Mesozoic Life’s 1:35 Scale Spinosaurus Kickstarter

[MLMjp]

Well aware of their fragmentary status, but my response to that is a firm "Meh." They're all known from enough material to create reasonable reconstructions, and indeed, they all have skeletal mounts in various museums around the world. The main thing is they would have been something different from the same old genera.

But this Kickstarter now looks to be as dead as a basket of honey garlic chicken wings, so it's a moot argument in the end.

They'd be the same old genera with innocuous, minor differences and a new name on the tin.

A new or rarely rendered genus makes a world of difference regardless of how much or how little it resembles its relatives. You probably wouldn't be able to tell Galeamopus from Diplodocus at first glance, but I guarantee collectors would be more excited about a toy of the former than the latter.

I do agree with the first part of your statement, but the second part is debatable, specially when its a species 90% of collectors probably didn't even knew it existed (myself included).

People would get excited for a species that they know but it doesn't get enough attention, though.

Going back to this thread's topic, I decided to wait until last moment before doing anything but it's clear this won't get funded. A shame...this Spinosaurus was a beauty, specially with those blue colors.

[Maritimer]

I do agree with the first part of your statement, but the second part is debatable, specially when its a species 90% of collectors probably didn't even knew it existed (myself included).

People would get excited for a species that they know but it doesn't get enough attention, though.

Going back to this thread's topic, I decided to wait until last moment before doing anything but it's clear this won't get funded. A shame...this Spinosaurus was a beauty, specially with those blue colors.

Not picking on you specifically, MLMjp, but your post leads me to wonder ... how many collectors "decided to wait until last moment", and now aren't going to sign up because "it's clear this won't get funded"? If everyone who waited for the last moment had signed on instead, would the project have been funded?

~B.

[Bread]

I would definitely have to agree that hearing/seeing information about the kickstarter possibly failing its funded goal is a turnoff for collectors to not further fund it.

It is sad to see this one not meet its goal. Yes a beautiful and probably most accurate Spinosaurus was going to be on the market, but I make my point again about how soon will there be another Spinosaurus that quite possibly beats this one? Again this brings my point about how a company could literally reveal/release an updated Spinosaurus and blow this one out the water before its even released. Just my thoughts but hopefully this Spinosaurus can be released in an alternative way.

[Faelrin]

Less then 7 hours remaining, and less then 300 backers, and not even over $20,000 yet. Disappointed this didn't do so well, but well its been beaten to death at this point. I did one last post on it on my instagram, but doubt it will do much at this point.

[MLMjp]

I do agree with the first part of your statement, but the second part is debatable, specially when its a species 90% of collectors probably didn't even knew it existed (myself included).

People would get excited for a species that they know but it doesn't get enough attention, though.

Going back to this thread's topic, I decided to wait until last moment before doing anything but it's clear this won't get funded. A shame...this Spinosaurus was a beauty, specially with those blue colors.

Not picking on you specifically, MLMjp, but your post leads me to wonder ... how many collectors "decided to wait until last moment", and now aren't going to sign up because "it's clear this won't get funded"? If everyone who waited for the last moment had signed on instead, would the project have been funded?

~B.

Well, some people cant afford everything they would like to. Do I fund this or spend the money on other stuff? Thats why I decided to wait.

You may think, but if it doesn't get funded you get your money back! What if it DOES get funded? Then that means the other stuff won't receive money from you, and because I usually have a hard time choosing I decided to wait to see what was the best option.

[Faelrin]

@Maritimer I'll be honest I have not backed it, despite my heavy interest in it, because the timing is way to close to when the BotM Tyrannosaur Series campaign ends (in 19 days), and I'm not really in the situation to back both right now with how close they are, that is of course assuming both were successful. Only one is, alas. I think I may just go ahead and give it a go, as it is pretty clear to me this will not be funded successfully in time, to at least relay some feedback, in case they have a go again.

It just seems clear the word didn't get out enough, the lack of interest and enthusiasm (compare the BotM thread for example, and elsewhere, aside from its larger following to begin with...), the goal, the lack of cheaper reward tiers, etc. I truly hope they can learn from all this going forward. I'm guessing a clear lack of FAQ may have also deterred people that were unfamiliar or new to using kickstarter as well, though however I did see over 100 first time backers at least, so almost half gave it a shot for this, so thanks to those folks for  trying at least.

