[IC] GMK Polybius | GB Today! Day One Deal: Half off a mat with purchase of base

[NathanAlphaMan]

TO: Mr. ███ ███████

FROM: The Federal Bureau of Investigation

SUBJECT: POLYBIUS Arcade Game

Dear Mr. ██████████, This is in response to your Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request.
The FBI has completed its search for records responsive to your request. Based on the information you provided, we conducted a search of the Central Records System. We were unable to identify any file records responsive to your request. If you have additional information pertaining to the subject of your request, please provide us with such details, and we will conduct an additional search. Since no responsive main files were located, it is unnecessary to adjudicate your request for a public interest fee waiver. This response is limited to those records subject to the requirements of the FOIA. This is a standard notification that is given to all our requesters and should not be taken as an indication that excluded records do, or do not, exist.


> REQUEST OF INFORMATION DENIED ...
> STARTING POLYBIUS_GAME_ENGINE.EXE ...
> LAUNCHING INTEREST CHECK ...

_______  __   __  ___   _    _______  _______  ___      __   __  _______  ___   __   __  _______ |       ||  |_|  ||   | | |  |       ||       ||   |    |  | |  ||  _    ||   | |  | |  ||       | |    ___||       ||   |_| |  |    _  ||   _   ||   |    |  |_|  || |_|   ||   | |  | |  ||  _____| |   | __ |       ||      _|  |   |_| ||  | |  ||   |    |       ||       ||   | |  |_|  || |_____ |   ||  ||       ||     |_   |    ___||  |_|  ||   |___ |_     _||  _   | |   | |       ||_____  | |   |_| || ||_|| ||    _  |  |   |    |       ||       |  |   |  | |_|   ||   | |       | _____| | |_______||_|   |_||___| |_|  |___|    |_______||_______|  |___|  |_______||___| |_______||_______|

WARNING: POLYBIUS USES SPECIAL VISUAL AND AUDITORY EFFECTS.
PERSONS WITH SEIZURES, MOTION SICKNESS, CARDIAC ARRHYTHMIA, DO NOT PLAY THIS GAME.

INSERT TOKEN TO PLAY
DAY ONE ONLY: Bundle any deskmat with a base kit and get the deskmat half off!
The Carpet Kit


Featuring agnostic UV-Printed mods, this kit brings classic arcade carpet stylings to your keyboard.
The carpet kit covers everything from 40s layouts up to F13 1800s in both ANSI and ISO.

The Redaction Kit


The redaction kit provides support for common spacebars. completing support for ortho, Alice, 660, and more

Colors

WARNING: Color information redacted. All colors except for the yellow (GMK CV) are RALs which will need color matching

Deskmats
900mm x 400mm x 4mm | Stitched Edges | Cloth Top
Beeps and Boops, Carpet, and Polyweave were designed in collaboration with Sour




RAMA | Xs and Os, Dual GLOW Enamel Infill



Space Cables



Confirmed Collaborations

More

Archetype

ArtKey

Destroyer Caps

Dusty Caps

GSK

Lazy Caps

PrimeCaps

Sinpra

SodieCaps

Vendors, Timeline, & Pricing

US: Space Cables
UK: ProtoTypist
EU: CandyKeys
Asia: iLumkb
Oceania: SwitchKeys
Canada: Ashkeebs

Starts: January 4th, 2021.
Ends: Feburary 3rd, 2021.

Kit		MOQ	Space (USD)	CandyKeys (EUR)	ProtoTypist (GBP)	IlumKb (SGD)	SwitchKeys (AUD)	AshKeebs (CAD)
Carpet (Base)		500	$135	€TBA	£120	s$190	$196	$180
Redaction (Bars)		100	$25	€TBA	£22	s$35	$34	$35
Xs and Os (RAMA)		100	$44	€TBA	£38	s$28	$59	$60
Deskmats		20	$20	€TBA	£19	s$62	$30	$28

INSERT ANOTHER TOKEN TO SEE BOARD RENDERS

       Evolv | Alpha.Design


             SD / CP | Satisfactory Designs


Adélie | Abec13


                OGR | Alchemist Keyboards


Alice  | TGR   


Atlas | Nasp 


       J-02 | ProtoTypist


Jane | TGR 


Changelog
12/28/20 | Vendors & Date Announced
12/7/20 | Small Kitting chages
12/2/20 | IC Posted

Socials

NathanAlphaMan


Octix


Acknowledgments
Octix | For being my partner in crime in helping me make this set a reality
Plop | For the help in making the mods into something amazing
Sour | For the amazing work on the mats
Mek | For telling me to do better
BottomKlunk | For the constant feedback

IC FORM: YOUR RESPONSE IS REQUIRED

[octix]

First

[Bleddyn]

Second!

