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Please direct me in to the right forum if I'm in the wrong category...

I am a long time Warhammer / Wargaming fan (deep into the fluff.. it's fluffy!!), a non-member but long time Dakkaite (Forgeworld 30k rumor forum.. LEAKED PICCSS!!! woo Mortarion!!) and a current prop maker / product designer. I'm trying to find out how much dakkaites would be interested in WEARABLE PLASTIC CRACK?!?!

Basically I'm utilizing a mixture of manufacturing experience and the lust to build the high-end costume armor, at a more realistic price-point, while maintaining the *** QUALITY OF DETAIL *** that... let's face it you guys come to expect from your minis. I would be looking to make the armor as a (possibly size customizable) set of raw armor plates that you could assemble, paint, and... WEARRRR!!! ... In addition with the right kind of support I would offer future 'upgrade packs' such as alternate helmets, shoulder pads, and weapons.

Please check out my site for past work. I'd love to hear questions and suggestions (or just say OH MY GOD I NEED ONE!)... That works too!

Visuals soon!

www.unorthodoxdesign.com

I'm not sure if this is the right kind of audience for this kind of product. I think you'd probably have more success around those with more of a cosplay bent, tbh.

Not that I want to shut you down, but it is just something I would never consider buying outside of a cosplay situation. And that is such a focused business and customer base that you probably won't see much outside of more dedicate communities.

What faction's armor would you be making? Will it just be space marines or will you being creating some of the xeno's armor?

I'm looking for something that a person could wear... or put as a decoration in your wargaming room.. Like a hunter would proudly display a prize bear or something...

As far as factions I'm trying to make something that pays homage to the the various lines/factions/companies out there, but yet is generic enough to be customized into anything a person wants... Add some rust and sculpt a few pus boils... you have a baroque, steampunkish nurgle marine... Glitz it up a bit and get a future-expansion helmet, paint it gold.. you got an early version of the adeptus custodes armor. It would also be reminiscent of Privateer Press guys.

My intention is to make a model kit that's life-sized and can be customized easily. The hardest part of armor ar the main forms, ergonomics, fit, etc... If you could get all the big, hard to make and shape armor plates and just customize and paint as you like.. Or worse case turn it into a 40k-scale imperator titan hehe


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That is a good point though Curran.. I wonder if it's how I'm presenting it.. I can see how you would want it to be relevant to your interests.. and if your not traditionally a 'cosplayer' (you're a wargamer).. I can see your hesitation..

I will have to think about that one...


Automatically Appended Next Post:
People would also have the option to buy a 'pneumatic antimatter gauntlet' component instead of the entire suit as well

From my position, it comes across far more as high-quality and customizable/convertable cosplay than something that I'd want as a wargamer. One thing to keep in mind is that wargamers by and large invest a fair bit of money into gaming materials, and a full set of costume armor is going to be a huge investment and will become a very daunting thing.

THAT SAID

I think the idea of what you might think of as a 'generic' set of armor that can be easily customized and converted would be a very good item for cosplay customers. In my experience with those who do cosplay costume design, each costume is a unique design, but if you wanted something to begin as a 'base suit' and have obvious routes towards personalization you might have something good there.

As a miniature gamer, I'm uninterested.

Looks like a pain in the ass. Like a waste of money and effort for some clunky thing that would never leave my closet. I'm a miniature gamer, not a cosplayer. Sorry for the negative feedback...

But I think it's a cool idea though! Just not for my demographic. Way not my demographic! And it sounds fairly sellable, especially if it's high quality- there's all sorts of costume stores, at least around my hometown.

Here's what I'd do. I'd go ahead and create some sort of basic product or have some sort of prototype or early version, take it to your local costume/Halloween/specialty shop and make a deal with them to stock your product. See how it sells, what people like about it, what people don't like about it, etc. Move on from there.

There's a local guy about where I live who invented a boardgame, and did that kind of stuff. Now he's fairly well known, his boardgames are in a lot of stores, and he's a big dude.

tl;dr find a different target market because most GW-people aren't costumers imo.

