71 réponses à ce sujet

[Tsuyiin]

I remember when some previous ones were launching, there would be a post every 30 seconds, at least 30-60 minutes before launch and hours after.

Huge threads, Server crashings.

Now though? Not a peep, in fact, there was only a single solitary post when the litho singles were released this morning. The singles are still in the store, as well as the double packs. The crucible is still there, as well as several other lithos that have been there quite the while.

Where'd everyone go?

[Vault101 survivor]

The last few lithos have been lackluster. Maybe when they release a spectacular litho, people will be hyped again.

[Nauticle]

Personally I think the latest 2 (Thessia and Vancouver) were pretty awesome. The other 3 after the Earth Alliance ones seemed meh (though Cruicible looked nice)

[Dustwulf]

Nothing as amazing as the ME2 lithos has been released IMO. Just think about it, these recent lithos can't even compares to lithos like the Citadel and Illium as well as ones with fan favorite characters.

[Marksman_iza]

I picked up Thessia because I have been waiting for a thessia litho since I saw the concept art. Kind of disappointing it wasn't the thessia concept I saw but, I still think it looks great. Plus my me3 lithos needed some more colors besides blue and gray. I am sure if they ever release a Liara litho it will sell out like they used to.

Modifié par Marksman_iza, 21 juillet 2012 - 12:06 .

[Legendary Chop Chop]

Lots of factors might be at play for how this is turning out. I wouldn't put too much stock on the site not blowing up as a bad thing, they did just upgrade their servers a few days ago in order to anticipate such site traffic.

I think the limits on the amount of lithos you can order put a stake in the demand that saw things go out in an hour are a big part of it. Those weren't in place until recently, I believe. So resellers aren't buying up the stock and putting them on eBay.

That being said, I do think quality has something to do with it as well. A lot of the recent ones have been without a signature, which isn't necessarily a dealbreaker for me, but I know that's part of it. Also things like Dead Reaper, Anderson, Prothean, etc. have been pretty uninspired pieces of work.

And the last theory I can come up with is based on the negative PR about the ME series might also be playing a role in how these lithos are coming about. It doesn't change how I feel about the series or buying up lithos, but a lot of casual people or more ignorant completely dropped off recently because of you know what.

The three Comic-Con exclusive lithos sold pretty well from what I can tell, despite them being comic-drawn versions of characters that are beloved by fans of the series. So, they might take a hint from the success of those and do similar ones or simply reduce the amount of the edition to 300 or something like they used to be.

Modifié par Legendary Chop Chop, 21 juillet 2012 - 02:18 .

[OniEdge]

Negative PR regarding ME3's ending and uninspired lithographs are definitely the biggest factors. Personally, I know people who were willing to buy certain lithographs, no longer wanted them after the debacle of ME3's ending.

Aside from the ending controversy, Thessia and Vancouver are images that everyone's already seen before multiple times (see The Art of the Mass Effect Universe and various released conceptual art). Uninspired probably doesn't even BEGIN to describe it.

In fact, I'd say the only ones that look interesting are The Crucible, Attack Europe, and Prothean Battle. Even those have some problems. The Crucible was involved in the ending which wasn't at all liked, Attack Europe and Prothean Battle aren't signed and Prothean Battle involves a DLC character that should've been part of the main game.

So, yes. Uninspired art has played a large part in these not selling very quickly. But perhaps the biggest factor has been the negative reaction (well deserved, I think) in regards to the ending of ME3.

[shimoyake]

I'm finally feeling better enough about how ME3 wrapped up to keep an eye on the lithos again, so I suspect distaste still might be a big factor. Meh.

But beyond that, for me at least, money's even tighter than it ever was, so I'm having to be real picky these days. I think Thessia is particularly beautiful, but I'm setting aside literally pocket change every month and that's about it. So... here's hoping a character I really love doesn't get a litho together before I'm less broke! lol

[OniEdge]

I greatly doubt BioWare will release any character lithographs for the rest of the year. After the lackluster "Prothean" and "Anderson", it seems we'll be getting mainly landscapes or scenes of scale.