This looking REAL nice, loving those pad print UV legends.
Also that OGR render is straight FIRE.

[fropsie]

Damn, this lookin real nice.

[ilikerustoo]

 I'll take it

[SwitchKeys]

n e Gameshark avail?

[d4vid4f]

Can I just give you my CC number now?

[Bachoo]

LETS GOOOOOOO

[ddrfraser1]

Hellz yeah. This is the S***! I'm all over that Friday nights desk mat. Skeet 

[Chippy]

novelties look interesting, interesting to see how kitting ends up working out.

[logo4poop]

I remember when I first saw this, congrats on hitting IC!

[ITSme_STAR]

I love everything, and the deskmats really cool!

[spacecables]

ah yes, we love arcade carpet. 

[Diggidy]

Oh yes - this is it

[alper_maestro]

Too many great sets in December 

[Nvr_Smile]

Mods and kitting look great. Don't think the alpha's fit in at all with the rest of the kit however. The mods are super colorful and busy while the alphas are a dark, bland, grey and it throws everything off IMO.

[Capsy]

Very nice. Good luck Nathan.

[HoodrowThrillson]

Numpad in base, revolutionary

[DJSwayde]

What are the color codes?

[NathanAlphaMan]

Numpad in base, revolutionary

I forgot to put in the note about mod colored tilde and pipe SMH

[HoodrowThrillson]

Numpad in base, revolutionary

I forgot to put in the note about mod colored tilde and pipe SMH

Does it count if mods and alpha are same color 

[n.rdy]

this is super cool!

[Tyson]

Mods and kitting look great. Don't think the alpha's fit in at all with the rest of the kit however. The mods are super colorful and busy while the alphas are a dark, bland, grey and it throws everything off IMO.

I personally think the alphas fit in perfectly with the rest of the mods, it has that "lights off black lights on in a roller rink/arcade" look.

[Zev]

So awesome! My suggestion, add a 2u spacebar to the base kit. A number of Mito kits have started doing that, it makes it full ortho out of the box, and an instant buy for me.

[Zeelobby]

This wild man. Looks great.

[bkrownd]

love the arcade deskmat

[Dazon]

this is looking amazing!! always have loved the mystery around polybius, super hyped to see it realized in a set.

[NathanAlphaMan]

So awesome! My suggestion, add a 2u spacebar to the base kit. A number of Mito kits have started doing that, it makes it full ortho out of the box, and an instant buy for me.

Since there are only 10 r4 1u mods in base, 2x 2u or 2x 1u + 2u bars would be required to complete ortho support. That's a much harder ask than just one more key, but something I might consider as I tweak the kits!

[halocantkb]

So awesome! My suggestion, add a 2u spacebar to the base kit. A number of Mito kits have started doing that, it makes it full ortho out of the box, and an instant buy for me.

Since there are only 10 r4 1u mods in base, 2x 2u or 2x 1u + 2u bars would be required to complete ortho support. That's a much harder ask than just one more key, but something I might consider as I tweak the kits!

forgive me if I'm wrong, but couldn't you use the nav mods, winkeys and fn to complete ortho (without the 2u space)?

Sent from my ELE-L04 using Tapatalk

[NathanAlphaMan]

So awesome! My suggestion, add a 2u spacebar to the base kit. A number of Mito kits have started doing that, it makes it full ortho out of the box, and an instant buy for me.

Since there are only 10 r4 1u mods in base, 2x 2u or 2x 1u + 2u bars would be required to complete ortho support. That's a much harder ask than just one more key, but something I might consider as I tweak the kits!

forgive me if I'm wrong, but couldn't you use the nav mods, winkeys and fn to complete ortho (without the 2u space)?

