[IC] GMK Retrowave [GB August 1]

[vladimir108]

Miami Vice kit :-)

[SwitchKeys]

Hi all,
Excited to share my latest designs for our new deskmat for discussion.

I would like your feedback, which of these two would you choose!






Also, would you like to see edge to edge printing or black border?

(Please ignore the low resolution on these, they are just working drafts as I finalise everything)

[CookieFlow]

Between the two, I prefer the top one.

I appreciate this new take on the mat, but personally I would prefer the design without the car.

[Havattack]

I can barely tell he difference honestly, but my eyes are tired right now. Bottom.


I agree, I'd prefer one without the car.


I would want an "outrun" style desk mat that is just a 2 tone of the purple and pink used in the set.

[vernSL]

I prefer the top.

But I definitely agree, there should be a more minimalistic deskmat without the car. This is too busy for me on my desk, but I'm sure there are people who love it.

[SwitchKeys]

Yep the plan is to keep one loud deskmat and one more minimalistic deskmat which we are working on right now (Likely the purple mat with a silhouette repeating pattern, possibly the palm trees or the flamingos).

I'm hesitant to remove the car as it is literally the focal point of the entire deskmat. Removing it just puts us back at the original design (If you are really into the sunset deskmat you'll be able to buy it shortly from Space Cables, SwitchKeys, KeyGem, Ashkeebs and ProtoTypist)

Thanks for the continued interest guys. We're also pleased to confirm Project Keyboard who will be running this for North America.

[Whiplash_XXIII]

Really dig the car desk mat! I'm honestly torn between the two with a slight change in colors. If I had to pick one I think I would go with the top, something about the orange in the sun just makes it a tad better. I'm going to vote for the edge to edge printing

[Havattack]

Miami Vice kit :-)

I think of pink and blue/teal more when it comes to Miami Vice,

[CookieFlow]

Yep the plan is to keep one loud deskmat and one more minimalistic deskmat which we are working on right now (Likely the purple mat with a silhouette repeating pattern, possibly the palm trees or the flamingos).

I'm hesitant to remove the car as it is literally the focal point of the entire deskmat. Removing it just puts us back at the original design (If you are really into the sunset deskmat you'll be able to buy it shortly from Space Cables, SwitchKeys, KeyGem, Ashkeebs and ProtoTypist)

Thanks for the continued interest guys. We're also pleased to confirm Project Keyboard who will be running this for North America.

I fully understand.
I would still think that without the car it would be different enough from your "classic", I don't often see the palm trees inside the sun which I find awesome.
It's just that the keyboard would sit mostly on top of the car, so in my head that woudn't look that good, since you would only see some random parts of the car like the wheels or spoiler.

But if there is a more minimalistic one, that's awesome. I really like the sun with the palm trees on the right, feels like a perfect place to have your mouse.
And I agree, the slight orange tone of the top one is really nice.

[SwitchKeys]

Thanks for your comments CookieFlow!

Nathan actually mocked up a render of a (Now outdated design) with the keyboard on it for scale.



I will be back here soon with some kitting updates and hopefully another deskmat addition

Cheers

[CookieFlow]

That looks a lot better than I imagined in my head ! Probably better suited for a small keyboard so it doesn't get mostly covered.
I like the "retrowave" in Katakana on the plate, that's a cool idea that hopefully would make it into the final design

Looking forward to see the more minimalistic one, but I will say the more I look at the car design the more I like it.

[mpererr]

Might have to buy this set just for the F-40... Seriously though, great work on the mats!

[OmniSzron]

The car looks hella nice. I think it will sell well, but you probably should offer an extra, more minimalistic one too.

[SwitchKeys]

Another small update.
Added Candy Keys as EU Vendor. All vendors now finalised. Awaiting mockups from Space for the cable tie-in and I should have all kits revised next week as Nathan has been busy wrapping up his other amazing projects.

Thanks for everyone's patience so far!

[nvh2092]

The render of ISO keyboard shows a R3 pipe key and R4 <> key non sublegend which are used for basic ISO. These keys don't exist in any kit. Will these appear in the final kitting?