[BeanieBat]

I haven't given up hope for new character lithographs. If they were to release character lithographs of ME2 characters that haven't had one yet (Mordin, for example), I think they would sell well, especially if they were signed, unlike Anderson and Prothean.

[Beocat]

There are a multitude of factors, likely the negative PR being the biggest. When a company backslaps their customers and then calls them whiny for complaining about it, said customers generally shop elsewhere. That is, unless their shopping fantasy involves verbal abuse and ridicule.

Other minor issues would include the excess amount of lithographs having already been released (with over 20some released already, you cannot get away with lackluster images anymore - people do account for wallspace in their art buying decisions), ignoring suggestions straight from the fans and litho collector's mouths (why ask us what we want if you won't give it to us to begin with?), the plethora of unsigned lithos and lithos recieved that were supposed to be signed but actually weren't, shipping issues and prices, and honestly the run size. On these less than inspiring lithos, the run size should be no more than 200-300/run if they actually want them to sell out. The excessively high run size in general really decreases the exclusivity of the lithos and makes them less valuable to begin. Less valuable + flooded market decreases the value even further. The wicked cycle they have set themselves up for....

[Captain Crash]

For me volume is primarily the problem. I think most of us carry on because we just like collecting them. However they just keeping pumping them out, in large numbers and this effects the collection appeal. Plus the last few haven't really been that special have they.

SR-2 Prototype and Downed Reaper also was a bit of a slap in the face to me. Increase the run to 800 and do a full size version unlimited prints alongside. It was just obvious cashing in and took away part of what was special about collecting these.

Also what infuriates me even more is that character lithos people really want and have been asking for about two years still havent been done. Then when they finally do a litho like Liara its done through an external company and sold at an event like SDCC. How is the average fan going to get to San Diego?

So yes negative PR is certainly a big issue right now. Seems Bioware dont really care so long as it makes them money.

[Beocat]

Captain Crash wrote...

For me volume is primarily the problem. I think most of us carry on because we just like collecting them. However they just keeping pumping them out, in large numbers and this effects the collection appeal.

So yes negative PR is certainly a big issue right now. Seems Bioware dont really care so long as it makes them money.

Volume has been the major problem with the lithos for me as well.  Still, the PR has certainly exacerbated the problem and has likely been the tipping point that they were eventually going to reach.  Furthermore, unlike the PR, the run size (and thus volume) can be altered to help mitigate the damage of the PR.  The PR however can't be undone at this point and those customers are either lost or extremely tight with their pursestrings.  Therefore, I still think the negative PR is the biggest factor here.

Modifié par Beocat, 22 juillet 2012 - 01:42 .

[f1r3storm]

I don't have much space on my walls left to be honest without possibly switching anything around.

Also i'd prefer more character lithos and there are still many characters left without a litho. I'd certainly want Liara, Ashely and a FemShep one. The current ones aren't interesting enough for me.

[Gazereths]

Captain Crash wrote...


Also what infuriates me even more is that character lithos people really want and have been asking for about two years still havent been done. Then when they finally do a litho like Liara its done through an external company and sold at an event like SDCC. How is the average fan going to get to San Diego?

I agree with this totaly, I have waited years for a Liara lithograph and when one finally comes it's an exclusive at a convention that is over 5000 miles away from me. The only way I could possibly  get one now is to pay the scalpers on ebay who are selling them for exorbitant profits.....No fair!

[Captain Crash]

Actually your 100% spot on Beocat, everything is in their control.

I really can't see the logic in not creating the ones we really want. Its a sure win for Bioware as they will instantly sell. I bet some guy in Biowares Accounting Department is thinking "Once we create the character lithos the fans all want then the interest will go. Lets cash in on their anticipation and desire".

Actually no. Some of the most popular and sort after ones are Citadel, Illium, Omega. Reasons why are already listed in this thread. There will always be an interest. But when your core fans of Lithographs are getting frustrated and feeling let down you know you got to do something!

Seriously Bioware, start listening to your fans on this and stop putting your wallets first!

