Figureprints: What's the point?
by Matthew Rossi 
Mar 21st 2008 at 4:00PM
But seriously, why exactly does everyone seem to want a Figureprint? I just don't understand the appeal. I mean, at this point I have fairly decent gear, but I just don't understand why I would want a little model of my character. For one thing, it's not like the gear I'd end up immortalized in would stay good very long (there' s an expansion on the way and all) and furthermore, it's not like you can get the Figureprint updated, you'd basically have to buy another.
That of course assumes you'd get to buy one at all. The way it works, you don't get to order a Figureprint, you sign up for a drawing and if you get lucky, then you can buy one. Are these things really that awesome that it's worth waiting months for a chance to get one? There's some back and forth on the construction process and the finished product in this forum thread but that didn't really help me any. Reading the interview Mike did with the founder of the company made it sound pretty cool, actually. But thinking printing stuff on plastic in the manner described sounds cool doesn't really help me figure out why folks are so astonishingly into these things.
Is it to motivate you to get better gear? Honestly, help me out here. Has anyone reading this actually bought one yet? How does it look? Did you think it was worth it, and why'd you decide to get one in the first place?
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Virtual selves
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Charlie Taylor Mar 21st 2008 4:09PM
It's a way of physically representing how large your e-peen is! ;)
(no, really! I have a T6 rogue, just look at this awesome figure I had made!)
Leviathon Mar 21st 2008 4:14PM
I can understand getting one if your character is decked out and looks cool and you want to remember it for WotLK like my druid in T6. But if your character is in a random assortment of items and isn't that geared and looks like its wearing level 60 items (like that rogue) then no I see no point.
Flanker Apr 28th 2008 10:12AM
That's what screenshots are for. And they're free, to boot. Plus, from the images on the website for these things, they look pretty unimpressive. Kind of ugly, imo.
Jonathan Mar 21st 2008 4:09PM
The way i see it is that you spend so much time on a character (for those of us without alt-itis) and that character becomes a part of you. Its pretty cool to have a customized figurine of said character. Its almost like having a toy made of you for mass sale.
Maybe i just get attached to my toon, but dammat i want one of those things with my gear as it is now.
I probably didnt bring you any closer to understanding, and really its not something you have to have or even understand. Its there for people who want it (like the frostmourne) and if you dont want it, dont sweat it.
--Wideruled
Andorhal
Matthew Rossi Mar 21st 2008 4:10PM
I wouldn't say I'm sweating it, but I am by nature curious (even if I'm also somewhat of a grouch) and I am curious about the appeal, so thank you for at least trying to explain it.
Kyp Mar 21st 2008 4:18PM
My FigurePrint shipped yesterday and I can't wait to get it. I think of it as my Little League Trophy for WoW. Something tangible I can put on a shelf and look at when I'm 50 and go, oh yeah, I remember WoW.
Daryl Mar 21st 2008 4:49PM
I'm 50 now and I play WoW
Rydo
bradv10 Mar 21st 2008 4:20PM
what would be nice is a way to view your character model full size on the web... would be way cheaper and easier
Oblivion Mar 21st 2008 4:22PM
There are a lot of toy collectors out there. People line there computer rooms and work spaces with all kinds of different "toys"--superhero toys, sports figures, various Sci-Fi stuff, etc. It's kind of niche thing that is pretty common to the role playing and gaming ilk. When you walk into gaming/computer/comic/book stores you often find these kinds of things available for purchase as well. What Figureprints is doing, is creating a toy/statue that is YOURS. People own their avatars. They created them, they named them, and they spent the time to gear them. Placing a physical representation of your avatar on your desk is much more personal than a Homer Simpson doll that anyone can buy in a store.
jeni Mar 21st 2008 4:25PM
I've had a very very very talented artist do figures of my brother's character and my own for CHEAPER and it doesn't look stupidly grainy. Plus, they're hand sculpted AND they can be in any pose you want. Very good quality.
blackwolf675 Mar 21st 2008 4:30PM
This artist have a site we could look at?
Urthona Mar 21st 2008 4:27PM
Okay, I've been playing this game for over a year now. I came in alone, and watched as people came and go while I was learning about my class of choice. Over the course of several failures and somce significant successes, I made some really good friends that I spend nearly every evening with.
I've watched as our characters respecced, speccced back, farmed materials and honor, died spectacularly, and gave of themselves time and time again so that we were a strong team and each of us were, in turn, a strong player.
While all of this is happening, I know that it's only temporary. Eventually we'll grow up, or grow tired, and go outside for a bio and not come back. I want a figureprint as a trophy. Not to document my status or gear, but to document my time and efforts as this character, the friends I made while playing him, and the adventures we shared.
It's not for my mantle. It's just for me.
jeni Mar 21st 2008 4:28PM
Oh, here's a picture of my brother's character. I'll post mine when I get her.
http://whitness.deviantart.com/art/Udez-73303783
Frank Mar 22nd 2008 1:02PM
is that a figureprint one? it looks bad ASS. i think i want one now...
Azureus Mar 23rd 2008 5:08AM
heh the same artist did one of my warrior
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v260/wrichmon/Azureus/
Henry Mar 21st 2008 4:27PM
If it makes you feel better, I don't want one either.
Nick S Mar 21st 2008 5:36PM
i kind of want one... but "kind of" doesn't cover the very significant expense. plus, my mage is kind of tossed-together at the moment. maybe if i had a full tier set to put on i'd feel better about dropping that kind of lettuce, but right now... not worth it.
Malyfactian Mar 21st 2008 4:28PM
I'm with Matthew on this one.
Even if I spend 10 years playing a single WoW character, I can't really imagine spending $125 bucks for a physical representation of something I can see every time I log in.
Not to mention the fact that one of the biggest thrills in the game is seeing your in-game model at the login screen with a new piece of gear. Your figureprint model will, in all likelihood, be obsolete in appearance by the time it's delivered.
Turall Mar 21st 2008 4:36PM
Motivation to get good gear? I'd much rather have my FigurePrints made wearing Judgement Armor, wielding Quel'serrar and an Elementium Reinforced Bulwark than any BC gear..
Addie Mar 21st 2008 4:41PM
*nods* if I ever get to do one of Addie, it will be in her fishing gear most likely. Tom-boy cowgirl in overalls and a cool hat.