[SwitchKeys]

Have done another round of kitting (Will be locking this in as we head into the final stretch of the IC). See OP for the latest kits.

Keeping a compact base was something we had tried really hard (Indeed the IC responses were basically spit for this). Ultimately, I couldn't bring myself to cut due to the punishment it would cause ISO / Numpad users as an example. To counter this, we will push ahead with an enormous MOQ to shoot for competitive pricing with a pretty complete base kit.

I've hopefully catered for the majority of 40s users, so if this is you, given we know 40s account for less than 10% on average of base kit sales please show some support during GB. Have trimmed down the bars to save some $ also.

Lastly massive thanks to Nathanalphaman for all his hard work with kitting among all the other stuff he is dealing with on a daily basis. Imagine trying to run your Polybius project among other things, and having me on your doorstep every morning with requests.

Next update will contain pricing and a date schedule. As we move closer, I am working with Rama on some additional collabs for this project and I am still drafting for the second deskmat.

Thanks to everyone for sticking around and most importantly for the feedback in the IC.

Peace <3

[Alejo1707]

I love the aesthetic, and will probably buy it, but my long crusade remains...WHY GMK?

[Havattack]

I imagine the runner likes the cherry profile, ABS, and GMK are second to none as far as quality goes. I'd prefer SA or MG myself, but whatevs, there are a lot of things I would change, but it aint my set. If I really wanted that "perfect" set of mine (and this is close), i would design it and run it myself, but I don't want it that bad, and I'm too lazy.

[mr_foggy]

Thank GOD I joined this forum while this is in progress. 100% in!
Even better if the Katakana alphas were in the base set, leaving the simple alpha in an additional kit.

[Rx003]

I am here for the Rama glwic and glws 

[SwitchKeys]

Deskmat prototype has arrived. Qualiy and vibrancy blew me away, really excited to share these.

In terms of set progress. We've sent the kits off to GMK for quotation. Just waiting to hear back

[Whiplash_XXIII]

Deskmat prototype has arrived. Qualiy and vibrancy blew me away, really excited to share these.

In terms of set progress. We've sent the kits off to GMK for quotation. Just waiting to hear back

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These are stellar!

[CookieFlow]

The deskmat looks incredible.
I wasn't fully on board with the car at first, but it works really well 

I was hoping that the "レトロウェーブ" stayed on the plate as I thought that was an awesome "easter egg".
But that's the only part that is blocked, so I guess I will not know for now haha.

[Havattack]

Even better if the Katakana alphas were in the base set, leaving the simple alpha in an additional kit.

Yeah, we both wish. But doesn't look like that's in the cards unfortunately.

[SwitchKeys]

Even better if the Katakana alphas were in the base set, leaving the simple alpha in an additional kit.

Yeah, we both wish. But doesn't look like that's in the cards unfortunately.

Was the hardest decision of the whole set. Ultimately I chose latin purely because it slightly edged out Katakana as an option (Talking literally single digit percentages).

[CookieFlow]

Even better if the Katakana alphas were in the base set, leaving the simple alpha in an additional kit.

Yeah, we both wish. But doesn't look like that's in the cards unfortunately.

Was the hardest decision of the whole set. Ultimately I chose latin purely because it slightly edged out Katakana as an option (Talking literally single digit percentages).

I think it's a tough decision.
Awaken with Katakana outsold the Latin Alphas by almost 3 to 1.

[Havattack]

Even better if the Katakana alphas were in the base set, leaving the simple alpha in an additional kit.

Yeah, we both wish. But doesn't look like that's in the cards unfortunately.

Was the hardest decision of the whole set. Ultimately I chose latin purely because it slightly edged out Katakana as an option (Talking literally single digit percentages).

I think it's a tough decision.
Awaken with Katakana outsold the Latin Alphas by almost 3 to 1.

It'll probably be the same with this one. I don't think all that many people end up filling out the IC form. I know i forget half the time..

[nvh2092]

Even better if the Katakana alphas were in the base set, leaving the simple alpha in an additional kit.

