is the Custom figure movement killing traditional EF/MF

On the old Miggle board back in the you cant show this and you cant say this years, I and a few others would verbally joust with other EF/MFlers about how they felt custom figures needed to be placed in a special catagory,obviously those of us that dug custom figures disagreed. I dont have to say any names but these hobbyists felt that bigger, or figs specialized to perform certain functions would change the game or snuff out the more traditional aspects of EF/MF. Don Smith, Reg,Jimbo, Anthony Burgess and myself were even personally kicked in the gut by other guys that felt we were wrong in how we felt about the hobby,To us we just wanted to do our thing and share with the community. In my humble opinion I knew the hobby was to big to stay in such a narrow spectrum of thought. I knew guys were doing it at home but would never show there figs perhaps it was fear of being called out, or those who they were connected to in the hobby didnt dig custom figures so many stayed quiet. Looking
back on it it was really opinion vs opinion, but now i see work all over from new guys,vets, even some of these custom figs are killing EF/MFlers have now crossed over, my question to you guys is the Custom Figure movement destroying traditional EF/MF figure usage?

[Reginald Rutledge]

I remember a time when I made an announcement on Miggle board that I was giving away my entire collection of Fab 5 teams. I really did not get much of nothing for them. But the funny thing was is I had so much criticism for what I did. Critiques from every camp lashed out at me for breaking with tradition.

Again, it never bothered me because I envisioned a game where anyone should be able to use whatever players he wanted. If I felt I could win with a certain type of athlete and he was available, then I should do so.

In the DFW League, we openly allow ALL manufacturers figures. Several of our best coaches still use traditional Fab 5 players. As a matter of fact, only Barry Stephenson, Michael Robertson, and myself use FF.COM figures (custom and stock) exclusively (among the top tier coaches). Most other coaches have a mixture of everybody's stuff.

So from our perspective, here in DFW land, the traditonal Fab 5 is alive and well. I think it's a beautiful thing when you can use what you want and seeing the creativity of guys now able to dream and openly show their creativity is a good thing. It took a few people to "push the envelope" and "take the bullets" but everybody got the opportunity to benefit from those critical moments in time.

Reg

[Electric Coach]

Although I am rather new to the concept of customizing, I have always believed that customizing would enhance the hobby. Similar to a lot of practices, they can become routine; sometimes boring. Customizing brings newness to the hobby. It also opens the door for more discussion concerning the hobby.

Since I have started customizing, I can’t see a team without some customized figures on it. Customizing has enhanced my hobby experience.

Maurice

The Electric Coach

It's just natural that the game, like life, evolves.

Customizing figures is a part of that evolution process within the game and it enhances the experience for many people.

You can always set rules or standards that limit the size/weight/position relative to the base (etc) of figures...to keep things fair/equal...but as long as a custom figure looks like a football player...(not and extra limbed alien - although that could be an interesting team :rolleyes...then there really should be no debate...

Imagine a chess game where you created all your own players. As long as the rules about how your chess players could move matched those of your opponent (becasue in chess, that's all that really matters), then it should make no difference.

It's a little more complicated within MF/EF...but if people take the time to establish standards and rules that work for everybody (we know people have already done this!) then we should be able to satisfy just about everyone.

In some ways, this issue/problem speaks to the larger issues we have as humans. We like to have a certain comfort and balance in our lives...this extends to MF/EF. We get used to things a certain way...or are fearful that the "WAY" we do something will become obsolete...that the balance we try to set will become unbalanced.

I look at it this way...no matter what you do...the world is just going to keep on spinning. No matter how you look at it, you are along for a ride on this planet. You might as well enjoy it and help others enjoy it with you. Find your balance, but realize, on a spinning planet, you will have to find it again and again throughout your life. And that's part of what makes life worth living. You have to try to learn how to embrace change...it's coming whether you like it or not. Work with others to make changes for the better of all.

On a less philosophical note...it seems like now there are so many ways to approach MF/EF, that anybody should be able to find a way to participate. If playing the "game" is your thing...then as long as the rules are the same for both sides...it really shouldn't matter if you have a team of custom players or a team of stock players. Find what you like and go with it...accept the challenge and get on with the game!

Of course, this is all just one crazy man's opinion...

[WEIRDWOLF]

Sorry to jump on this thread but every chance I get I have to plug the MFCA Customizing Contest #2. Only one entry has been recieved so far. Check this post for rules. http://www.miniaturefootball.com/for...ead.php?t=3983

March 30 is the cutoff date for submissions. There are prizes! Money, custom field cover, DVD, bases and possibly more.

I hope that there is still interest in the contest.

[HOOP]

Yes, i think customizing is destroying the traditional figs. But i dont mean this to say that custom figs are the dark side and the fab 5's are a bunch of Luke Skywalkers. i think it still falls under the umbrella of "To Each His Own", or "whichever you prefer".
i too, cannot see a team without a custom figure or two on it. and though it has enhanced my experience (all i do is customize now), i have 145 fab five teams just sitting there, waiting for solitaire play or for my son to be old enough. but here is how i answer the question - when my son is old enough to play(in another 4-6yrs), will he want to play with the those traditional teams, or will we take these customs to YET, ANOTHER LEVEL, or two, or three, and he will want those figs instead?
or simply put -
my haiti cowboys are ATARI
my custom figs are INTELLEVISION
Shawns Swivel figs are NINTENDO
D. Jennings figs are GENESIS

its just a matter of time before the playstations come out.
and with that said, WHO STILL PLAYS ATARI?

YES, customs are destroying the traditionals. not yet, but in time.

Lock,

The answer to your question is NO. That’s like asking… Are the Buzzball, FF.com, Electric Gridiron, Miggle Proline, and Excalibur figures killing traditional EF/MF? These stock poses along with custom figures appeal to the masses because they are different. I remember when ITZ and Larry Walker figures were the rage in the hobby. The reason they were hot is because they were different from the existing Tudor/Miggle men of that era. Their stuff opened the door for everything else that came down the pipe.

Custom figures bring a WOW factor to this hobby. They might not be on par with Reginald’s stadiums, however more coaches have a better chance of making a custom figure than making a stadium. Through their works, custom figure makers share their visions of the hobby with all of us. They spark our imaginations and captivate us with their beautiful artistry. They inspire us to (either) get what they have, or to make our own. No matter how you slice it… it’s all good.

There’s nothing wrong with traditional EF/MF, its alive and kicking and still being supported by a good number of coaches. The reality is (thanks to evolution)… it’s no longer the only game in town.

Peace,

OldSchool

P.S. I'm a little disappointed that SteelersFan1967 removed his post from this thread. I thought the comments in his response were really on point.

[Reginald Rutledge]

to that same effect.

I thought the comments were thought provoking.

[Electric Coach]

I am Curious as to what Steelers Fan stated concerning this post. Steelers Fan if you are reading this, please repost your comment.

Maurice

The Electric Coach

[Michigan Joe]

I think there is a place for both traditional EF and the new game of MINIATURE FOOTBALL!

I LOVE custom poses, decals, facemasks, neck braces, big boards, wood boards, metal boards, field covers, leaugues, national tournaments, tweaked bases, frankenstein bases, laser first down markers, custom field accessories, sideline coaches, and this chatboard/community. I would categorize these as more MINIATURE FOOTBALL, because electric football has been defined by over the years by Tudor/Miggle (not that there is anything wrong with that, we are all greatful for that). But....MINIATURE football is defined by the people who enjoy the hobby and raise the height of the experience within the hobby for the plain love the game and the commraderie of the community.

Joe