Sent from my ELE-L04 using Tapatalk

No, unfortunately not: 2x super + 1 fn + 4 arrows + 3 decorations is only 10 keys when 12 are need if you want a single spacebar. See the Atlas renders for an example of how to layout an ortho board with the current kits.

[konstantin]

UV printing finally getting the attention it deserves. Marvelous execution, too; and a catchy, meaningful name to tie it all together. Good job all around, Nathan.

As you mentioned, there currently aren't enough R4 1u keys for ortho support. You could move one of the R3 1u keys to R4 (I don't think you need three of them on R3). You could also technically move the R2 decoration/column key to R4 if you make some adjustments to the R3 keys' icons, but I don't think that's necessary. So you would just need to add one extra R4 1u key for complete ortho coverage, if I'm not mistaken. (In which case it'd even be technically supported with just the base kit due to the 2u numpad 0.)

Also, this R1 key: can probably be dropped since the PrtSc/Scroll/Pause keys already cover for it in all use cases, as far as I can tell.

Edit: I'm gonna play devil's advocate and say that if you add a 2u Shift (which I know you hate), along with implementing the R4 1u suggestions from above, you'll be able to say that your base kit officially fully covers all common 40s, ortho and 60% layouts out there

[Dotnick]

POLYBIUS DAY MASSIVE POG, best pad print set avail.

[Ustinj]

looks so good.

any consideration of going JTK tripleshot instead of pad printing?

[Rumblehotep]

One of every mat please

[NathanAlphaMan]

UV printing finally getting the attention it deserves. Marvelous execution, too; and a catchy, meaningful name to tie it all together. Good job all around, Nathan.

As you mentioned, there currently aren't enough R4 1u keys for ortho support. You could move one of the R3 1u keys to R4 (I don't think you need three of them on R3). You could also technically move the R2 decoration/column key to R4 if you make some adjustments to the R3 keys' icons, but I don't think that's necessary. So you would just need to add one extra R4 1u key for complete ortho coverage, if I'm not mistaken. (In which case it'd even be technically supported with just the base kit due to the 2u numpad 0.)

Also, this R1 key:

Show Image

can probably be dropped since the PrtSc/Scroll/Pause keys already cover for it in all use cases, as far as I can tell.

Edit: I'm gonna play devil's advocate and say that if you add a 2u Shift (which I know you hate), along with implementing the R4 1u suggestions from above, you'll be able to say that your base kit officially fully covers all common 40s, ortho and 60% layouts out there :P

Thank you for the kind words Konstatin! That R1 key is there to support 1800cp layouts as I didn't want the 4 key block above the numpad to have one miscolored key.

As for the: 3 R3 1us, I do agree it's a bit much and it's probably the one part of the kitting I'm most uneasy about, but I wanted to have support for the increasingly popular extended 65% layouts

[NathanAlphaMan]

looks so good.

any consideration of going JTK tripleshot instead of pad printing?

No.

I love GMK pad prints and think they can and should be used way more in set design.

[Emechanical]

Yes please. I want this.

[konstantin]

Thank you for the kind words Konstatin! That R1 key is there to support 1800cp layouts as I didn't want the 4 key block above the numpad to have one miscolored key.

Ah, indeed, I see what you mean:



Have you considered that the most popular option for that 4-key block is usually Home–End–PgUp–PgDn (or any variation thereof), so users may not even have the need to use that key in conjunction with the Print–Scroll–Pause keys, as pictured above?
Or did you decide to keep the key in spite of this, in order to give users the option of picking between all red/green and all purple/green keys for the 4-key block?

As for the: 3 R3 1us, I do agree it's a bit much and it's probably the one part of the kitting I'm most uneasy about, but I wanted to have support for the increasingly popular extended 65% layouts

If that's the goal, then the decision to include that key does make sense Yet, I do still think that it's worthwhile to try and find a way to squeeze those extra two R4 1u keys in for ortho users (especially since it's so close).

[floristfran]

Maybe you should change the name to gmk shapes having sex

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

[perry4761]

Beautiful! I’ve been waiting for this since the very first teaser, suoer excited to see this wonderful set hit IC.

Can someone educate me on how UV printing compares to dye-sublimation and laser etching?

