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Post by Michael O'Brien on Aug 3, 2011 9:10:38 GMT
well I am more than a passionate customer I am willing to help mithril here because I consider this project dearly as I was among its founder... so I'd like to see it work... One thing that should be important is to DISPLAY the number of current preorders, during the preorder phase, so that people see at a given time, how many preorders have been reached so far... I think THIS is important information to display... because if we never know how many preorders have been done, some people won't preorder at all... alas, the current website does not allow for dynamic filling of such info and will require manual information being filled.... more work for Michael :/ This update is not possible automatically with our website. The most I could do is update this manually when I come in to work on a day based on the previous days orders. I would certainly consider doing such a thing if Lars agrees that it is needed.
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Post by Michael O'Brien on Aug 3, 2011 9:14:36 GMT
My MB279 base is also cast in metal... !?!?!? I am inquiring to why there were two versions. This is over a decade ago so before my time here. We ordered over a period of time in early 90's the bases, but we found that as we reordered we had more and more problems with the base quality so from what I can see, Mithril abandoned getting bases from that company and made our own in metal. I do know that we do not do resin castings here in the last 8 years. Resin castings is supposed to be quite rough on the moulds, far rougher than the metal casting is.
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Post by ddaines on Aug 3, 2011 11:23:42 GMT
I have both versions - resin and metal, the resin was probably an early version of the set, the other was much later, possibly from ebay.
If I remember the resin was a grey colour.
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Post by Gildor on Aug 3, 2011 11:56:00 GMT
yes the resin was gray and plain which made it quite heavy if not as heavy as metal I suppose,and of VERY VERY good quality and very smooth for the paint it was a delight.
well from this experience I know that Mithril could be casted in full, strong resin instead of metal (no plastic no hollow resin please...) and keep all the quality and details that Chris can provide... and the MB279 base was quite detailed and complex... with Theoden lying down below his horse...
Now would it reduce the price enough so that it is a viable solution for Mithril to produce it, and for us to buy it and SEE the difference? ... considering the moulds should be stronger and made differently... and also considering - though I have no idea of - the price of "cast resin"...
Personnaly, but I speak for myself alone... I prefer metal... in all figurines.... there's something about metal, psychologically...
and I admit, the cast metal of Prince August is very good!
though the cast metal of Andrea is quite good too and allows for lots of details, I don't know what alloy they use...
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Post by Theobald on Aug 3, 2011 16:08:05 GMT
@ ddaines: The (metal) base I was talking about I did not buy on Ebay, but from Mithril directly. I still keep the box, which, when I received it, was in its original (plastic) package aound the box. - That's all I can tell.
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Post by aelfwine on Aug 3, 2011 19:07:35 GMT
Well, if we are talking about something that is rough on moulds, we're still talking about relatively small numbers of casts - say 1000 for an M series figure.
Now, I have to say this: I love metal. I am really not a fan of plastics. I love the heft of metal, the feel that this is a valid piece of art. But, but...I cannot justify buying M type figures for MS type prices. I'm sure they'll be beautiful, but still.
Furthermore, the higher the prices, the more Mithril relies utterly on "us" - the Fellowship sorts. Mithril's marketing is passive: it needs eyeballs. It can't really get those eyeballs in the way they could when you could buy ad space in the (old) White Dwarf, or Dragon, or get a mention in an ICE boxed set. The only thing I can think of in the short term, and in an inexpensive fashion, is to do some deal with Cubicle 7 to have One Ring inspired figures. C7 are very approachable, and a small, if aggressive company. The RPG gamer market is small, but C7 commands a good chunk of it. I can even get you contact details, if such are not available online. But right now? Everyone and their mother thinks that Mithril went out of business in 1995. Mention Mithril and they will say, almost to a man, "didn't they go out of business in 1995" The date is weirdly significant. Everyone interested has heard 1995. Who knows why.*
Basic problem: we cannot support an M series on our own. We can't support an M-as-MS series on our own. There has to be a broader Mithril presence in key markets like the US and Germany. And one way that might work is cheaper, more affordable non-metal M-series works.
