71 réponses à ce sujet

[sabiansix]

Daveros wrote...

carlos2552 wrote...

i can see what your saying , but fortunately I'm lucky enough not to need the money, I work hard and  I collect them because I think there great and I'd be gutted if I mist out on one I wanted 

Yeah, good for you. I work hard and I don't need the money, which I why I only buy one. This way, more decent people can get themselves a litho before the scum of the earth scalpers sweep in and ruin it for everyone.

Scalping a litho (or anything) on ebay is not a "free feed"; it's taking food from someone else's mouth, and it's shameful.

English lit major, or just a flair for the dramatic? 

[Daveros]

sabiansix wrote...

English lit major, or just a flair for the dramatic? 

Sense of fair play..?

[f1r3storm]

Edit: Wait, wrong thread.

Modifié par f1r3storm, 24 septembre 2012 - 07:51 .

[vometia]

carlos2552 wrote...

The thing that bugs me is people buying them up 2 copies at a time and flogging them on eBay , I only ever buy one because I'd feel like a bit of a douche that someone couldn't have something they wanted, and then had to go on eBay and spend 500% + more on something that cost $40

Yeah, same here.  I couldn't feel good about myself pulling a stunt like that, but there are some people with no self-respect.  Whatever I feel about the waning interest in ME (which is hardly surprising, all things considered) I'm glad those days seem to be behind us.

[Legendary Chop Chop]

Scalpers are why the lithos go for so much on the secondary market now, because they literally bought tens and twenties of them to put on eBay for a larger price.

While I can't say it's immoral to do it, it's extremely selfish and arrogant to those who actually want them for reasons related to collecting the art. Scalping exists in all forms of collecting and every single time it's unwarranted and justified by a lack of character in my opinion.

You can't be strapped for cash if you have buy that many of them at once. It's just greed and taking things away from those who just want it for their walls as decoration, instead of sitting on a profit somewhere.

Some people (many eBay sellers), might have made a killing on it, and for that I can't say it's stupid, but I question the motives behind the action. I know many resellers claim they buy them to "offer them" to sellers later in case that they missed the original sale date, but I can't imagine that the original litho releases would have sold out as fast as they did if not for resellers.

The resale of these lithos should be a bonus, not the reason for their existence. While it's cool that we can go on eBay and find lithos almost three years old to get, the fact that they are going for five times what they originally cost is not so good. I know it's the nature of the game, but if they hadn't been bought up for the sake of resell, I doubt the prices would be so high now.

Modifié par Legendary Chop Chop, 24 septembre 2012 - 08:05 .

[CDRSkyShepard]

I had a good talk with Parrish Ley about the lithos at SDCC. He's friends with Watts, who has done many of the art pieces for the lithos, and is himself quite the aficionado. He said he hasn't kept up with the recent releases, but was very interested to know what the fans' reactions were to them. When I said they were still in the store, he was actually legitimately shocked. I told him fans were unhappy because we felt the artwork was uninspiring and things we just really didn't want to see. (Granted, I think the whole debacle of the ending has a lot to do with this, too...and the lackluster nature of ME3 in general which hasn't exactly inspired us to open our wallets.)

At this point, he got out a pen and paper and started writing down suggestions. I told him we wanted characters, because if you looked at the prints that sold like crazy, the vast majority were character-based (such was the nature of ME2). Even though general interest has waned because of ME3, I still think if they get a popular character in like Mordin or the VS, they'd sell very well. He even asked if ME3 versions of ME1 throwback versions of the VS would be better, which suggested to me they're at least open to the idea. Ships, vehicles and fleets would also probably sell very well, but they'd have to be iconic like Normandy SR2, and not just "there" like Prototype SR2. And, for the love of all that is holy, make them signed, and make them original art, not promo images.

In any case, he said he would see what he could do. I really appreciated it. So, maybe we'll see better prints in the future; perhaps we already have with the new Mako litho. It hasn't sold out, but people I talk to about these lithos were more excited for that one than they were about any of them for some time. It definitely had a nostalgia factor, at least.

Another possible factor: dual releases. They figured out with Archangel they couldn't get away with charging us over $40 a pop, so they got around that by releasing two at a time at $40 each, or $75 for the two pack. It's a very blatant money grab. People who are hardcore litho collectors are put under more strain because in order to secure all the pieces, they have to buy two of them instead of just one. Many have to start picking and choosing, because not only are they dual releases, but they're fairly frequent. Instead of getting people going insane, mashing F5 on release day, you have people sitting back and thinking if they should just skip out on this set. This is only exacerbated by uninspired images.

