Fifteen ways to keep the toyline going in uncertain times

[Navaan]

Hello!

I recently spent some time considering the hobby, as, like many of you, I am growing older. Times are changing, finances get tighter, health wanes. Honestly, I was questioning what energy and patience I had when, idle just the other eve, the love, the creative spark, returned, and I spent hours just making things.

I care about the toyline. I want it to succeed. 

But want is not enough; with the utmost respect and adoration for everything everyone has done, I had some thoughts, feedback, a 'fifteen point' push to try and get more engagement and action in the community and for Minimates at large.

Please bare with me, and see below;

1. Minimates Discord- With the greatest amount of thanks and appreciation for the moderators of this forum, forums are arguably outmoded as means of fan discussion and feedback, and Discord, a free app that allows topic threads, dedicated channels, image hosting, voice and video calls, is a great tool to keep conversations going. While this suggestion may be the most difficult to truly adopt by many, it is the one I think is one of the most simple to set up, and to maintain. I am more than happy to create said Discord, and make any moderator of this community an admin or moderator of said Discord.

2. Open Buy-In Customs- There are some easily created figures that require perhaps nothing more than part changes or the like, maybe a titch of paint, or with people like (Luke, el), stickers. Some of these can be offered, to the community, open and forever, such as Black Swan of Marvel, Plastic Man of DC, Savage Land Rogue of Marvel, Jeff the Landshark (using a HeroClix and cut to sit on the shelf), so on. While prices may fluctuate and availability may vary based on parts on hand or easily enabled, having a list of creations open for purchase by folks could be a way to keep engaged and fill in gaps. This option, while fun, has many obvious hurdles mentioned and not.

3. Custom Contests- Contests to the community to make a selected character or theme that last for a few weeks or a month, with prizes going to the winner. I am happy to purchase gift cards to Luke's Toy Store, or other places, as rewards, and the contests could be run Quarterly.

4. Custom Selection Contests- Customizers could put up polls or write-ins to offer suggestions for customs or designs to be made as stickers or purchased customs, etc., as said participants could allow or want. For instance, a participating customer may offer a 'contest,' and have Marvel's Luna Snow win; customizer would then create stickers for her face, chest piece, one arm and legs, and then offer this as a print file to folks (who can then source the other parts).

5. Dedicated, single 'Buy/Sell/Trade' list- While there are certainly many lists, perhaps having a thread on the forum, or the Discord, that is a single or archived list of 'who has what available' that is updated in real time (perhaps a Google open source Google Form or Google Doc?) to better enable fan communication and cooperation.

6. Minimate Database support- Hail Ivan. More than any other option on the net, I would argue Minimate Database is the single best and most important resource available to us as a catalogue and archive of parts. Dear Ivan has, to my knowledge, been operating it, alone. I think looking into a Ko-Fi or such, to help Ivan with costs, would be a great way to keep the servers/web hosting going, and we can try to reach Ivan himself to offer any missing pieces as a community, or to offer suggestions of tags or updates (for instance, some Minimates with stubble are not included with the 'beard' tag, and I know Little Red does not have the 'midriff' tag, and perhaps tags could be added for things to help customizers such as 'tanned skinned,' 'dark skinned,' 'light skinned,' etc.

7. IP Custom Planning threads- Again, whether here or on Discord, the community could vote for and select an 'IP' that we then work to fill with either stickers or guides for easy customers. For instance, I made many Cyberpunk 2077 customs, with easy recipes for Johnny Silverhand, Adam Smasher, Rosalind Myers, Solomon Reed, Arasaka mercenaries, so on. Fans could work together to find recipes for each character, creating a 'guide' to creating a 'decent' collection of said IP, and perhaps customizers with the ability to create stickers could create a few otherwise too difficult to make (same example, Judy Alvarez's torso and arms and head, Panam Palmer singlet torso sticker, so on).

8. Open Source Stickers- Volunteering this one, I will endeavor to purchase a decent photo printer that works with my PC; should fans look for certain stickers, but lack the means to print them, I will offer, at no cost, to print them and send them once I 1) know how, and 2) get set up. This may be contingent on costs and demand, perhaps something that can later be re-reviewed with costs and a Ko-Fi for ink and paper costs. If someone else would rather take this task or charge, by all means. Further, at no point would we print any stickers or kits as made by customizers who sell said stickers, such as Luke. Any stickers from customizers must expressly given to be used as open, free source.

