Evoking fond childhood memories of playing video games in the 1990s, this keycap set is inspired by the translucent purple colourway of some gaming systems of this iconic era. The keycaps feature a light purple, semi-transparent outer layer; alongside primary coloured accents and novelties that pay homage to some of the classic gaming consoles of yore.
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• GALLERY •
PHOTOS
(https://i.imgur.com/H8ACxkN.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/UUJpJGH.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/uPipQpx.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/u7ltaGx.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/BgVQcXk.jpeg)
More photographs here: https://kbdfans.com/products/pbtfans-atomic-purple
RENDERS
(https://i.imgur.com/6phEkjn.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/d1LR6tW.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/Qz7AVnx.jpeg)
Atom by Pensa
(https://i.imgur.com/wksEYQ5.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/gPkuon3.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/UeHA5oh.jpg)
Iron165 by Smith+Rune
(https://i.imgur.com/Lmd3kOZ.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/RLQDEUe.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/PFydjNl.jpeg)
Werk One by werk.technica
(https://i.imgur.com/xVcYhhN.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/pqR5bi2.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/b6Ti6ol.jpg)
E8.5 by Exclusive
(https://i.imgur.com/9eteOtb.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/Ip36Gcj.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/7BWeNKQ.jpg)
F1-8k Snow by Geon
Disclaimer: Renders shown are used for illustrative purposes only. Please refer to kits for the most updated keycap layout coverages
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• KITTING •
(https://i.imgur.com/gD5mxEO.png)
Base Kit[Covers 60%, 65%, 75%, TKL, with terminal ISO, F13, Tsangan support, and minimal compatibility for some Alice, split space and HHKB layouts.
Novelties and Spacebars are included.]
(https://i.imgur.com/VCkfqZH.png)
Katakana Alpha Kit(https://i.imgur.com/CEB3e4B.png)
Accent RGBY Kit(https://i.imgur.com/cqUF9Ul.jpeg)
Numpad Kit(https://i.imgur.com/gKkr66e.jpeg)
40s Kit(https://i.imgur.com/oOLDl4y.jpeg)
International Kit[For UK, DE, SE/FI, NO, and DK]
⚛️
• DISCLAIMERS •
1. This should not be treated as 100% accurate reproduction of the original Atomic Purple colourway. There are several limitations, such as the original casing shells did not have any underlying white opaque layer below the translucent purple layer, which is unavoidable in this situation due to the double-shot legends. An OEM controller has been used as the primary reference.
2. The inner layer for the keycaps will have holes/gaps visible through the semi-transparent top layer. These are not defects but manufacturing constraints from the double shot injection molding process. Coincidentally this is an appropriate fit for the theme, as the original transparent shells of the source reference also expose the underlying molding structures (i.e. threaded holes for screws). Also consider 'atomic' as a tribute to humanity's curiosity into the inner structure of matter itself. Please refer to the PBTFans X-ray disclaimer (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pY36PpCUbIcukf56lxOQpxZoas2nkkGVCL8BJctd_m8/) for examples of variations possible.
3. The images shown are used for illustrative purposes only. There may be variations because of differences in display output due to lighting, angle of view, and screen calibration. Furthermore the semi-transparent nature of the keycap material adds another variable.
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• DESKPADS •
(https://i.imgur.com/DWfNmjr.png)
GBC (Pretendo Purple)(https://i.imgur.com/eiTwhN8.png)
Game Motif - Black(https://i.imgur.com/JZNw6an.png)
Game Motif - Purple(https://i.imgur.com/miu3nWk.png)
Atomic Orbit(top) (#post_top)
• COLLABS •
TBC
Artisan keycap - Salvun x Maxvoltar x Bobatype
(https://i.imgur.com/3aZ3lRN.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/j3p9LS1.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/l0ALoeG.png)
More
(https://i.imgur.com/gvBCcAL.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/gQpoEGj.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/MR0A2rf.png)
Specs: Top is aluminium, stone washed, and laser engraved. Bottom is hand-dyed polycarb.
Kindly DM me on Instagram/Discord to discuss.