[NathanAlphaMan]

Thank you for the kind words Konstatin! That R1 key is there to support 1800cp layouts as I didn't want the 4 key block above the numpad to have one miscolored key.

Ah, indeed, I see what you mean:

Show Image

Have you considered that the most popular option for that 4-key block is usually Home–End–PgUp–PgDn (or any variation thereof), so users may not even have the need to use that key in conjunction with the Print–Scroll–Pause keys, as pictured above?
Or did you decide to keep the key in spite of this, in order to give users the option of picking between all red/green and all purple/green keys for the 4-key block?

Not quite, both red/ green and green/ purple need to exist in order to support standard 1800 layouts, which have 10 r1 1u navigation keys.

As for the: 3 R3 1us, I do agree it's a bit much and it's probably the one part of the kitting I'm most uneasy about, but I wanted to have support for the increasingly popular extended 65% layouts

If that's the goal, then the decision to include that key does make sense :) Yet, I do still think that it's worthwhile to try and find a way to squeeze those extra two R4 1u keys in for ortho users (especially since it's so close).

TBH, I'd rather complete 40s support (R2 1.75, R3 1.5) before making ortho just a *bit* easier

[CustomerSupport]

Oh wow this is a really cool project! How does UV printing compare to say dye-sub?

Obviously neither are as comparable to doubleshot with regards to longevity and clarity, but are there downsides to this?

[HungHingDaiLo]

Amazing job on the overall concept! Was awed when you first post the spoiler pic in other chat platform.

Base kit is well done + I love the beeps and boops mat!

[whirlwind]

Nice

[S3LQ]

I like the contrast between the busy mods and the calm alphas. Really like the color choices you made, but wondering what the prices will be. I reckon you'll get some great vendors on board that makes it possible to base the price at a higher MOQ to make it affordable! I really like this! 

[grundlemere]

In at any price. You know how I feel about this set, brother, and I hadn't even seen three of the deskmats before yesterday. Can't wait to see how this turns out. Truly excited for you and for the community. This is advancing the realm of the possible for all designers.

[Puddsy]

Oh wow this is a really cool project! How does UV printing compare to say dye-sub?

Obviously neither are as comparable to doubleshot with regards to longevity and clarity, but are there downsides to this?

personally i have had very negative experiences with GMK's UV printing but that was on alphas and not mods

it's definitely the reason i am staying away from this set

[biothermal]

What are the color codes?

This is important

[NathanAlphaMan]

Oh wow this is a really cool project! How does UV printing compare to say dye-sub?

Obviously neither are as comparable to doubleshot with regards to longevity and clarity, but are there downsides to this?

personally i have had very negative experiences with GMK's UV printing but that was on alphas and not mods

it's definitely the reason i am staying away from this set

Where's that picture of Hiney's shined Grissean with the UV-Printing still intact when you need it

[konstantin]

personally i have had very negative experiences with GMK's UV printing but that was on alphas and not mods

it's definitely the reason i am staying away from this set

we all know you have some great ass fingers puddsy

[Puddsy]

personally i have had very negative experiences with GMK's UV printing but that was on alphas and not mods

it's definitely the reason i am staying away from this set

we all know you have some great ass fingers puddsy

ass fingers

[boneandbee]

This set is so cool. 80s themes can sometimes be overwhelming, but I love that you kept the key colors neutral and let the novelties/modifiers be the stars. The geometric shapes are so simple yet unique and i LOVE how you incorporated them into the patterned desk mats. It's funky yet understated. Very well done!

[NathanAlphaMan]

What are the color codes?

This is important

I've updated the OP with information about colors: Everything except the yellow (GMK CV) is an RAL color which will need to be matched.

[shxWN]

great work as always nathan! i love the Friday nights desk mat and might have to pick one up myself <3

[steezkeez]

throwback to the carpet at my old hometown movie theater

really dig the contrast between the mods and alphas

i love it

[Lizcuits]

I love this set, it's very well made! I am concerned about the use of pad printing though. As far as I know it's prone to rubbing off with heavy use, is this still the case in modern caps? It will be mitigated since it's only used on mods which see less use, but it is still something to keep in mind for longevity.

