figurines
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Bring your character home with FigurePrints
Sure, there are already licensed World of Warcraft figurines by way of DC. But those are just so generic, you know? Now, what if I told you you could get a figure that looks exactly like your in-game character, outfitted in any gear you own? That's exactly what FigurePrints, a new venture that is set to go live on December 11th, promises to do for you. They are apparently official -- check out the "Licensed Blizzard Product" badge in the bottom-right -- and I find the idea quite intriguing. From one perspective it's the next logical step in merchandising, but really, look at the future we're living in: create a character in an online fantasy game, and have a third party step in, take a model of the character, make a custom 3D print of it, and mail it to your doorstep. This type of stuff has been done before, yes, but the quality on the sample FigurePrints is quite impressive.Here's some information from the site's FAQ: The data is pulled from the Armory, which makes me wonder: how do they get your appearance right? The Armory, unless I'm mistaken, doesn't include things like hairstyle and the other various customization options. The actual statuettes are built using rapid prototyping (AKA 3D printing) using vertically-stacked slices of "plaster-like powder" and then hand-finished. The scale is 1:18, which means a male human comes out about 4 inches tall, not counting the base. And the price? $99.95, plus $14.95 shipping and handling. They warn that availability is limited, and that the best way to guarantee you get one is to make an account at their site, although I wasn't able to get past the "Open December 11th" banner to actually click on anything. So how about it? Will you be lining up to pay $100 plus shipping to bring your toon out of Azeroth?
Fanboylicious! McFarlane to create Halo 3 figurines
Today, McFarlane Toys announced that they have partnered with Microsoft to create eight exclusive Halo 3 figures that'll be available Spring 2008. McFarlane will be creating highly detailed figures that are roughly five inches tall including five character figures (Master Chief, Cortana, Brute Chieftain, Jackal Sniper and a Grunt two pack) and three vehicles (Warthog, Ghost and the new Brute Chopper). But there are a few things we're confused about. Why the heck is it taking until 2008 to get our action figure fix? It's not like they didn't know the game was coming out this year. Second, what happened to Joyride Studios creating Halo figures? Maybe they lost their street cred.Prototype McFarlane Master Chief figure in all his five inch glory posted after the break. Enjoy.[Thanks, TMD]
Drill instructor! Meet BioShock's Big Daddy figurine
Potential purchasers of the limited edition BioShock box can look forward to more than just an award-winning design on the cover! Included in that release is a Big Daddy figurine, replete with oversized mitts, creepy diving suit and, oh yeah, A GIANT DRILL ARM!The above image is just a prototype -- they're still working on the final colors -- but already we're flashing back to that video of the epic struggle required to take one of these things down. Pick yours up August 21st, and proceed to hurl all manner of ammunition at it until it stops moving.%Gallery-3418%
New from First 4 Figures: Sheik!
First 4 Figures have released another well-sculpted, detailed figurine of a Nintendo character. The new figure is the fourth entry in their series of N64-era Zelda characters, focusing on the mysterious, much-cooler-than-Link Sheik.Sheik stands about 9" tall and is in scale with the other figurines in the series. It will cost $109.99 and can be reserved now for shipping in the fall.Ocarina of Time is great, but we really want to get these figures to set up our own trophy table like the one in Super Smash Brothers Melee. But for $100+ each, we aren't sure if we could bring ourselves to make them fight.
Zero Suit Samus: the figurine
The latest in the long line of figurines from First 4 Figures has hit the internet and it's a real beauty. Featuring Samus in her Zero Suit (which you may have seen on our site during coverage for another game), this statue is guaranteed to make many a fanboy hot under the collar come its release during Q3 of this year. Of course, that isn't going to be a fanboy rolling in the dough post-purchase necessarily, as the suggested retail price of this statue is $109.99 US. Ouch! As if the games we purchased weren't expensive enough ...Anyone out there looking to get their hands on this statue?
BC figurines coming in fall
ToyFare reports that DC Direct is producing some lovely Burning Crusade figurines, schedule to debut this fall. All we have so far are pictures of unpainted prototypes (like "you are not prepared" Illidan, pictured at right). They look pretty nifty to me, although I know very little about figurines.Two things about this story strike me as odd. As they point out over at ToyFare, DC Direct usually makes stuff based on DC comics for the direct market, as you might expect. These are of course not based on DC work, and furthermore seem to be headed for the mass market. Second, "release date: fall?" That's over six months from now; it seems like they would have done better to get them out a bit sooner. But maybe the manufacturing process doesn't allow for that or something.Anyway, click on over to ToyFare to see the prototypes for a Draenei Paladin, an Orc Shaman, a Dwarf Warrior, and Illidan. (Is it just me, or is the paladin wielding a one-handed weapon with no shield nor offhand?)
FFIII figures cute enough to melt any heart
It's a new week, and of course, that means a new challenge for our armchair translators. We're gonna need to know when these go on sale, where they are, and how much milk money we need to shake down to score a few. These Final Fantasy III figures turned up on 4cr's news feed and they were just too cute to resist. And if you're paying attention, you might get to see some Nintendo panties in action. Ah, forum posters and their wacky avatars. [Via 4cr]
Jewelcrafting items
Last week we made a post about what sorts of benefits various gems could provide when inserted into socketed items (all rumor, of course), but a jewelcrafter will be able to do more than simply cut gems for socketing. Jewelcrafters will also be able to create necklaces, rings, and trinkets -- and if this list on World of Raids is right, some other armor slots, as well. All of the items have interesting effects, and all I have to say is Truesilver Boar ftw! Read on if you don't feel up to scrolling through all of World of Raids' profession information to find jewelcrafting.
Samus figurines drop jaws
Alex Davis over at First 4 Figurines recently wrote in to tell us that work on the first Samus figurines is nearly completed. In hopping over to his company's site to check out the figures, we were shocked to see just how amazing they looked. Featuring Samus in two distinct flavors (Gravity and Varia), these collectible statues are the type of decoration that proudly proclaims you prefer your women in ancient Chozo battle suits and sporting an arm cannon full of weaponry. Don't be ashamed, we prefer our women that way too. More pictures of the figurines are embedded into the post after the break.
Spore figurines at E3
Randall Bennett and I got a nice little sneak peak at Spore last night at Wired Magazine's presentation featuring Will Wright and guest starring Robin Williams. We shot some great video that will be up on the site as soon as it's ready. We also managed to get a private screening of the game thanks to the people at EA Games. Randall will be doing a full write-up of the game play experience later today, but I just wanted to share one little cool thing in the room where they hosted the preview: Figurines of creatures different Spore designers built in the game and then printed out as three dimensional models (like the guy pictured above). Check below the jump for more pics...
