painted by multiple assembly line painters in China over the course of a couple days. I can tell you that this statue looks amazing in person." (and wanted to point out I agree, not so much that it is impossible but more so that it is unrealistic based on the industry and how it works)

That is what I based that part of my reply on. I am sure you agree... if you cannot get this to people then it really shouldn't be the picture you use for the pre-sale of the item (at least that is how I feel). Feels like common sense (also legally slippery too... even with the vague and slightly misleading "Prototype: Final Product May Mary" becasue in effect based on what you are actually saying above what it really should say is "Prototype: Final Product May Not Be As Good"... like how game publishers recently got in tons of trouble for always showing ultra polished unrealistic graphics in trailers or gameplay footage that are far too different from the final product... they have since toned that down a lot becasue it creates false expectations which leads to public backlash and in some cases legal battles)?

Anyways this is WAY off the topic of this particular statue... that issue I was mentioning is more of an industry issue and not this specific statue. Honestly I am sorry for tossing it in there as it wasn't meant to be directed at you.

Originally Posted by garybarth

<<Sorry, but I disagree. you're comparing DSLR pics in a lit environment from a one angle to Iphone pics in a fluorescent top down lit office in another angle. Trust me, Kratos still looks angry. As I said, we're still working on Atreus. Heck, he doesn't even have pupils at the moment.>>

Yeah could be entirely the light. Again only sharing my conclusions/opinions based what I can see now. It's obviously up to you whether you see and truth or value to that

As for Arteus... I meant his Iris and not his Pupils.

Originally Posted by garybarth

<<Understood and we'll do our best to address your concerns>>

<<Whew, I was starting to think you hated the whole thing ;-) >>

Na don't worry about me... I was only doing this to potentially help you.

Yeah good criticism isn't praise