[Nauticle]

God if they do release character lithos I so hope they do it when I have a job and can buy them all ;::;

[Tocquevillain]

For me at least, there are a few reasons. Mass Effect 2 had the most widely varied environments out of all 3 Mass Effect games, and is widely seen as the best game of the three. People like to collect memorabilia from entertainment they enjoy, not entertainment they don't. Mass Effect 2 lithographs were almost always amazing art, and the ones that didn't sell very well were average (Pragia and Purgatory). The others all had vibrant colours and reflected my interest in the locations themselves (Afterlife, TIM, Citadel, Minuteman).

By contrast, Mass Effect 3 was received poorly by the fans here, and it's those 500 or less people who buy these things that actually matter. Treehouse should have put out more varied artwork sooner. Instead we got two earth lithographs, three if you count Dead Reaper, a plain, uninspired SR2 one, and then some artwork of characters that aren't really concept art (Prothean, Anderson).

Thessia was a mistake, I'd buy it, but while the temple made an impression on me, what made more of an impression was the Thessia skyline with Reapers on it. I don't give a crap about Reaper Attack Europe, I didn't play in Europe except at the end, and only in an english speaking country. Give me Reaper Attack Thessia, you'll see me spend.

[Elmasmister]

The main problem is that they are taking lithographs like hotcakes, 2 lithographs month is unsustainable

[Legendary Chop Chop]

I don't think a 2 lithographs a month release cycle is a problem, even if it's a niche beyond a niche. Most art vendors have more than 2 releases a month. Anything more than 2 would be a problem at this point, though.

All of these problems could be changed if they lower edition numbers (back to 300?) and use more fan suggestions in terms of what the context on the lithograph is, whether it's characters or locations.

But personally, I think they're just in a lull now. They'll come back around once more time passes from the overblown ME3 issue, especially when they announce another game in the ME franchise, which we all know is happening sooner or later.

For what it's worth, many lithos become very difficult to find once they leave the BioWare Store (even hard to find on eBay), even the generally unpopular ones. So the market is still there, it just needs something to get it back to where it was before.

Modifié par Legendary Chop Chop, 23 juillet 2012 - 01:42 .

[Johnny16142]

I'm buying them just to have them all because I am late on the whole litho thing and missed out on all the ME2 ones. I am really disappointed with what they have released for ME3 though. Most haven't been signed and the images are nothing like the ME2 lithos I have seen. Hopefully they will step up their game and be more selective on lithos in the future. (Something tells me that is wishful thinking)

Modifié par Johnny16142, 23 juillet 2012 - 05:55 .

[Gorakka]

Dead Reaper is finally sold out after 800 copies.

[Elmasmister]

Gorakka wrote...

Dead Reaper is finally sold out after 800 copies.

Yes, I don´t see much problem with the number of copies, just for ebayers.  More copies the more people may have, 500 is the perfect number. Then you have 300 copies of the posters of Omniblade and EDI for sale. I still think the main problem is the saturation of the number of different lithographs on the market.

[Gorakka]

Elmasmister wrote...

Gorakka wrote...

Dead Reaper is finally sold out after 800 copies.

Yes, I don´t see much problem with the number of copies, just for ebayers.  More copies the more people may have, 500 is the perfect number. Then you have 300 copies of the posters of Omniblade and EDI for sale. I still think the main problem is the saturation of the number of different lithographs on the market.

Not sure I can discern a point from you mentioning Omniblade and EDI. Dark Space sold out in less than a month and Omniblade will not be far behind. EDI may take longer.

Anyway was just stating that it took over a year for Dead Reaper's run of 800 to sell out. Yet it had no problem selling over 300 units in its first month. 800 is just rediculous for the less popular lithos, as Prototype SR2 and Purgatory Cells are experiencing in their 2nd year on the store.

And Ebayers can go fudge themselves.

Modifié par Gorakka, 24 juillet 2012 - 09:18 .

[DiegoRaphael]

Well, for more that i like ME and have some lithos, the problem for me is that they just release ME stuff (and not so good lately). Where is DA lithos (and statues, action figures, bishoujos, clothes...)?

The only good DA litho so far was the Kirkwall gates that i couldn't get it. All the rest was... average.

DA:O didn't even had characters lithos! Fix this Bioware! Give us a DA:O and a DA2 team lithos!

Modifié par DiegoRaphael, 24 juillet 2012 - 05:31 .