Would get my pic taken with someone wearing it.

Would not buy it.

As noted, probably more something for the cosplay crowd than wargamers.

Whilst there is probably SOME crossover, you wouldn't get many compared to cosplayers who might do a little wargaming.

As for me?
No. I'm not a cosplayer.
I have a set of movie accurate stormtrooper armour from Star Wars in my nerd shed. I don't need a wargaming costume.

Long time lurker - made an account just to add to this thread

I would buy one - I might even buy two, the groups I game with could very well be in for another two. Don't be discouraged - just because some people are not your demographic doesn't mean that the wargaming group which is large and diverse doesn't contain a fair number of costumers (never call me a cosplayer)

I am also a costume designer/prop builder/make up guy/etc

I am also an avid wargamer, when I'm not doing conventions and charity events, I often make a couple bucks promoting video game, comic book, and movie releases. I'm willing to bet if I had a 40k suit I could have worked with the local shops to promote the recently released 7th edition.

Anyway - if you're not already a member, join the RPF (Replica Prop Forum) and get a build thread going, I know for a fact a lot of folks there would be interested

Cheers and good luck with the build!

-P

I have a PVC stormtrooper costume that I got years ago (the white one, below). I would pay cash moneys for a decent Space Marine costume, so long as the price is right.

I'd buy....and wear to games. ;>> Just saying... especially if there is decent Chaos gear, particularly a helmet. And not the goofy curled horns helmet either, but like...Kranon the Relentless' helmet. Or a Terminator helmet with tusks, just so I could flip the table with my horns after I won a game. <<;

And also so my kids could have a Chaos Lord to beat up on from time to time. I got a family, so you've got a base in sales there.

Hey Guys,

I definitely appreciate all the forms of feedback... Helps me fine tune my market placement. Moar... I appreciate the enthusiasm... I am most definitely on the RPF! (fallout 3 plasma rifle build).

I think that there are niche products that may not appeal to every wargamer, but may appeal to some. I'd say it'd be an easier sell to a wargamer (someone who appreciates investment of time and effort into a quality and detail level that some other groups of people wouldn't necessarily understand).

I'm definitely going to be going ahead one way or another and Ill keep updating my online forums so those that are interested can see the progress.

Mysterious and Curran, appreciate the articulation of your viewpoint.. as stated before.. it all gets considered when I'm resolving the final project... ARGH SO EAGER TO GET STARTED ON THIS!!

Also, if you advertize your stuff as "Space Marine" or "Tau" costumes, or similar, prepare to have GW chase you down like a 10 year old diabetic after an ice cream truck.

You'll probably get a lot more responses stating that they're not interested because they're wargamers, not cosplayers/costumers etc., as those are the people most often prowling/browsing on these forums.

I would be interested in a suit like this, but I'm not sure if what you're proposing is entirely what I'd want. A commissar or tempestus scion? Sure, I think I could do that. A suit of marine power armour? I'd be too much of a stickler for proportions to have a suit to my dimensions without something to increase the height. That, and I'm stringy with my wallet

By all means, go for it! I would certainly be interested in seeing the final product and/or prototype.

"Vacuum Soldier" and "The 2Pi kingdom" .

BladeSwinga wrote:
You'll probably get a lot more responses stating that they're not interested because they're wargamers, not cosplayers/costumers etc., as those are the people most often prowling/browsing on these forums.

As Blade says, check out more cosplay-centric forums. Also forums for big cosplay cons like ComiCon or DragonCon.

Best of luck!

 kronk wrote:
Also, if you advertize your stuff as "Space Marine" or "Tau" costumes, or similar, prepare to have GW chase you down like a 10 year old diabetic after an ice cream truck.

As a diabetic myself, I resent that statement

But in all seriousness, avoid using the actual names, and perhaps not the exact same iconography, particularly the double-headed eagle.