I'll still go for pieces I think are attractive or characters I like (admittedly, I got suckered into Prothean and Anderson...worst decision, because they look awful in person and are promo art prints. Blah.), but even I only got Thessia on sale even though I like the artwork.

Then there's the shipping. Aiyeeee! The price gouging on the shipping is atrocious! $11.50 to ship a litho, and that's not even Priority Mail. Beocat sent me a litho across the country Priority Mail for that much. What are they DOING with those shipping prices??

[Legendary Chop Chop]

Awesome story CDRSkyShepard, I really am glad you had a talk to him about that and I really think that he will take our suggestions to heart seeing how you said he was really surprised about the lithos still in the store.

Some of the lithos that have come out recently since ME3 have been quite good, I rather like the Aria, Thessia, and Attack Europe prints a lot but I would most certainly prefer original character art lithos, or at the very least more unique prints that are not promotional images.

[CDRSkyShepard]

Aria and Reaper Attack were quite good. I have Aria and it looks quite nice, but I'm not sure it was worth the $50 I paid for it, especially considering the artwork was recycled from the Invasion comics.

I think it's interesting Aria and Reaper Attack sold out within a week or so, and Earth Alliance sold out that day, but didn't go terribly fast. Every release since then hasn't sold out. I think people might not have realized A/RA weren't signed, and that was a factor on later lithos. Anderson and Prothean were yet another set of unsigned lithos and that really had people disappointed. Then we FINALLY got a signed litho and it was the Cruicble...not only was it one of the most hated plot devices in Mass Effect, it was a print that was a doctored-up version of the image that appeared in the art book - in other words, a promo shot. They just had fail after fail, so even when they came up with a nice scenic set with Thessia/Vancouver, people were just done.

Talking to Parrish, I also got the feeling that BioWare really doesn't know what we want. He threw out some suggestions when I mentioned characters...the ones I remember off the top of my head were Vega and EDI. I told him Vega probably wouldn't sell well, even though he was liked by quite a few people, and EDI would probably do better but they still didn't seem to have the "magic" of the ME1 and ME2 squaddies. Not to mention not all the ME2 squaddies have their own lithos yet. His heart was in the right place, but I really think it did wonders for him to hear it from a fan's perspective. (This guy is great about gathering fan feedback, by the way. I had the most pleasant conversations with him about many things, and he always wanted to know my opinion and was a very good listener.)

If they must go with two-packs, I proposed the following sets:

Asari Pack - Samara/Liara
Pilot Pack - Joker/EDI
Tuchanka Pack - Mordin/Wrex
Virmire Survivor Pack - Kaidan/Ashley

I also suggested a Harbinger or Sovereign litho (when he asked about Reapers) and an Allied Fleet litho, possibly as an oversized one. I felt so pressured to remember every suggestion I've ever read on these threads because I was actually talking to someone who might be able to do something about it! XD

I just hope it did some good.

Modifié par CDRSkyShepard, 24 septembre 2012 - 09:45 .

[vometia]

CDRSkyShepard wrote...

I think it's interesting Aria and Reaper Attack sold out within a week or so, and Earth Alliance sold out that day, but didn't go terribly fast. Every release since then hasn't sold out. I think people might not have realized A/RA weren't signed, and that was a factor on later lithos. Anderson and Prothean were yet another set of unsigned lithos and that really had people disappointed. Then we FINALLY got a signed litho and it was the Cruicble...not only was it one of the most hated plot devices in Mass Effect, it was a print that was a doctored-up version of the image that appeared in the art book - in other words, a promo shot. They just had fail after fail, so even when they came up with a nice scenic set with Thessia/Vancouver, people were just done.

The Crucible was one I couldn't bring myself to buy: they may as well have titled the lithograph Deus Ex Machina.  That it was an unwelcome reminder of an awful plot device was bad enough, but the point you make it being promo art with a Photoshopped Normandy blithely added to it didn't exactly make it more desirable.

CDRSkyShepard wrote...

Talking to Parrish, I also got the feeling that BioWare really doesn't know what we want. He threw out some suggestions when I mentioned characters...the ones I remember off the top of my head were Vega and EDI. I told him Vega probably wouldn't sell well, even though he was liked by quite a few people, and EDI would probably do better but they still didn't seem to have the "magic" of the ME1 and ME2 squaddies. Not to mention not all the ME2 squaddies have their own lithos yet. His heart was in the right place, but I really think it did wonders for him to hear it from a fan's perspective. (This guy is great about gathering fan feedback, by the way. I had the most pleasant conversations with him about many things, and he always wanted to know my opinion and was a very good listener.)

