Merchandise
Radix
Join Date: 2005-01-10 Member: 34654Members, Constellation
Join Date: 2005-01-10 Member: 34654Members, Constellation
in NS2 E-Team
Mostly spawned by one of the topics from General, I wonder how much effort and cost it would take to market posters with Cory's artwork on them. They're definitely worth hanging on a wall. Also thinking about T-Shirts, but I believe they would come later when the game is actually out.
Comments
- A Natural Selection board game ( If it is anything like Talisman, oh baby! )
- A Natural Selection graphic novel.
- A Natural Selection novel ( ideally written by like Matt Reilly <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile-fix.gif" /> )
You just had to bring logic into this didn't you.
Sorry, i couldn't help it <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":(" border="0" alt="sad-fix.gif" />
T-shirts, special edition art work, or NS stickers might get them some money AND advertising. It would not only give fans what they want, but would get NS2 name out into the public. I think they will do it later, though, when they have a finished version and are just polishing and working out small bugs. The worst thing would be to build up the hype and then not live up to the expectations.
Another idea is to let constellation members get a special, limited edition merchandise. That would give people bragging rights when the game comes out and might encourage new people to join the Constellation. (Note to self: join constellation)
Right now the E-Team can't really do much, except wait. The game is still in development and advertising isn't needed. But our time WILL COME!
*cough* Gorge plush toy *cough*
I did some thinking, and I think Natural Selection 2 can be really successful. So why not start planning for the merchandise now? Go into it with a game plan rather than just letting others throw deals at you, possibly changing what the NS mythos is and such to make a buck. Plus, the merchandise can help the NS intellectual property if done well.
<!--quoteo(post=1668458:date=Jan 26 2008, 05:51 AM:name=Buzzou)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Buzzou @ Jan 26 2008, 05:51 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1668458"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->*cough* Gorge plush toy *cough*<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Awesome, I want one!
for the marines i'd love to see some action figures - vanilla marine, HA and JP, with interchangable weapons. i've got a Master chief action figure from halo, and a terran firebat from starcraft (excellent quality, i think its done by Mcfarlaine). with the starcraft ones you could get a hydralisk (i had one but broke the arm off and got a refund), so they could make some Kharaa ones as well.
if they are sucessful you could even make some additional accessories (armory, TF and siege cannons etc). i can imagine my little nephews playing with them, getting close enough to siege my niece's barbie playhouse =D
apart from that, i saw an advertisement for a "power wing terasol" basicially a remote controlled flying dinosaur... it looked a bit like a lerk, and they could easily modify it to look like one. there are a few different brands available, search for "RC bird" in youtube and you get the idea.,.
also, i forget the brand name, but there are remote controlled raptors you can buy, so they could make a similar skulk or gorge....
<img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":D" border="0" alt="biggrin-fix.gif" /> <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":D" border="0" alt="biggrin-fix.gif" />
<!--coloro:#696969--><span style="color:#696969"><!--/coloro-->akimbo smiley!, sry have been playing to much Action Half-Life<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
I think the stuff in the current NS store are their best bet for NS2 related stuff, but it's best to wait after the release of the actual game... I still want to see plushies or action figures though! <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":D" border="0" alt="biggrin-fix.gif" />
Seconded! I would certainly buy one, if the price was reasonable.
Also, a <b>huge</b> <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tiny.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="::onos::" border="0" alt="tiny.gif" /> plushie would be awesome, but
now I'm just dreaming...
I don't think this endeavor should be placed on the developers though - they have enough to worry about. If someone is willing to take the lead for this "project gorge toy," it might very well become a reality. Here's a sample plan:
First important step is to make sure there is enough demand for these toys (by setting up a poll, for example)
finding a good company to deal with,
come up with a plush gorge design,
come up with start-up money (6x500=$3000),
discussing this idea with the developers,
set up a place to sell the toys (NS website),
make sure there is a place to store 500 toys,
finally take people's orders as they come in.
If there is enough demand to sell all toys and you put in $10 from every $20 plush toy into NS2 development, that would be $5000 (and the $4 left over could be split among the organizers and as a return to the original investment). And "NO, i would NOT like to do all this!"
I just picture Charlie and Max drowning in gorgie plush toys while working at the office.