I will definitely be picking this up regardless if I have the funds when it drops. Super cool idea.

[NathanAlphaMan]

I love this set, it's very well made! I am concerned about the use of pad printing though. As far as I know it's prone to rubbing off with heavy use, is this still the case in modern caps? It will be mitigated since it's only used on mods which see less use, but it is still something to keep in mind for longevity.

I will definitely be picking this up regardless if I have the funds when it drops. Super cool idea.

Nope! Here's a picture I linked in the thread earlier of HineyBush's crazy shined GMK Grissean with UV prints still intact

[keebnewb]

Love this set! And love it even more because the kitting is stress free haha I never know which kits to get so this makes it easy for newbs like me

[treeleaf64]

Honest thoughts

I don't want to buy it. But I think it's a good idea.
^_^ does that mean I am interested? No, but I would recommend to someone who wants a playful GMK set.
Good luck with the IC my friend

[Lizcuits]

I love this set, it's very well made! I am concerned about the use of pad printing though. As far as I know it's prone to rubbing off with heavy use, is this still the case in modern caps? It will be mitigated since it's only used on mods which see less use, but it is still something to keep in mind for longevity.

I will definitely be picking this up regardless if I have the funds when it drops. Super cool idea.

Nope! Here's a picture I linked in the thread earlier of HineyBush's crazy shined GMK Grissean with UV prints still intact

Show Image

Very glad to hear UV legends are a viable option nowadays. I'm definitely gonna be keeping an eye on this!

[Diamagisk]

I love this! Will be buying at least one set. Great work on the deskmats too!

[SwitchKeys]

Honest thoughts

I don't want to buy it. But I think it's a good idea.
^_^ does that mean I am interested? No, but I would recommend to someone who wants a playful GMK set.
Good luck with the IC my friend

Possible for Treeleaf approval so we can proceed?

[asherw]

hell yeah

love the reference!

[Jaxxstatic]

For all the Arcade Flor artisans, this...is perfect.
But if there's no mod color tilde and pipe, I'm out.

[keyboardkrill]

too loud for my taste, but diggin them desk mats. cool idea

[zoo]

take my monies

[Protato_Tubby]

I'm going to need to buy an MX Compatible board just for this  )

[sevenseacat]

oh yes yes yes

[gilbert]

finally some good kitting! Set is also nice

[konstantin]

Very glad to hear UV legends are a viable option nowadays. I'm definitely gonna be keeping an eye on this!

FYI, they've always been viable. GMK actually doesn't do pad printing, only UV printing, and to the best of my knowledge, this has always been the case. What people have been referring to as pad-printed legends in GMK sets have actually been UV-printed the whole time.

Here's a screenshot of a response from a GMK representative from early last year:

[Alga]

Looks very nice. I tink I might get one, but the desk mats really get me here. I'll try get one of those if I can 

[SMOKEY]

This hits right in the feels!
Awesome Job, Nathan!

[Puddsy]

Very glad to hear UV legends are a viable option nowadays. I'm definitely gonna be keeping an eye on this!

FYI, they've always been viable. GMK actually doesn't do pad printing, only UV printing, and to the best of my knowledge, this has always been the case. What people have been referring to as pad-printed legends in GMK sets have actually been UV-printed the whole time.

Here's a screenshot of a response from a GMK representative from early last year:

Show Image

this is correct to my knowledge as well

[jack.yijugu]

Since you choose 3 colours ,why not use JTK? Just as JTK Tripleshot Griseann and JTK Royal Alpha.

[jack.yijugu]

Please answer me.

[nathanchere]

Mods and kitting look great. Don't think the alpha's fit in at all with the rest of the kit however. The mods are super colorful and busy while the alphas are a dark, bland, grey and it throws everything off IMO.

This. I'd be in for just the mods but not a full base kit, especially not the cost of a full GMK kit just to get keys that are only uv printed.

[NathanAlphaMan]

Since you choose 3 colours ,why not use JTK? Just as JTK Tripleshot Griseann and JTK Royal Alpha.

Pretty simply: I prefer GMK to JTK and think GMK UV prints need their time to shine.

[NathanAlphaMan]

Hey everyone!

Made some small updates to the kitting.