I think there are senior people at Bioware who seem to not care what the fans want beyond telling them what they should want lest they be derided as "entitled"; this seems to have become a fairly serious problem, and even the people at Bioware who do care about it are going to be disconnected as a result because the information just isn't available.

This Parrish chap sounds like he takes a different approach which is rather refreshing, and I'd also like to think that the Mako is a result of someone at Bioware actually listening since it was a rather iconic ME image: it's nice that it's been seen fit to release it since it hasn't been seen in action since the original ME (I don't think the odd cameo here and there really counts).  And if there is someone listening, hopefully they've also got the gist that dual releases really are rather unwelcome...

[CDRSkyShepard]

vometia wrote...

The Crucible was one I couldn't bring myself to buy: they may as well have titled the lithograph Deus Ex Machina.  That it was an unwelcome reminder of an awful plot device was bad enough, but the point you make it being promo art with a Photoshopped Normandy blithely added to it didn't exactly make it more desirable.

It never even crossed my mind to buy it. Not even when it was an oversized on sale for $25. I think the Crucible is the worst thing to happen to the Mass Effect franchise, no matter how many Normandies you slap on it. (I'm onto you, BioWare...you know how much I LURVE the Normandy...)

I think there are senior people at Bioware who seem to not care what the fans want beyond telling them what they should want lest they be derided as "entitled"; this seems to have become a fairly serious problem, and even the people at Bioware who do care about it are going to be disconnected as a result because the information just isn't available.

This Parrish chap sounds like he takes a different approach which is rather refreshing, and I'd also like to think that the Mako is a result of someone at Bioware actually listening since it was a rather iconic ME image: it's nice that it's been seen fit to release it since it hasn't been seen in action since the original ME (I don't think the odd cameo here and there really counts).  And if there is someone listening, hopefully they've also got the gist that dual releases really are rather unwelcome...

Oh, I have no doubt. Whoever is at the higher level, approving these images and sending them out to become prints definitely is out of touch, and I'd wager willingly.

Talking directly to anyone on the team is a much different ball of wax in general. However, Parrish did strike me as a truly fan-oriented guy with a real interest in what you have to say...and not only that, he wants to know because he wants to improve what he can.

The Mako was a brilliant move, IMO. I know people think it should have been in a more scenic setting, invoking a feel of exploration from ME1...but this is a ME3 litho, and the Mako is a tank, not a glorified ATV. The combat shot is gorgeous, too...very dynamic. Yet, it is still nostalgic. I can't wait to get it in the mail, and I haven't said that about a litho since Earth Alliance. (I know people are meh on it, but I LOVE mine. Ships ships ships...*totters off happily* It also might have something to do with the fact mine is #10. XD)

Edit: Just had a thought. D'ya reckon they only released one official litho this time around to see if the singles are a better way to go? I mean, I know we still got two prints, but they have the screenprint to help pad their bottom line while they experiment with the single litho thing again...

Or it might be 0530 in the morning and I'm thinking too hard.

Modifié par CDRSkyShepard, 24 septembre 2012 - 12:34 .

[Gorakka]

CDRSkyShepard wrote...
I know people are meh on it, but I LOVE mine. Ships ships ships...*totters off happily* It also might have something to do with the fact mine is #10. XD

This made me lol

God I wish I had Earth Alliance...

[vometia]

CDRSkyShepard wrote...

The Mako was a brilliant move, IMO. I know people think it should have been in a more scenic setting, invoking a feel of exploration from ME1...but this is a ME3 litho, and the Mako is a tank, not a glorified ATV. The combat shot is gorgeous, too...very dynamic. Yet, it is still nostalgic. I can't wait to get it in the mail, and I haven't said that about a litho since Earth Alliance. (I know people are meh on it, but I LOVE mine. Ships ships ships...*totters off happily* It also might have something to do with the fact mine is #10. XD)

Edit: Just had a thought. D'ya reckon they only released one official litho this time around to see if the singles are a better way to go? I mean, I know we still got two prints, but they have the screenprint to help pad their bottom line while they experiment with the single litho thing again...

I agree, I think it's a great picture of the Mako.  Seeing it parked on some verdant planet might've been nice, but the action picture is a much better idea.  I don't have such a cool number for Earth Alliance, but I do have no. 3 of the "exciting" Prototype SR2.

I was wondering if they've completely reappraised their release strategy: no $50 price tag, not doubled up, not unsigned and an interesting subject.  Well I'm happy, anyway!

