[XM Studios] Phoenix

[Spidey976]

This debacle will not stop future fan input with future pieces. They knew few pieces would travel like this while the majority will be smoother sailing. This is part of the game and business. And its still working.

im glad they listened to fans with the changes and they are changing things back. Shows how incredibly flexible they are. What a journey, its crazy and frustrating but at least they are handling it the best out of both sides. Id rather this than some peps on here saying "stuff the fans and believe in yourself".

When XM has a mission statement of fan interaction, it doesnt mean anything until the going gets tough. Now the goings getting tough, they are sticking by their word. Whats the surprise. Glad this scenario happened to prove this. And if this throws them off ill be pretty sad for future pieces.

i mean, how fun is it to talk to reps on here, they reply to you and then they listen. You get the piece and you can say you were part of it. Its by far the best part of these forums for me

While I agree they have been able to take in a lot of the fan suggestions, I think the fans ask to much of them at times. As GoldenBoy said "too many cooks in the kitchen" is definitely a problem, and it is one that I think they will have to address because their approvals are getting tough. Fans will have to accept, and this is from XM themselves, that due to the stricter nature of the Disney/Marvel approval processes that fan input may not always beable to be addressed. No matter what the results happen to be in a poll.

 

[fett1972]

This debacle will not stop future fan input with future pieces. They knew few pieces would travel like this while the majority will be smoother sailing. This is part of the game and business. And its still working.

im glad they listened to fans with the changes and they are changing things back. Shows how incredibly flexible they are. What a journey, its crazy and frustrating but at least they are handling it the best out of both sides. Id rather this than some peps on here saying "stuff the fans and believe in yourself".

When XM has a mission statement of fan interaction, it doesnt mean anything until the going gets tough. Now the goings getting tough, they are sticking by their word. Whats the surprise. Glad this scenario happened to prove this. And if this throws them off ill be pretty sad for future pieces.

i mean, how fun is it to talk to reps on here, they reply to you and then they listen. You get the piece and you can say you were part of it. Its by far the best part of these forums for me

As I have already expressed my opinion that I am happy with fan interaction during the Prototype stage, once up for Pre-order it should be the final product. Fan interaction worked perfectly for Thor prior to pre-order. Only a maximum of 999 statues will be made and sell out immediately. unfortunately not every Forum member manages to obtain one. Therefore, why should those who do not have an order have any input on future changes that do not affect them. This could end up being a nightmare for retailers in that some customers may wish to cancel their orders as the item is not the same as what was previewed. I believe Wolverine had a similar issue due to the teeth and arm hair

 

[frenchyoutoo]

I dont have magneto now but i know i will in the future.

yeh its choatic right now but if XM can handle this then let them.

people saying this might be the last time something like this will happen. I see it as XM saying "bring it on, we will show you all - we mean business".

I say considering the ratio of statues amd fiascos, so far so excellent, with near perfect statue quality scores

 

[Y4NK33 PL4N3T]

As I have already expressed my opinion that I am happy with fan interaction during the Prototype stage, once up for Pre-order it should be the final product. Fan interaction worked perfectly for Thor prior to pre-order. Only a maximum of 999 statues will be made and sell out immediately. unfortunately not every Forum member manages to obtain one. Therefore, why should those who do not have an order have any input on future changes that do not affect them. This could end up being a nightmare for retailers in that some customers may wish to cancel their orders as the item is not the same as what was previewed. I believe Wolverine had a similar issue due to the teeth and arm hair

Put your Doomsday scenario to bed.

 

[TheWhatWhatNow]

Hysterical. No one will be Canceling this.
If you were Crazy enough too. There would be a Hundred people ready to take over the pre-order.
Worst case scenario is you display it with the One Head that looks Really Good.

 

[Kibishii]

Have they answered whether or not they are going to change her eye color? I asked on Facebook and haven't gotten a response.

 

[Silverine]

As I have already expressed my opinion that I am happy with fan interaction during the Prototype stage, once up for Pre-order it should be the final product. Fan interaction worked perfectly for Thor prior to pre-order. Only a maximum of 999 statues will be made and sell out immediately. unfortunately not every Forum member manages to obtain one. Therefore, why should those who do not have an order have any input on future changes that do not affect them. This could end up being a nightmare for retailers in that some customers may wish to cancel their orders as the item is not the same as what was previewed. I believe Wolverine had a similar issue due to the teeth and arm hair

love this 100% right now you never know if some 1 with zero input gets to have an say in the matter

 

[nocturmac]

Clarification, are they reverting back to the original PO portrait? Kinda confused with all the portrait versions presented.