I don't cosplay as such, but I'm definitely interested in this concept and idea: GO FOR IT!! The idea of a base suit of power armour is great, with extra bitz such as embellished Chapter/Legion markings too could be great! Other suits like Fire Warrior, Meganob, Scions, Cadian, and maybe Eldar could be a great idea too! Go for it, but I'd only buy if the price was right!

got to say I would be interested, and I've got a feeling I've got more than a few friends who would be interested as well. If the price was right of course <--- I know that sounds like an obvious statement but not everyone's price points are the same , obviously if this starts to tally into the 1000's or something you'll price a casual buyer out. Honestly though I can see friends buying them and putting them on displays in either stores or in their game rooms ( I sure as heck would) or just putting them on before a game and talking some smack for fun haha.

Something that may go over better (if only slightly) with this crowd would be replica weapons from 40k. While a suit of armour is large and unwieldy to store, a bolter or shuriken pistol replica would both be easier to store/display, and have a lower price point. Might be worth considering doing alongside the armour, too. Giving those costume lovers something to compliment their shiny new armour wouldn't be a bad idea

I can definitely say after prowling the 40k forums for some time I have no interest in GW releasing the hounds on me. It would be sci-fi, gothic, steampunkish etc.. but would not be GW power armor... But if you look at some of the baroque, Rogue trader, 30k Marks of armor, especially some of the chaos marines.. there are a lot of variations on armor.. I wouldn't necessarily have Rounded Space Marine shoulder pads.. But definitely something reminiscent of the aesthetics that makes the GW universe so awesome..

A good statement would be emulation not imitation

Weapons and the like are definitely an option too... an archaeotech pistol or a master crafted inferno pistol can look like almost anything

As far as price point I'm looking in the hundreds not thousands range.. Something well below what a suit of resin-casted fiberglass master chief armor would cost... That's where the thoughtful use of vacuformed parts comes into play.

I definitely will be shopping the idea around to various groups and forums... I've just been looking for a reason to involve myself in dakkadakka for a while

There's a bunch of Imperial Guard LARPers and cosplayers. I also suspect that it would be much easier to make a set of plastic plates to wear over a soft costume than a full bodysuit like you would need for power armour. Just in terms of surface area, it's about half the size and you don't have to worry about bits getting in each other's way nearly as much.

What would be really handy for IG costume is angular armour plates that can strap straight onto MOLLE gear. That way you can get a vest which fits and convert it to flak / carapace armour quickly and easily.

Cadian armor sure. Astartes, no.

Also, if you do make it, be sure to do a little bit of research on how modern armor manufacturers are making sure their armor fits women.

Good point Melissa.. May do separate components or modular edits to let it fit a woman's proportions. I'm trying to convince my fiance to let me make her Sortia armor!

I'd buy an Astartes helmet for sure.

I'm with kronk. Would use one, if it was well made and not expensive.

I'd definetely order something if the price was right. Although I don't think anyone would want to sell anything for a price that's acceptable in Poland. Yay for weak currency!

But yeah, as long as it's something cool and it's well done, I'd probably get something. Not really interested in Space Marine armour sets as those come meh 90% of times(you can't keep the proportions if the wearing person isn't a deformed bodybuilder), but I'd love some small stuff like IG guardsmen flak armour/helmet or Kasrkin gear. Hell, even the carapace armour of Tempestus Scions would be awesome.

I'd also love some equipment replicas, most notably the new power fist design from Tempestus Scions kit with visible servos - it looks fantastic. So a set of Scion gear would be great, especially if combined with a backpack and, say, NERF Longstrike gun painted and converted into hotshot lasgun.

I'd love to to be able to get my hands on a well made set of cadian style flack armor. Even better if you were open to comissions you might find more business, though as a fellow prop maker/costume designer I understand the the effort that goes into it make custom jobs less appealing than something you can semi mass produce.

Sounds interesting and the IG armor would be easier all around. But as Melissia said you'll double your market if you make the armor adjustable for women.



Lt. Mira is a good example for this.

Yeah, it's more a matter of considering the difference in shoulders, waits, and hips than anything else. Modern body armor makers have found ways to make body armor more comfortable for women to wear, working with the female body shape.