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• SPECIFICATIONS •
Material: ABS Material
Profile: Cherry Profile
Manufacturing Method: Double shot injection molding
Manufacturer: PBTfans™
Packaging: ABS keycaps tray with designed tray cover
Compatibility: Cherry MX and MX clones switches
(https://i.imgur.com/FESNcI0.jpg)
• SAMPLES •
Keycap colour samples confirmed (furthest right is final color approved):
(https://i.imgur.com/4KEgFw4.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/YAQfqHx.jpeg)
More
(https://i.imgur.com/OPmPdZq.jpeg)
Other colours were confirmed on prior rounds (note that R3 purple approval was later retracted and revised)
(https://i.imgur.com/7Q49JOr.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/KxGG7jv.png)
Deskmat prototypes:
More
(https://i.imgur.com/7GcK6pY.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/WJGXSaK.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/l5PmBbY.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/ZhNIHwR.jpeg)
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• LOGISTICS •
Estimated Production Completion Date - December 2024
Combination of in-stock and pre-order.
For the specific price, please refer to the local vendors site.
Prices may fluctuate according to local tariffs, shipping etc.
With the extensive novelties and number of colours incorporated into the base, the pricing might be slightly higher than the average PBTFans base kit.
• VENDORS •
Current List of Vendors
List of VendorsGlobal : KBDFans (https://kbdfans.com/products/pbtfans-atomic-purple)
US - Divinikey (https://divinikey.com/products/pbtfans-atomic-purple-keycaps)
US - Omnitype (https://omnitype.com/collections/atomic-purple)
CA - Minokeys (https://minokeys.com/collections/keycap-sets/products/pbtfans-atomic-purple)
EU - Keygem (https://keygem.com/en-au/products/pbtfans-atomic-purple-pre-order)
EU - MaxGaming (https://www.maxgaming.com/en/keycaps/pbtfans-atomic-purple-base-kit)
UK - MechMods (https://www.mechmods.co.uk/products/pbtfans-atomic-purple)
KR - GEONWORKS (https://geon.works/search?q=pbtfans&options%5Bprefix%5D=last)
CN - Mars.Universe (https://mars-universe.net/)
TW - PNKeyboard (https://17url.cc/QEKVo)
SG - ktechs (https://ktechs.store/collections/pbtfans-keycaps/products/pbtfans-atomic-purple)
VN - Uniq Meck (https://uniqmeck.com/products/pbtfans-atomic-purple)AU - Soupkeys (https://www.soupkeys.com/products/pbtfans-atomic-purple)
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• Q&A •
Thoughts behind the design?More
I’ve always wanted a retro gaming themed keycap set that I not only had a personal connection with, but also had a bright and playful palette, not based around beige and greys. Atomic Purple hits that mark for me in terms of nostalgia and childhood fun, being the raddest versions of the GBC and N64 controllers. Although translucent tech casing was a fad of the 90s, as a child, the exposed inner electromechanical components of the devices was a visual delight. Being able to have a peek under the plastic increased one’s geeky appreciation/fascination for the underlying technology.
Furthermore, the way these caps hint at the inner molding, much like the source reference, makes me really happy at how it all lines up.
Essentially this is a nostalgic affection for the see-through casing of gaming devices and controllers of the past, particularly the ones that I personally played. I’ll always have a sweet spot for them, as they featured some of the most beloved games of its generation. I can’t say I miss blowing on cartridges though.
‘Atomic’ to me implies looking at the underlying structure, so I wanted to play upon the chemistry angle too. This is why some of the novelties simultaneously resemble atomic structures like nucleus/bonds and also the outlines/shapes of controller buttons. Chemistry is pretty cool too.
How will colour-matching be done?More
After a significant amount of revisions, I’ve tried my very best at picking the closest physical color code from the RAL/Pantone systems whilst keeping an authentic reference from the OEM on hand for comparisons. This is to assist with consistency across manufacturer, render depictions, and collabs. Please note until I have a keycap sample in hand, it’s still too early to say anything, and anything I do say should be considered subjective as I do not own a spectrophotometer. Be reassured I’m not colour-blind and I will ask others for their opinion too when samples are created. I have discussed with the manufacturer about sending them a physical reference source from the OEM to assist with matching.
Will there be other kits /layout compatibility?More
No. I am limited by the manufacturer constraints on the available doubleshot legend molds, and what kits the vendor also believes are financially viable for minimum order quantities.
