by generalsjoes | Jul 30, 2012 | Other Toys
Veteran toy developers, Go, Go, Dynamo!, are harnessing the power of Kickstarter to crowd fund the first line of action figures that teach kids about diverse cultures through great play and magical stories. This knowledge fosters a mutual understanding between people of unfamiliar backgrounds and cultures.
Providence, RI, July 28, 2012 –(
PR.com)– As the world’s athletic heroes gather in London, the world’s cultural heroes assemble at crowd-sourcing site Kickstarter (
www.hero.gogodynamo.com) for a new generation of action figures. The Hero Project aims to introduce kids to a spectacular selection of action figures from around the world, starting with Rama, the greatest hero of India.
“These figures teach kids about their own heritage and allow them to discover amazing heroes from other cultures,” explains Wayne Losey of Go, Go, Dynamo!, formerly a design exec at Hasbro responsible for bringing Boy’s Action properties to life. “Knowing these heroes and the cultures they came from creates a broader understanding that helps kids relate to people from different backgrounds.”
“Heroes stories are symbolic of growing-up and capture kid’s imaginations. Just look at all the kids around the world who share a love for the latest pop culture character,” offers Tucker Johnson, a veteran industrial designer with a knack for telling stories through play. “Heroes bring people together.”
It’s going to take a heroic effort to meet the Kickerstarter funding goal by August 8th. Children of the world, unite! Come together in Play!
Current Coverage:
http://actionfigures.about.com/b/2012/07/10/julys-cool-thing-the-hero-project.htm
http://www.valleybreeze.com/2012/07/24/pawtucket/pawtucket-toy-designers-launch-project-of-heroic-proportions
by generalsjoes | Jul 16, 2012 | G.I. Joe, Sigma 6 (8" Scale)
Another update over the weekend from the guys at Dynamo Development Labs in regards to their Kickstarter Campaign for The Hero Project. And for folks like me who are still bitter over the whole Sigma 6 Scarlett issue, this could be some good news for the customizers out there!
Dynamo has confirmed that they do in fact have plans to develop a female “Unibody” for the line, which would essentially give folks a female template to build upon for any desired Sigma 6 females like Jinx, Scarlett, or The Baroness. Not just that, but I think as fans (and for some of us, as fathers to little girls) a company so willing to dive into the female action figure market is something to celebrate. I know for the sake of my two daughters, I’m hoping this gets off the ground. Check out the update below.
“The one comment that keeps coming up from many of you who are interested or already backing is- “What about a female version? Now, that’s something I can get behind!”
Well, interestingly enough, we have done a bit of work in this area. How could we design Rama without exploring the idea of doing Sita, as well? And, if we’re going that far, lets just see what a female UniBody might look like.
The big question in all this is- what properties might the female UniBody convey? Is there a difference in what distinguishes an inspirational female hero from that of a male? We think so, but not in the traditional sense. We both have daughters and what we most most for them is to create a toy of someone that they can look up to. A role model.
The one thing we’ve wanted to stay away from is being exploitive, so we really thought about making a female body that portrays a certain level of ‘womanliness’, without being overtly sexualized, cutely demure or masculine. Its a challenge to say the least, but probably one of the big ideas to solve for in girl’s toys today.
Below you can see our first steps in developing that body. We’d like to hear more about what you think is the essence of feminine heroism and if it is somehow indistinguishable from the masculine variety.
We’ve got some ideas about who we’d like to see- Isis, Athena, Sita, Sif. BUT here’s where it gets sticky. If we don’t get funding for Rama, we can’t make ANY of these other heroes. Its all up to you. Ladies? Is this something you can rally around? Fellas? How bad to you want these?
Most importantly, aren’t these the type of figures we should be designing for young girls already?
Take a look below and let’s continue to talk.
Wayne and Tucker”
Sample images were also included:
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Now, get out and support the project! 🙂
by generalsjoes | Jul 13, 2012 | G.I. Joe, G.I. Joe Toys, Other Toys, Sigma 6 (8" Scale), The Hero Project
For folks who are supporting the Kickstarter for the Hero Project, we just received an update from Dynamo Development Labs today about potential future characters they want to tackle should this Kickstarter campaign go through.