[Legendary Chop Chop]

vometia wrote...

The Crucible was one I couldn't bring myself to buy: they may as well have titled the lithograph Deus Ex Machina.  That it was an unwelcome reminder of an awful plot device was bad enough, but the point you make it being promo art with a Photoshopped Normandy blithely added to it didn't exactly make it more desirable.

I liked The Crucible, all things considered. I thought it was a good litho despite the cut and paste of adding the Normandy. I understand it was for scale issues, and I understand that logic behind it.

If it were a normal sized print, I would have gotten it for sure. I didn't get it due to the sheer size of it. I really don't like those oversized lithos: way too big.

Either way, glad to see that one sold out.

Modifié par Legendary Chop Chop, 24 septembre 2012 - 02:41 .

[Whites6912]

If they must go with two-packs, I proposed the following sets:

Asari Pack - Samara/Liara
Pilot Pack - Joker/EDI
Tuchanka Pack - Mordin/Wrex
Virmire Survivor Pack - Kaidan/Ashley

I also suggested a Harbinger or Sovereign litho (when he asked about Reapers) and an Allied Fleet litho, possibly as an oversized one. I felt so pressured to remember every suggestion I've ever read on these threads because I was actually talking to someone who might be able to do something about it! XD

I just hope it did some good.[/quote]

other than Palivin Burning I really love all of these ideas and they would make really awesome two packs!

I have been waiting for a Liara Litho forever and was able to get a signed one from SDCC but the Screen Print is a JOKE and a bad one at that. I would defiantly look forward to these if they were released as two packs or individuals down the road.

[RighteousNixon]

sabiansix wrote...

English lit major, or just a flair for the dramatic? 

Dramatic is a bit of an understatment.  If it were up to these people, they would have ebay sellers strung up next to murderes and rapists, lol.

[Daveros]

RighteousNixon wrote...

sabiansix wrote...

English lit major, or just a flair for the dramatic? 

Dramatic is a bit of an understatment.  If it were up to these people, they would have ebay sellers strung up next to murderes and rapists, lol.

*ahem*

I'm sure you did that on purpose?

[sabiansix]

RighteousNixon wrote...

sabiansix wrote...

English lit major, or just a flair for the dramatic? 

Dramatic is a bit of an understatment.  If it were up to these people, they would have ebay sellers strung up next to murderes and rapists, lol.

lol, it's not nearly as entertaining as the old days when lithos sold out in a couple of minutes. That's when the sparks were really flying. 

[Demonique]

CDRSkyShepard wrote...

He even asked if ME3 versions of ME1 throwback versions of the VS would be better, which suggested to me they're at least open to the idea.

I'd only be interested in ME1/ME2 Ashley, I can't stand ME3's Trashley Williams.

[NamiraWilhelm]

The Mako was wonderful, the small optimistic part of me is hoping its a return to form.

[Morbo]

Eh, I still care, I'm just not buying anything new until I get around to hanging at least *one* of the lithos I've bought so far on a wall.
The only progress I've made so far in the past year is buying a couple of cheap, yet decent-looking frames from Ikea.

NamiraWilhelm wrote...

The Mako was wonderful, the small optimistic part of me is hoping its a return to form.

It *is* a nice-looking litho, but no way in hell could I ever let myself hang an image of a vehicle I so thoroughly loathe on any wall in my flat.
I think I'd rather drive a Reliant Robin over the first bumpy alien planet I'd come across!

[Gazereths]

I actually enjoyed driving the MAKO, it was sometimes frustrating but loads of fun........Climbing to the top of a mountain then boosting off the top!

So how come the Liara screenprint is back in stock? I've seen it go in and out a few times now....Do they really only have 200? Surely they must keep a few back for replacements as well?

Modifié par Gazereths, 04 octobre 2012 - 03:21 .

[antique_nova]

To be honest. The lithographs have lost so much value in terms of money and sentimental value for most collectors. The biggest factor by large being the P, which is the production team's fault. Yet they are very unwilling still to set things 'properly' straight.

Another note worthy sign is the fact that every lithograph that keeps coming seems to move more and more away from what the customers really want and that these lithographs are being dragged out to satisfy purses and long run sales tactics more than anything else (whether the artists/original sellers are aware of it or not).

Because most of the works that they've been releasing for almost the past year have been severly lacking in connecting within posititve high poitns or positive moments in the games.

But i do have to say that the Mako lithograph almost got me going back in again collecting, but i know what i want and it's not to associate my money and time with anything so close to the disssapointing ending that the ME team produced.