Hard Light Productions Forums
General FreeSpace => FreeSpace Discussion => Topic started by: Muninn_Crow on September 28, 2023, 12:30:03 pm
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Not really sure what the right forum section this would fall under. I'm just mimicking a similar thread from 2010 that seemed to do well. Is marketing ok if it is series-related?
I was wondering whether the Freespace community had any current interest in Freespace merchandise in any capacity. Freespace, being one of my all-time favorite games has always left me wanting more of it, and something I find off with many companies is their tendency towards merchandise in the flavor of t-shirts, plushies, and posters. Oddly, it is rare, and left to creative fans to create the more unique and desirable products such as item recreations, functional props, etc.
For me, it has always been the medals. Freespace was always unique in that unlike other games with their achievement systems, you could earn military campaign medals and symbols of valor. How cool would it be to be able to play the campaign, and every time you earn an achievement, place a physical medal in a shadowbox?
I have SOC pins on Etsy as I work to start a scifi hobby store. Instead of creating a whole bunch of stuff and gaining no interest, I thought I'd start with one and see how it went. Freespace needs more visibility among the fandoms, and what better way (in my opinion) than with cool medals and pins?
New Etsy Store (https://www.etsy.com/listing/1563148936/freespace2-soc-special-ops-enamel-pin) - SOC Pin 2" x 1"
Now available are the GTVA and NTF logo pins!
GTVA Logo Pin (https://www.etsy.com/listing/1590914370/freespace2-gtva-logo-hard-enamel-pin?
click_key=a01602469bbccb8f9ad9544ec069369edf00dbd2%3A1590914370&click_sum=ff585958&ref=shop_home_active_2)
NTF Logo Pin (https://www.etsy.com/listing/1590920016/freespace2-ntf-logo-hard-enamel-pin?click_key=dec0722c78d67545ede3748092c6a2d8845b157d%3A1590920016&click_sum=e47aced4&ref=shop_home_active_1)
(https://i.etsystatic.com/47127931/r/il/a83725/5343730470/il_794xN.5343730470_q5lw.jpg)
(https://i.etsystatic.com/47127931/r/il/f468af/5477927710/il_fullxfull.5477927710_jcyh.jpg)
Squadron Patches
GTVA 53rd Hammerheads squadron patch (https://www.etsy.com/listing/1716254849/freespace-squadron-patch-53rd)
(https://i.etsystatic.com/47127931/r/il/a9af8a/5972808677/il_794xN.5972808677_rw33.jpg)
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This is a great idea. There used to be a HLP Store on cafepress - managed by Galemp, I think - that sold various hats, T-shirts, and mugs. I still have my FreeSpace SCP T-shirt.
I'm not one for pins myself, but that SOC pin looks very well done.
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That looks really cool. :yes:
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I am late to the party but like the idea of Freespace Merch.
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Thanks! I ended up expanding the list a bit.
Got some GTVA and NTF pins coming in around Wednesday. Looking forward to them and will post them when I get them in stock. :)
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Cheers Sean 👍🏻
Anything but zod stuff is my bag 💪🏻💪🏻
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wtf that looks really good
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Came pinned to a little card shown in first picture. Its got some minor imperfections in the finish which you can hopefully see in the second picture, I'd personally be willing to pay more to get a cleaner face and edges, but overall I think it was worth the money and its a cool little pin. I'd also prefer it be a little smaller tbh.
e: added a magnification of the second image, ignore the thumbprint i am talking about the slight pitting
(https://i.imgur.com/qQfK3W4.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/1R4oXhM.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/xOEqQ8H.png)
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Thanks for the review!
Sorry about the blemish. I clearly missed that when I was sorting for the best one for you. Future pins will be smaller, to better reflect realistic scaling. Excellent points made for me to keep track of!
Out of curiosity on the shipping process, was there any damage to the packaging itself? (Asking so I know if I need additional padding or protection for the pins)
Edit: I've identified an unblemished one if you are interested in a swap? (Magnifying glasses are great. XD)
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Edit: I've identified an unblemished one if you are interested in a swap? (Magnifying glasses are great. XD)
Oh, potentially I suppose, how might I go about doing it?
Also, packaging seemed fine to me, I already discarded it.
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I'll just mail you a new one, though it isn't through Etsy's pricey shipping options, if that's ok? I've carefully padded it just to make sure. It's in the mail now, and should be officially shipped tomorrow.
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May as well provide an update!
New pins came in early!
Now available are the GTVA and NTF logo pins!