Next podcast: picture of a mountain of plushies and muffled voices.
Next podcast: picture of a mountain of plushies and muffled voices.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":D" border="0" alt="biggrin-fix.gif" /> This had me chuckling for a long time! <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":D" border="0" alt="biggrin-fix.gif" />
Next podcast: picture of a mountain of plushies and muffled voices.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<img src="http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/pudgy.gif" border="0" class="linked-image" /> <img src="http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/pudgy.gif" border="0" class="linked-image" /> <img src="http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/pudgy.gif" border="0" class="linked-image" /> <img src="http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/pudgy.gif" border="0" class="linked-image" />
Charlie says to Max: "It's quite obvious we have to rethink this idea of implementing the gorgerushâ„¢"
<img src="http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/pudgy.gif" border="0" class="linked-image" /> <img src="http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/pudgy.gif" border="0" class="linked-image" /> <img src="http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/pudgy.gif" border="0" class="linked-image" /> <img src="http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/pudgy.gif" border="0" class="linked-image" />
i'm sure the first 500 people that pre-order would be more than happy to pay an extra $20 to get a limited edition gorge plushie....
i guess you've also got to factor in shipping costs, but hell i'd be happy to pay for that ball of fluff to get air freighted down to australia, JUST GIVE ME MY GORGE PLUSHIE!!! <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/pudgy.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="::gorge::" border="0" alt="pudgy.gif" />
I know and you know, that merchandise is only for fans.
I know and you know, that merchandise is only for fans.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
In all honesty, I love to show off my gaming loot. You know, answering the inevitable question "What's that?" "Oh, that's a gorge from Natural Selection 2, only one of the best games <i>evar</i>" <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tounge.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":p" border="0" alt="tounge.gif" /> <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":D" border="0" alt="biggrin-fix.gif" />
Stuff like that - walking advertisements, conversation starters, gamer gear bragging rights, and "borrowing" shenanigans.
Just this evening I saw this guy wearing a headcrab plushie-hat and I just thought, involuntarily, "...loser."
Game merchandise is very.. geeky. And geekiness doesn't sell - except only to other geeks.
I understand the walking advertisements thing, but that doesn't work for this sort of thing, it only works for Nike and Adidas and such, because wearing clothes with those labels is both mainstream and 'cool'.
Just this evening I saw this guy wearing a headcrab plushie-hat and I just thought, involuntarily, "...loser."
Game merchandise is very.. geeky. And geekiness doesn't sell - except only to other geeks.
I understand the walking advertisements thing, but that doesn't work for this sort of thing, it only works for Nike and Adidas and such, because wearing clothes with those labels is both mainstream and 'cool'.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Says you, I've seen enough gamer merchandise to know that this stuff is well within the realm of "cool". Geek is the new sheik.
Just this evening I saw this guy wearing a headcrab plushie-hat and I just thought, involuntarily, "...loser."
Game merchandise is very.. geeky. And geekiness doesn't sell - except only to other geeks.
I understand the walking advertisements thing, but that doesn't work for this sort of thing, it only works for Nike and Adidas and such, because wearing clothes with those labels is both mainstream and 'cool'.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
You thought it was geeky because you all ready knew what it was. I would never wear one of those but there are more tasteful things than a headcrab hat than can be made.
you mean <a href="http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/chic" target="_blank"><b>chic</b></a>?
and to you and local, i still disagree
geeky things are cool for geeks, sure, but they're not mainstream, so they're not 'cool' in general. though you are marketing to gamers, it's a big stretch to say all gamers are geeks.
edit: so in conclusion, all i'm saying (being sceptical about), or rather asking, is what can merchandise do to positively promote NS2?
and to you and local, i still disagree
geeky things are cool for geeks, sure, but they're not mainstream, so they're not 'cool' in general. though you are marketing to gamers, it's a big stretch to say all gamers are geeks.
edit: so in conclusion, all i'm saying (being sceptical about), or rather asking, is what can merchandise do to positively promote NS2?<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
No, I definitely meant sheik, I have always thought that oil tycoons were easily some of the most blinged out individuals in the world. Have you seen the freaking island built in Dubai, UAE? Saw that on the Discovery Channel.