There are some awesome names and some incredible designs on this list! I cannot emphasize enough…if you are a Sigma 6 fan, or even if you are a general toy fan please consider supporting this project!
You don’t have to give a lot of money, every little bit helps, and you could have a part in building a very impressive and culturally significant brand. Just remember, if this initial release doesn’t happen, these future figures won’t either.
I know it’s tough to consider paying for or supporting something without a physical item in hand, but trust me…if these figures are anything like Sigma 6 (and they certainly appear to bear some resemblance to that) you will NOT be disappointed. Check out the potential future characters below and please consider supporting this project on Kickstarter.
Thank you!
“Here’s the first round of potential characters for the future! We’ll be following up with 4 more on Sunday and , coming soon, a sneak peek of a proposed female body. Don’t forget to cast your vote for your favorite character?
Quetzalcoatl– Air/sun god of the Aztec’s, possibly based on a real hero and ruler. Find out more at Wikipedia and Godchecker
Sinbad the sailor– Adventurer of Middle Eastern verbal tradition stories, first captured in The Book of One Thousand and One (Arabian) Nights. Find out more at Wikipedia
Maui– Polynesian hero, mythological ‘creator’ of the Hawaiian Islands. Find out more at Wikipedia
Shango– African Yoruba God of fire, lightning and thunder. Historical King of Oyo. Find out more at Wikipedia and GodChecker
Thanks again for your interest and support!
Wayne and Tuck”
by generalsjoes | Jul 6, 2012 | G.I. Joe, G.I. Joe Toys, Other Toys, Sigma 6 (8" Scale)
This isn’t strictly G.I. Joe news, but I couldn’t help but talk about it, anyway.
I think we all realize that Sigma 6 as it was known is most likely a dead concept at Hasbro. While many would celebrate that, I lament its place in the crypts, and I was really excited to find out that the spiritual founders of Sigma 6 and Xevoz are starting a new project!
The Hero Project is an endeavor from Tucker and Wayne from Dynamo Development Labs, and they were both the lifeblood of Sigma 6 and Xevoz, and you can really tell by the video shown on their Kickstarter page. The goal of these fine gentlemen is to fund a new action figure toyline, in the 8″ scale, with body design and accessory design very familiar to Sigma 6 fans. Pulling heroes from the annals of history, the Hero Project looks to earn some financial backing, enough to hopefully support this ambitious endeavor.
I happily pledged my money for this cause, and hope fellow Sigma 6 buffs will do the same. Perhaps now that many Joe fans are looking in the rear view mirror and can appreciate just how revolutionary and fun the Sigma 6 line was, they can get behind this project to bring more toys in that awesome format to market.
Check out the Hero Project on Kickstarter, and take a peek at the video below.
by generalsjoes | Jun 30, 2012 | 30th Anniversary, G.I. Joe, G.I. Joe 25th Anniversary, G.I. Joe Collectors Club, G.I. Joe Convention, G.I. Joe Retaliation Toys, G.I. Joe Toys, G.I. Joe Video Game, G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero, JoeCon 2012, Show and Convention Coverage
I’m between seminars at the moment, but wanted to at least get the slideshow images posted from the 2013 Product demonstration. Many of these items will be in the display and I will get those images posted throughout the day as well, but wanted to get this AWESOME stuff up first. Highlights:
- Micro Force Quarter-Sized collectible figures in blind bags. Over 80 figures to collect and trade. Foot holes are compatible with normal vehicle foot pegs for display!
- Alpha sized Night Landing vehicle with Cobra Eel. Cobra Eel figure is the canceled Rise of Cobra Ripcord which is extremely detailed, highly accessorized and uses the figure design that was sculpted to resemble the Sigma 6 Sigma Suits
- Night Viper is moved up to Wave 3
- Very movie accurate “Ultimate Firefly” with mini-HISS in Wave 3
- Very movie accurate “Cobra Trooper” (Cobra Combat Ninja) in Wave 3
- Movie accurate “Ultimate Duke” (with Data-Viper Predator Drone) in Wave 3
- Comic accurate/toy accurate Snake Eyes ’85 w/ Timber totally newly tooled in Wave 4
- Crimson Guard in Wave 5 with customizable label sheet
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More details as they emerge! Follow me on Twitter for up-to-the-minute Tweets and posts from the SyFy panel and the GIJCC panel later today.