Van support (R2 1.75u and R3 1.5u) has been added to the base kit:



An Alice B has been added to bars:

[KiwiAhhhh]

it looks awesome , but I'm worried about if GMK can make it

[treeleaf64]

Good kitting. Even though I don't like the set. It's good kitting.

[Puddsy]

Good kitting. Even though I don't like the set. It's good kitting.

treeleaf is like a polite version of me

[NoPunIn10Did]

it looks awesome , but I'm worried about if GMK can make it

It’s UV printing, which is even more flexible than dyesub. I wouldn’t have doubts in that department.

[The Cat Whisperer]

old school retro roller rink and arcade vibes. they still have this carpeting design at my local theater lol love it

[NathanAlphaMan]

it looks awesome , but I'm worried about if GMK can make it

We've already been in contact with GMK and they have confirmed that they can make this set 

[CandyKeys]

This is nais.

[7empest]

Wow, this is really awesome looking! Nice work!

[Bobatype]

I like the creative arcade mods you and Plop have done.  I can see there was a lot of consideration put in those designs to balance being symbols for purposeful use, and hitting the right vibe of the era. I disagree with the other person's argument that the alpha colours are boring; I think it balances out, and lets the emphasis be in the right area (the frame).

I'm sure many people will be keeping a keen eye to see how the pad-printed legends turn out and endure when the set arrives in people's hands.
It could lead to eventually lead to others pushing out creative concepts in GMK that were previously only considered possible for dyesubbed PBT sets.

Never thought I'd consider getting a carpet design as a desk mat, but here we are.

[guill3m]

A thousand times yes. Loving the beeps and boops deskmat.

[EdgeOfInfinity]

love the name!

[aiwa501]

What no Rama?

[NathanAlphaMan]

What no Rama?

No Rama yet

[aiwa501]

Cool!  Would love to see a couple of Rama caps for this set.

[NathanAlphaMan]

Cool!  Would love to see a couple of Rama caps for this set.

Working on some amazing collaborations for the set, can't wait to announce the lineup!

[Vegas_]

wow this set looks nice. very sick aesthetic, gonna be keeping tabs on this 

[alper_maestro]

GB date confirmed?

[seikoholic]

damn the deskmat are kinda nice

Sent from my GM1917 using Tapatalk

[NathanAlphaMan]

Hey everyone!

I'm happy to announce that the GB for GMK Polybius will begin on January 4th!

You can pick the set from any of the following lovely vendors once it is live:

US: Space Cables
UK: ProtoTypist
EU: CandyKeys
Asia: iLumkb
Oceania: SwitchKeys
Canada: Ashkeebs

[hottrout]

Thank you for UK ISO in the base kit.  A RAMA would be an obvious collab with this cool little set.

[norb]

oh boi. it's gonna be this or awaken in january...hardest decision of my life

[sevenseacat]

oh boi. it's gonna be this or awaken in january...hardest decision of my life

Booooooooooooth!

[Sun]

I think this is a really cool set.

The latest example of GMK printing I received (GMK DualShot Novelties) makes me hesitate. They were blurry, streaky and not good. They really stuck out to me because of how clean the double shot keys are in comparison.

This set is so cool that it makes me want to take that gamble.

[NathanAlphaMan]

Hey Everyone!

Super happy to announce the GB will be starting today! Pricing for all vendors except two is up in the OP.

Also, there's a special day one deal! If you buy any mat with a base kit, you'll get that mat half off (that's a $10 discount!)

Thanks,

-Nathan

[sevenseacat]

Picked up two sets (w/ deskmats) from SwitchKeys, can't wait to get them 👍

[hottrout]

All sets and mats ordered.  Good luck with this one.  Remember than the government is watching and most likely released this set.  Check the deskmats for trackers and don't play for too long or they will get control of your mind.

[aa212121]

After looking at gmk awaken, this feels like a must have set.



Sent from my SM-G965U1 using Tapatalk

[jbrandona119]

I really appreciate the explanations in the renders. I always struggle to know what I need for boards lol.

[Jo_hannes]

Edith says: Irrelevant, as GB post is live.

[dvorcol]

Group buy is live!

[Visionaire]

Absolutely love the kitting.

[leexy]

update on the numbers?