Gavin
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Post by ddaines on Aug 4, 2011 19:24:59 GMT
@ ddaines: The (metal) base I was talking about I did not buy on Ebay, but from Mithril directly. I still keep the box, which, when I received it, was in its original (plastic) package aound the box. - That's all I can tell. Just so there is no misunderstanding Master Tree , the white metal base from the ebay box set was a sealed Mithril original kit that just happened to go (to me) for a very nice price on ebay.
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Post by ddaines on Aug 4, 2011 22:10:41 GMT
Just noticed that a certain manufacturer who we do not name ;D, is starting to release resin castings of some of its LotR figures.
FotR is £37 for nine figures!!!
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Post by aelfwine on Aug 5, 2011 0:00:45 GMT
Yes, well, like I said: said release is dreadfully ill managed, and appears to be going rather badly. (Because they belt out thousands upon thousands of the things, their QA is a bit ropey - so they're selling lots of figures with bubbles and weird joins and features missing and bubbly heads)
Which is one thing. But cranking up the price yet again to show off their fancy new process, which isn't working, is...well, ill advised.
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Post by ddaines on Aug 5, 2011 18:07:09 GMT
Yes, well, like I said: said release is dreadfully ill managed, and appears to be going rather badly. (Because they belt out thousands upon thousands of the things, their QA is a bit ropey - so they're selling lots of figures with bubbles and weird joins and features missing and bubbly heads) Which is one thing. But cranking up the price yet again to show off their fancy new process, which isn't working, is...well, ill advised. Forgot that you had already mentioned it Gavin ;D
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Post by barliman on Aug 11, 2011 9:28:37 GMT
Just noticed that a certain manufacturer who we do not name ;D, is starting to release resin castings of some of its LotR figures. In fact they propose to gradually abandon metal entirely, and produce their figures only in plastic and resin. This is because of the rising cost of metal.
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Post by arthadan on Aug 11, 2011 19:10:46 GMT
They have already dicontinued metal and they are re-releasing the current range in resin at a crazy price. Doesn't sound like a smart move to me.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 15, 2011 22:22:42 GMT
Not sure if this has been suggested but could the pre orders not be at a lower rate with a clause that 200/300 pre orders are needed to release at this price. Then wait a while and if enough pre orders are not taken than offer it again at the higher rate stating 100 orders needed. I would think this way you will get more pre orders as I for one will not pre order if the price is going to be high.
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Post by Gildor on Aug 15, 2011 23:15:53 GMT
well quendil I hope a solution will be found indeed because I think no more than a dozen people will preorder it with the risk it could be 22€ a figurine... vicious circle... people may want it but won't buy at this price thus.... making it at this price by lack of preorders...
actually I don't wanna play the devil's advocate but maybe it would have been wiser NOT to announce the prices at all, and adapt it to the number of preorders in the end...
but this is something that can't be rolled back now... what is done is done...
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Post by Gildor on Aug 16, 2011 16:47:59 GMT
(I will avoid using any joke this time... trying not to have the same effect that last time... so...) Is there any answer coming along from Mithril side, Michael, in answer to all of this feedback. Surely mister Edman won't leave all this project remain in such a stasis... some good ideas have been mentionned, some precise questions have been asked. I suppose a new statement will be made in a soon future?
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Post by Gildor on Feb 2, 2012 16:34:58 GMT
I repeat it here just in case Any news about the future "round" of suggestions for future set? and about eventual picture of HD3 "explosive crew" set as potential candidate? Thanks a lot for the answer if any
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Post by Michael O'Brien on Feb 3, 2012 11:03:24 GMT
I repeat it here just in case Any news about the future "round" of suggestions for future set? and about eventual picture of HD3 "explosive crew" set as potential candidate? Thanks a lot for the answer if any I will provide such information as soon as Lars and Chris come to an agreement on it. 1. I have not been given any photos of the HD3 yet. 2. We have just released this set and will talk with Lars about HD3. 3. We are considering a larger vignette to link with the new Hobbit movie (not FROM the movie of course).
