"Oh lord, Defiance Games made a KS" Topic

DFG actually went through with a ks for their power armor with an estimated release date of Feb 2014

link

Well enjoy not seeing your product until 2015….

I wish them success but after having dealt with them in the past I will not buy anything unless it is in a box on a store shelf.

Yeah… I saw this this morning.

There isn't a bargepole long enough.

Well, DG do seem to be doing fine enough with this so far. It'll be interesting to see how high they go in the end -- even if the KS tanks.

A fool and his money are soon parted.

They are nearly 95% funded already. Granted, the limit for this is set so low that it would be a small wonder if it didn't fund, regardless of the amount of vitriol against DG on teh Interwebz.

Looks epic … but I'd rather see it in a shop where I know I can pick it up there and then.

In my bathroom I have a toilet to flush any unwanted money down so I can't see myself backing this one.

been burned once by these clowns, not again

When they are released, sold by an alternative source and I have seen versions painted by consumers, I may be tempted to get some (if the quality is there)…

… but based on reputation alone, I wouldn't put money on a Defiance Games Kickstarter.

Regardless, their KS has now funded. Pending the possible onset of "pledge, then withdraw" syndrome, of course.

Those are ugly. They need a cockpit window of some sort, just for the asthetics of it all.

They couldn't raise the 2500$ internally for this project? Oi Vey.

I actually like the suits a lot, and woudn't mind seeing them in production. But I won't be gambling my money on this one.

-Will

Defiance Games is under new management – expect an official announcement to be released shortly. I have a lot of confidence in the new team in Boston. They know what they can (and can't)do.

And, yes, they understand everyone's reservations based on the history. That's why it's a modest KS with limited objectives, no silly stretch goals and no absurd promises. They know they have a lot to prove.

I'll look forward to the announcement but I think the only way DG will be a success in the future is if they part company with Tony now.

"spin plastic"….damn, I was holding out a faint hope for hard plastic.

link

Machinen Krieger, much?

Huh.
I never had any issues with Defiance before.

Me? I don't really like the suit.
BUT, I do love the German Mech.
If they put that up for sale, I'll jump in for that!

Defiance Games is under new management – expect an official announcement to be released shortly. I have a lot of confidence in the new team in Boston. They know what they can (and can't)do.

If possible, I would have renamed the company and started branding themselves from scratch rather then trying to rebrand a company with a bad rep. Good luck to them.

I know that discussion about changing names occurred. It makes sense, after all. But apparently all the legal paperwork is set under the DFG name.

Tony has stepped down from all business aspects of the company. I'd expect he'll work on the background material for Alien War.

As to the 'spin plastic' (which I am pleasantly impressed with recent versions of) versus polystyrene? It's very much an issue of cost. Using a very capable plastics manufacturer in western Massachusetts, a single frame would cost around $25,000. USD Spincast production costs about the same as metal figures for initial costs (although the material is cheaper and lighter) – so maybe 10% of that cost.

I think everyone will understand that, given the past history of the company, the new team isn't about to do a KS for $25,000. USD They have to prove themselves capable of producing a quality product on time, and that's their immediate objective.

Well, the proof will be in the pudding, as they say.

I will wait to be impressed… or not, as the case may be.

Feb. 2014….. ???

Well, I will buy some when and if they become available via normal channels (The WarStore, etc…)

Also, I wonder how big these are… 8 plastic miniatures for 30 USD: Better be on the large side and/or really high quality/crisp detail.
A size comparison shot would have been nice.

Hey Everyone,

My name is Max Martelli, I am the new Art Director at Defiance Games and wanted to pass along an announcement from our new CEO Gary Pelletier. The announcement is as follows.