 

[DarthChrisDK]

Clarification, are they reverting back to the original PO portrait? Kinda confused with all the portrait versions presented.

Your confusion is warranted. XM have kind of being going back and forth with this for a while now. They did say that they would revert to the angry head.

 

[peedi]

I think the problem on this particular statue isn't too many cooks in the pot, but the fact that with the heads XM listened to absolutely 0 feedback given. They heard the complaints, but any changes made were widely seen as worse because the changes made weren't in line with what most people said they wanted.

For example, the up swaying hair for the angry head. It started out ok, received a so-so response when revealed as an unpainted sculpt. It became worse when the hairline was lowered and we saw how bad the face paint was compared to the original face paint.

With the multiple changes to the calm head hair, I've seen between forums and Facebook people post their own mock ups on what they wanted the hair flow to be, most people agreed on these changes because they were similar to the PO hair, and then XM came up with that fan shaped hair. Of course most hated it. Then the latest hair looked decent at first, but was another fail since it didn't capture the essence of the original hair.

Then the face paints stayed bad through all iterations after the PO head. The eyes were beady and dint have lashes, people have been telling XM this since it first went that way, and XM said the face paint would change. It change, but not closer to the PO head, they shifted the eyes, still beady, but now even blue, and dint fill in the black "lashes" like the PO head.

I agree there has to be a line drawn with feedback, but XM just didn't listen with the heads on this one, every cry for specific changes was met with "here's this new change that's not in league with what people have been asking for" and that's why the heads are getting the response they're getting now.

 

[Tbolt]

I could have gotten this one, but passed, as I thought it was too rich for my blood, and was not convinced the bird would translate well (I like the idea more as 2D art than 3D sculpture).

That said, they really need to hash all this out before it goes up for PO. I am getting Ant-Man, and aside from making the ants more durable, the photos they just released look like what I ordered, so no real complaints from me. Colors might be a bit different, but close enough.

It is great to get the fan input, but again, do that before taking anyone's money, and then do your best to manufacture what was advertised. I mean, no two fans will agree anyway, so trying to make one happy after the fact is going to be at someone elses expense.

I don't see this making a dent though. A few people are upset, but for the most part, many are giving them a pass. Even those who are upset are still purchasing (from what I have seen). As such, it almost seems like a "Just trust us, we are XM, and you will like whatever we eventually come up with, so order now" model.

 

[Y4NK33 PL4N3T]

That's fair, but to their credit they've gone above and beyond to make the majority of their customers happier than a pig in mud. So, they're currently playing with house money. That will change if they completely bomb a release or start neglecting their customers altogether. Let's hope that doesn't happen.

Keep in mind, other companies are saying: 'Just trust us, we are XYZ. Item shown is a prototype. When shipped, the final production piece may differ in appearance, so order now' - and they'll tune out the requests of their customers from the day they put up the PO until the day it hits your doorstep.

 

[CallMeTheDoctor]

That's fair, but to their credit they've gone above and beyond to make the majority of their customers happier than a pig in mud. So, they're currently playing with house money. That will change if they completely bomb a release or start neglecting their customers altogether. Let's hope that doesn't happen.

Keep in mind, other companies are saying: 'Just trust us, we are XYZ. Item shown is a prototype. When shipped, the final production piece may differ in appearance, so order now' - and they'll tune out the requests of their customers from the day they put up the PO until the day it hits your doorstep.

Yup, like SS Brown Haired Jean...


But yeah, I don't see them neglecting their customers, and I can see the switch off of not taking input when proto is up for PO. Regardless, I suspect this piece will come out just great and satisfy the masses.

 

[Y4NK33 PL4N3T]

Yup, like SS Brown Haired Jean...


But yeah, I don't see them neglecting their customers, and I can see the switch off of not taking input when proto is up for PO. Regardless, I suspect this piece will come out just great and satisfy the masses.

Agreed. It's a lesson learned for a new company and atm there's little reason to think it will turn out poorly. If anyone here has cold feet and wants to cancel their PO, let me know as I'll happily take your spot.

 

[CallMeTheDoctor]

Agreed. It's a lesson learned for a new company and atm there's little reason to think it will turn out poorly. If anyone here has cold feet and wants to cancel their PO, let me know as I'll happily take your spot.

I have faith in XM, and ****, I don't even own anything they put out. Got a buddy he scored a Hawkeye, and it looks amazing in person. I can see why people are bummed, but hey; if they go back to that proto face (which I loved IMO), I think all is well.