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Post by Gildor on Feb 3, 2012 17:02:39 GMT
ah interesting news indeed
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Post by Gildor on Mar 29, 2012 22:50:17 GMT
Is there any news concerning the '"m series project" at the moment for 2012? just trying to keep up to date
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Post by Michael O'Brien on Mar 30, 2012 16:43:51 GMT
Is there any news concerning the '"m series project" at the moment for 2012? just trying to keep up to date there is a lot going on behind the scenes here at Mithril and Prince August at the moment. Chris is up to his eyeballs with work. I will chat with him about this next week.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 8, 2014 17:39:38 GMT
Any news on new m series releases? As they have now been two new movies released it surely would be a good idea to release new miniatures?
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Post by Deleted on Feb 6, 2014 18:00:40 GMT
Any response?
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Post by erchamion on Feb 6, 2014 19:13:48 GMT
yeah, I'm also interested in finding news. For a long time they are "reserved" the numbering 541-550, for a possible serie-M?
Thanks in advance!
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Post by Milo on Feb 7, 2014 7:31:02 GMT
It's very unfortunate for us that M range has been kept asleep so long... Please, bring good news on the table !
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Post by orc on Nov 5, 2014 12:49:06 GMT
Any news about more M series? Why you don't thing the posibility to do more M series using ckickstarter way? Now the last Hobbit movie is coming...and "the one ring" RPG is very faumous game...same style ours mithril miniatures.... In my modest opinion the time is perfect to do a Ckickstarter promotion....the company can cover the cost...to do the project ......and the buyers....save some money too...
I'm sure many of us can give good recomendations...to prepare a nice and interesting Ckickstarter promotion!!!
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Post by Deleted on Nov 5, 2014 15:05:49 GMT
I think the m series has gone the way of the dodo. With mithril seeming unable to capitalise on the new hobbit movies I think we will soon even see the end of the fellowship lines.
It seems to me mithril is in its death throes
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Post by Gildor on Nov 5, 2014 18:21:54 GMT
well it would be fair and honest from Lars and Michael to announce they cease completly to produce regular series... as it seems they are indeed dead.
now though, considering that, it could be a good opportunity to redefine the "boundaries" or how the gold fellowship should/must work
Kickstarter or any kind of crowdfunding, fur a hobby such as collector figurines produced on a slow level would benefit everybody.... both Prince August and the customers...
Time to think about it PA....
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Post by Turambar on Nov 16, 2014 17:32:30 GMT
Maybe an answer which is clear and loud from official side could help. Instead of waiting and hoping for years . . . The last "sign of life" was 2012, March 30! For you to remember: today it is 2014, November 16.
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Post by Michael O'Brien on Nov 17, 2014 10:18:54 GMT
Maybe an answer which is clear and loud from official side could help. Instead of waiting and hoping for years . . . The last "sign of life" was 2012, March 30! For you to remember: today it is 2014, November 16. 1. answers are not always so clearcut. 2. currently Chris is learning 3D modelling and with a 3D printer we might be able to afford to release more Mithril miniatures in ranges. This type of training takes time. 3. Posting definitive answers about issues that are still 'up in the air' does more harm than good. We have not ruled out releasing more general range mithril miniatures, we simply don't for the time being.
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Post by Gildor on Nov 18, 2014 10:24:04 GMT
well that sorta answer it out. none are planned for the time being at all se we can consider them in full standby mode until said otherwise. that's fair
but considering this, wouldn't it be better to adapt Gold Fellowship rules so that it is beneficial for everybody? Mithril (in terms of sales) and the members (in terms of possibilities)
couldn't it be possible ro submit GF "sets" , to counter the absence or regular releases, that would be small military sets or thematic sets that would take ONCE per year as parallel suggestion/vote system beside the regular one taking more time and more rules to both suggest and vote , with a release date for the "next year"
I could try to work or ask the GF members if they are ok with that (a poll would be fine) and it would allow mithril to at least release a set of "haradrim" , "elven army" or easterlings, or helm's deep 3 or other things like "townfolk theme" or "undead themes" or "lossoth" or whatever... that would better fit a set than "single"...
Years ago, for the release of Helm's deep 2 a vote was made to choose a "set" and it did have a result.... Now i know that easterlings and helm's deep 3 is taking dust on a shelf for more than 5 years, and this way could allow them to be released in a "cost-control" way (production/demand) INSIDE the Gold Fellowship
what do you think? Is it worth giving a thought and trying to work it out with more detail or would Lars Edman totally reject the idea?
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