9. Custom Parts/Experts List- Too many people can do too many things, and it could be efficient to list who can and does what, like Cylonchaney can make some 3D printed vehicles, Luke sells stickers he's done and plans to sell more, Elhonez is going to release stickers of his Marvel customs. If we have a 'resource guide,' it may help get more people making Minimates of their own.

10. Community Check In and Invites- Looking at activity, there are a lot of people no longer active; we should reach out to folks we have talked to on the forums, friends we have made, see how they are doing, try to get people to reconnect. We can also invite sellers from eBay or the like who have great history and reviews to also come in and chat with folks to offer wares, see what they may have, create sales and deals, and increase overall activity.

11. Custom Universe Spotlights- How many people have made their whole own universe with Minimates? What stories, adventures, heroes and villains have people created? Doing community spotlights could help engagement, share ideas, gain feedback, connect people to potential resources, and inspire creativity and keep product and supplies moving.

12. IP 'Fill In' Customs Planning Thread- With the future of Minimates in question, brands such as Marvel, DC, AEW, Predator, may have had their time in the sun, but it could be engaging and helpful to 'select' a brand for a time, and create community sourced ideas and recipes, perhaps even new stickers or guides from artists, to fill in characters. For instance, Luke and Elhonez have both made wonderful Marvel Minimates, and the former has great DC stickers. I have recipes for easy wrestlers from AEW, Predator characters, so on. This could help fill in blanks and revitalize interest in certain brands, should Minimates continue or be revived.

13. Community Custom Parts Bin- While this will require set up, volunteers and a lot of trust, a 'community parts bin' would be useful if able to be maintained. This would be a volunteer effort, to send Minimate fodder and pieces and figures, so that fans can have a less expensive way to keep working at their custom projects.

14. AMAs or guides- There was talk of a YouTube retrospective being worked on, but what can further be engaging and fun, maybe even enlightening, are AMAs and guides. It may be worth reaching out to people who work on things such as 3D Joes or After Action Reports, etc., to see about chronicling the brands and toyline, perhaps in a visual guide via a Kickstarter. Additionally, perhaps people such as Barry, Luke, Zach or others might be willing to do an AMA, where they pick a time and answer questions from the community?

15. Meet-Up or Expo- The biggest, most daunting suggestion might be, in the end, the most impactful one; a meet up or expo. It is unlikely to self-source an expo with a full crowd without reaching and connecting and getting added to existing expos or cons, but may be worth trying to do just that. I have some connections with various local comic cons and the like, others may have much better leads. Additionally, we could try just a meet-up, such as a 'Mini-sota Meet-Up.' I do not know if Luke, or the former Minimates Menagerie turned Figure Freak, or such shops have a brick and mortar, but if so, perhaps a meet-up for fans interested to get lunch and see stores in person might be a fun way to grow bonds and keep eyes on the product. While cons and expos are expensive and their own hurdle, things like GI Joe, Transformers, Star Trek and others have kept their passions alive and flourishing via showfloors and meets.

Now, some of these are things I can do in an afternoon. Some of these are things other people will need to chime in on, jump into, etc. Some of these things are suggestions, activities we can try to do as a community, or steps we can take to regrow or retain the community, or rather, the fandom. Sure, plenty of this is 'already there' if scattered or mothballed, in some cases, but I think, with effort and elbow grease, some great strides can be taken to make sure the fanbase, even if Minimates themselves, continue for a long, long time.

[TheMinimateKing30]

I think the Discord would be the most logical, immediate thing we can do to start off with. I can see that being used to springboard some of your other suggestions on this list, such as the custom parts or con planning.

Honestly surprised that a Minimates-focused Discord doesn't exist yet.

[Navaan]

2 hours ago, TheMinimateKing30 said:

I think the Discord would be the most logical, immediate thing we can do to start off with. I can see that being used to springboard some of your other suggestions on this list, such as the custom parts or con planning.

Honestly surprised that a Minimates-focused Discord doesn't exist yet.

As am I. I can create one as early as tonight to get the ball rolling.

Edited June 25, 2025 by Navaan

[Shanester]

So, we need another site?  This site has not had any support or income in several years and costs me $900 a year with hosting, IPB Licensing, URL, and site security, not to mention the hours I put in maintaining, upgrading and weeding out spammers.

If this site has become obsolete, please let me know so I can stop putting money into it.

[thereasonsy]

6 minutes ago, Shanester said:

So, we need another site?  This site has not had any support or income in several years and costs me $900 a year with hosting, IPB Licensing, URL, and site security, not to mention the hours I put in maintaining, upgrading and weeding out spammers.