"ATTN: Defiance Games is under new management
Defiance Games is under new leadership. Gary Pelletier- who has been handling customer service and production issues for the past year – is taking over as CEO effective immediately. The new team at DFG consists of Max Martelli as Art Director, Darred Surin as Office Manager and Mark Loud as Production Manager.
Our top priority is to provide our customers with quality products at the best price possible. Our first focus will be on reliable service and good communication with our customers.
We encourage you to join us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter as well as joining our open forum at defiancegames.com. Each of us will be present and open to your comments and feedback in all of these outlets and we are looking forward to giving you all nothing short of our best.
Our recent foray into Kickstarter is our way of starting fresh with a product we know you all want. We understand everyone's hesitations but assure you that we will be working night and day to make this a home run for all of you.
- Gary Pelletier"

We understand everyone's reservations with this Kickstarter and the projected delivery date as well as any reservations you have with our current plastic. The new DFG team has been working long and hard these past couple of months to hammer out all of the faults in our production method which were evident in the release schedules and the quality of our previous sets. We would like to make this Kickstarter a way to build up the trust of anyone who may have lost it with our company in the past.

Thanks
-Max Martelli

As to the 'spin plastic' (which I am pleasantly impressed with recent versions of) versus polystyrene? It's very much an issue of cost. Using a very capable plastics manufacturer in western Massachusetts, a single frame would cost around $25,000. USD USD Spincast production costs about the same as metal figures for initial costs (although the material is cheaper and lighter) – so maybe 10% of that cost.

I think everyone will understand that, given the past history of the company, the new team isn't about to do a KS for $25,000. USD USD They have to prove themselves capable of producing a quality product on time, and that's their immediate objective.

And yet they're willing to do their Giant German Mecha in Hard Plastic? Which is only a $7 USDk stretchgoal?

Good luck!

Wargames Factory became a good company post-Tony and so can you.

Hey Jakethedog;

I'd spoken to the plastics manufacturer earlier this week about an unrelated matter, and he'd mentioned $25,000 USD as an example of what a frame for a given project might cost.

The 7K goal to make the German walker? I agree, that seems low if that project is to be made as a polystyrene set, but I'm not party to those calculations or whether other funding hs been arranged. I know that considerable development has been done on them but, otherwise, I don't know what the plan is. There's no indication that the walkers will be in polystyrene, is there? I think it just says the process will be different. Maybe that refers to making them from a digital file rather than a conventional sculpture.

There's no indication that the walkers will be in polystyrene, is there?

Well the stretchgoal does say "Hard Plastic" as oppose to "Spin Plastic". So we are working with assumptions here

Off to a good start then..

Good luck to Repentant Games in their endeavours.

I've always kind of liked the design for their hardsuits, and could see myself making use of a set.

No spare cash to justify pledging on the kickstarter, and given the track record I'd feel more comfortable picking them up off the shelf or from an online retailer that I've used before, but really since the KS is funded that's kind of a moot point anyways.

I look forward to seeing the end product, and hopefully will grab some of these one day.

On a side note, Hudson's Bugs are listed as an optional reward at the $25 USD pledge level – does that mean the hiccups in production for those have been hammered out? I haven't followed the news on those, but they're another set I've been somewhat interested in, but have held off on until the kinks were worked out.

It shouldn't be too difficult to beat the former DG track record. Best of luck to the new management and kudos on the KS that looks to be shaping into a resounding success.

There isn't a bargepole long enough.

Sure there is, it's called a space elevator…

Yeah, I'm not touching this. The folks running this company have to much history, most of it bad. Quality on the spin cast plastic isn't all that great either, not to mention that their production delays are epic. CMoN is timely in comparison…

I'd spoken to the plastics manufacturer earlier this week about an unrelated matter, and he'd mentioned $25,000 USD USD as an example of what a frame for a given project might cost.

You need to shop around a bit more…

Seems like a shell game to me.

Well, I'd like to see them succeed. They've certainly had their issues, but I'd like many of the things they're trying to produce. I'll probably drop a few shekles on the kickstarter.

No window on the hard suit makes some sense but I'd prefer a drop down shield pannel or perhaps more appropriately a swing up one that could the openned if the sensors went out. Of course, if there's no power to the sensors, having a window isn't going to help much.

I hope they do well on this. Obviously already gotten funded and that is always a good thing.

I still might support but with the track record I am thinking about waiting. Lots of potential though!

I bought a ton o' the bugs and regretted it the second I realized my liquid cement would not work with the plastic. Took them some initial time to get me my package. Here's hoping they turn it around and go with hard plastic.

Love both models – go with hard plastic!!!

I'll believe it when it's on the shelf of my LGS.

And then I'll deny it all the way to the register with the box(es) in hand…..