I disagree, geeks and especially gaming geeks have gone main stream, the amount of evidence is staggering but I could submit a bit of it for your viewing pleasure because this is stuff I am sure I wouldn't have seen in the 90s when games were still considered just the realm of "kids":
<a href="http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=VEATbsSMGWw" target="_blank">http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=VEATbsSMGWw</a>
<a href="http://ca.youtube.com/user/G4TV" target="_blank">http://ca.youtube.com/user/G4TV</a>
<a href="http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=o730MwS_mUU" target="_blank">http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=o730MwS_mUU</a>
<a href="http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=X1VkkaPt1Ws" target="_blank">http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=X1VkkaPt1Ws</a>
I'm sure others could come up with even more examples that display that with so many people playing games, we were bound to go mainstream at some point. When we get pretty ladies, a tv channel, expos, celebs whose careers don't take a dive when they admit to it, and whole lot more, how much more mainstream do you have to get before you see how it has been embraced as "cool"?
As I see it, merchandise does promote intellectual properties by showing off to your fellow man that you are actually willing to be seen with the stuff: t-shirts, hats, posters, collections of various collectibles, various alternative forms of entertainment... it all goes towards promoting our culture, and Natural Selection2 is definitely a part of that culture.
The benefit of discussing this stuff now is sort of like making a list for Christmas (or your birthday) to let others know what you would like. Also, I hope it helps make the Devs aware of other sources of revenue, especially where gaining the intellectual property rights in other forms of media - more money for Unknown Worlds is more money to build and promote the game with.
I'm actually surprised you seem to be against merchandise Har, I would have thought as a fellow fan of what Unknown Worlds is doing it would have been pretty obvious that there are people who want to give the Devs money in exchange for their products.
edit: so in conclusion, all i'm saying (being sceptical about), or rather asking, is what can merchandise do to positively promote NS2?<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
honestly i dont see the problem here.
lets say one geek shows off his plush gorgie to another geek that hasnt played NS before. the product introduces him to the game, which he may eventually buy, and possibly even some merchandise. the game gets promoted, the devs earn more revenue, WIN. they can(and will) target other audiences with different forms of advertising/promotions.
your arguement seems to base around the fact that "the cool kids" will be turned off playing NS2, because the "geeky kids" have a plush toy. yet you also say that the "geeky kids" will only show their plushies to other "geeky kids".....<img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/confused-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="???" border="0" alt="confused-fix.gif" />?
also, can you think of a better way to introduce the young female gameplaying audience to NS2, other than give them an <b>ADORABLE, CUTE FLUFFY GORGE TOY?<img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/confused-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="???" border="0" alt="confused-fix.gif" />?!?!?!?!?!</b>
geeky openly-displayed merchandise will inevitably turn some people away, and you just can't afford that.
all i'm saying is that it(merchandise) doesn't do much, if anything, for the promotion of NS2, on a general level. and i'm asking you to prove me wrong.
as for the young female gameplaying audience -> adorable cute fluffy gorge toy
well, in general, girl gamers don't play, or aren't usually interested in, violent first person shooters, so.. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/confused-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="???" border="0" alt="confused-fix.gif" />?
pfft and i know <b>you</b> just want those adorable cute fluffy gorge plushies <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=";)" border="0" alt="wink-fix.gif" />
The same way pimping cars out with LCDs and gaming consoles apparently turns people away, right? Guess they should stop doing that in Pimp My Ride and other shows like it. Nah, who would want themed stuff, right?
<img src="http://www.coolpicking.com/50226711/images/scion_five_axis_xa_speedster_concept.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />
<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->as for the young female gameplaying audience -> adorable cute fluffy gorge toy
well, in general, girl gamers don't play, or aren't usually interested in, violent first person shooters, so.. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/confused-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="???" border="0" alt="confused-fix.gif" />?<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
My wife who love Unreal Tournament games would disagree with you, probably by gibing your avatar and later telling me funny stories of how she was accused of cheating and not actually being a woman. I guess she was mistaken when she bought a second copy of Unreal Tournament 2004 because my brother deleted it from the computer and we couldn't find the cd-key. Kinda like this:
<a href="http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/issues/issue_17/109-OMG-Girlz-Don-t-Exist-on-teh-Intarweb-1" target="_blank">OMG Girlz Don't Exist on the Intarweb!!!!1</a>