If this site has become obsolete, please let me know so I can stop putting money into it.

Hi Shane: thank you for everything you do and I personally do not think this place or this community is obsolete. I would say opposite of. Especially now in these uncertain times.

 

@Navaan I get the enthusiasm but you may want to do some homework as some of these things exist and reconsider your word choice. And this is coming from the resident person on their last warning. 

[Navaan]

1 hour ago, Shanester said:

So, we need another site?  This site has not had any support or income in several years and costs me $900 a year with hosting, IPB Licensing, URL, and site security, not to mention the hours I put in maintaining, upgrading and weeding out spammers.

If this site has become obsolete, please let me know so I can stop putting money into it.

I'm not saying we NEED another site and not anything like a replacement, just that a Discord may help with quicker communication and options. 

This is not an attempt to say 'this site is bad' just that Discord is a free application (yes, some money can be involved) with a lot of benefits. But this is just a suggestion, nothing more. If folks say 'nah, not about it,' more than fine. It can also certainly be run in conjunction WITH the Minimate Multiverse forum for folks, too.

That said, I'm sorry that has been such a burden but it's an effort I would hate for you to carry on your own. Is there a way we fans can chip in to help with costs? How can I help, @Shanester?

Edit: I found the donation button; does that still work?

Edited June 25, 2025 by Navaan
New info

[Navaan]

55 minutes ago, thereasonsy said:

 

@Navaan I get the enthusiasm but you may want to do some homework as some of these things exist and reconsider your word choice. And this is coming from the resident person on their last warning. 

I'm not trying to be disrespectful. I'm not trying to use harsh language, or demean the efforts of others. If offense has been takbeenif my word choice has somewhere been poor, I apologize and invite people to talk to me in my DMs so I can learn where my tone or discourse has failed.

I recognize there are some elements of these suggestions present, but there may be ways to re-work or approach some ideas with fresh efforts. Fandom is not a race, it's a baton cross country relay team effort. ^-^

But if folks don't want to approach any of these ideas, if people really are satisfied with the state of everything, for Minimates, and don't think that any of these ideas help or hold water, that's fine. That's okay. Maybe folks worry some ideas would disrupt things, but that's not my intent. If folks like some ideas or don't think the others have water, that's fine.

My intent is to put myself out there financially, and from a time and resource standpoint to try and help. But if it is genuinely not wanted, then that's a fair answer, too.

[luke314pi]

I do like a lot of these ideas. A few thoughts:

3. Custom Contests - I used to run 3 of these annually. I don't have time to run them again, but I would be happy to donate gift certificates for them. For the last few, I found that I got the best engagement through Facebook and Instagram, so any contest would need graphics formatted for horizontal, square, and vertical posts. @Navaan If you wanted to run contests from your accounts, I would support it and repost to my followers. Or if you (or someone else) wanted to make the graphics and volunteer to tally the results, I could also just host it on my accounts. And of course any contest would get mentioned here on MMV. 

5. Dedicated, single 'Buy/Sell/Trade' list - I like this idea as a shared Google spreadsheet. From past experience, the biggest challenge is outdated lists and people not responding to requests. So maybe a contact section that would include email and something like an Instagram handle?

11. Custom Universe Spotlights - I have always wanted to do this, but never could find the time!

13. Community Custom Parts Bin - This could also be part of the 'Buy/Sell/Trade' document. 

[TheMinimateKing30]

On 6/25/2025 at 10:40 AM, Navaan said:

As am I. I can create one as early as tonight to get the ball rolling.

Please do so. I can't wait to see how it goes.

[TheMinimateKing30]

4 hours ago, luke314pi said:

I do like a lot of these ideas. A few thoughts:

3. Custom Contests - I used to run 3 of these annually. I don't have time to run them again, but I would be happy to donate gift certificates for them. For the last few, I found that I got the best engagement through Facebook and Instagram, so any contest would need graphics formatted for horizontal, square, and vertical posts. @Navaan If you wanted to run contests from your accounts, I would support it and repost to my followers. Or if you (or someone else) wanted to make the graphics and volunteer to tally the results, I could also just host it on my accounts. And of course any contest would get mentioned here on MMV. 

5. Dedicated, single 'Buy/Sell/Trade' list - I like this idea as a shared Google spreadsheet. From past experience, the biggest challenge is outdated lists and people not responding to requests. So maybe a contact section that would include email and something like an Instagram handle?