You know, I'm pretty sure putting a window on your heavily armor suit of powered armor is just asking for snipers to take potshots at the weak point!

whatever plastic you use, I hope it's not the same stuff being used for the painted example being shown online at the moment. That's pretty bad. Rather than any KS, I'd concentrate on quality control of the stuff you have so far (not sure what does and doesn't exist anymore tbh with DF) which has been awful, get some decent sculptors on board, and perhaps fulfill outstanding orders before trying to do anything else. although, DF have pretty much been running as a KS since the start; 'here's what we aim to do, give us money' rinse and repeat, the only difference with a KS is being upfront that people may not get any product and the investment is at their own risk, as opposed to just operating like that before. surprised with the method of operating there are not laws, certainly in the US, that would have been called into play about DF as a business.

I am willing to give them the chance, so backed.

I fear, however, that international shipping for a mere 5$ is a miscalculation – especially when they send out hardsuits AND the German walker (unless they hold back the hardsuits for the release of the walker – I hope not…).

I will just take the risk.

I fear, however, that international shipping for a mere 5$ is a miscalculation,

Perhaps they're willing to eat up part of the Int Shipping?

which can get really expensive really fast…..

Even companies offering $20 USD int shipping say their eating up almost 30-50% of the actual price!

I only want one box. At the offerd price ($25 and free shipping for a kit that will likely MSRP at $30 USD), there's only a $5 USD savings over buying it from one of the many outlets that will have it for 20% off (though will charge shipping) post-kickstarter.

I don't see $5 USD as enough of a savings to justify a taking a risk with a company with as poor a track record as DG regardless of now new their management may be.

I don't think DG has hit a single deadline they've set and every kit since the Marines has had major issues.

and the marines were e too

Well, it's funded, so we OUGHT to see what quality of product this is eventually… and what sort of availability it will have. I am curious, but lets not expect too much…

The latest strechtgoal is for their female marines (22k)

Not too crazy about them, by far their most expensive infantry set (14 models for $30 USD). TBH I'd rather skip out on the Heavy Weapon for the same unit box size as their other spin casts, if I wanted heavy weapons I'd rather buy a dedicated heavy weapon set

I enjoyed the UAMC and the Hudson's Bugs. Wasn't thrilled with the Panzergrenadiers, although word has it that they're being redone. I'll buy a box of UAMC Hardsuits, if they're actually made. Here's hoping that a heavy weapons box for the UAMC gets created, too.

I wish Defiance Games luck. But I'm not going to back this. Granted, 8 large figures for $30 USD isn't a bad price (for those wondering, Antenociti's Workshop also bought the rights to that suit, and theirs are 16GBP each with a quantity discount), but the company known as "Defiance Games" does not have enough credit with me to loan them money.

Antenociti's Workshop also bought the rights to that suit, and theirs are 16GBP each with a quantity discount

If they also bought the rights then one sculptor or the other really messed up because those mechs/suits are NOT the same, also if you buy 5, it's 14GBP/each. Get your facts straight…

Sure they look similar, but please check carefully before making such statements. The AW mech/suit is highly detailed metal, the DG mech/suit is spincast plastic that will probably be less desirable quality (if the aliens are any indication).

Doesn't mean that I won't buy any when it does hit the shelves, because 3GBP/each isn't bad for a mini that size. It ain't great either, but it isn't bad. Good is 1,30GBP/each for plastic Terminators (40k DV DW), bad is indeed 14-16GBP…

Would rather see those in hard plastic, but considering managements previous attempts at hard plastic injection molding (both foreign and domestic), I seriously doubt it…

The DG and Antenociti suits are different designs from the same artist.

Cergorach Sep 2013 12:31 p.m. PST:

If they also bought the rights then one sculptor or the other really messed up because those mechs/suits are NOT the same

Not sure if I've ever seen it officially disclosed who designed the UAMC hardsuit. I was thinking Diego Gisbert Llorens but maybe not since it's not up on his DeviantArt page as far as I could see.

The Antenociti Komodo suits OTOH are known to be designed by Patrick Soeder, who has also done some other commission work for Antenociti's Workshop. His site is here:
huatiak.de

The original (or old anyway) concept for the Komodo can be seen here:

The actual miniature is very close to that concept.