Why semi-transparent RGBY accents/novelties instead of opaque?More
Although the RGBY keys were originally intended to be opaque with subtle RGBY legends to directly reference to the original controller buttons, semi-transparent keys were strongly preferred by the manufacturer due to the costs. Furthermore, renders revealed that the semi-transparent primary coloured keycaps still look fantastic and objectively more consistent; retaining the translucency and white legends adjacent to see-through purple caps. These accents are also meant to represent the portable gaming console’s self-titled introduction of ‘Color’ to its own handheld system.
Throughout this design project, it’s been a delicate task in balancing between interpreting the original theme faithfully, but also not becoming so hung up on an exact reproduction in a different medium; compromising overall design cohesiveness/aesthetic. Thus, please forgive me in advance for the artistic licence that I’ve had to employ at times in regards to the colours and novelties.
What’s next?More
Confirming GB/in-stock production timelines and vendors. Collabs. It’s mainly logistical at this point.
I’m currently developing other translucent keycap sets based on 90s early 00s technology/gaming (WIP). Depending on how this particular project goes, I may get an opportunity in the future to run GBs for the other colours in the Funtastic range too (i.e. Grape Purple and Fire Orange) as the novelty molds already exist.
What’s the best gaming console of all-time?More
This is a contentious topic with lots of heated opinions, and it’s hard to compare GOATs across eras, but seriously, it’s the one you grew up with. They all stand on the shoulders of giants before. Personally, the ones that had the most impact on me were in fact the handhelds due to portability.
(https://i.imgur.com/cxTGxwu.jpg)
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• MISC •
• FEEDBACK •
Please fill in the Feedback/Interest Check form (https://forms.gle/LuQDugouamnqSk5WA). Thanks!
(https://i.imgur.com/hGxRLMS.png)
(https://forms.gle/LuQDugouamnqSk5WA)
• SOCIALS •
INSTAGRAM (https://www.instagram.com/boba.types) | DISCORD (https://discord.gg/HKnmcwzgZx)
(https://i.imgur.com/8FBM0xz.png) (https://www.instagram.com/boba.types)(https://i.imgur.com/J17RwCY.png) (https://discord.gg/HKnmcwzgZx)
⚛️
• CHANGELOG •
Changes will be summarised here as the thread is updated (if I remember)
More
| 2023-04-09: | Original Post |
| 2024-03-16: | Keycap artisan collab design with Salvun/MVKB |
| 2024-11-20: | Red and Yellow colour sample (Round 3) not approved |
| 2024-12-12: | Red and Yellow colour sample (Round 4) approved |
| 2024-06-18: | Samples with Novelty legends approved, however previous approval for prior Purple colour retracted and revision requested |
| 2024-09-27: | Purple colour sample approved after 2 more rounds |
| 2024-10-17: | Packaging Box Artwork finalised |
| 2024-11-13: | Production commencement |
• THANKS •
Thank you to those who provided help, support or design assistance for this project in some form or another. Special shoutouts in particular to:
More
Bob (KBDFans) and Pensa (renders).
Cheers to Its.Hymn for the F1-8K renders. Also to Am for correcting some of the legend tolerances.
To Aiglatson Studio, Cylent and KDD, for providing answers/feedback to some simple questions; your willingness to reply is appreciated.
A nod to Oli for being cool dude I can bounce ideas off.
Appreciation also goes out to developers of Blender, Inkscape, and KRK (Imperfectlink); including the designers of the respective keyboards in the renders depicted.
Acknowledgement goes to other game-themed keycap sets that served as inspiration, such as: GMK DMG, GMK Dualshot, and GMK Cubed.
I also copied Hali’s Horsey IC’s BBcode for hyperlinking sections.
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• Profile Signature Code •
(https://i.imgur.com/6E87Kgr.jpeg) (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=120047.0)
If you’d like to show your support for this project here on Geekhack, you can add the following to your forum profile signature:
[url=https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=120047.0][img width=360 height=120]https://i.imgur.com/6E87Kgr.jpeg[/img][/url](https://i.imgur.com/1vMrgrI.png) (https://forms.gle/LuQDugouamnqSk5WA)(https://i.imgur.com/tD1UJ57.png) (https://www.instagram.com/boba.types)(https://i.imgur.com/5fKG5oc.png) (https://discord.gg/HKnmcwzgZx)
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