11. Custom Universe Spotlights - I have always wanted to do this, but never could find the time!

13. Community Custom Parts Bin - This could also be part of the 'Buy/Sell/Trade' document. 

Amazing ideas, Luke.

[Navaan]

21 hours ago, TheMinimateKing30 said:

Please do so. I can't wait to see how it goes.

I may hold off a bit. I picked up some hesitancy, and the last thing I want to do is bother people, upset people, split the community, etc. These are ideas, and plenty have drawbacks and hurdles. So might circle back to this one.

On 6/26/2025 at 4:21 PM, luke314pi said:

I do like a lot of these ideas. A few thoughts:

3. Custom Contests - I used to run 3 of these annually. I don't have time to run them again, but I would be happy to donate gift certificates for them. For the last few, I found that I got the best engagement through Facebook and Instagram, so any contest would need graphics formatted for horizontal, square, and vertical posts. @Navaan If you wanted to run contests from your accounts, I would support it and repost to my followers. Or if you (or someone else) wanted to make the graphics and volunteer to tally the results, I could also just host it on my accounts. And of course any contest would get mentioned here on MMV. 

5. Dedicated, single 'Buy/Sell/Trade' list - I like this idea as a shared Google spreadsheet. From past experience, the biggest challenge is outdated lists and people not responding to requests. So maybe a contact section that would include email and something like an Instagram handle?

11. Custom Universe Spotlights - I have always wanted to do this, but never could find the time!

13. Community Custom Parts Bin - This could also be part of the 'Buy/Sell/Trade' document. 

3. I would HATE for you to be out money on your own. I am more than happy to try and get some graphics made (I have a lot of friends who make great stuff) and handle tallies, picking judges, organizing submissions. I admit, I am NOT good with social media stuff, so that might be on you. What I would like to do is poll a 'theme' to the community, then open it to that theme. 

5. Also happy to organize this. My initial thought is a Google Doc lists, and then link people. Could use Forms (kind of like Excel) but some lists are long. Case in point, THIS is my 'in package' backstock, and it is STILL waiting for me to update some things I got from that awesome sale @luke314pi had.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1iSifew3HH8ZmM9f-I-OoZ1NXVZ-_LBbmLAG2iS_b9EE/edit?usp=sharing

11. The EASIEST thing to do, in theory. I can start with mine. But... I have paralysis by choice. If anyone has a preference, I could try to start one this weekend, and do a character or two, plus profiles and parts listing, a day for a week or something.

Heroes from Another Realm: In a sci-fi fantasy storyline, two former gladiator slaves are freed, seeking justice against their tormentors, only to learn everything they knew was a lie, and the heroes they look to are broken and hateful, and worst villains of this world are heroes from another realm. If the two are to survive, let alone have a world to enjoy, they have to face not just their darkest days, but the shadows they cast now that they stand in the light.

Nomad Stars: Sci-fi western, a former special cop is exiled from his homeworld to a backwater planet, where he deals with assassins, gangsters, aliens, beauties, evil, cannibal cyborg zombies (who may be more honorable than our hero), and a very lippy frisbee-bot. Though he is charming, cavalier, and certainly with his strengths, this is as much a tale of one man trying to do the right thing as it is the very galaxy, and he, himself, punishing him for it.

The Artist: Superhero classics, when a ninja appears in Monal City, 'culture capital of the world,' people dub him the Artist for the kanjis he leaves in his wake. Unbeknownst to the people who now depend on him, the Artist is a heroic, but broken clown of a hero. But against idealistic terrorists, criminal empires, underground cultural Darwinism conspiracies, and the worst hand to move in the shadows, he may yet be the only hope.

Blessed Be: Sci-fi military, Operation Dagger Team has created the special planetary alliance squad Newfound. Working from the New Ellis, these sole survivors of various squads are the best of the best, united to deal with threats new and old. But secrets abound, including the truth of their assignment; they are the survivors, but they are also the broken. Perhaps worse, they will learn that even though wars end, some soldiers never stop being at war.

13. THIS would be best done in one of two ways; a paragon of the community offers to hold 'donations,' and members send their offerings, allowing one person to chronicle, list and catalogue availability. This allows organizational agility and efficiency, BUT has its own obvious issues and concerns. Even in the best case, it could lead to issues (illness, resources, etc). 

Alternatively, a separate Buy-Trade-Sell section, like my 'free to a good home' efforts but added as part of the master listing.