GTVA Logo Pin (https://www.etsy.com/listing/1590914370/freespace2-gtva-logo-hard-enamel-pin?
click_key=a01602469bbccb8f9ad9544ec069369edf00dbd2%3A1590914370&click_sum=ff585958&ref=shop_home_active_2)
NTF Logo Pin (https://www.etsy.com/listing/1590920016/freespace2-ntf-logo-hard-enamel-pin?click_key=dec0722c78d67545ede3748092c6a2d8845b157d%3A1590920016&click_sum=e47aced4&ref=shop_home_active_1)
(https://i.etsystatic.com/47127931/r/il/f468af/5477927710/il_fullxfull.5477927710_jcyh.jpg)
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I'll just mail you a new one, though it isn't through Etsy's pricey shipping options, if that's ok? I've carefully padded it just to make sure. It's in the mail now, and should be officially shipped tomorrow.
Sure, sweet
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I have braved cougar infested woods to deposit your two new pins in the mail at 10PM in the dark and the rain. (At least it's not Shivans, right? ;P)
They'll ship out with the replacement SOC pin. Alas, no shipping label/tracking because no one bothered to buy new printer ink. XD
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Are going to do FS1 era factions? GTI etc? Or extended universe ones?
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I most certainly plan to include FS1, and if people like it, and the mod creators allow, include expanded universe (ie. Blue Planet and Inferno factions, etc). I see no reason not to celebrate their glory too. :)
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(https://i.imgur.com/jAqIt6k.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/3pgdyAY.jpg)
The two newer pins look pretty sweet to me. I also like the size a lot better, I could actually pin this to my collar if I wanted.
Also, any odds this could be put on the news bulletin thingy? I know its someone selling something, but its pretty neat and not a lot happens around here these days. I only noticed this thread at all because I glanced at the 'recent posts' at the bottom of the forum at the right time.
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I put it on (one of the) Facebook pages.
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===New Poll is up (Check top of page)===
Subject of poll: Shipping and Pricing
The $4 shipping label Etsy provides has always bothered me. Looking at the Facebook post, it looks like it bothers others as well. However, it is currently the cheapest shipping solution that still allows package tracking for the customer and myself.
So the question then is: Would the community prefer to forego the package tracking to prince that price down, or do you take comfort in the reassurance provided by package tracking?)
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Oh wow! Thanks for the bulletin!
Irregardless of the of the selling aspect, for me it is a matter of providing something for fellow Freespace fans to enjoy. Star Trek and Star Wars is easy if I wanted to make money, but we fans never get any Freespace stuff. Volition almost had their tabletop models from their tabletop slug-paced game they were making. Admittedly, I'd have loved if they had HMM models of the Freespace ships like they have for Gundam and Zoids. (Shiny, glowy SF Mara? :D)
And if the community has anything of high demand in mind, I'm all [Communications Subsystem]s. ;P
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I am pro-cheapest-possible-shipping. I'm sure some people might like a dropdown selection type thingy but if its a choice between one and the other I'd choose cheaper.
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I might as well highlight it. It's something cool created by a member of the community. :yes:
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Very cool! These look great, I'm looking forward to putting them up in my office
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I'm honestly shocked you can afford to make these so cheaply, I doubt anyone here would mind paying a little more money considering how nice these look. I might pick some up when I finally get some disposable income again. Seconding GTA/PVE/GTI pins. What about squadrons? Those would be super cool as well.
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Sales are certainly picking up, which is excellent news! Because this means I will be able to push for new products to offer! Squadron patches or pins are something I was also looking into.
Logistically, I needed to grow eyes on the existing three pins before expanding, otherwise I end up blowing all my money on merchandise that may or may not sell. But I am also trying to keep them cheap for others to buy, as the average pin looks to go for $10-15, whereas mine are $5-6. (It started because I wanted an SOC badge for myself. lol)
It is cool seeing where some of these pins are travelling to, such as Germany or Portugal. :)
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Hope the Facebook mention helped. You're doing the community a service bud.
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Hope the Facebook mention helped. You're doing the community a service bud.
I believe it did, thanks! Interest has been building over the months, so the help is greatly appreciated.
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Attention pilots! The 53rd Hammerheads have arrived! Fly today!
Thanks for the patience. With the poll, you decided you wanted squadron patches, and though it took a while, what better way to begin than with the 53rd Hammerheads!
This is a 3 inch (2.54cm) circular velcro patch in military style.
GTVA 53rd Hammerheads squadron patch (https://www.etsy.com/listing/1716254849/freespace-squadron-patch-53rd)
(https://i.etsystatic.com/47127931/r/il/a9af8a/5972808677/il_794xN.5972808677_rw33.jpg)