The August reward for Patreon is delivered.
So what’s next for PrintABlok?
When I finished the Mechs kickstarter I proposed a couple of new sets that could be made. Most of those ideas have happened, so it’s time to update the list of future possibilities for PrintABlok.
Land Craft
One idea form that original proposal that I didn’t get to explore yet is a set of textured blocks to make terrain and buildings. Of course with the new lore elements introduced with Pilots, there could be themed terrain. Basically, this could include castle terrain, sci-fi terrain, or even fields and meadows. Lots of possibilities here.
Heck, this terrain could even be used for D&D like gaming potentially!
Pilots
This was an idea I had a lot time ago. Include specially designed blocks with a cavity inside it just big enough for a pilot. When exploring this idea I knew that that pilot couldn’t be any bigger than 28mm and would need to pivot on the arms and hips. I guessed that this would be possible, but didn’t plan on actually exploring this idea immediately.
Then, one of my most generous backers decided for her reward she wanted me to make one of these pilots. Suddenly I had to figure out if this was actually possible.
Turns out it totally is.
But, instead of “generic fighter pilot #3” or whatever, I wanted to introduce a little character into the models. In fact I wanted to explore 3 different factions. These have become the brutish Cybarbarians (think Masters of the Universe, or the mutants in Metalstorm: The Destruction of Jared-Syn), the noble Polyscouts (A mix of Power Rangers, Silverhawks, Gatchaman, Voltron, etc) and strange visitors from another solar system, the Anthrodimans (Starfox and general anthropomorphic fantasy).
These different groups allow for characters varieties that could be distinguished at that scale. Which is important.
So far there have only 2 PolyScouts and one Cyberbarian modeled, but I suspect more will be coming.
Expanding on Past
With all I’ve learned, I’d love to go back and redo and expand on sets I’ve already made, and maybe insert some pilots while I’m there.
Road Rage
Maybe a whole set of cars could be made with infinite possibilities for remixing. Semis, hot rods, battle busses, vans and Humvees.
Robos
For the mechs set I made a humanoid mech. Shortly afterwards, merlin1974 one-upped my design with an awesome PrintABlok Valkyre set. The ball hinges from that were incorporated into Printablok and used in the Beasts sets, but I think it need a redesign. If I can make it more resilient and a tighter fit, a new set of robo mech cosmetics (and pilot seats) could be incorporated into a whole new pack of pieces.
More Mechs, Crawlers, and Beasts
Take inspiration from Mech Warrior Japanese anime like the Tachikoma tank, and other scifi sources and go wild. From redoing past sets with new hinges and, of course, pilots, to whole new sets, that ain’t done.
Your Ideas
A few times I’ve opened it up to audience suggestions, and the results have been varied and vast, and I love them all. Suggestions include:
- Lunar base!
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More robot parts
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A Cargo Hauler/Transport
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Whole space exploration kit. Like a rover, spaceship, landing pod
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Troop carrier. Carries the Pilots.
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Weapons load outs, Firefly class ;-),
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Birds
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More aircraft
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Kaiju!
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Star destroyer
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Tardis pieces
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Modifying the low poly dinos to accept the printablok connectors for legs, turrets, mobile bases.
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Um…like a rotating space station thing, you know, kind of like in 2001 space odyssey
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NASA, Space X etc. rockets, Artemis program, Mars and lunar rovers and orbiters
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Pets?
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Mechanical components for building toys machines and games (hinges, gears, wheels, chains, sliding parts, paddles, bumpers, belts, and winches)
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Train Parts
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Space Shuttle with opening bay.
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Landing gear with rolling wheels.
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Star Destroyer.
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Massive wings.
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Massive F1 type rocket engines.
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Projectile weapons using compliant spring-type mechanisms.
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Agro domes like in Silent Running or Starlost.
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Space shuttles
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Spruce goose or moose, either would be fun.
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The Landing Pad would be assume also
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A Freighter like the Type-9 from Elite Dangerous or some other large cargo ship
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Space aircraft carrier
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Stargate?
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Wheels!
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Folding landing gears
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Shield Helicarrier,
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Transformers Tetrajets,
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Guardians of the Galaxy Milano Ship
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He-Man Wind Raider
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retractable landing pods/sleds/gear/etc.
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Star Wars or Battlestar Galactica Ships
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Tanks
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Something under water (Think 20000 Leagues Under the Sea)
- Incorporate Chibimals into PrintABloks.
Yes. Yes to all of this.
What about Not PrintABloks?
Of course it could be an option, if My Patreons wanted it, to work on something not printabloks. The World of Chibimals is far from complete. Or maybe some Low Poly animals. Or High Poly Dinos. I can do more than PrintABloks.