Not a lot of Black Bolt fans either, and it looks like XM changed that for others. Have trust in them, I know it feels salty to put out the funds and be worried, but I don't think they've ever gone wrong. I think Hulk is the only one that gets backlash and then I see posts like: 'This piece is amazing the detail and etc etc'. So take a sec and relax because:

 

[Tbolt]

I dont think any company deserves blind faith. I also think the resin bird looks kind of wonky. But, you guys prove my point that even though there is chatter about this, not alot of concern. SS doesn't have red highlights on finished Jean, (A much smaller change) and it is bring out the pitchforks. Wasn't it the same deal with XM Wolverine?

Not enough of a fan of Black Bolt to spend this kind of money on the character, so haven't been following that one.

But really, they need to lock this stuff down. I get it that they are new and trying to do something different, but at a certain point, they need to trust their own process and stop getting sidetracked with the late changes. Heck, it is because they keep trying to make everyone happy that this is getting delayed. I think people would have just been happy to get the version they ordered.

 

[Y4NK33 PL4N3T]

I suppose this is where we part philosophies b/c my comments are not based on 'blind faith' as you put it, rather my own experiences with multiple products from XM Studios. My guess is that those who are also posting the same sentiments also are extremely satisfied customers.

Wrt to Wolverine, yes some of us who have received Wolvie in the first batch noted that we aren't crazy about the tricep hair and/or one of the three included portraits. That being said, I have not read a negative review of any of those that have received the statue at this point. Not one. Everyone is ecstatic to own it. I think that speaks volumes, don't you?

I do agree with you about one thing, that it's important for XM to stay focused and not get caught up in making too many changes along the way. XM handled this feedback properly wrt to Blackbolt as they opened polls on two (or more) forums to get feedback from the fans wrt to the base options. After reviewing it, they made the changes the majority wanted and now that's shaping up to be a grand slam.

If I had to choose between Company A that takes the time to communicate with it's fans via polling in order to try and make the best statue possible versus Company B that puts up a PO proto they won't even guarantee the end product will look like + completely tunes out the fans wrt to any changes/improvements they want made - I'm going with Company A every day and twice on Sunday's. Others will happily go Company B, and that's ok too.

 

[Spidey976]

I suppose this is where we part philosophies b/c my comments are not based on 'blind faith' as you put it, rather my own experiences with multiple products from XM Studios. My guess is that those who are also posting the same sentiments also are extremely satisfied customers.

Wrt to Wolverine, yes some of us who have received Wolvie in the first batch noted that we aren't crazy about the tricep hair and/or one of the three included portraits. That being said, I have not read a negative review of any of those that have received the statue at this point. Not one. Everyone is ecstatic to own it. I think that speaks volumes, don't you?

I do agree with you about one thing, that it's important for XM to stay focused and not get caught up in making too many changes along the way. XM handled this feedback properly wrt to Blackbolt as they opened polls on two (or more) forums to get feedback from the fans wrt to the base options. After reviewing it, they made the changes the majority wanted and now that's shaping up to be a grand slam.

If I had to choose between Company A that takes the time to communicate with it's fans via polling in order to try and make the best statue possible versus Company B that puts up a PO proto they won't even guarantee the end product will look like + completely tunes out the fans wrt to any changes/improvements they want made - I'm going with Company A every day and twice on Sunday's. Others will happily go Company B, and that's ok too.

The to many cooks thing they have going is hurting them slightly, but they will endure. At least I hope they do. I am fearful only because of all the financial hits they have been taking this year. Their handling of the Black Bolt changes was expertly done, and it needs to be the blueprint they use in the future.

 

[Bmutha]

As I have already expressed my opinion that I am happy with fan interaction during the Prototype stage, once up for Pre-order it should be the final product. Fan interaction worked perfectly for Thor prior to pre-order. Only a maximum of 999 statues will be made and sell out immediately. unfortunately not every Forum member manages to obtain one. Therefore, why should those who do not have an order have any input on future changes that do not affect them. This could end up being a nightmare for retailers in that some customers may wish to cancel their orders as the item is not the same as what was previewed. I believe Wolverine had a similar issue due to the teeth and arm hair

No, at PO time, Wolverine did have the tooth issue and the arm hair was drawn on by a pencil. People were complaining that they DIDN'T change anything.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[nemenforcer]

Peeps gotta chill out. She will be the best 1/4 phoenix on the market and possibly the only one for a while. While not perfect as a long time collector I'm just happy XM took her up and has worked at giving us a really awesome design. I don't know why it has taken so long for others but I could get her today and be completely happy to display her in my 1/4 x men collection.