I just hope the next go around (if there will one), I'll be in a better situation to help contribute and get my hands on one.

Edit: To add I think starting from the 1/35 scale was too ambitious especially without the lack of following. As one third of the funding goal is because of taxes, probably made worse from the recent changes in the EU that I've picked up on from folks here, perhaps they might have had a better chance by starting with the smaller 1/64 scale figure, which would still be decently sized based on the website's dimensions for it (over 24 cm or 9 inches long, and over 8 cm or 3 inches tall, which is similar in size to the PNSO model, which works well as a 1/35 scale version of the subadult FSAC-KK 11888 specimen which had the tail, etc preserved).

@MLMjp Just so there is a clear understanding, you are only charged when the campaign ends and has been funded successfully in time. No funds are charged with kickstarter prior, although you do need to have a card added ahead of time in order to pledge. In other words there would be no refund, as nothing would have been charged in the first place. Pledges can also be canceled at any time during the campaign, before it ends.

https://help.kickstarter.com/hc/en-us/articles/115005126094-When-is-my-card-charged-

[suspsy]

I never had any intention of pledging to this Kickstarter even if it had ended up on the verge of success. I always intended to pledge to the BotM Tyrannosaur series and that's precisely what I did.

[thedeadlymoose]

I really, really hope this figure gets made via another path. But I agree the overlap with BotM was a big problem, and a foreseeable one.

This could still be done very well in the future with better timing, soliciation of help/tips for approaching the Kickstarter (which could've helped solve the marketing/awareness issue, the FAQ issue, and the confusion issue), and a much longer leadup time.

And I hope that's exactly what happens, if other sources of funding don't materialize.

EDIT: @Faelrin -- the reason for going 1/35 was that his audience expressed much more interest in it vs 1/64. However, I think you're right based on simple economic realities.

[Fembrogon]

Update from the Patreon page on the design of the model:

Here you have the model with the claws of the legs as they should be, I hope you like them, personally I think that now it is better aesthetically

I would be very excited if this image reached the users of the Dino Toy Forum, it was their comments that made me realize that Spino's claws were wrong, now they are as they should.

Currently Raul Ramos we are working little by little to see the subject of the jaw joint and yes, for the moment soo jaw.

[Stegotyranno420]

Have we gotten any updates on this figure and the company?

[Fembrogon]

From Blayken's Twitter yesterday, Dec 14:
https://twitter.com/michel_elia/status/1470806501962960902

Here's a look at our Spino's jointed jaw from #MesozoicLifeProject courtesy of
@RaulRamosArt

Spoiler

[close]

No news on an updated release or funding event yet; I'm guessing they're waiting to finalize these design updates first.
There have been some updates for the main video project, with more genera being announced and some animation tests. I'm guessing once the main series gets going better, it will help the model move forward as well.

[Sim]

I'm glad they corrected the claws on the Spinosaurus.  I would order it now if it was available.

[Stegotyranno420]

Any other updates 
I hope they make a comeback this summer...

[Fembrogon]

There have been some animation tests for the main program, but I haven't seen anything more on the model yet. The project might be better off focusing on cementing their brand right now so they can draw a larger audience (and potential customer base).

[Carnoking]

I did see them post something about working on jaw articulation a little bit ago

[Faelrin]

Yeah building up an audience and interest in the product is very crucial to having a successful kickstarter. I do wish them the best in the future, as it is easily the most beautiful take I've seen on Spinosaurus yet.

[Pliosaurking]

I too hope this gorgeous spinosaurus sees the light of day

[Duna]

I hope so, too. I like it very much.

[Concavenator]

I too hope this gorgeous spinosaurus sees the light of day

A new Kickstarter campaign is coming, so the chance exists.

https://twitter.com/michel_elia/status/1505019846374928388?cxt=HHwWiMC5sfHk8-IpAAAA

Blayken also released an unboxing video some months ago:

https://youtu.be/YikES7EoEG4

[Shonisaurus]

It looks great, hopefully that figure will be marketed soon. Is very pretty.