Yeah, we both wish. But doesn't look like that's in the cards unfortunately.

Was the hardest decision of the whole set. Ultimately I chose latin purely because it slightly edged out Katakana as an option (Talking literally single digit percentages).

I think it's a tough decision.
Awaken with Katakana outsold the Latin Alphas by almost 3 to 1.

It'll probably be the same with this one. I don't think all that many people end up filling out the IC form. I know i forget half the time..

Gmk agent 01 had sublegends at first but removed later due to interest. It depends on theme and time.

[Adqam64]

I would definitely like to buy the katakana set - but it doesn't have ISO-UK support, so I won't.  I'd be happy if that was the only kit if it had ISO-UK support.

[CookieFlow]

Even better if the Katakana alphas were in the base set, leaving the simple alpha in an additional kit.

Yeah, we both wish. But doesn't look like that's in the cards unfortunately.

Was the hardest decision of the whole set. Ultimately I chose latin purely because it slightly edged out Katakana as an option (Talking literally single digit percentages).

I think it's a tough decision.
Awaken with Katakana outsold the Latin Alphas by almost 3 to 1.

It'll probably be the same with this one. I don't think all that many people end up filling out the IC form. I know i forget half the time..

Gmk agent 01 had sublegends at first but removed later due to interest. It depends on theme and time.

Of course it depends on the theme. I don't always advocate for Japanese sub-legends, on some sets I prefer regular Latin Alphas.
But I just think Retrowave is one of those where I feel fairly confident that a Katakana sublegend base would do better as its theme feels perfectly suited for it.

And that I think making the call for Base Latin Alphas just based on a form that was close to 50% is a tough call to make (also depending on how many answers that form got).

[ThickJimmy]

This set really does make a bold color choice look good. Great work!

[Havattack]

Even better if the Katakana alphas were in the base set, leaving the simple alpha in an additional kit.

Yeah, we both wish. But doesn't look like that's in the cards unfortunately.

Was the hardest decision of the whole set. Ultimately I chose latin purely because it slightly edged out Katakana as an option (Talking literally single digit percentages).

I think it's a tough decision.
Awaken with Katakana outsold the Latin Alphas by almost 3 to 1.

It'll probably be the same with this one. I don't think all that many people end up filling out the IC form. I know i forget half the time..

Gmk agent 01 had sublegends at first but removed later due to interest. It depends on theme and time.

Probably. I guess well see what the finale sale numbers are (in regards to both gmk agent and this) If i'm correct about people not filling out the IC forms, that lack of interest may not be reflected in final sale numbers.

[3yatt]

Its Early 2021. Where is it?? GIB!!!! :]

[elmo]

So this is cancelled?

[Havattack]

So this is cancelled?

?! Why would you say such a horrible thing?! 

[Havattack]

Its Early 2021. Where is it?? GIB!!!! :]

I vaguely remember someone saying GMK got so back ordered, they decided to stop taking new orders for the time being. So i think a lot of GB's are on hold for now. (Take with a grain of salt, I'm not sure.)

[Pluto19]

So this is cancelled?

?! Why would you say such a horrible thing?! 

Allegedly, according to Lang [GMK Cafe], GMK is stopping Retrowave due to a novelty and common theme to GMK Laser

[Havattack]

So this is cancelled?

?! Why would you say such a horrible thing?! 

Allegedly, according to Lang [GMK Cafe], GMK is stopping Retrowave due to a novelty and common theme to GMK Laser

That is such nonsense
Report back from some discord investigating: There is some issue, Sk is in discussion with GMK over it. I'm sure they'll update us when they know anything for sure. Still a huge bummer.

[ehmora]

This looks sooo good on the silver and PC rendered cases. Hope everything works out!

[sevenseacat]

Allegedly, according to Lang [GMK Cafe], GMK is stopping Retrowave due to a novelty and common theme to GMK Laser

That would be such bull****.

[Gremlosh]

So this is cancelled?

?! Why would you say such a horrible thing?! 

