Firstly, I think this is a really cool set that I can tell you have put many hours into and are passionate about.
From what I can tell, it seems like there is a mixture of intentions here of OP wanting to be adventurous/imaginative in kitting choices and the community feedback wanting OP to be much more practical in kitting decisions. Being innovative as a keyset designer is absolutely okay and necessary in my eyes, but not at the cost of real compatibility (something I learned the hard way as well).
Honestly, some sets can get away with being adventurous because the risks taken in weird key inclusion/theming are still functionally practical and don't undermine the exclusion of other keys (40s support, accent ISO, accent arrows in base in this set). From personal experience in designing a set that is trying to do some weird stuff, I understand why OP is protective of his inclusions and also understand the perspective on why the exclusions are not fair/practical.
I think there are two decent compromises here that would appease both sides (in order of which I think is best in the present situation):
1) Switch to PBT - From my perspective, it seems that the kitting decisions you want to take are almost better suited to decisions one would make in the context of a dye-sublimated set. While most of this would be reverse dye-sub, I think this is seriously a viable option here especially with better PBT options opening up in the last year. MilkyWay has good reverse dye-sub even though the alignment of legends is off a bit atm, but the latter can be fixed rather easily. The shift to dye-sub would also allow you to move things around more easily; main example being that you could put 3/4 key 40s support in base and move the roman numeral keys to the novelties or macros kit while keeping everything fairly affordable on all accounts. I also think that a set with this many kitting liberties could really suffer in the current GMK climate as well (not knocking the interest you are receiving or your work at all here, more just speaking on the current state of the market).
2) Stick with GMK - Put 40s into the base kit and move the roman numerals to the novelties or the macros kit. The number one goal should be to get the base kit to MOQ, and I would be worried right now about the pricing of the base kit along with the controversial decisions being made in this current GMK climate. This would dramatically reduce the cost of the base kit and possibly allow for other inclusions like accent ISO or accent arrows in the base kit. The novelties kit currently requires 20 new molds, while the macros kit requires 12 new molds (not including the redundant keys from the molds required for the roman numerals currently in base). To me, the macros kit seems the better option here for a couple reasons. First, you would be condensing all of the interest in the roman numerals into this one kit if they were all in one place. I think this is less risky for the set as a whole, as you would only jeopardize one kit making MOQ rather than the whole base kit itself. Second, you would also be condensing the use of the same molds into one kit and incentivize the macros kit to be made at the same time. This is a minor benefit but still worth noting. I think if you are worried that the roman numerals wouldn't make MOQ organically as a child kit, I'm not sure how you can have confidence that the macros kit, as is, will make MOQ. Especially given that traditional macros kit only make MOQ if the set is extremely hyped or guaranteed buyout, and that your macros kit not only features nontraditional legends that require new molds but also has extra 'novelty'-like keys (objectively). Both of these increase the cost of the kit substantially.
-- side tangent on the red accent arrows: there is a knock-on effect if roman numerals are moved out of the base kit that would favor the inclusion of red arrows in the set. The tan accent arrows can move into the base kit from the spacebars kit, which would then make room for red arrows in the spacebars kit.
I am absolutely not telling you what to do here, just taking a civil approach at trying to help and provide you with options. I hope you consider my feedback and even if you don't, GLWIC/GB.
There's probably a lot I missed, pls forgive.
Hi!! Thanks for the nice and thorough feedback. I really appreciate it!
1. PBT : To be honest, if I wanted to designs epbt/MW or pbt dye sub kit in general, my approach from the start would have been way different. GMK has tedious specifications which were adhered to when designing this. On the other hand dye sub does not. If I wanted to change manu I would probably have to start from scratch to satisfy my ideas.
2. The first and foremost thing is to get an idea what my kiting will cost and if its even producible in a defined cost range. If GMK says this will cost really high, then this kitting is out of question and I will start from the beginning with more traditional choices.
However, I would first like to try out my ideas and see if I can manage to.
Coming to your idea : This is another solution which is possible. In all honesty, just removing the novelties from the base opens up a lot of possibility. You have described quite nicely one of the fallback kitting scenarios which will work in case I need to scrap this. However, as I have already discussed, the point of this kitting is to introduce new molds at the lowest price possible. Having a macros+ child kit with new molds will definitely be more expensive (combined with the base) to buy.
-The Macros kit was designed to use the molds from the base and hence would be more competitively priced. The set was already out in the open for a few weeks before the Geekhack IC. I have collected feedback and discussed the kits with vendors. However, I understand its not possible to know the background info/work from just the IC post.
- 40s inclusion: The optional 3key support will be added if there is a want for it.
- Red arrows : I did not liked how they looked and hence the choice. If enough people want it adding 4 X 1u wont really matter a lot in the final pricing.
In any case, the main points here is that the current kitting makes sure the most user base get a set of additional novelties in the base kit without having to pay the price of a child kit. Its simple and effective. If GMK quotes really high then the idea wont work and I will switch back to a traditional TKL/full base kitting.
I am not good with words. I hope I could explain myself here.
