Mixed Dimensions announced a deal with game-maker Ubisoft to 3D print custom figurines.
The arrangement will manifest as a customizer in Ubisoft’s online merchandise store. This store normally sells a variety of gear, such as hats, t-shirst, etc., associated with characters or games in the company’s portfolio, so it’s a natural place for 3D printed figurines as well.
The figurines will be characters from the “For Honor” game, which involves historical warriors, such as samurai, Vikings, etc. Mixed Dimensions explains:
“Ubisoft’s brutal, medieval fantasy world of For Honor will soon make an exciting jump into the real world as Mixed Dimensions partners with the video game giant Ubisoft to produce customizable ‘For Honor’ figures.
For the first time, ‘For Honor’s’ warring heroes — Warden, Warmonger, Raider, Kensei and Tiandi — will come to life in the physical world as stunning figures that fans can customize themselves.
For Honor fans will design their very own figure depicting ‘For Honor’ characters outfitted in custom armor and weapons. Plus, fans can choose the size and pose of each figure, so every order is one of a kind made just for them.”
Within the customizer, buyers will be able to specify the character, the armor worn, weapon wielded, pose (from three options) and a base style. Figurines are available in three sizes: small (US$24.99), medium (US$49.99) and large (US$99.99).
To set up a customizer of this type, Mixed Dimensions would have had to collaborate with Ubisoft to create the necessary 3D models. I suspect they create a base 3D model in each of the sizes and poses, and then dynamically add the wearables on top before finalizing for 3D printing.
While this may seem like a small venture, as it involves only a few characters from a single game, it could lead to much bigger things. Ubisoft’s online merchandise store has products for eighteen different brands, with only one of them being For Honor.
I suspect this could be an experiment by the two parties. If it proves successful — that is, profitable — then they may add more options to the portfolio by including characters from other brands.
Eventually it might be possible to see virtually all of Ubisoft’s characters involved in customized figurine production.
For Mixed Dimensions, this is simply more work for their full-color 3D printers, and the more the better.
It’s a great strategy, as the game characters naturally carry plenty of public sentiment and offering the ability to hold them in your hand could be quite compelling.
Mixed Dimensions may hope other gaming companies notice this and approach them to add similar services to their merchandise stores. If that’s how this plays out, then Mixed Dimensions could be in for a great deal more business.
Via Mixed Dimensions and Ubisoft