Allegedly, according to Lang [GMK Cafe], GMK is stopping Retrowave due to a novelty and common theme to GMK Laser

Damn that sucks. I was looking forward to this GB. This might have been my first GMK set

[Konami_Ai]

So this is cancelled?

?! Why would you say such a horrible thing?! 

Allegedly, according to Lang [GMK Cafe], GMK is stopping Retrowave due to a novelty and common theme to GMK Laser

The novelty I can understand, if it was a copywrite issue, better to deal with it now, rather than later.
But stopping a set for "common theme"? GMK has definitely run sets of the similar theme *simultaneously * before.
If that's the case, that's insanely lame.

[Havattack]

Has anyone tried reaching out to Mito (Laser's GB runner) and asking him to advocate for it? EDIT: I shot him a message on discord, but i doubt he'll pay much attention to some message from a random dude he's never talked to on discord. We'll see.
It is absurd that Vaporwave, which had WAY more in common with Laser, got made no problem, but GMK is pulling this crap with this set?
I know I'm in the minority, but can we just go SA?

That "outrun" sun symbol has been around along time, Laser has no ownership over it.

[Havattack]

So this is cancelled?

?! Why would you say such a horrible thing?! 

Allegedly, according to Lang [GMK Cafe], GMK is stopping Retrowave due to a novelty and common theme to GMK Laser

The novelty I can understand, if it was a copywrite issue, better to deal with it now, rather than later.
But stopping a set for "common theme"? GMK has definitely run sets of the similar theme *simultaneously * before.
If that's the case, that's insanely lame.

Correct me if i'm wrong, but what novelties do they share, other then the cassette tape and the sun with lines? Both of which existed long before Laser used them.
I am legit pissed at this garbage. I was SO stoked for this set/

[MediocreTurtle]

Has anyone tried reaching out to Mito (Laser's GB runner) and asking him to advocate for it? EDIT: I shot him a message on discord, but i doubt he'll pay much attention to some message from a random dude he's never talked to on discord. We'll see.
It is absurd that Vaporwave, which had WAY more in common with Laser, got made no problem, but GMK is pulling this crap with this set?
I know I'm in the minority, but can we just go SA?

That "outrun" sun symbol has been around along time, Laser has no ownership over it.

I would be surprised if it wasn't Mito/Drop who raised that issue with GMK in the first place

[cadrev]

The colors are so far away from Laser  , was looking forward to this so much.

[Havattack]

Has anyone tried reaching out to Mito (Laser's GB runner) and asking him to advocate for it? EDIT: I shot him a message on discord, but i doubt he'll pay much attention to some message from a random dude he's never talked to on discord. We'll see.
It is absurd that Vaporwave, which had WAY more in common with Laser, got made no problem, but GMK is pulling this crap with this set?
I know I'm in the minority, but can we just go SA?

That "outrun" sun symbol has been around along time, Laser has no ownership over it.

I would be surprised if it wasn't Mito/Drop who raised that issue with GMK in the first place

Yeah, you're not the 1st person to imply that possibility.. That's part of the reason  I contacted him, in hope to at least partly  dispel that rumor.  If that it is the case, I hope it's Drop and not Mito.. I've bought THREE of Mito's sets.. If i find out I've been supporting a d-bag, piece of scum, i will be even more bummed by the situation. How DARE anyone try to claim any kind of trademark or something for 90% novelties in Laser, especially the "outrun" sun. They've all been around a LONG time, way before Laser, and are in no way originated by Drop/Mito.
The Retrowave Gb, would not be occurring at the same time as a Laser anyway. This all around absurd.
I really hope they decide to go with another keykap form and manufacturer. GMK was never my favorite, and now that i know they have shoddy business practices, they can go duck themselves. I would prefer to never buy from them again. 

[mr_foggy]

Nice. The only set I was planning on buying form GMK and this bull**** ensues. Not happy.

[jimmythetooth]

Very disappointing. Is there anything the community can do to help make this happen?

[Havattack]

Very disappointing. Is there anything the community can do to help make this happen?

Grab your pitch-fork, get a plane ticket, and meet me in Germany! Time for some nerd-mob justice!

In all seriousness, anyone have any news?