[IC] GMK CYL Black & Gold | GB live 'til 20th March - New deskmats/renders!

[Bobatype]

Hi,

Based on the feedback here, alongside my personal preferences, I've decided to return double column XT coverage to the Art Deco novelty kit.

Here's a very quick mock-up of the envisioned Art Deco novelty kit (v3):


I'm leaning towards keeping the Art Deco novelty kit more expansive (and consequently more expensive) as I can potentially justify the cost for the molds with another future keycap project where I can re-use those novelties in another colourway.
Furthermore, the double macro column is not just XT layouts, but also for more non-standard/niche layouts that use 1u modifiers (i.e. ortho), which GMK sets typically struggle to cover.

For Casino Royale, I've decided to return the Joker hat as a gold accent, alongside the 2u backspace novelty.
However I'm still ambivalent about the inclusion of the backspace novelty.
The simple matter is that the backspace a less common position for novelties, so it's low priority.
Furthermore, there was mixed feedback about the sword graphic style not meshing with the suits, so I'd like to seek feedback on changing it instead to the 4 cards of suits (the previous old black Enter novelty):

Casino Royale Kit (v3):


However if the Casino Royale kit costs a bit too much, I'll be looking to culling the backspace and/or joker hat again.

For Add-ons kit (v3):


I've added Stepped Ctrl back. Just felt like it was more unique key that those with similar refined tastes would actually get the add-on kit would appreciate it.
Sorry, I've elected against putting Mac Command keys into the kit at this stage. The base kit's R4 modifier legends are all text, so although I prefer the icon '⌘', the text 'Command' is more consistent, however this seems somewhat redundant due to the 1.5u 'System' keys included in it for HHKB coverage.
--------------

The kits have been submitted to GMK for quotes today so hopefully the vendor and I can get a better idea of what the set pricing will look like.
To be clear, the current kitting composition of kits are my decision and not the vendors. I'm just trying to balance the initial idealistic vision I had, versus the pragmatic reality of the current market. I'm sorry if my previous or potential future compromises for kitting disappoint your expectations for this project.

[awvz]

Any updates yet?

[Bobatype]

Current vendor List:

US - Divinikeys
CA - Deskhero
CN - KBDFans
KR - Geon
EU - Keygem
UK - Prototypist
SG - Ktechs
OCE - DailyClack

GB date is looking like it will be late February 2025!

I've decided to make no further changes to the last kit versions.
Media kit unfortunately seems not viable due to lack of interest alongside multiple competing child kits.

Another photo of the keycap Gold sample:

More

[Bobatype]

The Groupbuy Date is confirmed to be from February 20th 2025

Vendor list is finalised:

US - Divinikeys
CA - Deskhero
CN - KBDFans
KR - Geon
EU - Keygem
UK - Prototypist
SG - Ktechs
OCE - DailyClack

Deskmat designs are now finalised:

I thought it would be fun/interesting to do non-rectangular shapes for some of them for unique looks.
I was evidently heavily inspired by poker mats too, and although they are a bit smaller (none exceed the typical 900mm x 400mm dimensions), the dimensions of the outer edge of the card spaces in the middle will still frame a standard poker card.
Please note there is no golden shimmer effect or gold foil on the deskmats. It's simply a gradient which gives an illusion of a shimmer.

There will be an Artkey Universe artisan collaboration in early March. I'll show previews of that as soon as I can.
I'll be open to any other artisan collaborations if there is particular interest.

[Bobatype]

Some new renders to promote the upcoming groupbuy from tomorrow:

Diaphorá by Bowl/DeltakeyCo



Katana 80 by boba.types

Many thanks to mikeydigit for the renders

[HN401A]

Has the group buy for this already started and ended? The Divinikeys site says sold out.

[konstantin]

Has the group buy for this already started and ended? The Divinikeys site says sold out.

It hasn't started yet judging by Boba's above posts, and there's no GB thread yet. They probably have it listed like that as a placeholder until the GB goes live (which should be later today).

[Bobatype]

Hi,
Groupbuy commences today. Thanks to all the people who've expressed their enthusiasm for this project to proceed to this point.
Most store pages are now live:

• VENDORS •

US - Divinikeys
CA - Deskhero.ca
CN - KBDFans
KR - Geon.works
EU - Keygem
UK - Prototypist
SG - Ktechs
OCE - Daily Clack

Appreciation to all those who've submitted their orders already! It all really helps to get this moving along!
Will submit a GB thread as soon as all vendors are live.

[konstantin]

No GB thread still?

[Bobatype]

I was a bit late in posting in the GB thread, but it's been submitted and awaiting mod approval.
I'll try to get a run of week 1 numbers

[MoltenKhor]

I think i have an idea for a cable 

[logaboga]

This looks really good!

[Bobatype]

I've sent a message to mods to approve the GB topic thread.

I've only got data thus far from 6 out of 8 vendors, but so far we've reached around 220 base kits in week 1.
Dvorcal will kindly assist with posting a breakdown chart of each kit on their thread once it's approved.
A big thanks to all who've submitted their orders, really appreciate it! The early orders are really help vendors getting worried about a set not meeting MOQ, leading to GB cancellations.

I think i have an idea for a cable 

Ah I'm down for classy cable collab send me a DM

This looks really good!

Thanks!

[MoltenKhor]

Ah I'm down for classy cable collab send me a DM

Awesome!

[dvorcol]

GB thread now open

[Bobatype]

Although the GB thread is live, and all further discussions will occur there, I did just want to drop a quick notification here that Artkey Universe is also doing a limited raffle artisan keycap collaboration called 'Royal Flush' today (14th March):



Store raffle link: https://artkeyuniverse.com/shop/detail/royal-flush

Note that the form is only live for less than 24 hours.
 

Also wanted to drop a fun render for the UK folks, depicting 007's hypothetical desk setup:

[Bobatype]

GB thread

Last day reminder that the GB ends today! I'll be locking this thread now, as all further updates will be posted on the GB thread instead.

Many thanks to all who joined the groupbuy or expressed support for this keycap set. It's a concept I've been thinking about for a long time, as I did not find prior sets like GMK Lux fully grasp the look I want; the development of 'metallic' appearing ABS material really enabled this vision to be achieved.

I also haven't forgotten about the Japanese variant of this colourway (GMK Kintsugi/Shogun). I don't have an ETA yet, as I'll be needing to make some significant adjustments to the kits to make it viable (at this stage, it seems quite difficult to do 2 novelty kits, and impossible to do 2 base kits).